Prince William County is updating the Environmental Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan now and I believe they need to hear our voices.
An environmental constraints analysis is needed for every development application.
A drinking water protection overlay district is needed to establish minimum standards for vegetated buffers along all streams and headwater areas.
A tree ordinance is needed to adopt a community-based Urban Forestry Council to monitor tree preservation progress and make recommendations for improvements to county policies and standards.
Restricting the limits of clearing and grading on development plans needs to be placed into the Zoning Ordinance and develop reforestation standards for areas where unauthorized clearing has occurred.
One hundred foot linear buffers need to be along all streams, intermittent and perennial.
Higher standards for stormwater management is needed to ensure that wetlands are preserved as they clean our air, water and land with an Environmental Constraint Analysis.
Every storm drain needs a storm drain guard and labeling: Storm water picks up pollution and trash. It is not cleaned before is runs down the storm drain into the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay.
The Zoning Ordinance needs to state that homes and commercial structures will be located at least 100 feet from conservation and preservation areas.
One hundred foot vegetated buffers need to separate industrial properties from our homes and schools.
A watershed management plan needs to include community involvement and be formally adopted as the evaluation process for rezoning and special use permit applications and include identification of
critical stream areas with an overlay district to protect these areas.
A map needs to be developed now and published for the public that includes impervious surfaces, canopy coverage by forest type, slopes, wetlands, stormwater infrastructure and others or lose them
forever.
A Community Master Energy Plan is needed to highlight impacts of energy conservation efforts and post ‘report cards’ for county-owned buildings.
Definitions in the Plan need to be clear and concise. Please, e-mail the Board of County Supervisors and tell them what the Environmental Chapter needs.
CINDY PATTERSON
Southbridge
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