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1999 News Archive
October thru December

October | November | December

Volunteer Trail Clearing, Oct. 16 8-10 am, Colvin Run Mill Park, Route 7 between Vienna and Reston (preparing for Cross County) Info 703 821 0975

Next meeting Fairfax Trails and Streams, 7:30 pm Mon. Nov 1st at McLean Government Center, Balls Hill Rd at Lewinsville Rd. Guest: FCPA's Bill Cuttler, FCPA's point man for the Cross County Trail. Also, complete map of McLean's trails, constructed over the past 4 months by volunteers, will be unveiled.

Cross County Hike 8:30 am Nov 6-13-20 Lorton to Great Falls.

1999 Potomac Heritage Trail Third Annual caucus, Fri. Oct 22, Oxon Hill Manor, MD Sponsored by Potomac Heritage Partnership, MD-Nat. Capital Park and Planning Commission, NPS, Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program. Agenda: 9:30 Overview of PHT (along both sides of river in MD and VA) 10: Welcome/Introductions 10:20 Roundtable Reports 12:15 Lunch and open discussion 1:30 "Community Trails: Using Easements to Maintain Local Values" by David Harper, The Brandywine Conservancy 2:30 Discussion 3:30 Adjourn RSVP by Oct 18 at php1623@aol.com. Info and directions at 202 338 6222

Sierra Club Cleanup/Beltway Widening rally at Wakefield Park Oct 9 The Sierra Club is hosting a cleanup and anti-Beltway widening rally on Saturday, October 9, 1999, at Wakefield Park. The cleanup starts at the picnic grounds at 10:00 AM till noon, followed by a picnic with live music and a rally, from noon until 2:30. After 2:30 there will be a series of nature walks in different parts of the Park. We have tentative agreement from a biologist at the Smithsonian who will accompany several of the walks to point out interesting flora and fauna in the Park - for instance, there are four (4) different species of orchids native to the Park, several of which could be endangered by further development. (Several miles of the Cross-County Trail go through this area.) For further information please call Rick Rio at (703)280-1524.

Great Falls Trailblazers discuss stonedust trails along Georgetown Pike and Walker Road, Nov. 10. to the Countywide Nonmotorized Transp. Committee at Fairfax Government Center, Conf. Room 8, at 12000 Govt. Center Pkwy. Meeting starts at 7:30.

FCPA asks us to build a new trail For the first time, Fairfax County Park Authority asked Fairfax Trails and Streams to build a new trail. It would run along Pohick Creek. Given our core membership in McLean and Great Falls, our Cross-County plan has been to start at the north end and work south, building our base as we go; this would be a departure from that plan. Still, the request is a milestone and indicates that the FCPA is beginning to view us as a partner. We will have an opportunity to talk with FCPA's Bill Cuttler at our November 1st meeting, and decide whether and/or how to get involved in this project.

FTAS helping FCPA draft volunteer trail standards FTAS has begun a new initiative to help draw up volunteer trail standards for Fairfax County. Tailored for local use, it will reference existing standards. Bill Moran has taken the lead on this; more details November 1st.

Great Falls Trailblazers to meet Oct. 27 The Great Falls chapter will meet Wed., Oct. 27, 7:30 pm to hear Phil Hocker, Potomac Conservancy, and Paul Gilbert, Fairfax Land Preservation Trust., at the old schoolhouse (near the Grange) in Great Falls. The PC and FLPT have both made major contributions to preserving stream valleys and trail corridors around the county.

Logistics for Colvin Run trail clearing tomorrow morning We will gather at 8 am Saturday morning (tomorrow!) to clear the Difficult Run trail south of Colvin Run Mill Park. Tools (loppers, swing blades, clippers, axes) will be provided, but please bring tools if you have them. FCPA's Bill Cuttler has promised to come if his schedule permits. From Beltway, 4 miles west on Route 7, right at Colvin Run Road, left into Colvin Run Mill Park; meet in parking lot. There are one or two parking spots on Carpers Farm Way, just across Route 7, which is where we will start clearing. Refreshments will be provided.

