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1999 News Archive
July thru September

July | August | September

REPORT FROM JUNE 28 MEETING Jenny Pate, Countywide Trails Coordinator of Fairfax County Park Authority, discussed her upcoming design report for the Fairfax Cross-County Trail to be delivered to the Board of Supervisors in September (at Supervisor Connolly's request, as discussed in our previous e-newsletter). We went over the route of the Cross-County Trail in detail, reviewing options at a number of spots. It was a productive discussion. Many of the attendees knew details about different parts of the route. This was the first time an FCPA representative has attended a Fairfax Trails and Streams meeting. We expect to be cooperating quite closely with FCPA on this report over the summer. Jenny said she was working with the landowners at the Chesterbrook Farms area to complete the missing link in a trail along Little Pimmit Run. She formally asked our group to facilitate matters by helping maintain this new section, including spreading woodchips provided by FCPA once or twice a year. We agreed to do so.

Don Finberg presented a list of activities planned for the group during the remainder of 1999. This was discussed and refined at the meeting. The following is a summary: PROPOSED ACTIVITIES and VOLUNTEERS: July-December 1999, As agreed at June's meeting (6/28) NOTE: For each action below a target date is indicated as well as the name of the person who will assume primary responsibility for ensuring the activity is carried out.

A) Trail Development and Improvement
1) TRAIL SURVEY: Conduct survey to map existing trails in McLean, in collaboration with Supervisor Mendelsohn's office (Other parts of Dranesville district have already been mapped) - August - Ric Francke, Dennis Frew, Bob Jordan, John Weiler (MORE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED)
2) TRAIL RECOMMENDATIONS: Using #1, help develop priorities for McLean portion of funding for trails - September - Bill Niedringhaus (final decision comes from Dranesville Supervisor Mendelsohn)
3) VOLUNTEERISM: Work with FCPA and FCPA Board to get acceptance of Appalachian Trail Standards - August - Bill Niedringhaus
4) PILOT PROJECT: Assuming approval of #3 above, undertake trail improvement (clearing and marking of Difficult Run Trail) - November - Bill Niedringhaus
5) BROCHURES: Distribute Pimmit Run brochures widely - August - Dennis Frew
6) HIKES: Conduct following hikes: a) Difficult Run Loop - July - Tom McCready b) Fairfax Cross-County Hike II - October/November - Bill Niedringhaus

B) Environmental
1) WATER QUALITY: Work with Potomac Conservancy and other groups to develop a program of water quality testing on Difficult Run and Pimmit Run - November- Bob Jordan and Tom Wyland
2) LITTER: Organize Pimmit Run/Difficult Run litter clean up(s) (VOLUNTEER NEEDED)

C) Land/Easement Acquisition
1) NEGOTIATIONS: Continue negotiations with landowners along Pimmit Run - November - Bill Moran, Bill Niedringhaus

D) Public Relations
1) NEWSLETTER: Publish semi-annual edition of "Streamsides" - October - Tom McCready with contributions from others
2) WEBSITE: Keep Web Site up to date and make it more proactive - July through December - Tom McCready and Tom Wyland
3) E-NEWS: Continue this e-newsletter - Bill Niedringhaus
4) MEDIA: Work to publicize our activities - Steve Dryden
5) AWARD: Apply for award in Best National Trails Day Event Award - July - Bill Niedringhaus

E) Organizational/ Financial-Potomac River Greenways Coalition (PRGC, parent organization of Fairfax Trails and Streams)
1) BYLAW REVIEW: Review PRGC by-laws and recommend any appropriate changes - October - Bob Jordan and Chuck Sloan
2) TAX-EXEMPT: Submit information required confirm PRGC's 501(c) (3) tax- exempt status - September - Don Finberg and Chuck Sloan
3) RECRUITING: Attract new trail/stream advocates - December - Bob Jordan (MORE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED)
4) FUNDRAISING: Seek up to $5,000 in financial contributions by individuals, businesses, and foundations to support work of Fairfax Trails and Streams-December - Don Finberg and Chuck Sloan

Also at the June 28 meeting, Robin Rentsch discussed recent progress on a trail along Potomac from Great Falls Park to Loudoun County line. Such a hiking/horse trail exists now, but some parts cross private land. Robin has worked with some developers/landowners in the area. Some new trail easements have been obtained. In other sections a public corridor exists but the terrain is steep. There is also recent progress in Loudoun county; some new developers have completed or committed to a riverside trail

OTHER NEWS The Washington Post plans a short article on the Fairfax Cross-County Trail in the Weekender section, Friday July 9, 1999. Next Fairfax Trails and Streams meeting is Monday, July 26, at the usual time (7:30) and place (McLean Governmental Center, Balls Hill Road near Lewinsville Rd). One key topic will mapping of existing trails in McLean area (one of the last jurisdictions in the county not yet mapped; the Great Falls Trailblazers have recently mapped trails in Great Falls).

Correction--The Washington Post article on the Fairfax Cross-County Trail is in TODAY's issue, on the front page of the Fairfax Weekly section.

Key New FCPA Appointment (Bill Cuttler is Jenny Pate's new boss) Bill Cuttler has joined the Fairfax County Park Authority, reporting to Lynn Tadlock. Jenny Pate remains the Countywide Trails Coordinator, but Bill has asked to be the contact person for the Fairfax Cross County Trail.

Fairfax Land Preservation Trust (FLPT) Launches Drive to Obtain Easements Paul Gilbert of FLPT is mailing letters to all private owners of property along Accotink Creek south of Old Keene Mill Road, asking for (open space) easements. This is a pilot project: FLPT aims to mail similar requests to owners of all large undeveloped lots in the county. They have asked Supervisor Connolly to get help from the county in obtaining the inventory. FTAS offered to submit a list of missing-link properties along stream valleys (from a trails perspective); the FLPT would ask any respondees for trail access as well as open space easement. FLPT expects that some owners would prefer to work through a private charity rather than a government agency. At this meeting Connolly continued to show leadership on the Fairfax Cross-County Trail (see also the last e-news); he went over in great detail each part of the FCCT where land purchases, reroutings or crossings are needed.

