Main Archives Page

2000 News Archive
October thru December

October | November | December

$500,000 IN TCSP FUNDING FOR CROSS-COUNTY TRAIL CLEARS HOUSE-SENATE CONFERENCE The final fiscal year 2001 spending bill for the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and Related Agencies has cleared the House-Senate conference. The bill ... is expected to be considered by the full House tomorrow and will then move to the Senate for approval before going to the President for his signature ... Fairfax Cross County Trail --- The bill also includes $500,000 to be used for construction of a 32-mile hiking trail which will stretch north to south across Fairfax County, from Great Falls National Park to Lorton, primarily along wooded stream valleys. The proposed route passes through all nine districts in the county and connects three major greenways: Difficult Run, Accotink Creek and Pohick Creek. (full text at Rep. Wolf's website at www.house.gov/wolf/) This TCSP proposal was requested by Representatives Jim Moran and Tom Davis. It was supported in writing by Fairfax County supervisors, including Stuart Mendelsohn and Gerald Connolly, and also by Virginia Delegate Vince Callahan. No less important, it was supported by mail and e-mail from many members of Fairfax Trails and Streams and other trail activist citizens groups. Credit is also due to Jim Aiken at Rep. Moran's office and Geoff Gleason at Rep. Wolf's office. It is an occasion for celebration! Assuming this becomes law, our next task is to work towards applying this (as well as additional funds provided by Fairfax County) to complete the Fairfax Cross County Trail expeditiously, taking full advantage of the efforts of volunteers in planning and construction.

US DEPT OF INTERIOR FUNDING APPROVED FOR LOCAL TRAILS, including POTOMAC HERITAGE N.S. TRAIL Washington, D.C. - Eighth District Congressman Jim Moran announced Monday that House and Senate conferees have concluded work on a FY 2001 Department of Interior spending bill that will provide new funds to improve bicycle and hiking trails, as well as other cultural and recreational facilities in Northern Virginia. Moran, a member of the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, said the bill contains $300,000 in urgently-needed construction funds to make repairs and improvements to the George Washington Memorial Parkway and Mount Vernon trails, two popular trails used by area cyclists, joggers and hikers. An additional $600,000 was included in the bill to construct a non-motorized trail adjacent to High Point Road on the Mason Neck Wildlife Refuge. The road has become a popular destination for in-line skating and bicycling, despite hazards created by increased automobile traffic. With current state efforts to construct a bicycle path between Fort Belvoir and Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge, the trail could be linked to the Potomac Heritage Trail Network now evolving throughout the Washington Metropolitan area. The bill also contains $150,000 requested by Moran to expand the network of trails along the Potomac River and its tributaries. The system will be part of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail system. An additional $130,000 is contained in the bill, he said, to make the Great Marsh Trail at Mason Neck accessible to disabled people. Under the bill, the trail will be named in honor of former Virginia State Senator Joseph V. Gartlan, a longtime champion of the disabled. Other projects requested by Moran and funded in the bill include: $65,000 for the Claude Moore Colonial Farm at Turkey Run Park; $100,000 for Belle Haven Marina to stabilize environmental conditions and properly maintain the site for public use; $325,000 to increase the operating budget and to begin restoration work at Arlington House, the home of Robert E. Lee located on the grounds of Arlington National Cemetary; $150,000 to begin restoration of two slave quarters at Arlington House; $200,000 for the Historic Alexandria Foundation and its efforts to restore the Alexandria Academy; $1 million from the Land and Water Conservation Fund to purchase environmentally sensitive property for addition to the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge, and; $3.5 million to build an educational and interpretive center at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. The center will be named after the late Herbert Bateman, who represented Chincoteauge in Congress from 1983 until his death last month. "I am very pleased that we were successful this year in providing new funds for some of our trails, parks, and cultural centers in Northern Virginia," Moran said. "These facilities provide outstanding recreational opportunities to our citizens and are an important part of our quality of life in Northern Virginia." The conference report on the FY 2001 Interior Appropriations Act will be considered late Monday.

HELP BUILD NEW TRAIL OCT 28 IN WINDEMERE PARK, Gt Falls FTAS is joining Great Falls Trailblazers for a VolunteerFest2000 project in Windemere Park. It is significant that this is a NEW trail, which marks an increased level of acceptance for citizen volunteerism in our parks (previous FTAS trail maintenance have been limited to improving existing trails). The GFT announces: Great Falls Trail Blazers will support VolunteerFest2000 by working with the Fairfax County Park Authority to clear a trail along Georgetown Pike in Windermere Park. We invite individuals, families and other groups to join us in making the trail system for Great Falls a reality.WHEN: Saturday, October 28 9 AM - 3 PM Rain or Shine, Come for an Hour or Stay the Day WHERE: Windermere Park 11000 Georgetown Pike (Route 193 at Welham Green Road) Great Falls, Virginia WHAT: Weíll be clearing trail in the woods and it could be damp or muddy so Wear boots and preferably long pants and long sleeved shirts, and gloves Be prepared with insect repellent, poison ivy protectant and sunscreen Bring a brown bag lunch; morning and afternoon snacks and drinks will be provided You are welcome to bring your own clippers, hand saws, etc.; others tools and supplies will be available for our use CONTACT: 703-759-0226 or 703-406-7767; macmary@mindspring.com For information about Trail Blazers or the trail system, visit www.mindspring.com/~potomacgreenways/greatfalls