REI to reprint Pimmit Run Trail brochures Dennis Frew has been distributing our brochures widely, and we were beginning to run out. The REI corporation has graciously agreed to reprint hundreds of new copies.

Better luck next year... We submitted our National Trails Day event (the June Cross-County hike) for the American Hiking Society's Trails for Tomorrow Award. The ten nationwide winners were announced; and we were not among them. The winners (see AHS's "Hiker") are amazing examples of the effectiveness of volunteer trail advocates. When we get signed trails on the ground, we'll try again for this award!

Montgomery Trails and Streams--$100M Plan Fairfax County and its northern neighbor, Montgomery, are two of the three wealthiest in the US and in many ways comparable. Fairfax passed a Park Bond Referendum in 1998, which includes $20M for land acquisition and $3.9M for trails and stream crossings. Montgomery has even bigger plans. According to a front-page article in the October 14 Washington Post, Montgomery County will spend $100 million over 10 years "to connect trail networks, protect stream beds and preserve environmentally and historically unique land from development." Much of the property to be purchased "would be connected in what planners say would be a broad, circuitous band of green space. In the next two years, planners propose spending $36 million in county, state and federal funds and private money raised from corporations and foundations on land purchases. The property selected for the first round includes four parcels that would join 100 miles worth of county trails, connecting the Potomac, Northwest Branch and Patuxent rivers in a crescent stretching across central Montgomery."

Oct. 19: Followup on Wakefield Park section of the Cross-County Trail The following was submitted to FTAS by Ric Rio of the Sierra Club: "The Wakefield Park Master Plan Revision Committee will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, October 19, 1999, at 7:30 P.M. in the offices of Sharon Bulova. Ms. Bulova's offices are located at 4414 Holborn Avenue, off of Braddock Road and Wakefield Chapel Road, west of the Beltway between Annandale and Fairfax; her telelphone number is (703)425-9300. "The purpose of the meeting is to continue the reexamination of the Master Plan for the Park, to update facilities construction plans, to realign trails, to coordinate uses between user groups, and to otherwise update the Plan for the Park. This has become increasingly important since the Park is now being heavily used by off-road bicycle groups, to the detriment of pedestrian users. Hikers, joggers, fishermen, birdwatchers and other pedestrian groups are all being aversely affected by a high level of use of the Park, and the constructive coordination of various uses is imperative if open access is to continue to be available to all users. This is particularly important to Trails and Streams users since the proposed north-south county hiking trail runs directly through the Park, and would have to be closed frequently if the present high level of bike use continues after completion of that segment. Participants have included the Fairfax County Park Authority, Fairfax Trails and Streams, the Sierra Club, several off-road bicycle groups, neighboring civic associations, and other interested parties. Participation by representatives of Trails and Streams is being actively solicited by other user groups, and would provide important input to the Park Authority in planning for the proposed hiking trail. For additional information, Trails and Streams users can contact Rick Rio of the Sierra Club at (703)280-1524.

AGENDA FOR FTAS MEETING Nov 1st at 7:30 Our next meeting is at 7:30 on Nov. 1st at the McLean Governmental Center, 1437 Balls Hill Road, McLean. The main topic will be the Fairfax County Park Authority's detailed 16-month plan for the Fairfax Cross County Trail, developed at the request of the Board of Supervisors. FCPA's Bill Cuttler, who developed the plan, will speak. Ric Francke will also discuss new maps of McLean trails, which several of our volunteers have completed over the past several months. Other agenda items include plans to distribute Pimmit Run brochures to homes near Pimmit Run in hopes of attracting new members and funds, and plans to apply for foundation grants.

FUTURE MEETINGS Nov 17 (Gt Falls Trailblazers), Dec 6 (FTAS) GFT will meet at the Old Schoolhouse at 7:30 Nov 17. Fairfax Trails and Streams next meeting after Nov 1 is Dec. 6, same time/place.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN CROSS-COUNTY HIKE Contact the leaders of leg(s) you'd like to hike. These leaders are handling all details of each day's events: 1. (Nov 6) Henri Comeau (HenriComeau@aol.com) 703/451-7965. 2. (Nov 13) Michael Hendler (mhendler@erols.com) 703/821-6488(w) or 703/476-7076(h). 3: (Nov 20) Mike Gingerich (gingerich@nrl.navy.mil) 703/590-3188.