Plans for new Foundation to acquire Missing Links At the same meeting with Connolly, FTAS discussed the possibility of setting up a foundation to purchase key properties when they come on the market, mark off easements (trails/open space) and resell the property. With wise management, the foundation could break even or even make money. This would serve as a "last resort" in obtaining links, though it would take many years. FLPT has contacts with such a foundation which operates nationwide; and offered to draw up a specific proposal for a local version. Connolly agreed to review it and possibly submit it to O'Neill for review later this year.

Article on McLean Trails to appear soon in McLean Connection The McLean Connection plans an article on present/future McLean trails soon. Reporter Christina Taylor phone-interviewed Eleanor Weck, Bill Niedringhaus and plans to interview Ric Francke and others.

New Plan for Lorton Nearly Connects Cross-County, Bull Run Trails A new plan for Lorton has been reviewed this month by the Planning Commission. It sets aside significantly more open space/parkland than the previous version. There is an impressive array of planned trails, many in parkland, including a north-south Lorton Greenway and a trail on the Occoquan waterfront. It does not currently include a link to the southern terminus of the FCCT on Pohick Creek. FTAS testified that it should do so; the Countywide Trails Committee voted on July 14 to accept the new Lorton plan but modified to include a trail connection to the FCCT.

Opening Ceremony July 24 for new W&OD Underpass at Reston Pkwy The Northern VA Regional Park Authority will celebrate the new W&OD underpass of the Reston Parkway Saturday, July 24, at the site, 10:30-2. Billed as trail "Safety Expo." Parking: Isaac Newton Sq at Sunset Hills Rd.

REMINDERS - Difficult Run Loop Hike, 10 Miles, July 25 Tom McCready (534 5251) will lead a 10-mile hike along the Difficult Run Loop, starting at 10 am at Colvin Run Mill Park on July 25. Co-sponsor is the Northern Virginia Hiking Club. - FTAS Next Meeting July 26 As usual, we meet on the 4th Monday of the month, July 26, at 7:30 in the McLean Government Center, at Balls Hill Road at Lewinsville Rd (near where Route 123 crosses the Dulles Access Road). Hope to see you there!

Potomac Heritage Nat. Scenic Trail needs your help in Congress Janice Artemel, Exec. Director of the Potomac Heritage Partnership, writes: We need your support now to write your Congressman and Senators, asking that they vote for funding the Trail in the FY2000 appropriations bill. The House Interior Appropriations vote included a provision for $150,000, but there is nothing for the Trail in the Senate Appropriations bill. We expect this to go to House-Senate conference committee this summer. Your constituent voice is very important at this time to support this funding for support of trail activities. BELOW is a suggested draft letter of support for the FY 2000 appropriation. Feel free to recommend edits or comments. Thanks. If you have questions, please call me (202-338-6222, php1623@aol.com) or Mary Margaret Sloan at American Hiking Society (301-565-6704x113). Please send me copies of any letters you may send, as these are useful in our discussions with congressional staff. Fairfax Trails and Streams has written letters on its stationery to Sen. Robb and Warner, and to Reps Wolf, Davis and Moran; but letters from individuals are needed as well.

2nd Fairfax Cross County Hike for November (Volunteer needed) We are planning to do the Fairfax Cross County Hike again in November. It will be in three south-to-north segments of about 12 miles each, spread over three weekends. The route will be the same. The first and third segment have been settled and appear in the latest Sierra Club bulletin: The hikes start at 8:30 AM Nov. 6 and 20, led by Hank Comeau and Mike Gingerich, respectively. So far, we do not have a volunteer leader for the middle segment, from Americana Park to Vale Road. If we get a leader by late August, (ideally but not necessarily starting Nov. 13 at 8:30), the full Cross County Hike will be a reality. Volunteer leaders will be shown the trail route in detail. The first and third segments will proceed in any case.

American Hiking Society's new Website debuts August 23 The AHS launches its completely-revised website (www.americanhiking.org) on August 23, featuring lists of local trail clubs, trail descriptions, legislative alerts and much more.

A Little-known Trail connecting Pimmit Run with W Falls Church Metro A well-hidden dirt trail links the Little League to West Falls Church. It's not new; the Longfellow students use it. From the LL, cross Kirby Park and Kirby Road (carefully!), and proceed up the mowed grass directly across the Kirby Park sign. It doesn't look like a trail, but does at the top of the hill. It runs between two townhouse developments, dense trees hiding both. It continues to the far (west) end of the Longfellow School, and thence to Haycock-Longfellow Park and Haycock School. You can reach Haycock Road behind Haycock School, or the Montour Lane cul-de-sac; its an easy and fairly nice walk along sidewalks to the Metro from either. This is the safest and most scenic route to WFC from Pimmit Run (LL and downstream). The trail is on the common property of the development off Avignon Bv, between Longfellow Sch and Kirby Rd. It's possible there is a public easement (hasn't been checked), but even if not, one might be negotiable since it's in use now and pretty well separated from the houses.

July 26 meeting The meeting primarily concerned volunteer efforts led by Ric Francke to map existing trails in McLean. Volunteers have been found for all sections of McLean. Some sections have already been completed. The goal is to finish by the end of the summer. Also, Beverly Dickerson, a long-time horse trail activist, discussed new hiker/equestrian possibilities in Oakton/Little Difficult Run/Timberlake area; she also knows some landowners along the Cross-County trail and volunteered to contact them.

Next Meeting Sept. 27 We will take a vacation in August, and meet on Monday, September 27, at the usual time and place. The last two meetings of the year will be November 1st and December 6th (both Mondays, but the FIRST not the usual FOURTH).