NEXT FTAS MEETING NOV 6 (at DOLLEY MADISON LIBRARY, 7 - 8:45pm) Because of the election and absentee voting, our next meeting has been moved a few blocks to the Dolley Madison Public Library, across the street from the McLean Community Center (Ingleside Ave). Since the meeting room closes at 8:45, we will start the meeting at 7:00. Topic will be next steps in building the Pimmit Run Trail.

POTOMAC TRAIL CAUCUS, Quantico, VA, NOV 15 Learn about renewed efforts to create the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, along the entire Virginia Potomac shoreline. This all-day meeting in Quantico, VA, will focus on how to get the trail built, including roles for the NPS, local authorities and trail-advocacy groups. A new workbook will be available showing existing and planned sections. More details in future newsletters.

FAIRFAX CROSS-COUNTY HIKE (#3) on NOV 19 With the Capitol Hiking Club. Call: (301) 912-5569 or (703)765-5066 or visit http://www.teleport.com/~walking/chc.shtml This is the southern half Pohick Road to Fairfax City; shuttle bus, fee.

FFX CO STREAMS NEED YOUR HELP!

Message from the Audubon Naturalist Society
Support Fairfax Countyís Policy Plan Amendment on Stream Protection

ACTIONS: 1) WRITE OR FAX the Planning Commission BEFORE October 18, and tell them you support the Policy Plan Amendment for the protection of Fairfax streams. Fairfax County Planning Commission or FAX 703-324-3948 12000 Government Center Parkway Fairfax, VA 22035 2) SPEAK AT THE FAIRFAX COUNTY BOARD HEARING on Monday, October 30 at 3:30 p.m. Stella Koch, Audubon Naturalist Society is coordinating testimony--please call her at 703-669-3922 if you are willing to speak.

BACKGROUND: Beginning in June of 1999 Fairfax County staff, the Environmental subcommittee of the Planning Commission, and members of the citizen Environmental Quality Advisory Council met to discuss and recommend changes to the Policy Plan that would allow for planning decisions to be made based on the protection of local streams and water quality. These recommended language changes have now been put into a proposed out of turn policy plan amendment regarding stream protection. ** These changes will enable the Planning Commission to include stream protection as one of the criteria for land use decisions that they make. ** The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will hold a hearing on the amendment at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, October 30, 2000. On September 28, the Planning Commission met. Stella Koch spoke on behalf of Audubon Naturalist Society and Clean Water Action in support of the amendment. The development community was not represented but asked that the record be left open until the 18th of October when the Planning Commission will vote on the proposed amendment. There will be no further testimony taken but the record is open for letters of support. We need letters to the Fairfax County Planning Commission by October 18, 2000 supporting the ìOut of Turn Policy Plan Amendment regarding Stream Protection.î If you have any other questions or would like a copy of the document please call Stella Koch, Audubon Naturalist Society, 703-669-3922.

VOLUNTEERS CREATE 1600 FT OF NEW TRAIL AT WINDERMERE PARK. Joan Barnes of the Great Falls Trailblazers writes (to 16 volunteers who participated on Oct. 28): Congratulations and Thank You! Thanks to your efforts we can celebrate having nearly 1/3 mile of new trail in Great Falls. We were able to fully complete the eastern portion of the trail and to complete a first pass on the western segment. We can all be proud that we've helped make Windermere Park more accessible for people to enjoy and have made a safer route for those who walk and ride along Georgetown Pike. You made it look easy - but everyone put in alot of effort and it shows in the fantastic results. Thank you Karen Lanham and the Fairfax County Park Authority for all the drinks and snacks and tools. And thanks to Mary Anger for helping organize the event and for the delicious cinnamon buns donated by the Great Falls Arby's restaurant. We appreciate the expertise, volunteer time and tools from our fellow trail organizations - Fairfax Trails and Streams and the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club. And a special thanks to our student volunteers. You set a great community service example for us all. I hope this was just the first of many opportunities we'll have to work together blazing trails in our community. Until then, Thanks again and Happy Trails, Joan Barnes

