Fairfax County has purchased three parcels of land at 8800 Richmond Highway near Dogue Creek in Mount Vernon. The acquisition is an attempt to improve the county’s water quality and to protect the land from potential redevelopment.
Dogue Creek is a tributary of the Potomac River that drains nearly 20 square miles of Fairfax County, including parts of Huntley Meadows and Fort Belvoir Military Reservation.
According to a Fairfax County news release, the county has received several proposals to redevelop this plot since 2017. These potential redevelopments clash with county policies due to flooding risks and “the county’s desire to restore environmentally sensitive lands.”
This purchase was a “first step in restoring the area to its natural stormwater functions and improving the creek’s water quality,” the news release said.
The county provided funding through a $2.8 million Virginia Community Preparedness Fund grant and the Stormwater Service District Fund.
Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck said the county’s purchase presents “a unique opportunity to transform this long-standing eyesore.”
“While it sits in a floodplain and resource protection area, it also has significant runoff and impervious surfaces. Preserving these environmentally sensitive lands, removing blight from the corridor and creating the opportunity to open access to the beautiful Dogue Creek and potential future park land is a huge win for our residents,” Storck said.
Once the current tenants’ lease ends, the county plans to remove buildings and other “impervious surfaces” on the 7.9-acre land. Other preservation efforts will include planting native species and removing invasive plants to restore the natural stream buffer. The work will take place this year and in 2026.
“This important acquisition marks a significant step in our ongoing efforts to protect and restore our local natural resources. By enhancing the health of Dogue Creek, we are investing in the long-term well-being of our community and the environment,” said Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay.
Feature image courtesy Fairfax County
