On June 11, 2009, the Fairfax County Planning Commission decided not to expand the definition of Resource Protection Areas (RPAs) for the present time. The County has been examining the possibility of expanding buffers upstream of RPAs for over a year (for more information on the proposed expansion see Field Notes Vol. 15 No. 7 and Vol. 16 No. 8). In a unanimous vote, the Planning Commission essentially tabled the issue, citing significant budget and staffing concerns associated with the mapping, implementation, and enforcement. Despite not moving forward at this time with the buffer expansion, the Planning Commission statement maintained the County's commitment to the protection of headwaters and riparian buffers upstream of RPAs. See the Planning Commission motion for further details.

For additional details, contact Ben Rosner, Mark Headly, or Mike Rolband.