Continue Voicing Your Concerns about the FNRP
ATAG and many others have provided valuable comments to the County on the most recent September 29, 2023 draft of the Forestry and Natural Resources Plan. Unfortunately, the County has chosen to ignore the new comments focused on the lack of a sense of urgency and the use of outdated information. Specifically, the new 2023 tree canopy assessment shows that the existing tree canopy is only 33% not the 40% claimed in the Plan. This is supported by others studies, one conducted with County supervision in 2022. Further, the goal of 40% or more tree canopy overall in the County is unattainable based on the plantable spaces still available.
The County Board is expected to hear a motion to approve the Plan at the November 11, 2023 meeting and give final approval at the December 16, 2023 Board meeting. Although online comments are no longer being taken, any additional comments can be provided by email to board@arlingtonva.us, or by participating in the “Open Door Monday” sessions to meet one-on-one with a Board member. You can also email the County Manager at countymanager@arlingtonva.us or the Joint Natural Resources Advisory Group overseeing the Plan at Aabugattas@arlingtonva.us.
Many comments from Commissions and organizations on the June 1, 2023, draft Forestry and Natural Resources Plan (https://www.arlingtonva.us/files/sharedassets/public/parks-amp-recreation/documents/draft-forestry-and-natural-resources-plan_-june-2023.pdf) were also ignored. Improvements and insights from these public comments should have been considered more seriously. To see the many faults that others have articulated in detail, please to to this page.