SUCCESSFUL TRAIL CLEARING, Oct 16 near Colvin Run Mill Nine enthusiastic volunteers met October 16 to clear an overgrown mile of the Difficult Run trail south of Colvin Run Mill. The Cross-County trail is now ready for the hike next month!

POTOMAC REVIEW QUARTERLY: ISSUE ON LOCAL TRAILS The Potomac Review Quarterly's Summer 1999 issue was devoted to the topic "Winding Trails". They will devote the entire Summer 2000 issue to trails as well ("Winding Trails 2"), and have announced a call for papers. Details contact Eli Flam, Editor, elilu@juno.com, 301 934 1412.

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ALLOCATES $100,000 TO FAIRFAX CROSS-COUNTY TRAIL (FCCT) The BOS recently allocated $100,000 of FY2000 funds to the Cross County Trail. This is in addition to previously allocated funding for county trails (and separate from the Park Bond). In late October FCPA applied for VA Land Conservation Fund Grant Program for an additional $30,000 in matching funds, to be used for land acquisition and construction of the FCCT. The application included letters of support from FCPA Director Baldino, FCPA Board Chair de la Fe, Supervisor Connolly, and Fairfax Trails and Streams.

FCPA PREPARES DETAILED COST ESTIMATES FOR CROSS-COUNTY TRAIL The BOS, upon hearing FCPA's 16-month timeline presented Sept. 27, asked FCPA to prepare detailed cost estimates and options for the FCCT by Dec. 6. FTAS and FCPA have been cooperating closely on this effort. Bill Moran prepared a very detailed map of hiking route, and delivered this to FCPA. FCPA's Countywide Trails Coordinator Jenny Pate meanwhile has prepared a similar map using GPS, based on discussions with us. This week she completed visiting all portions of the FCCT. She has prepared a detailed list of exactly what is needed where. She says the total cost is under $1million. On Nov. 18, FCPA will meet with several FTAS representatives to review the plans, priorities, volunteer roles and cost estimates.

PLANS FOR LAND ACQUISTION ALONG PIMMIT RUN The time seems right for a renewed push to acquire land along Pimmit Run. FTAS will have an opportunity to discuss this topic on Nov. 18 following the meeting with FCPA. Key contributors to this effort include Bob Jordan, Phil Hocker and Chuck Sloan.

48 HIKERS COMPLETE CROSS-COUNTY HIKE PART 1; PART 2 IS NOV. 13 In beautiful mind-70s sunshine, 53 hikers started and 48 finished the first segment from Lorton (Saratoga Elementary School) to Americana Park near I-495 and Little River Turnpike. Thanks to Henri Comeau for making Part 1 a success. Part 2 is Saturday Nov 13; the group will meet at a church on Vale Road in Oakton, do a car shuttle to Americana Park and hike back. A new Cross-County Trail brochure and detailed cue sheet will be available--call Mike Hendler for details: mhendler@erols.com; 703/821-6488(w), 703/476-7076(h).

BEARS SIGHTED NEAR COLVIN RUN MILL The local news shows are reporting that two bears and a cub have been spotted south of Colvin Run Mill Park on Difficult Run, near the FCCT. Apparently it is not unusual for bears to migrate down the Potomac this far during the late autumn. Anyone who sees them has been asked to stay away from them and notify the police. The plan is to trap and relocate the bears. Part 3 of the Cross-County Hike passes through this area Nov. 20.