SUGGESTED SAMPLE LETTER:POTOMAC HERITAGE TRAIL FUNDING
Dear Senator/Representative ___________: I am writing to urge your support for a fiscal year 2000 appropriation to provide for National Park Service coordination of activities associated with the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. The House-passed Interior Appropriations Bill includes full funding ($150,000) for this purpose. The Congressionally designated Potomac Heritage Trail corridor includes established walking and biking trail segments, nationally significant historic places, and important natural areas in D.C., Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia. There are many opportunities for future trail-related projects throughout this corridor. Because lands are either owned by or under the jurisdiction of a patchwork of federal agencies and state and local governments, coordination of trail planning and implementation work is essential. Grassroots organizations and individuals in communities located throughout the 700-mile Potomac Heritage Trail corridor are enthusiastically supporting efforts to construct and preserve trails and other public outdoor recreation facilities, and believe the National Park Service's role as coordinator and facilitator is very important. The fact that our local community is connected to one of only 20 Congressionally designated National Trails is a significant distinction, but the Potomac Heritage Trail requires base level funding in order to produce tangible benefits to our community. I respectfully request your support for Potomac Heritage Trail funding in the amount of $150,000 in the final version of the FY 2000 Interior Appropriations Bill. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely,

FCPA responds to FTAS proposal for Volunteer Trail standards On May 5, 1999, Fairfax Trails and Streams formally made its case to the FCPA Board of Directors that FCPA adopt Appalachian-style standards for volunteer-maintained trails, a goal we have sought for a long time. The Board asked us to submit a detailed plan, which we did in a June 21 letter (copies were handed out at our June 28 meeting). FCPA Director Paul Baldino responded as follows in an August 3 letter to FTAS: "Thank you for your letter of June 21, 1999, with your recommendations for your next volunteer-maintained trail project, as well as your long-term proposal for trail maintenance. "We are pleased with your proposal to improve and maintain another section of the Difficult Run Stream Valley Trail [W&OD to Dulles Access Rd]. We hope to facilitate your group's participation in this endeavor once we verify certain issues, including property rights, for this segment. As you know, the Park Authority must first verify land rights and public access rights before we may sanction improvements or maintenance activity along a trail. "We plan to be in contact with you soon regarding a trail improvement/trail maintenance agreement and standards for this segment. In addition, we agree that this pilot project can serve as a catalyst to a longer-term relationship and an improved commitment to trails on Park Authority property. "We are looking forward to working with you and your group and welcome your support of trails in Fairfax County. Should you have any questions, please contact Mr. William C. Cuttler, Manager, Planning and Land Management Branch, at 324-8696. Sincerely, Paul L. Baldino, Director FCPA

2nd Fairfax Cross County Hike Finalized for November Mike Hendler has agreed to lead the middle segment of the November Cross County Hike. The complete schedule:

DATE TIME LEADER SECTION
Nov. 6 8:30 AM Hank Comeau Lorton to Americana Park (near 236-495 interchg)
Nov. 13 8:30 AM Mike Hendler Americana Park to Vale Road.
Nov. 20 8:30 AM Mike Gingrich Vale Road to Great Falls Visitor Center

Great Falls Trailblazers Meet Sept. 23, 7:30 pm, Old Schoolhouse near the Grange GFT's Eleanor Weck writes: This is an important meeting. Our guest is Mr. Randall J. Flowers, the engineer with the Fairfax Co. Dept of Public Works and Enviro. Services, Utils Planning and Design Div., the person responsible for building the trails funded with the TEA-21 Enhancement funds we helped secure [for trails along historic Georgetown Pike and Walker Road]. Mr. Flowers will present his findings from his initial survey of the land the trail will cross. He will also explain the administrative procedures that lead up to the actual construction of the trail. Much work must occur before the first load of stone dust can be laid. The more we do to help Mr. Flowers and the county, the sooner we will see our trail. So be a part of the solution! Additional agenda items include status update of a new trail in Great Falls Park, plans to eliminate asphalt from the Comprehensive Plan in some areas of Great Falls, and status update of GFT's application for a TEA-21 grant.

Master Trail Plan Meeting for Wakefield Park Trails, August 24 Rick Rio of the Sierra Club has set up a workshop meeting with officials from Wakefield Park, and representatives from trail-interest groups (including hikers, joggers, riders, fishermen and environmentalists). The meeting is an attempt to iron out a master plan for Wakefield's trails so that hopefully all users are satisfied, while preserving safety and avoiding erosion and other environmental damage. Several miles of the Fairfax Cross-County Trail are included in Wakefield Park.

Groundbreaking Ceremonies at Lake Accotink Sept 11 The Board of Supervisors and FCPA will celebrate groundbreaking ceremony for renovating core facilities at Lake Accotink. Information 703 324 8662.

Impact of Beltway-Widening on Wakefield Park Trails Oct. 9 A variety of events are planned at Wakefield Park Oct. 9 to highlight damage to the park and other areas that might result from proposed beltway widening. It is possible that parts of the Cross County Trail now free of noise may be adversely affected. Stay tuned for details.

Next Fairfax Trails and Streams Meeting Sept. 27 We will take a vacation in August, and meet on Monday, September 27, at the usual time and place. The last two meetings of the year will be November 1st and December 6th (both Mondays, but the FIRST not the usual FOURTH).

