New Community Organization Established in Great Falls: Beginning Strong
The recently organized non-profit civic association, Citizens For Great Falls (CFGF) hit the ground running, in April forwarding correspondence to the Regional Director of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to request initiation of action to assist with groundwater monitoring for the wells in the vicinity of the above-referenced incident; and, to initiate a formal enforcement investigation by the Virginia DEQ as a consequence of the release of approximately 2,600 gallons of Gasoline from a fuel transport tanker into the waters of the Difficult Run Tributary in Great Falls, Virginia. simultaneously issuing comments to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors regarding their planned cuts to essential services in the FY 2026 budget.
Then on May 7, newly installed CFGF president John Halacy forwarded comments to the Board of Supervisors, including Dranesville Supervisor James Bierman, on behalf of the consortium of residents who would become the CFGF’s initial incorporators, requesting restoration of planned departmental budget cuts to significant public health & safety services, including reductions to emergency medical resources from the area fire stations. He also included comments on the proposed Unified Sanitation District plan that was being briefed to county supervisors by the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services to encourage consideration more comprehensive analysis of that plan, given the current fiscal climate. In addition, he specifically requested the Supervisors “tap the brakes” on the trash initiative, before the scheduled June 24 public hearing, at which time the Board could have granted authority to proceed. Fortunately, the budget cuts for paramedic services were restored by the Board and, in a surprise move, they also postponed the Unified Trash District Hearing until October, so staff could conduct more community engagement.
A follow-up letter was sent to the BOS on May 23 after a public meeting conducted by CFGF to review the pros and cons of the DPWES proposal to establish Unified Sanitation Districts (USD) in Fairfax County. The meeting reviewed materials published by DPWES as a basis to launch the discussion. Attendees also received briefing materials prepared by a current independent trash hauler. CFGF’s approach to this topic was balanced and introduced both the county’s suggested benefits to be derived as presented, thus far, by staff publications as well as the possible drawbacks associated with the creation of USDs, based on citizen feedback and comments submitted during a Town Hall conducted by Springfield Supervisor Herrity.