OFF-ROAD BIKE GROUP (MORE) SEEKS TO HELP FTAS BUILD TRAILS Brian Junkins, Virginia representative of Mid-Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts (MORE), writes: I really enjoyed meeting you at the [Nov 1] FTAS meeting and look forward to establishing a partnership between your organization and MORE. We have a lot of shared goals and together we can accomplish many things... I would like to ... make FTAS the featured article on the MORE website [http://www.more-mtb.org] for one of the upcoming months [and] get together and discuss how MORE can help get the Cross County Trail created. Your organization seems pretty well connected politically so maybe MORE's role should be emphasized in trail construction and maintenance. Mountain bikers and MORE have quite a bit of experience in building and maintaining multi-use trails. MORE members have constructed over 20 miles of new trail in the past three years. We've also donated literally thousands of hours maintaining new and established trails at roughly 15 parks and forest in our area. Lastly, as a token of MORE's commitment to the Fairfax Country Trail we would like to donate $100 to help offset FTAS's administrative costs.

SUPERVISOR MENDELSOHN TO ATTEND DEC 6th FTAS MEETING Recently-reelected Dranesville Supervisor Stuart Mendelsohn has promised to attend our next meeting, on Dec. 6, at the usual time/place (7:30, McLean Governmental Center, 1437 Balls Hill Road). The focus of the meeting is a variety of trail initiatives, primarily in McLean.

FTAS PRESIDENT TO ADDRESS McLEAN CITIZENS ASSOC., DEC 1st FTAS President Bill Niedringhaus will address the McLean Citizens Association at their next general meeting. Topics include the Pimmit Run Trail, Cross County Trail, and the recently-completed volunteer mapping of McLean trails. Meeting is evening of Dec. 1st at the McLean Community Center. The FTAS part should start around 8:00 or soon after.

SCHEDULED FTAS MEETINGS FOR 2000 Our meeting schedule has been confirmed for 2000. Just as in 1999, meetings will be held the 4th Monday January through September, and the 1st Monday November and December, with no October meeting. The meetings continue to be at the McLean Governmental Center, 1437 Balls Hill Road, at 7:30.

VOLUNTEERS CANVAS McLEAN FOR NEW TRAIL ADVOCATES Don Finberg recently organized a team of volunteers to publicize our efforts to complete the Pimmit Run Trail. They included John Weiler, Bill Moran and Bob Jordan. The volunteers went door-to-door distributing our brochure and a letter encouraging them to join and/or contribute to FTAS. About 500 homes were selected--those within short walking distance of a Pimmit Run trailhead. After just a few days we have received $300.

GREAT FALLS TRAILBLAZERS MEET NOV. 17 (tomorrow) Topics include selecting a logo (see candidates at http://www.mindspring.com/~potomacgreenways/greatfalls/index.html). Old schoolhouse in Great Falls at 7:30.

CROSS COUNTY HIKE CONTINUES: PART 3 NOV. 20. The Cross-County Hikers continued their northward trek on Saturday, in glorious weather, starting where they left off in Part 1, and reaching Vale Road in Oakton. The final section is this Saturday. Meeting spot: the Great Falls Visitors Center parking lot at 8:30, where carpools will transfer the hikers to the starting point on Vale Road. Leader: Mike Gingerich (gingerich@nrl.navy.mil) 703/590-3188.

McLEAN CITIZENS ASSOC SUPPORTS PIMMIT RUN, CROSS-COUNTY TRAILS On Dec. 1, the MCA unanimously voted to support the Pimmit Run Trail, Cross-County Trail, and exploring funding sources such as TEA-21 grants to complete the trails. FTAS president Bill Niedringhaus described the trails and FTAS to the MCA. We hope to have a final copy of the resolution at our Dec. 6 meeting.

PIMMIT RUN LAND ACQUISITION TO BE PROPOSED TO BOS (FOR TEA-21) DEC 6 Plans are being developed to purchase missing pieces of right-of-way along Pimmit Run. There are several sources of funding that might be tapped. These will be discussed at FTAS' meeting on the evening of Dec. 6 (see below). MCA Transportation Committee chair Olivia Jenney will present a TEA-21 matching-funds proposal for Pimmit Run land acquisition to the BOS on the afternoon of Dec. 6.