FCPA DRAFTS 11-MONTH PROPOSAL FOR PLANNING CROSS-COUNTY TRAIL, INCLUDING VOLUNTEER CONSTRUCTION On August 31, Bill Cuttler, Manager of FCPA's Planning and Land Management Branch, published a draft statement of the tasks and timeline anticipated to plan the Cross-County Trail. He will come to FTAS's Sept. 27th meeting (see below) to discuss the plan. Earlier that day, he will have briefed the Board of Supervisors. The tasks/timeline: A. Basic Trail Planning (complete when trail route has been mapped, land rights established and route design decisions have been made) A1. Define and Map Route (Months 1-6)...Seven specific sections are mentioned A2. Determine Land Ownership (Months 2-7) A3. Evaluate Road Crossings (Months 3-8)...Thirteen are mentioned A4. Establish Public Support (Months 2-11) B. Design and Maintenance Issues (incorporating volunteer/natural surface/steeper/narrower trails B1. Resolve Design/Signage Issues (Months 1-8) B2. Assign Maintenance Responsibilities (Months 7-10) B3. Identify Priorities (Months 9-10) A third task would incorporate the Cross-County Trail into the Countywide Trail Plan, and would take 16 months starting at Month 1.

Establishing public support (Task A4) is of special interest to FTAS, which originated to organize testimony favoring funds for trails and land acquisition at hearings for the 1998 Park Bond Referendum. Cuttler writes: "During the planning process, the citizen task force, including members of the NMTC [Non-motorized Transportation Committee], FTAS and others assisted by staff, will hold public meetings within the four areas [Dranesville, Hunter Mill/Sully, Providence/Mason/Braddock and Lee/Springfield/Mt Vernon] to answer questions and solicit support from the citizen groups. Focus will be on areas where there is not already an existing trail, but sections that exist will also need support to be included in the cross-county trail" The county will organize field meetings in each of the four areas this fall, to evaluate the practicality of possible routes. Concerning volunteer trail construction (Task B1), Cuttler writes "A design for narrower, steeper trails must be approved by Risk Management Division and the Office of the County Attorney. The Park Authority and other agencies with maintenance responsibility must also approve the new section designs. Criteria for specific construction methods must be established. A sign standard must also be agreed upon, locations for signage identified, and funding sources determined." On maintenance (Task B2): "The task force, working with the Park Authority, needs to develop guidelines for Adopt-a-Trail programs for maintenance of the natural surface trails that are not included in any other maintenance program. A system for coordinating volunteer efforts along the trail should be developed." The complete 6-page draft will be available at FTAS's next meeting Sept. 27.

STREAM CROSSING BUILT NORTH OF COLVIN RUN MILL On the Cross-County Hike in June we joined Supervisor Mendelsohn for a "virtual ribbon cutting" for this Difficult Run crossing. It has now been completed! You can walk from Colvin Run Mill at Route 7 to Leigh Mill Road without getting wet. One down, three crossings to go, till hikers can continue (with dry feet) north to Great Falls Park. The fair-weather crossing looks like the one on the same stream just south of the Dulles Access Road.

NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE WITH "MISSING LINK" OWNERS ALONG PIMMIT RUN FTAS has initiated discussions with several such owners. An important new tool is the VA state tax credit for property donations beginning in January 2000. A progress report will be presented at the Sept. 27 meeting.

JULY 8 WASHINGTON POST CROSS-COUNTY ARTICLE AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB-SITE Please see http://www.mindspring.com/~potomacgreenways/crosscounty/fairfax.html

FIELD REPORT FROM THE CROSS-COUNTY TRAIL In the last week of August, FTAS visited all the not-formally-maintained parts of the southern half of the Cross County Trail, which link established Fairfax County/City trails. Generally, the trail is in better shape than might be imagined, thanks to the drought and increased use by hikers. Most of the orange marker-ribbons are gone, however. These unmaintained sections are, from south to north:
A. Dirt path from Hooes Rd under the FxCo Parkway to Springfield Villa Rd.
B. Dirt path from Americana Park, under the Rt 236/495 intersection to the ford across Accotink Cr
C. Dirt path connecting bike paths at Nutley Rd/Eakin Park to Pickett Road/Thaiss Park
D. Dirt path connecting Rt 50 bridge over Accotink with Rt 123 in Fairfax City (via Draper Park)
All of these sections except parts of A showed signs of repeated use, which was not the case before the June Cross-County Hike. All sections required minor maintenance (mostly, clearing intruding branches). A few short, sunlit stretches required more effort to get through. The big ford at B, and several smaller crossings on the other segments are fine, as yet unchallenged thanks to the low water. The long and crucial sections B and C have attracted enough users to be easy to follow. There are large numbers of people who have wished for these links for a long time. The other sections, A and D, are less-obvious linkages between shorter and less-well-known existing trails; still it is encouraging that these are also attracting some users. There are no side-trails in C, which goes through deep woods, so you can't get lost. It's easiest from the western (Thaiss/Pickett) end; finding the eastern trailhead is difficult. B is more confusing, but you'll get through in either direction if you just follow the Accotink as closely as possible. If you'd like to try A or D but didn't go June 5th, you'll need the map and cue-sheet from our website. A is easiest starting at the north. D is a maze and you will get lost (kind of fun even so). Our next field report will discuss the northern half of the Cross-County Trail.

FTAS/PRGC PLANNING COMMITTEE TO MEET SEPT. 22 The 7-member Planning Committee, organized by Don Finberg, will hold its second meeting on Sept. 22. The topic is prioritizing FTAS' agenda over the next year or so. The Committee's recommendations will be discussed at the meeting Sept. 27th.

PIMMIT RUN TRAIL BROCHURES DISTRIBUTED WIDELY Dennis Frew has distributed hundreds of FTAS's Pimmit Run brochures around McLean and nearby areas.

NEXT MEETING Sept. 27th at 7:30 Our next meeting is at the usual time (7:30 on the 4th Monday-Sept. 27) and place (the McLean Governmental Center, 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. Unfortunately, FCPA's Bill Cuttler, who coordinated the plan, and who was to be our speaker, got pre-empted by one of the supervisors; he has promised to come to our next meeting Nov. 1st. On Sept. 27th we will give a detailed description of these Cross County Trail plans (a summary was in a previous e-newsletter). Our main business will be to develop our response to them. Robin Rentsch will also give an update on the status of the Georgetown Pike/Walker Road trails. (Robin, by the way, recently cleared several large bags of litter from Difficult Run north of Georgetown Pike). The results of the Sept. 23 FTAS planning committee meeting will also be presented, which include a number of new trail/environmental initiatives.

