Meeting Held On Taylor Run Stream Restoration In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA — The City of Alexandria's Taylor Run Stream Restoration project, which has drawn opposition from some residents, will be discussed in a virtual meeting Tuesday from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The Alexandria's Department of Transportation & Environmental Services, Stormwater Management Division and the Department of Project Implementation will provide updates on the project and take public comments.

The Taylor Run restoration project is geared toward helping the city meet state and federal mandates, particularly the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load. Taylor Run drains into Cameron Run, which leads to the Potomac River and makes it part of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. According to the city, the stream corridor has severe erosion, signs of downcutting and widening at various locations, while fallen trees, riprap and other debris can be located in the channel. With the project, the city aims to reduce and limit erosion, widening and downcutting in the stream's corridor, helping to prevent pollution tied with erosion going downstream.

The project location is about 1,900 linear feet of stream near T.C. Williams High School and the Chinquapin Recreation Center next to and along the walking path in Chinquapin Park and Forest Park. The design process is expected to be completed this fall or winter 2021 with construction beginning in summer or fall 2021. The estimated project cost is $4.5 million, partly funded by a $2,255,000 Stormwater Local Assistance Fund grant from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.

While the city touts benefits to water quality in the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay, activists believe damages to the local ecosystem would outweigh the impacts to water quality. The Environmental Council of Alexandria started a petition to save Taylor Run, expressing concerns that "the plan will result in the loss of hundreds of mature trees and a large number of native plants that are now rare in Alexandria." The petition seeks to get City Council to meet with the public and environmental experts to discuss alternative restoration actions that do not harm the trees and native plants. The Environmental Council of Alexandria is also raising money through GoFundMe to hire independent experts to review the city's restoration plan.

According to the city, restoration would prompt removal of 269 trees, about 22 percent of which are estimated to be dead. The city expects to replant 2,280 trees and an additional 7,200 shrubs. An environmental field survey for the project site identified the only acid seepage wetland within city limits. The project website states "the City is committed to avoiding impacts to environmentally sensitive and ecologically important resources, such as the acid seepage wetland."

Residents may sign up to participate in the virtual meeting or submit feedback through an online form through Oct. 23. Here are the details to register for the Zoom meeting:

• Tuesday, Sept. 29, from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
• Registration link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_50KIq1BpREOA0dhaMbEy9g
• Dial in: 301-715-8592
• Webinar ID: 939 1688 2867
• Passcode: 986482