Vitally important! Draft Forestry and Natural Resources Plan now available for review and comment

ATAG asks all tree advocates to commit to action on this vitally important, decisive planing process. The entire draft Forestry and Natural Resources Plan (FNRP) and the County’s webpage are available for review. The plan ultimately adopted will set the strategic direction for trees and natural resources over the next decade as well as influencing short term goals and commitments. You are encouraged to conduct a thoughtful, comprehensive examination of this document that not only looks at the facts and proposals presented but also at the document’s reflection of the realities and concerns experienced by citizens regardless of technical expertise.

Some questions you might ask as you review:

1.       Is the Plan focused on the significant public and private natural resource objectives and concerns (including rapid development) or is it more focused on how County management and operations are to be conducted and/or how individuals must take the lead to meet certain goals?

2.       How does it relate to the 2004 Urban Forestry Plan plan and its Implementation Plan and the expected success/failure in meeting the plan’s objectives?

3.       Were the benchmarks used the most relevant for the goals and concerns of Arlington County residents today as well as 10 years from now? Are we looking too much at what others are doing rather than the reality of what is needed in the County and requested by its residents?

4.       Was the public engagement effective (does it tell you what you want to know?) in reporting diverse public views like the 2016 recreation needs survey or the Civic Federation’s public collaboratives and has this information been included in the draft plan? 

5.       How will the implementation be structured to avoid the lack of progress seen on the previous plan?

6.       What are appropriate goals given public concerns and future wishes and what metrics (common to forestry field, stormwater impact, or other measures specifically relevant to Arlington) should be used to evaluate progress? When will these evaluations be conducted and what are the enforcement mechanisms?

The County now lists several ways to participate in the “Share your Input” on the FNRP including:

• MOST POWERFUL - Online Draft Plan Review: Open now until October 3. Read and comment directly on the draft plan here. Unfortunately, the draft does not include the graphics so it may be hard to get the full picture.

• Online Feedback Form: Open now until October 3. Click here Will limit the range of comments you can provide.

• In Person Pop-Up Events: County-wide in person pop-up events to provide information on the plan and hear the elements in the plan are important to you. They have not given a schedule or locations yet!

• Virtual Community Forum: Planned for September, it will allow participants to ask questions and provide direct feedback on the FNRP. No date specified.

• Arlington County Commission Input: Throughout the coming weeks and months staff will present the plan and allow for public input at various commission meetings. The meetings will be listed on the project’s webpage and the public is welcome to attend. Unfortunately, most Commissions don’t meet in August so there may only be one chance to comment and some Commissions only allow 2 or 3 minutes of public comment at the beginning of the meetings. See our calendar page for more information and links.