IRS GRANTS US (PRGC, Inc) LONG-TERM NON-PROFIT STATUS Treasurer Don Finberg reports (WARNING: contains request for donations!): The good news is that the IRS has just given long-term non-profit status to Potomac River Greenways Coalition (parent corp. of Fairfax Trails and Streams). This means that donations are tax deductible. The bad news is that our cupboard is bare. We have too little money in the bank to carry out our ambitious plans, including broad-based mailings to enlist new associates and raise more funds. That's why we're making an appeal to you to contribute whatever you can--$10 or $100 or more so that we can keep the momentum rolling. Please make checks payable to PRGC, Inc, send them c/o Bill Niedringhaus, President/ Fairfax Trails and Streams/ 1532 Wrightson Dr., McLean VA 22101.

VOLUNTEER TRAIL CLEARING, 8-10 am Oct 16, south of Colvin Run Mill Most of the Cross-County Trail is in fairly good condition (see below), but one section needs work in preparation for the Cross-County Hike in November. With all the open sunlight, its gotten pretty overgrown. This is the same section we cleared last October, just south of Colvin Run Mill on Route 7, between Vienna and Reston. FCPA's Bill Cuttler is hoping to come, and we have invited Fx. County Supervisor Bob Dix (in whose Hunter Mill district this segment lies). By the way, Bill hiked this section in mid-summer with Jenny Pate and reported it was in good condition at that time.

NORTHERN HALF OF CROSS COUNTY TRAIL: STATUS REPORT The segment between W&OD and Dulles Access Road is in pretty good shape, though quite wet near the Access Road. The small bridges and fords and the big fair-weather crossing of Difficult Run survived Floyd with no damage. So did the brand-new fair-weather crossing north of Colvin Run Mill. The segment between Leeds Road and Lawyers Road is in good shape as well, except for one blow-down requiring a bit of scrambling. This was pre-Floyd; if any of you have visited it since I'd appreciate an update, especially on the Little Difficult Run ford east of Birdfoot Lane. I also would appreciate status updates on the section Oak Marr to Vale Road. As on June 6, we have obtained permission to cross (on Nov. 13) a private vacant lot near Miller Hts Road. thus avoiding a half-mile along that narrow road.

NEEDED: A FEW GOOD MEGABYTES We may move our website to a new location, and are hoping to get some angel out there to donate a few good megabytes (hundreds, actually, with our extensive maps and photos). Web-master Tom McCready has been paying the web-site costs out of pocket for the last few years.

LITTER CLEANUP ON LOWER PIMMIT RUN Arlingtonians for a Cleaner Environment (ACE) volunteers cleaned 32 bags of trash last Saturday weighing a total of about 550 pounds, from an area near the mouth of Pimmit Run.

FTAS E-NEWS ARCHIVES AVAILABLE This is the 16th e-news letter we have published since April. If you would like to read earlier editions, go to www.listbot.com and click MEMBER LOGIN, and enter your e-mail address. If you forget your password or never set one, there is a button to click and Listbot will e-mail it to you promptly. Once you are logged in, click ARCHIVES.

DO YOU HAVE TRAILS/STREAMS NEWS TO SHARE WITH OUR MEMBERS? Please e-mail it in!

FTAS ACTION PLAN FOR THE FAIRFAX CROSS-COUNTY TRAIL Supervisor Gerry Connolly called on Friday evening, asking for our views on how the CC Trail might be implemented promptly and inexpensively. Bill Cuttler is presenting FCPA's plan to the Board of Supervisors today. Our reply to Connolly, sent Monday morning (and CC'd to Cuttler) is the following:

Fairfax Trails and Streams (FTAS) believes that the Fairfax Cross-County Trail (FCCT) can be open for public use fairly quickly and inexpensively. Based on our knowledge of the entire 38-mile existing route, our detailed (but not professional) research of land records, trail easements, topographic and aerial maps of the route, and our contacts with various local and national trail-user groups and volunteer trail maintenance groups, we summarize our views on what steps need to be done to establish the FCCT. For more information, including detailed maps, cue sheets and elevation profiles, see the Fairfax Cross-County Trail's home page at http://www.mindspring.com/~potomacgreenways/crosscounty/index.html

Outline: We discuss the FCCT, including information about volunteer assistance, the Comprehensive Trails Plan, land acquisition and construction that is needed, road crossings and erosion. We then present a simplest-first action plan that includes our view on what could be completed for about $25,000 (leaving 6 gaps), $200,000 (leaving 3 gaps) and $1,000,000 (leaving no gaps). Enabling Role of Volunteers: The key enabling factor for rapid and inexpensive establishment of a Cross-County Trail is the inclusion of natural-surface trail segments maintained by volunteers. The FCCT route as hiked in June 1999 (with another hike planned in November) consists of alternating asphalt/crushed-stone segments maintained mostly by FCPA and natural-surface segments not formally maintained. FTAS and veteran volunteer trail maintainers from the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club have examined the natural surface segments and believe that, except for a few special situations itemized below, all segments are either acceptable now or could be rebuilt and maintained by volunteers to appropriate standards, similar to those used for trails in state and national parks and forests.