CROSS-COUNTY TRAIL COST ESTIMATED AT $800,000 (for Land, Stream Crossings, Signage) FTAS members Bob Jordan, Beverly Dickerson and Bill Niedringhaus met with Bill Cuttler and Jenny Pate to review FCPA's cost estimates of the Cross-County Trail on Nov. 18. They have several dozen detailed 11x17 color-coded tax maps, showing the whole CCT, and what sections of the CCT exist as asphalt, stone-dust, and natural surface, where road and stream crossings exist or are needed, and where right-of-way is needed. These maps are based both on GIS data and on a set of detailed maps prepared by Bill Moran and Bill Niedringhaus. Three options were considered: maximum use of volunteers to build-maintain natural surface portions, stone-dusting all natural-surface segments of the 31+ mile trail, and an intermediate option. The cost of the volunteer option is lower than the high-end option by approximately $1,400,000. For the volunteer option, about 50% of the cost involves stream crossings, with land acquisition is 10-15%. All of these figures are preliminary. The final version was to have been briefed to the BOS on Dec. 6, but the deadline was just extended to Jan. 10.

CROSS-COUNTY HIKE COMPLETED The Cross-County Hikers rolled into Great Falls Park Nov. 20, enjoying sunny shirt-sleeve weather for the third successive Saturday in their trek from Lorton. 43 hikers participated in the final segment. We hope to have soon a final list of those completing the entire 3-part event. This group will join Phil Hocker, Linda Johnston and Cynthia Lim who completed the first Cross-County Hike in June. Several others have completed the trail in a different order. If you let us know you have completed it in any order; we'll give kudos in a future e-newsletter.

FTAS' RECENT GROWTH We are growing rapidly, as evidenced by subscription to our e-newsletter: Only about five have ever unsubscribed. April 39 May 55 June 67 July 78 Aug 80 Sept 86 Oct 93 Nov 106 today 114

SUPV. CONNOLLY MAY SPEAK ON CROSS-COUNTY TRAIL EARLY NEXT YEAR Supervisor Gerry Connolly of Providence District is expected to discuss the CCT at a future meeting of the Nonmotorized Transportation Committee, which meets on the 2nd Wednesday evening of each month at the Fairfax County Government Center. Stay tuned for details.

SUPV. MENDELSOHN TO DISCUSS TRAILS ISSUES WITH FTAS, DEC. 6 Dranesville Supervisor Stuart Mendelsohn will discuss trails issues with us at our next meeting, Dec. 6, at the usual time/place (7:30, McLean Governmental Center, 1437 Balls Hill Road ). Agenda includes: - The TEA-21 proposal for Pimmit Run - possible collaborative initiatives with MCA - Detailed plans/costing for Cross-County Trail - more on mapping of existing trails in McLean - some recent fund-raising successes - Steve Dryden will discuss the Adopt-a-stream program - Bob Jordan will discuss stream valley environmental activities and monitoring

UPCOMING EVENTS: Jan. 10 Bill Cuttler of FCPA briefs Board of Supervisors on detailed plans to build Cross-County Trail Jan. 24. Board of Supervisors meet to vote on TEA-21 proposals. (One of these is ours, for funding for the Pimmit Run Trail; details on this later) Jan. 24. Our next meeting, at usual place and time (7:30, McLean Govt Center, 1437 Balls Hill Rd, McLean.

The following is a McLean Citizens Association (MCA) Resolution regarding the Cross-County Trail and the Pimmit Run Trail. This resolution was adopted by unanimous voice vote at the MCA general meeting Dec. 1, 1999.

WHEREAS, the MCA has long been an active supporter of trails as an important recreational resource within our area and within the County generally, WHEREAS, both the Cross-County and Pimmit Run trails are important elements of the County masterplan for an interconnected network of recreational trails, WHEREAS, the Cross-County Trail, which runs from the Potomac River in Great Falls to the Occoquan River in the southeastern part of the county, is approximately 70% complete but still lacks a number of segments that would allow travel along its full length, WHEREAS, the Pimmit Run trail follows the banks of Pimmit Run from Route 7 to the Arlington County line, where it connects with the Potomac Heritage Trail, and also has verious missing segments in the McLean area, WHEREAS, several charitable organizations devoted to trail development, maintenance and preservation, notably Fairfax Trails and Streams (a division of the Potomac [River] Greenways Coalition), and the Potomac Heritage Partnership are actively pursuing completion of these trails; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED, that the MCA encourages and supports the efforts of these organizations to achieve completion of these trails; with minimum impact on the environment and using natural surfaces whenever possible; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the MCA urges the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and the Fairfax County Park Authority to provide assistance wherever possible in furtherance of these ends; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that possible funding sources, such as TEA-21 grants, private philanthropy, corporate sponsorship, and relevant State and Federal programs, be explored as avenues for expediting completion of these trails.