MORE INFO ON 4th POTOMAC TRAILS CAUCUS IN (Nov. 15, 9 - 3) The Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail will run from Whites Ferry in Loudoun down the river to Great Falls Park, along Georgetown Pike to the Beltway, then along the river to the Mt Vernon Trail, the newly-funded Fort Belvoir Trail and Lorton Greenway, to Quantico and connecting trails in Prince William and Stafford County. Come help make it happen! The fourth Potomac Heritage Trail Annual Caucus will be held on Wednesday, 15 November 2000, at the Lillian Carden Community Center, 222 Third Avenue in the Town of Quantico,Virginia. If driving or bicycling, you will use Fuller Road (intersecting I-95 and Route 1) in Triangle travelling east through the security booth toward the Potomac River. The Town is also accessible by boat, Virginia Railway Express, Amtrak and, increasingly, by foot (but more on that later). Beginning promptly at 9:30 am, the agenda will focus on: conducting a detailed trail corridor assessment reviewing local trail development projects and projects with corridor-length applications hosting an open session of questions-and-answers developing advocacy, events, and communications over the next year We will adjourn at 3 pm. Coffee and pastries in the morning and lunch will be provided. For those wishing to stay over before or after, you will find a Ramada and Days Inn in Triangle, a Holiday Inn and Super 8 in nearby Dumfries and camping at Prince William Forest Park. To help us plan for food, please respond--to "cmcmullan@brces.org"--by c.o.b. 8 November if you expect to participate in the Caucus. Additionally, if you represent a government agency or organization, please send up to three short "bullet" statements describing your current work on Potomac Heritage Trail projects, including a contact name, telephone number and e-mail address. We will compile this information for distribution on the 15th. For those new to the Caucus, more than 55 people attended last year, representing all regions of the corridor. We plan to have tables available and encourage you to bring brochures or displays.

POTOMAC TRAIL COUNCIL FORMED The Potomac Trail Council has been organized to provide the following public services: - support and encourage efforts to develop, protect, study, interpret, maintain and celebrate the recreational, natural and cultural resources of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail and related trails and their associated resources (the "Trail"); - coordinate and encourage cooperation and collaboration among institutions and individuals interested in the Trail; - provide coordinated distribution of public information about access to the Trail and opportunities to participate in Trail activities; - serve as an information network about the Trail and related opportunities for all institutions and citizens; and - serve as a consolidated voice on matters pertaining to the Trail before federal policy-making bodies. The Council is not conceived to be the sole institutional interest supporting the Trail. Rather the Council is designed to be the agent of cooperative and collaborative efforts on the Trail. Furthermore, the Council seeks to encourage and assist partner institutions in their own efforts. The Council welcomes and encourages a broad range of conservation and education activities involving the Potomac River and invites into the Council the many institutions studying and celebrating the Potomac watershed. The Council's primary focus is on efforts to protect natural corridors and secure public access to land and water trails along the Potomac River and, when encouraged by its partners, the Potomac's immediate tributaries. Board Members David E. Lillard, President/Chairman Karen T. Zachary, Secretary Philip W. Ogilvie, Treasurer Susan Brehm Thomas R. Johnson William P. Niedringhaus Jean R. Packard Douglas A. Pickford

AGENDA FOR FTAS MONTHLY MEETING: MONDAY NOV. 6. Time: 7:00 - 8:45 pm Place Dolley Madison Public Library, McLean Directions: From intersection of 123 and Old Dominion, go north on 123 (towards DC), take 1st left at Ingleside (no traffic light), library is on left after bend in road After a brief news summary, we will break up into 3 or 4 subgroups to brainstorm on specific topics. We will vote on which of the following topics to brainstorm (attendees can add other topics to this list). At the end the subgroups will summarize their ideas to the combined group.
1. Dealing proactively with trail neighbors/how to ask for easements/NIMBY issues
2. Subcontracting issues/addressing bottlenecks at FCPA
3. Volunteerism and FCPA/adopting volunteer standards/major volunteer projects (e.g. bridges)/implications of GFT's success at Windermere
4. The "toughest half-mile" for Pimmit Run Trail (Colleen Dr. to Kirby Rd.)
5. The regional picture (Cross-County, Potomac Heritage NS Trail, Potomac Trail Council)
6. Environmental activities (monitoring/litter/land preservation)
7. Literature/brochures for FTAS/Pimmit/historical map
8. Website ideas/improvements
9. Fundraising ideas

NOTE: There is a good article in the Nov 1-7 McLean Connection on local Volunteer Fairfax events Oct. 28. In a section on GFT's trail clearing at Windermere Park, there are quotes from Joan Barnes, Robin Rentsch, Karen Lanham and Stu Mendelsohn, and a picture of FTAS' Ted Hochstadt sawing away at a stump.