Comprehensive Trails Plan: The FCCT is in accordance with the Comprehensive Trails Plan. It follows the stream valleys of Pohick and Accotink Creeks, and Difficult Run. The Plan includes trails along the entire lengths of each stream. There are two places along Difficult Run where we recommend the trail follow public land corridors somewhat away from the stream, in order to avoid private property along the stream. In each case, natural surface trails exist there. Two segments (near Oak Marr Park and south of Lawyers Road) are not on the Plan, but they are entirely within FCPA land and well-separated from the nearest houses. We recommend they be added to the Plan. Land Acquisition and Construction: Mt Vernon, Springfield, Lee, Mason and Providence Section (South of Route 50): Completion of this section is mostly along Accotink Creek and requires no new funding explicitly for the FCCT. FCPA's plans for obtaining needed right-of-way (only two private landowners are involved) and constructing the incomplete portions are well underway, thanks to the 1998 Park Bond Referendum. This project is FCPA's highest-priority stream valley trail and is proceeding independently of the FCCT. We assume (and urge) that this section will be completed. Further south, the FCCT follows Pohick Creek on public land. A poor-quality natural surface trail crosses under the Fairfax County Parkway and connects to Barnack Drive and Springfield Villa Road. We believe that this trail could be upgraded by volunteers to acceptable standards. There is one short steep section that would need rerouting and perhaps a switchback. In short, no new funding beyond that already planned is anticipated here, except for signs, crosswalks, staff time to coordinate with volunteers, etc. Adoption of the current Lorton plan (which we favor) would extend the FCCT south to the Occoquan. Land Acquisition and Construction--Crossing I-66: The quick and inexpensive route is simply to follow the sidewalks of Blake Lane, perhaps by way of the existing Fairfax Connector Trail which parallels it, to reach Oak Marr Park on Jermantown Road. With this route, no new funding is needed here except for signs, crosswalks, etc. A more scenic and expensive route follows Fairfax City-maintained trails from Pickett Road to Route 50, existing natural surface trails to Route 123, and a Fairfax City designated nonmotorized route along residential streets to Jermantown Road's bridge over I-66. This is the route of the June and November Cross-County Hike. There is some right-of-way to obtain in Fairfax City, and several options for crossing I-66, all consistent with the Comprehensive Trails Plan, but all expensive. Therefore FTAS recommends using Fairfax Connector Trail/Blake Lane for now, and revisiting the issue if and when funding is available.

Land Acquisition and Construction: Providence-Sully-Hunter Mill-Dranesville Section (to Great Falls NP): The northern section has a more rural character and is mostly natural surface trails. The hiker is often out of sight of civilization. There are just three (possibly only two) gaps in the continuous public corridor. Once right-of-way is obtained over these gaps, and several fair-weather stream crossings are built, volunteers can do much of the rest. The three situations are discussed below (from south to north); all needed land is in the Difficult Run flood plane: (A) Map 47-1 ((8)) Lot A, at Miller Hts Road in Providence. This vacant lot is owned by the Tattersall Homeowners Association. The owners were kind enough to grant passage through this lot for our June and November Cross-County hikes. The existing trail comes near only one home in the Association (Lot 1), and is never within about 500 feet of that home. A small stream also separates this house from the trail. (B) Map 37-3 ((1)) Lot 15A, Valestra Circle, just south of Vale Road, on Sully-Providence boundary This huge lot is just north of a large FCPA park. There is a 10' public BOS trail easement crossing this lot connecting the park with a 25' public BOS trail easement across the two lots just to the north, ((8)) Lots 115 and 114 on Vale Road. Thus there is a continuous public right-of-way from Vale Road to the park. The problem is that the 10' public easement may be too close to Difficult Run, and may even cross it twice. On the other hand, it may be that this easement was properly designed and can be used for a trail. In any case, we feel that the owner, if approached properly, would agree to moving the easement to a better site on the east side, so that the FCCT would not have to cross Difficult Run south of Vale Road, and would go further away and across the stream from the owner's residence. FTAS is in fact attempting to contact the owner on this matter. (C) Map 37-1 ((1)) Lot 41 or Lot 40 (Girl Scouts of America's Camp Crowell), in Sully just north of Vale Road. Right-of-way across the Girl Scouts' property would fill in the biggest gap in the public trail corridor. The trail would be on the extreme east of the Camp, separated from the main scout area by a wetland. An alternative would place the trail at the extreme west end of Lot 41. An FTAS volunteer has initiated contact with the owner of Lot 41 to discuss this possibility. Road Crossings and Safety: The FCCT has many road crossings. Some will be improved as a part of the ongoing Accotink Trail project. Since the FCCT mostly follows stream beds, many crossings are safely under bridges. The at-grade crossings mostly have signals, or have long lines-of-sight and/or only moderate traffic. According to Cross-County hikers, these crossings, even as is, unmarked, are considerably safer than the W&OD trail's marked crossing of Hunter Mill Road--with two exceptions. The first is Vale Road in Sully. Currently, lacking right-of-way (C), Cross-County hikers must scramble up a short narrow section of Vale Road to Leeds Road. Once we have right-of-way (C) this crossing will become safe. The second is Browns Mill Road in Hunter Mill. Hikers must cross both the street and the bridge over Difficult Run, which is not wide enough for routine nonmotorized use. This will require a separate trail crossing of Difficult Run on the south side of the road, either a fair-weather crossing or a cantilevered bridge. The road crossing will then become safe.

Erosion issues: The FCCT is mostly in stream valleys and therefore prone to erosion. Once the FCCT is established, signed and blazed, use will increase, as will the threat of erosion, but so will the pool of volunteers to help prevent it. Fortunately, most of the natural surface trails to be maintained by volunteers are in the higher parts of the flood plane and drain fairly well. There are a few sections that don't, notably a 500-foot section just south of the Dulles Access Road, a 200-foot segment near Miller Heights Road, and some segments north of Georgetown Pike. These may require reroutes in the short term and perhaps an upgrade to stone dust eventually. One 250-foot section north of Vale Road is permanently covered with a couple inches of water because of a beaver dam. A trail there would require either (1) relocating the beavers, (2) use of volunteer Appalachian Trail techniques such as stepping stones or puncheons, or (3) a Huntley Meadows style boardwalk.