ALERT - - - - YOUR SUPPORT IS NEEDED FOR FAIRFAX CROSS-COUNTY TRAIL ! The Fairfax County Park Authority's Bill Cuttler briefs the Board of Supervisors on the Fairfax Cross-County Trail (FCCT) on Jan.10, 2000. Bill has allowed FTAS to review his staff's work at several occasions, and we feel he has done an very good job. The chances for full funding will be improved if Fairfax County trail advocates express support for the Trail before then, by writing or calling their district supervisor and the BOS Chairman. Please tell them you support completion of this trail as soon as possible, and opening some sections to the public on National Trails Day, June 2000. Supervisor's phone numbers, districts and addresses are given below. If you're not sure which district you're in, please see map at http://www.mindspring.com/~potomacgreenways/crosscounty/index.html (From there, click on "it touches each of the supervisory districts"). It is especially important for those of you in Hunter Mill district (includes Vienna, Reston) to contact Ms. Hudgins, the only newcomer to the BOS, whose term starts Jan. 1, 2000, and who may not yet have heard of the FCCT. At the end of this e-news are some additional details about the FCPA's plans for the FCCT.

Katherine K. Hanley, Chairman (Elected at-large) Fairfax County Government Center 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 530 Fairfax, VA 22035 Phone: 324-2321 Fax: 324-3955

Stuart Mendelsohn, Dranesville District (includes McLean, Great Falls, Herndon) McLean Governmental Center 1437 Balls Hill Road McLean, VA 22101 Phone: 356-0551 Fax: 821-4275

Catherine M. Hudgins, Hunter Mill District (succeeds Robert B. Dix, Jr. 1/1/2000) North County Governmental Center 12000 Bowman Towne Drive Reston, VA 20190 Phone: 478-0283 Fax: 471-6847

Sharon Bulova, Braddock District Old Chapel Square Elementary School 4414 Holborn Avenue Annandale, VA 22003 Phone: 425-9300 Fax: 503-9583

Gerald E. Connolly, Providence District 8739 Lee Highway Fairfax, VA 22031 Phone: 560-6946 Fax: 207-3541

Gerald W. Hyland, Vice Chairman, Mount Vernon District Mount Vernon Governmental Center 2511 Parkers Lane Alexandria, VA 22306 Phone: 780-7518 Fax: 780-1491

Michael R. Frey, Sully District 5900 Centreville Road, Suite 205 Centreville, VA 20121 Phone: 378-9393 Fax: 803-9216

Penelope A. Gross, Mason District+ Mason Governmental Center 6507 Columbia Pike Annandale, VA 22003 Phone: 256-7717 Fax: 354-8419

Dana Kauffman, Lee District Franconia Governmental Center 6121 Franconia Road Alexandria, VA 22310 Phone: 971-6262 Fax: 971-3032

Elaine McConnell, Springfield District West Springfield Governmental Center 6140 Rolling Road Springfield, VA 22152 Phone: 451-8873 Fax: 451-3047

