Making Great Falls Better 
GFCA is a 100% volunteer 501(c)4 organization without paid staff. Your dues support activities on behalf of Great Falls
Top Stories and
News Briefs
GFCA Calls For Action: Urges County
Board of Supervisors to Prioritize Policies On Tree Preservation
(January 10, 2022)
An effort is underway to save the trees in Great Falls as well as around Fairfax County. Recently, the Fairfax County Tree Commission sent a letter to the County Board of Supervisors (BOS) calling for improvements to the land development process by prioritizing tree preservation and planting. The Commission developed six policy recommendations that, when implemented, would put trees first in land development. (Click here for a summary of the Tree Commission recommendations.)
Based on its review of the six recommendations, the GFCA Board sent a letter urging support of the recommendations to all members of the Board of Supervisors on December 17.
Agreeing with all six recommendations, GFCA recommended that the Supervisors implement four recommendations immediately without additional staff review. The four recommendations are:
- The Natural Resources and Tree Inventory required during a land use site plan should be approved prior to the submittal of a site plan, instead of at the end of the approval process. (#1)
- The county’s fee in lieu should be raised as it is too low to incentivize tree retention. For example, in Arlington the fee is $2,400, while in Fairfax County it is only $900. (#4)
- The county should assess the effectiveness of the Tree Ordinance and the existing tree canopy requirements and make appropriate adjustments to ensure that the county’s tree canopy requirement is being met. (#5)
- The county should identify and map priority areas for tree planting using the Vulnerability Index and Equity Lens to ensure that all parts of the county receive adequate tree planting. (#6)
The easiest way to get your views across is to send your email to the Board of Supervisors Clerk for distribution to all Supervisors: clerktothebos@fairfaxcounty.gov
On October 27th, GFCA’s Transportation Committee hosted a meeting with Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) officials to discuss VDOT’s I-495 Express Lanes Northern Extension Project (495 NEXT). Representing VDOT were Susan Shaw, P.E., VDOT Northern Virginia Megaprojects Director, and Abi Lerner, P.E., VDOT Special Program Manager for Megaprojects. Representatives from VDOT’s privatization partner, Transurban, also attended. For the full Article Click here. |
EP Committee Presentation featuring Tips on Lawn Care from Master Gardener Tony Makara Town Hall re: Springvale Rd. Bridge Replacement - Deer Management Presentation -
Additional Information Sources for Learning About Responsible Lawn Maintenance.pdf
The Great Falls Citizens Association is an
all-volunteer, non-profit, 501(c)4 organization that advocates solutions and
government actions that benefit Great Falls. Since Great Falls is not an incorporated municipality like the Town of Vienna, or City of Falls Church, we lack a town/city government to represent our local interests. The GFCA acts in an unofficial capacity to represent the voices of the citizens of Great Falls on these matters, and works with county, state, and national government to get things done. On Great Falls issues, no other organization has GFCA’s influence with elected leaders at the County and State level, or is as respected by them. Our charter calls for GFCA to "serve as a community organization to promote all aspects of community interest accruing to a common good and, in general, to preserve the historic, low density, semi-rural character of Great Falls and its natural resources."
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GFCA News
Fairfax County has proposed two new fire stations which will service our community. They will acquire 12 acres at the corner of Beulah Road and Rt. 7 and 14 acres at the corner of Reston Ave. and Rt. 7. The Executive Committee of GFCA has voted to support the location of these fire stations but have expressed concern about what the County plans to do with the additional acreage over and above the 5 acres needed for the station on each site.
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