A Plan for Action. We discuss a simplest-first approach for building the FCCT. Doable for $25,000. FCPA staff reviews all the natural-surface parts of the FCCT on FCPA land that are not formally maintained (approximately 8 miles). Assuming they agree with the assessment of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club experts that volunteers can maintain these segments to acceptable standards, volunteers do so. They build several small bridges over streamlets, with donated materials, as is done on the Appalachian Trail. Then, these parts of the FCCT are certified and blazed in a consistent style by volunteers. Existing FCPA asphalt/crushed-stone segments on the FCCT are blazed as well. Agreements are obtained with the Reston Homeowners Association and the NVRPA (W&OD trail) to blaze in the same style the short public trail segments of the FCCT in their jurisdictions. Signs are placed at selected trailheads, including destination, direction (North or South) and mileage. Assuming a Blake Lane crossing of I-66, remaining gaps would be, from south to north: (1) Segment along Accotink Creek between Rte 236 and King Arthur Road (2) Miller Heights Road, since we lack right-of-way at (A) (3) Vale Road, since we lack right-of-way at (B) and (C) (4) Little Difficult Run south of Lawyers Road, if the current stepping-stone crossing (which is still safe and sturdy after Floyd) is deemed inadequate (5) Dulles Access Road to Browns Mill Road, because we lack formal permission from MWAA and because of an unsafe crossing of Browns Mill Road (6) Missing fair-weather crossings of Difficult Run north of Leigh Mill Road in Great Falls. Doable for $200,000. An agreement is reached with the MWAA to allow blazing the current natural-surface segment of the FCCT under the Dulles Access Road. In a 23 December 1998 letter to Fairfax Trails and Streams, the MWAA outlined the formal procedures involved. With a new fair-weather crossing just south of Browns Mill Road, we eliminate Gap 5. These improvements also complete the triangular 10-mile Difficult Run Loop, an important interim goal. The Loop starts at Colvin Run Mill on Route 7, follows the Rails to River trail through Lake Fairfax Park to Reston, the W&OD to Tamarack Park, and the FCCT north along Difficult Run back to Colvin Run Mill. If necessary, a fair-weather crossing is built at Little Difficult Run to replace the stepping stones and eliminate Gap 4. The Park Bond Referendum includes funding for several fair-weather crossings of Difficult Run. The FCPA could perhaps obtain early agreement from the owners of the two private lots along Accotink Creek (between Route 236 and King Arthur Road) to allow hikers formal use of the natural surface trail there. With a fair-weather crossing of Accotink Creek just north of Route 236, we do not need to wait for the planned construction of a bike trail there; we use the natural surface trail with volunteer maintenance, and eliminate Gap 1. Signage could be posted at major trailheads and intersections. Remaining gaps are (2), (3) and (6). If FTAS' efforts are successful in securing voluntary donations at (A), (B) and/or (C), Gaps (2) or (3) would be eliminated. Doable for $1,000,000. Right-of-way is purchased for any remaining missing links in the Difficult Run flood plane, eliminating Gaps 2 and 3. The poorest-draining sections of natural surface trail are upgraded to stone-dust. Signs and crosswalks are completed. Three fair-weather crossings are built, to eliminate Gap 6 and complete a continuous Fairfax Cross-County Trail.

UPDATE ON THE PROPOSED MT. VERNON EXTENSION TRAIL This proposed bike trail would connect Roosevelt Island (Rosslyn), Langley and McLean. Eventually it would continue out Old Dominion Drive to Great Falls Park. It would pass briefly along Pimmit Run near the GW Parkway, then more or less up the Parkway and adjacent parks. Some of the route is along residential streets. There is a detailed booklet describing possible routes. For more information, contact Bob Swennes at swenner@onr.navy.mil. Bob reports: 1. This message is sent to each of you due to your expressed interest in the subject of the possible trail extension. In recent months several events have increased the chances that an extension of the Mount Vernon multiuse trail will in time be built between Rosslyn (the current upriver terminus) and the American Legion Bridge. These are summarized below: a. In March 1999 the Great Falls Group of the Sierra Club wrote to the Regional Director of the National Park Service and endorsed the concept of the proposed trail to connect Arlington to the McLean and Langley communities in Fairfax County. The club noted that the trail would provide a critical link in the network of trails in the metropolitan area. b. In July 1999 the Chairman of the Arlington County Board wrote to Congressman James Moran seeking his assistance in support of the extension of the Mount Vernon Trail as proposed by the Virginia Bicycling Federation. That proposal calls for the trail extension to remain on road through most of north Arlington and to switch back onto the George Washington Memorial Parkway right of way near Chain Bridge. The route would avoid disturbing the many ecologically sensitive areas near the river. c. In July 1999 the House Committee on Appropriations submitted its report on the FY 2000 appropriations for the Department of the Interior. In that report was a request that $125,000 of the funds to be appropriated for the National Park Service be allocated for a study to extend the Mount Vernon multi-use trail north to I-495. The study should include alternatives that incorporate county lands and national park lands as routes to achieve this objective. Congressman Moran played an instrumental role in getting the study language into the Appropriations Committee report. d. In September 1999 the Northern Virginia Transportation Coordinating Council (TCC) began circulating for public comment its draft 2020 Transportation Plan within member jurisdictions in the commonwealth. The plan contains the proposed roadway, mass transit, bicycling and pedestrian improvements for the next 20 years. Among the recommended bicycle and pedestrian improvements is extension of the Mount Vernon Trail from Roosevelt Island to the Beltway. It is presumed that the trail extension would tie in to another future improvement listed in the draft 2020 Transportation Plan--a bicycle facility to be constructed on the American Legion Bridge whenever the next major renovation of that bridge occurs. 2. Word on how the professional study of Mount Vernon Trail extension options will be conducted is not expected from the National Park Service until after the Interior Department appropriations bill becomes law. It has been passed by the House and is under review in the Senate.

