Community News

Town Partnership with Fairfax Tree Rescuers PRISM

The town has entered into a partnership with Fairfax Tree Rescuers PRISM to help fight invasive plant species in the area. "PRISM" stands for Partnership for Regional Invasives Species Management, which refers to the joint work of government agencies, non-profits, for-profits, and individuals all working together to control an invasive threat. In our case, the threat is eventual collapse of the tree canopy in the remaining natural areas of Fairfax, on public and private land, as mature trees are brought down and not replaced. Residential and commercial areas face the same risk when landowners don't recognize that English Ivy and other invasive plants are damaging their property and putting their trees at risk for premature death.

The purpose of Fairfax Tree Rescuers PRISM is to help the community understand that risk and find strategies to mitigate it. This will require a concerted and long-term effort on the part of government agencies and volunteers working at every level, from county-wide down to individual neighborhoods. We will be encouraging corporations, HOAs, and neighborhoods to adopt adjacent parks and VDOT rights of way to provide both volunteer and paid labor for invasives control. We plan to conduct trainings both for volunteers and professional landscapers. Volunteers will also be conducting surveys of all the parks and monitoring progress.  Most importantly, everyone will need to take action on their own properties, though we do have a small grant to offer as mini-grants to community associations and faith communities to help them get started.

Fairfax County Proposed Budget Removes Clifton Ambulance - a letter from your Town Administrator

Town representatives spoke at Fairfax County budget hearings to protest the proposed removal of the Clifton ambulance and emergency services. Thankfully, Fairfax County board members understood our concern and kept our services intact for the next fiscal year. Read the letter that the Town sent to Fairfax County to protest this proposal.

FEMA's Flood Risk Study for the Middle Potomac Anacostia Occoquan Watershed

In response to requests from the community regarding updates to problem areas, FEMA will be conducting a study to address several issues, including: a new detailed study for 2.8Tripps Run, updated Zone A floodplains, and a redelineation of Zone AE floodplains.

This study is scheduled for release in early 2017, and it will result in updates to Flood Insurance Rate Maps and Flood Insurance Study, and will aid in establishing flood insurance rates and provide a basis for the community's floodplain management program.

The letter can be found here.