Thank you,
William P. Niedringhaus
President Fairfax Trails and Streams

In Sully District we were the first district to actually have all of
our trails physically walked and mapped for the GIS system. We have
worked very closely with the Trails Committee to implement our stream
valley trail system, and with the Park Authority to try and build new
sections.

I would support building it within the context of the overall trails
program. While I support the Cross-County Trail I do not believe that it
should be moved to the top of the priority list at the expense of all of
our other trail projects.

Again I would support this within the context of our overall trails
plan. Funding for trails has been limited in the last few budgets, and
clear priorities need to be set. I'm not sure that this trail would be a
priority for Sully District.

I convinced my colleagues to purchase nearly 2000 acres of new
parkland and permanent open space in western Fairfax. I have also
supported changes to the density criteria in the Comprehensive Plan to
give the Board flexibility through the development process to require
stream valleys and EQC's to be protected.

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I believe that trails, nature centers, and parks and recreation facilities are an important part of Fairfax’s character and enhance our quality of life. As the only Republican endorsed by the two Northern Virginia Sierra Club groups, I hope to be able to work with the community and the Board to support such amenities, including the Cross County Trail and Potomac Heritage Trail.

As a former aide to Congressman Frank Wolf and current Director of Federal Relations for a leading lobbying firm in Washington, I am very familiar with the many federal and state sources of funding for trails and national heritage sites. The County must aggressively seek such funding to help achieve its completion goals.

Again, the County must aggressively seek funding on the federal and state level, such as through the Transportation Enhancement grant program, to help finance its trail projects. We have worthy proposals and I am certain that we could get substantial assistance in funding them.

Fairfax County needs to seriously re-evaluate its land use planning to slow growth, preserve open space, and promote transit-oriented development as opposed to the haphazard overdevelopment that has characterized the Board’s actions for years now. The County must link its land use and transportation planning and the Board of Supervisors must reduce the number of upzoning proposals it approves. My efforts to prioritize these issues have earned me the endorsement of the Smart Growth Citizens Community Caucus and the Sierra Club.

I have supported Supervisor Connolly's initiative to make a Cross County Trail a reality. I have supported building a trail down Gunston Road to Mason Neck, a trail along Route 1 to join with a trail along the George Washington Memorial Parkway and northward to Great Falls.

I support prioritizing funding for completion of the Cross County Trail by 2005.

The completion of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail would be a major asset for the Washington Metropolitan area and particularly Fairfax County. It is and must be one of our highest priorities. I support its completion by 2008.

Review and change the Comprehensive Plan to protect and preserve as much open space as possible. Use proffers to set aside open space, and seek voter approval of bonds to acquire open space.

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Linda Smyth

As Planning Commissioner for Providence District, I worked on the Comprehensive Trails Plan. The Trails Plan was an exhaustive study of all the trails throughout the County, including those that have been built and those yet to be constructed or connected. Whenever I review rezoning applications, I insist that developers provide trails in conformance with the Trails Plan.

I support completing the Cross County Trail in 2005. If I have rezoning applications near the Cross County Trail, I will ask developers to provide funds or actual construction of parts of the trail.

I support the completion of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail by 2008 if the County has the funds. Again, proffer commitments from developers could help with the funding or construction of the trail.

As Planning Commissioner I also worked on the Chesapeake Bay Ordinance, which set up Resource Protection Areas along our stream valleys. The Ordinance will create more open space areas along stream valleys as well as protect the health of our streams.

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Joan Dubois
(response from Dranesville primary)

I would give a high priority to trails and streams. And even though you only mention trails, sidewalk connections are very important as well. Safe pedestrian access is important in both our neighborhoods and business areas. And, as you know, in some areas safe access is not a sidewalk, but a trail. Trails also serve a multi-purpose use – hiking, walking, and in some places, even horseback riding. In that regard, as Planning Commissioner, there have been a couple of instances where I have been successful in obtaining off-site sidewalk connections. Further, it has not been my practice, nor would it be my intention, to grant trail waivers. Waivers have left us with huge gaps in our trails system, with less than adequate funding in escrow to construct the now-missing sections.

I worked with various trails groups in the Dranesville District during the recent comprehensive review of the County Trails Plan (I still like this better than the non-motorized wording). As an example, there were a number of designation and other changes recommended in Great Falls, and I was able to persuade my fellow Planning Commissioners to support just about all of them. I commit to continue to be a strong supporter of our trail network.