BICYCLE PATHS: PROJECTS ON THE 2020 PLAN: Alan Muchnick reports on bicycle trails in the 2020 plan. (There is an active e-news letter on bicycle trails which you can access--contact muchnick@capaccess.org) This table shows a preliminary breakdown. No time yet to write comments on either the bike projects or the general plan other than to say that spending on bike projects should be much higher: $1/capita/year should be a bare minimum. I'll post more in the following weeks. Allen Muchnick muchnick@capaccess.org, 703-237-8967

Bicycle and Pedestrian Projects Included in Draft NoVa 2020 Transportation Plan

City of Alexandria 1. Rte 7 Railroad Underpass, 0.25 mi WCL & SW: $50K 2. Rte 7/Beauregard Interchange, 0.25 mi BW: $13K 3. Eisenhower Trail Improvements, 0.5 mi SP: $26K 4. Eisenhower/WWB Connector, 0.5 mi BTR: $26K 5. Potomac Yards development SW, BL, WCL, BTR: --- 6. Potomac Yards/W&OD ROW 3 mi BTR: $156K Total in Alexandria (pop. 120 K) $271K Annual Per Capita Spending: $0.11

Arlington County 1. Rosslyn Circle Crossing (Lee Hwy), BBR? 1,000K 2. Rte 110 Tr paving, Rte 27 to Mem Dr, BTR 170K 3. Mt Vernon Tr/Old Jeff Davis Connector, BBR 900K 4. Boundary Channel Bridge Trails, BTR 70K--NPS 5. Mt Vernon Tr ext, Rosslyn to Fx CL, signs --- 6. Columbia Pike to Pentagon Bikeway, SP 207K--FY94! 7. Bikeway Spot Improvements 115K Total in Arlington (pop. 185 K) 2,255K Annual Per Capita Spending: $0.61

Fairfax County and Municipalities 1. Rte 7 Bikeway, Tyson's to Loudoun CL, BW: $624K 2. Rte 28 Trail, Rte 29 to Pr Wm CL, SP: --- --all PW? 2. Rte 29 Trail, Rte 28 to Pr Wm CL, SP: 728K--75% in PW 3. Rte 50 Bikeway, I-495 to Chantilly, BW: $2,000K 4. Rte 123 Bikeway, Pr Wm CL to 674, SP: $208K Funded? 5. Hunter Mill Rd/674 Trail: Rtes 123-7, SP: $416K 6. Fx Co. Pkwy Trail, 6 mi add'l, SP: $1,000K Funded? 7. Sugarland Run Tr, Herndon, W&OD to 7, BTR: 706K 206K Funded? 8. Springfield to Tyson's Bikeway, BL & SP: $1,466K 9. Mt Vernon Tr ext, Arl CL to I-495, BTR: $664K NPS/TEA 10. VDOT NoVA Spot Fixes, SW, SP: $229K--all NOVA Total in Fairfax County (pop. 1,000 K) 6,081K Annual Per Capita Spending: $0.30

Loudoun County and Towns 1. W&OD to White's Ferry, BL & SP? $760K--Funded Total in Loudoun (pop. 150 K) $0K Annual Per Capita Spending: $0.00

Prince William County and Municipalities 1. Rte 28 Trail, Fx CL to Fau CL, SP: 884K--all PW? 2. Rte 29 Trail, Rte 28 to Pr Wm CL, SP: 728K--in Fx too 3. Rte 234/234-BP Trail, SP 803K Total in Prince William (pop. 250 K) 2,233K Annual Per Capita Spending: $0.45

Potomac Crossings (mostly in MD or DC) 1. Woodrow Wilson Bridge, BTR 0K--FUNDED 2. American Legion Bridge, BTR 0K 3. Th. Roosevelt Bridge access, BTR, TR, BBR 2,489K?? Total Potomac Crossings 2,489K Interstate Bike Routes 1. Interstate Bike Route 1 Realignments 520K? 2. Interstate Bike Route 50 Designation 1,196K?--Redund. Total Interstate Bike Routes 1,716K Total for Listed Projects 17,426K

Abbreviations: BBR, bike/ped bridge; BL, bike lanes or paved shoulders; BTR, paved bike (shared use) trail; BW, unspecified bikeway; SP, sidepath paved shared-use trail SW, sidewalk; WCL, wide curb lanes (outside travel lanes shared with cars).

BICYCLE PATHS: UPCOMING PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THE 2020 PLAN Anne Messner reports on upcoming public hearings on the 2020 plan Below is the most recent list I received for the meetings jurisdictions will be holding to present the 2020 Plan. Sept. 9 Fairfax County Government Center, Rooms 9 &10, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 14 Prince William County, 1 County Complex Court, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 21 Alexandria City Hall, 301 King Street, Room 2000 7:30 p.m. Sept. 22 Arlington Career Center, 816 S. Walter Reed Dr. 7 p.m. Sept. 22 City of Fairfax, Old Town Hall, Main Street and University Dr. 7 p.m. Sept. 27 Arlington County Board Room, 2100 Clarendon Blvd. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 29 Dranesville District/Town of Herndon, 765 Lynn St., Herndon 7:30 p.m. Oct. 4 Mason/Providence District, Falls Church High School, 7521 Jaguar Trail, Falls Church 7 p.m. Oct. 5 Braddock District, 4414 Holborn Avenue, Annandale 7:30 p.m. Oct. 6 Mount Vernon, 2511 Parkers Lane, Alexandria 7 p.m. Oct. 9 Lee District, 6121 Franconia Road, Alexandria 9:00 a.m. At this time we have no information on meetings to be held by Loudoun County staff. Anne D. Messner, AICP Transportation Planning Phone: (703)383-2337 NOVA District Office Fax: (703) 383-2230 3975 Fair Ridge Drive Fairfax, Virginia 22033