Need Your Comments by 6/30- Draft Forestry & Natural Resources Plan
The County has published its latest (and most likely last) draft of the Forestry and Natural Resources Plan. While this draft is an improvement over the draft released last summer, ATAG remains deeply concerned that this “Plan” is not a plan but rather a plan to “do” a plan. The actions proposed include things like “consider establishing,” “assessing” and “explore requiring” without committing to concrete actions or providing measures or milestones for achieving the goals of the plan.
We need you to speak up NOW to the Board and the County Manager to preserve the future of our urban forest. Please take a look at the Plan. It will be presented to the County Board for their consideration this fall, so it is essential that the County hear the concerns of those of us who want to preserve Arlington’s forestry and natural resources. ATAG will send a letter to the County Board and the Planning Commission stating our key concerns
Feedback Opportunities
These are the formal channels through which you can provide feedback to the County on the draft Plan
· The County has created a questionnaire to collect feedback on this draft of the Plan through June 30.
· The County is also holding an Open House for this draft of the Plan where you can provide feedback on this draft of the Plan on Wednesday, June 14 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Lubber Run Community Center at 300 N Park Drive in Arlington. Registration is required. Register here.
· County Staff will hold virtual office hours on Monday, June 26 from 1-3 p.m. (TEAMS Meeting Link) and Wednesday, June 28 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. (TEAMS Meeting Link) where you can ask questions and share feedback.
If you feel that none of these formal channels are adequate for expressing the broad and deep concerns many of us have about the plan, you can also write directly to the County Board (countyboard@arlingtonva.us) and County Manager (countymanager@arlingtonva.us) to let them know what you think.
Remember, our voices count but only if we use them.
Thanks for all you do for trees!