Community makes demands with pipeline
By Layla Wilder
County officials are seeking assurances that the Upper Occoquan Sewage Authority will be sensitive to parkland and neighborhoods as it seeks approval to expand a sewer line through the Cub Run Stream Valley Park in Centreville.UOSA is seeking permission to expand about 25,000 feet of sewage pipeline that runs through the Fairfax County Park Authority's park so they can meet anticipated demand.
Representatives from UOSA, who have met with residents of affected neighborhoods surrounding the park, said they will do as much as possible not to disturb the area and environment, but haven't officially committed to all of the county's requests yet.
Speaking at a county Planning Commission hearing on March 27, Bob Angelotti, UOSA's technical director, called the three-year project a “critical” one that is overdue.
The planning commission differed on a vote of the proposal to late April to allow the UOSA and Park Authority board to reach agreements on how to go about protecting the environment of the stream valley.
Commissioner Jim Hart (At large) wanted to make sure the wood turtles, water mussels, and milkweed were going to be relocated and UOSA representatives said they would be.
Commissioners also said they want assurances that UOSA will meet the park authority's request for restoration and that they will mitigate the impact to neighborhoods surrounding the park.
Jay Johnston, vice president of Virginia Run's Board of Trustees, said UOSA hasn't “satisfactorily” answered their questions about the project.
The community's residents – who fought a natural gas pipeline expansion in their neighborhood last year – are concerned about big trucks trekking mud into the neighborhood and interfering with traffic, Johnston said.
Days after the planning commission meeting, Fairfax County Board chairman Gerry Connolly (D-At large) sent UOSA a letter supporting the planning commission's request. Connolly had several requests for UOSA that included a commitment to help the park authority to reforest the park after construction, and pedestrian bridges to compensate for a loss of trails during the construction phase.
UOSA has been asked to treat an increasing amount of western Fairfax County's sewage as the area has grown, according to Deputy Executive Director Michael Reach.
When the pipeline was built in the 1970s, it was projected to serve about 45,000 people. It now serves 108,000 people and is deteriorating, Reach said.
The expansion would reduce the risk of sewage overflow and risk to the stream valley and drinking water, Angelotti said.
“We don't have closure with UOSA yet,” Hart said.
UOSA hopes to begin construction in 2009, Reach said.