The following are excerpts from the FCPA's Dec. 8 draft report on its findings about the FCCT.
SUMMARY OF FCPA DRAFT REPORT
On September 27, 1999 the BOS directed [FCPA] staff to provide an implementation plan including options for the development of a Cross County Trail. This trail would provide an Appalachian type hiking experience across the County through all magisterial districts. Staff has identified a 31.5 mile route...from Great Falls to Alban Road...the [FCCT] would include a connection to the Potomac Heritage Trail...Ultimately the trail would continue throughout the Lorton Reformatory property and to the Occoquan River...The proposed alignment...meets the alignments of trails already incorporated in the trail element of the Comprehensive Plan. The FCPA bond program includes funding in the amount of $1.165 million for the following segments of trail that are part of the [FCCT] alignment: 1) the Accotink Stream Valley Trail from King Arthur Blvd to Wakefield Park, which is currently in the project scoping phase, 2) the Accotink SVT from Lake Accotink to Old Keene Mill Road, and 3) stream crossings and trail improvements along Difficult Run. [There are] three options for the trail surface...all three options require the installation of signs, the acquisition of land or public access easements and the construction of stream crossings. At its meeting of Dec. 8, 1999, the [FCPA] Board recommended Option 3 [stonedust for all natural surfaces]. Though costs are initially higher, stonedust surfaced trails withstand use much better than natural surface trails. The stonedust trails will meet the standards contained in the Public Facilities Manual and will provide the opportunity for a variety of users on the trails. Staff has coordinated the alignment and proposed options with a grassroots citizen group, Fairfax Trails and Streams, a division of PRGC, Inc. FTAS members have responded favorably to this effort. Staff will proceed with the planned Park Bond trail projects that are part of the FCCT alignment and, unless otherwise directed, staff will proceed with completing portions of the FCCT (Phases 1 - 5 as outlined [below]) at a cost of $100,000, which is consistent with the amount approved for the FCCT in the FY1999 Carryover Review. EXISTING TRAIL SURFACE (Great Falls to Alban Road) ASPHALT____10.5 miles STONEDUST____6.5 miles DIRT____9.7 miles TOTAL EXISTING: 26.7 miles TRAIL TO BE DEVELOPED Bond-funded FCPA segments____1.9 miles Unfunded segments____2.9 miles TOTAL TRAIL TO BE DEVELOPED: 4.8 miles [The FCPA's route for the FCCT is identical to that hiked on the Cross-County Hikes, except in two regions: (1) it follows the Fairfax County Parkway trail from Pohick Creek to Accotink Creek, and (2) it follows Pickett Road/Blake Lane/Jermantown Road (rather than using extensive sections in Fairfax City) from Thaiss Park to Oak Marr Park] ITEMS INCLUDED IN ALL THREE TRAIL SURFACE OPTIONS: Signage: $20,000 Includes trailhead signs of imbedded fiberglass in steel post base with map of route or section of route and "you are here" notation, located near major road crossings and at major parks on the route. Includes trail markers, either labeled posts, metal signs, blazes, or a combination. Stream Crossings $500,000 Includes approximately 10 culverts and 8 fairweather stream crossings. Land Acquisition $200,000 Includes approximately 10 properties for required public access easements TRAIL SURFACE OPTION 1: $800,000 Signage, stream crossings, land acquisition, [the unfunded 2.9 miles mostly dirt] TRAIL SURFACE OPTION 2: $1,200,000 Signage, stream crossings, land acquisition, [the unfunded 2.9 miles constructed mostly as stone-dust] TRAIL SURFACE OPTION 3: $2,200,000 Signage, stream crossings, land acquisition, [the unfunded 2.9 miles and the 9.7 dirt miles constructed mostly as stone-dust] [The FCPA's 8-Phase breakdown is here simplified into two phases A and B: A. Proposed by FCPA to be completed with existing $100,000 and Park Bond funding - Alban Road to Oak Marr Park; 16.8 miles - Lawyers Road through Reston's The Glade and W&OD, up Difficult Run to Dulles Toll Road, 3.7 miles. B. Proposed when additional funding becomes available ($700,000 under Option 1) - Oak Marr Park to Lawyers Road, 4.8 miles - Dulles Toll Road to Great Falls Park, 4.8 miles ]
END SUMMARY OF FCPA DRAFT REPORT

A detailed set of color GPS maps developed by FCPA to support the FCCT effort will be on display at FTAS's next meeting, Jan 24, 2000, at 1437 Balls Hill Rd, McLean, 7:30 pm. These maps which show each individual property, illustrate what trail sections exists and with what surface, what sections require land acquisition and where stream crossings exist or are needed, and much more.