Vol. 12 No. 2
March 9, 2005

A Seminar, and Spring Update on RPAs, LID and Endangered Species

SAVE THE DATE! - A New WSSI Seminar is Coming
Wetland Studies and Solutions, Inc. presents: "Dealing with the New World of Wetland and Stream Permitting" Seminar. Full Article

Fairfax County Revising Maps to Add Seven Miles of RPA
When the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors (BOS) approved the current Resource Protection Area (RPA) maps on November 17, 2003, staff was directed to conduct a quality control review of the maps and return in one year with any resulting revisions. A preview provided to the Environmental Quality Advisory Council (EQAC) last November estimated at least seven miles of new RPAs will be added and over two miles removed. The first public release of these maps is expected to occur on March 28th at the BOS Environmental Committee meeting (8:00 a.m., Room 232 of the Fairfax County Government Center). Full Article

Fairfax County Proposes Revisions to its Perennial Stream Re-Classification Criteria
Fairfax County's current Public Facilities Manual (PFM) allows a perennial stream designation and the resulting Resource Protection Area (RPA) to be reclassified as an intermittent stream (removing the RPA) if an applicant provides "observational data in the absence of flow during non-drought periods." Since the adoption of the RPA maps in Fairfax County on November 17, 2003, one such re-designation has occurred. At the direction of the BOS, staff presented extremely detailed proposed revisions to the Environmental Quality Advisory Council (EQAC) on February 9, 2005. Full Article

Low Impact Development - Regulatory Update
Low Impact Development (LID) practices are being evaluated and developed at various governmental levels and localities. Much work is still required to reduce the failure rate of some practices (particularly in lower permeability soil types), develop standardized computational methods, develop data on maintenance costs and requirements, assess long-term effectiveness and measure how effective these practices are in terms of quality control, volume control, and peak flow rate (quantity) control. Non-structural LID practices, such as reduced pavement widths, "tighter" lot configurations and reduced building setbacks will require other ordinance changes. In the meantime, here is the latest on regulatory activities affecting LID implementation in the area: Full Article

2005 Endangered and Threatened Species Alert: Small Whorled Pogonia
If you are planning to develop property in Northern Virginia having mature hardwood forest with an open understory, you will most likely need a survey for the small whorled pogonia (Isotria medeoloides) between June 1 and July 20 -- or your wetlands permitting may be delayed up to a year! Full Article


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About Wetland Studies and Solutions, Inc. (WSSI):

WSSI is the leading provider of wetland science, water resource engineering, and cultural resource consulting services in Northern Virginia. The firm has worked on over 1,600 sites, comprising more than 90,000 acres, and has created hundreds of acres of wetlands and restored miles of streams in the area. Our team of 95 engineers, scientists, archeologists, technicians, GIS specialists, surveyors, and administrative staff yield a unique combination of disciplines focused on natural and cultural resources and provide creative solutions for integrating the constraints of economics and land plan requirements with local, state and federal environmental regulations. For more information about WSSI, visit our web site at www.wetlandstudies.com.