I also commit to work to protect at-risk stream valleys and further encourage conservation measures. Once again, as the District Planning Commissioner, I was able to work with a builder to provide off-site, downstream, channel improvements to correct existing erosion problems. Such efforts are important, as the County does not have all of the necessary resources to maintain and correct our stream channel problems. There have also been instances where a Homeowners Association has worked with the County to develop a stream management plan and its members have taken on the volunteer responsibility to perform certain maintenance tasks. Further, there are many citizen volunteers who are trained to assess water quality in streams on a regular basis. All of these efforts are important. In addition, I was a member of the Planning Commission subcommittee that worked with EQAC and industry representatives to review revisions to the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Ordinance to provide more protection for our perennial streams.

It would be irresponsible and disingenuous for me to commit at this time to restore County funding for trails to the FY 2000 level of $100,000 per district. I will, however, commit to give priority consideration and support to including some level of funding for trails in the next County budget cycle. In my opinion, it is more appropriate to provide at least some funding each year, rather than to totally eliminate all funding, as has been the case.

I commit that I would work to obtain the needed easements to complete the Pimmit Run Trail. In fact, I did some research on my own recently relative to the "missing link" near the Highland Swim Club. Since some of that land was transferred to the Swim Club by Fairfax County, I pulled the Deed for that transaction to see if there was a provision whereby the Club would have to provide any public easements that might subsequently be requested. Apparently that is the more current practice for such transactions. Unfortunately, however, no such provision was included. But, I will continue to search for ways to make that happen. I previously committed that I would work to obtain another of the “missing links” in the vicinity of Old Chesterbrook Road. I am confident I can deliver that easement. If there are other easements still needed, I would work to obtain those as well.

I will certainly commit to monitoring the $128,000 in Evans Farm recreational proffers to assure that these funds are used, as specified, for the Pimmit Run Trail.

As I noted in Question 2, I would commit to support some level of funding for trails projects in the upcoming County budget cycle and in future years. Given the County's projected limited resources in the coming years, it will also be important to explore other funding options, such as grant programs. Trail projects have received grant funding in the past, and this can be an important alternative funding source. We have to be persistent in identifying all sources of funding that might be available to complete our Countywide trails network.

John Foust
(response from Dranesville primary)

I do not just talk about trails and streams. I know their value to the quality of our lives because I use them. Ever since I was a small boy, I have spent countless hours hiking trails. I was head of a large Cub Scout Pack for four years and the McLean-Arlington District of the Boy Scouts of America for three years. When I led those groups, we were major beneficiaries of the trail system. My wife and I love to hike in Scotts Run. We also regularly risk our lives walking the incomplete "trails" from our home off Lewinsville Road to the coffee shops in McLean. As a member of the Lewinsville coalition for the past five years, I have supported successful efforts to require developers to proffer trails. I am running for Supervisor because I want to make our community more livable now and for future generations. Expansion of trails and protection of streams, especially in Dranesville, are high priorities for me.

The funding for trails should not have been eliminated in the first place. Had I been on the Board, I would have fought to preserve that funding. I will support restoring funding for trails to at least the fiscal year 2000 level. Any realistic analysis of costs versus the benefits of expanding and improving the trails network would demonstrate that this is an investment that must be made. We can and should invest at least $100,000 per District in the trails budget.

I have a beautiful framed map of Pimmit Run hanging on my office wall. The map displays the plan for the Pimmit Run Trail. One of my priorities as Supervisor will be to help you make that plan become a reality. I am an effective and persuasive leader. I have demonstrated many times that I do more than talk and complain when I am convinced that I am pursuing what is right for our community. I will work to obtain funding for the Pimmit Run Trail. I will support the FTAS efforts to increase public awareness of the benefits of completing this trail. I will support efforts to obtain easements and I will work with FTAS to find creative ways to complete the trail where easements cannot be obtained.

YES.

I recognize the importance and appreciate the value of these trails. The issue FTAS members should consider is who will be an effective advocate for the trails. Who will convert our shared desires for these trails into reality? Who can convince at least five other members of the Board of Supervisors that these trails must be completed? With an effective advocate on the Board of Supervisors, we can expand these trails. I believe that I am that effective advocate.

Thank you for the opportunity to address these issues. I appreciate the invitation to speak to a meeting of your membership and look forward to doing so. Please let me know if you would like to receive any other information from me.