NOTE: Our Dec. 4 meeting is back at the usual time/place: 7:30 pm McLean Govt Center (We were bumped this month for absentee voting)

CORRECTION: The $500,000 in TCSP (DOT) funding approved last month is to be divided equally between the Fairfax Cross-County Trail and the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail.

FTAS meets Dec. 4: Guest Tim Aiken of Cong. Moran's office. Time: 7:30 (the usual) Place: McLean Govt Center, 1437 Balls Hill Rd. (the usual) - Mr. Aiken will discuss the TCSP funding for the Cross-County trail and Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail that Moran cosponsored, and possible support for trail projects next year. - Also we will discuss the status of various sections of the Pimmit Run trail and volunteer opportunities

VDOT grants FTAS permits to erect 5 "Adopt A Stream" signs along Pimmit Run. One such sign is in Kent Gardens Park at the bridge over Pimmit Run. FTAS has five more, first unveiled at our litter cleanup in April. But we haven't been able to erect them. Finally, this week, VDOT granted us the required permits. The locations are at Pimmit Run crossings of: - Great Falls St. - Westmoreland St. - Old Chesterbrook Rd. - Old Dominion Dr. - Kirby Rd.

Nov 30 (TOMORROW): MCA to discuss plan to clear wooded parkland along Pimmit tributary for athletic fields. The McLean Citizens Association, planning and zoning committee has scheduled a meeting for November 30th, 7:30 at Longfellow Middle School on Westmoreland Street. The agenda includes: "A Fairfax County Park Authority project that would convert McLean High Park from a natural area to athletic fields and tennis courts". The streamlet, Saucy Branch, a Pimmit Run tributary, meanders through the 9 acres of McLean High Park

Parks Roundtable meets Jan. 11. The bimonthly Parks Roundtable meets Thursday evening, Jan 11, 7:30-9:30. Speakers are Don Briggs on the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, and Lisa Gutierrez, Maryland Dept of Natural Resources. In 1994 Lisa co-founded FTAS' parent 501(c)3 organization, the Potomac River Greenways Coalition. Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Annandale Community Park. Call 703 324 8555 for details.

FCPA releases Cross-County Trail Report

FCPA has published "Cross County Trail: Summary of Action Necessary for Completion" in November 2000. The report, which has an upbeat "can-do" tone, declares the trail "feasible", provides detailed maps of the entire route, makes explicit reference to FTAS' role in creating the trail, and commits to (a) extensive directional signage with logo for existing segments by June 2001, (b) overall completion date of 2005, (c) volunteer construction and natural surface for major portions, at least on interim basis, and (d) creating a formal Cross-County Trail project team. It outlines funding sources totaling $3.7 million. Excerpts follow. The Cross-County Trail was conceived by a group of interested citizens in 1998...The BOS approved this project in January 2000 and authorized...a feasibility study... The project is feasible and is recommended for scope development. With approval of the Park Authority Board (PAB), a project team will be formed and each of the eight trail segments will be scoped individually and brought before the PAB for approval.

PROJECT TEAM: To date this has been an informal cooperative effort between many parties including Fairfax Trails and Streams, the Countywide Non-motorized Transportation Committee, the FCPA, DPZ, DOT, and DPWES. A formal project team will be created when scoping begins.

FUNDING: The importance of this project is underscored by recent actions of Congressmen Moran, Davis and Wolf, who together supported application for a TCSP federal grant of $500,000. Gerry Connolly has actively pursued funding and secured $100,000, $300,000 and $500,000 in three budget actions within the last 18 months. In total approximately $3.7 million is available including all sources [including $2,268,000 in FCPA Bonds].

SCHEDULE: The entire project will be complete by 2005. By National Trails Day, in June 2001, plans include: - design, construction and installation of trail markers on completed sections of the trail--(a) Dulles Access Road to Lawyers Road, and (b) everything south of Oak Marr [except for Rte 236 to King Arthur Road which is to be completed in 2002]. - agreements with Reston Association, City of Fairfax and NVRPA to allow signage on their completed portion of the trail.

INCOMPLETE SEGMENTS AND VOLUNTEERS: Between Oak Marr and Lawyers Road, and north of the Dulles Access Road, the surface would be natural except where already improved. [No completion dates are given, other than 2005 for the whole project]...[Almost] all new trail not funded by the Park Authority bond program will be natural surface constructed by volunteers under FCPA supervision and guidance. It is anticipated that as funding is available, additional natural surface trails will be modified to an alternative surface in order to reduce maintenance, more clearly mark the trail route and encourage as many users as possible.

SIGNAGE: A universal sign symbol and material will be designed and installed. Various recycled materials are currently under informal consideration. Last year, a temporary designation was designed and one marker was placed in each supervisory district along the proposed route of the trail. It is anticipated that a new permanent marker will be designed, approved, manufactured and erected on portions of the trail route in commemoration of National Trails Day in June 2001.