Environment

A clean, sustainable environment, and stewardship of resources are part of Fairfax County’s stated goals and vision for our community.  There is likely no more active supporter of environmental issues in local government than Penny Gross.

On her motion, the Board of Supervisors adopted the county’s first 20-year Environmental Vision for the County.  Through her chairmanship of the Board’s Environment Committee, Penny has ensured that Fairfax County takes the lead in adopting sustainable practices for use of our natural resources,  including a Tree Action Plan, and stormwater infrastructure improvements. 

Penny’s leadership to restore the Chesapeake Bay is well-known at the local, regional, and national levels. Through her efforts, local governments are partnering with state and federal agencies on best practices to address nutrient reductions, domestic fertilizer labeling, and citizen education.  Penny testified before Congress on the need to increase funding for restoration, and involve local governments in the decision-making process.

Penny supports local initiatives, like the Culmore Clean-Up, to remove litter from local streets, Lafayette Village’s annual tree-planting celebration, Lake Barcroft’s project to remove invasive vegetation, and Hidden Oaks Nature Center’s educational activities for children.  Meanwhile, as chairman of the Potomac Watershed Roundtable, she reaches out to other jurisdictions and the Virginia General Assembly to coordinate larger efforts to protect the environment.

Supervisor Gross encourages Mason District residents to join together as good stewards of the  environment, seeking ways to increase the quality of our living by preserving and protecting the environment through recycling, prudent use of fertilizers, and addressing the run-off that travels into storm sewers and outfalls and winds up in the Potomac River or Chesapeake Bay.  Caring, common sense, and vigilance is necessary, as evidenced by her leadership in this arena.