Survey: For some commuters, I-66 tolls a better option than transit

WTOP (01/04/18)

“Is it cheaper to pay a toll to drive on Interstate 66 during the rush hour or cheaper to ride public transit? That’s the question that some commuters are weighing since tolling began four weeks ago. Commuter Debbie Vickers did the math. She could pay $18 a day to ride the commuter bus from the South Riding area to Downtown D.C. Or, she could pay a few dollars less per day to take the bus to the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station and then ride the Silver Line into town. “

Developer seeks waivers for nine new homes in The Plains

Fauquier Times (01/03/18)

“The planning commission of The Plains on Jan. 4 takes up a request for waivers sought by a property owner who plans to build nine homes at Hopewell Road and Mosby Street. One of the waivers would allow sidewalks only along Mosby. An interior trail rather than sidewalks would serve the lots facing Hopewell.”

Soil, water conservation supporters receive awards

Fauquier Now (01/02/18)

“Five Fauquier County individuals and organizations recently received awards for soil and water conservation efforts in 2017. The John Marshall Soil & Water Conservation District hosted its annual awards luncheon Dec. 19 at Stoneridge Events Center just outside of Warrenton.”

*NOTE: PEC was awarded the “Conservation Partner Award.” See the article for more details! Thank you JMSWC! PEC is honored.

Conservationist who helped defeat Disney theme park in Haymarket dies at 70

Fauquier Times (12/29/17)

“Frederick Henry Prince IV, a philanthropist and devoted conservationist who was a principal figure in keeping the Walt Disney Company from building a historic theme park in the Haymarket area in the early 1990s, died on Dec. 16, at his home in Georgetown from complications resulting from Parkinson’s Disease. He was 70.”

*NOTE: “Mr. Prince had a vision for a vibrant region that includes a sustainable Washington metropolitan area and a conserved Piedmont countryside. His sustained support of The Piedmont Environmental Council, through the Prince Charitable Trusts philanthropy, the Coalition for Smarter Growth, and the Journey Through Hallowed Ground, over nearly five decades, resulted in the long-term protection of the Rt. 50 corridor from Aldie to Paris, the conservation of Ovoka Farm and Ashby Gap and the improvement of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, and the Preservation of Gilbert’s Corner and Mt Zion Church. He is directly and indirectly responsible for the surge in conservation throughout the Piedmont and Virginia and the incredible reinvestment in Washington D.C. and surrounding jurisdictions. We will miss his strength, generosity and leadership, always provided with humor and humility.” – Chris Miller, PEC President.

Warrenton Christmas tree pickup starts Jan. 8

Fauquier Now (12/27/17)

“Town of Warrenton crews will start picking up of Christmas trees for recycling the week of Jan. 8, 2018. Residents should place their trees at the street line by 8 a.m. Monday, Jan. 8. Trees will be collected throughout the week, starting at one end of town and working throughout Warrenton. “

New Year, New Plans for Courthouse Square Development in Leesburg

Loudoun Now (01/04/18)

“2018 may bring a harbinger of change to a key redevelopment project in downtown Leesburg. Developers behind the Courthouse Square property, at the site of the former Loudoun Times-Mirror building, are considering new plans for the stalled project to include a residential component. They had received special exception approval for a structured parking facility from the Leesburg Town Council in early 2012.”

Loudoun supervisors vote to limit public input during meetings

Loudoun Times Mirror (01/03/18)

“The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors voted Wednesday to limit public speaking during its regular business meetings to 30 minutes in an effort to ditch late-night voting sessions. Previously, the board had no limit on time allocated to hear from the public during business meetings, but did restrict its speaking time to two to five minutes per individual. Now, everyone will have two to three minutes to speak. “

Shuttered Virginia Oaks golf course could become ‘nutrient bank’

Prince William Times (01/03/18)

“The now-closed Virginia Oaks Golf Course is poised to turn over a new leaf in 2018, perhaps as Prince William County’s first reforested and state-certified nutrient bank. Before it closed a few months ago, the 167-acre golf course was one of four in Virginia crafted by famed golf course designer Pete Dye.”

Conservationist who helped defeat Disney theme park in Haymarket dies at 70

Fauquier Times (12/29/17)

“Frederick Henry Prince IV, a philanthropist and devoted conservationist who was a principal figure in keeping the Walt Disney Company from building a historic theme park in the Haymarket area in the early 1990s, died on Dec. 16, at his home in Georgetown from complications resulting from Parkinson’s Disease. He was 70.”

*NOTE: “Mr. Prince had a vision for a vibrant region that includes a sustainable Washington metropolitan area and a conserved Piedmont countryside. His sustained support of The Piedmont Environmental Council, through the Prince Charitable Trusts philanthropy, the Coalition for Smarter Growth, and the Journey Through Hallowed Ground, over nearly five decades, resulted in the long-term protection of the Rt. 50 corridor from Aldie to Paris, the conservation of Ovoka Farm and Ashby Gap and the improvement of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, and the Preservation of Gilbert’s Corner and Mt Zion Church. He is directly and indirectly responsible for the surge in conservation throughout the Piedmont and Virginia and the incredible reinvestment in Washington D.C. and surrounding jurisdictions. We will miss his strength, generosity and leadership, always provided with humor and humility.” – Chris Miller, PEC President.

Low oxygen levels, coral bleaching getting worse in oceans

Daily Progress (01/04/18)

” Global warming is making the world’s oceans sicker, depleting them of oxygen and harming delicate coral reefs more often, two studies show. The lower oxygen levels are making marine life far more vulnerable, the researchers said. Oxygen is crucial for nearly all life in the oceans, except for a few microbes.”