Recent PRGC Activities

During 2001 Potomac River Greenways Coalition, Inc. has supported a number of trail initiatives and organizations in Fairfax County and the surrounding area. These are:

The Cross-County Trail. The Cross-County Trail (CCT) will link several existing and proposed stream valley trail systems to create a 40-mile multi-use trail from the Occoquan River in the South to the Potomac River at Great Falls. It will connect three major steam valleys: Difficult Run, Accotink, and Pohick. PRGC has encouraged the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) to move forward with this trail. We have supported FCPA efforts to obtain state and federal funding for the CCT. PRGC Board members are also members of local hiking and equestrian groups that support development of the CCT.

The Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (PHNST). A major PRGC effort has been to provide financial support to the Potomac Trail Council for the completion of an inventory of trails and for outreach related to the Potomac Heritage Scenic Trail. This was accomplished by implementing a Cooperative Agreement between PRGC and the United States National Park Service. PRGC served as the Potomac Trail Councilís partner and financial agent for activities financed by the Agreement. Under this Agreement the first comprehensive inventory of trail projects in the PHNST corridor was completed. It describes existing and planned trails, regional and corridor-wide issues, recommendations and contacts for public agencies, citizensí organizations and tourism offices. This document allowed the Trail Projects Committee of the Potomac Trail Council to assess trail development opportunities and publish a State of the Trail report.

Pimmit Run Trail. PRGC has actively supported efforts to have the Pimmit Run Trail in McLean be designated as an "Opportunity" project by the Fairfax County Park Authority (FPCA). This designation would allow FCPA staff resources to be made available on a priority basis so that more than $150,000 that is currently available for the Pimmit Run trail can be utilized to install four fair-weather stream crossings along the Pimmit Run trail.

Tool Time for Streams Workshop. PRGC is a co-sponsor of this event and has contributed funds to help defray workshop expenses.

Future Prospects

PRGC expects to play a more significant role in supporting stream valley trail development in 2002. We also seek opportunities to support other types of initiatives related to the sound use and protection of stream valleys.