Why Save the Lake?
Community
Lake Accotink is an invaluable asset to the community and neighbors you love.
Recreation
No other lake in Fairfax County is so accessible or provides so many recreational activities as Lake Accotink.
Additionally, the fate of Accotink Park depends on the fate of the lake. The park master plan cannot move forward without a decision on the water first. The park amenities will vastly differ based on the water option chosen. It’s critical that the option for the Lake takes into account the accompanying park.
OK. But I don’t go to Lake Accotink or live near it.
Why should I care?
Environment
Lake Accotink supports thriving populations of flora and fauna. The ecology of the immediate area could be severely impacted by the decision of how to move forward. Lake Accotink is currently home to various bird species that depend on the Lake for their survival, including great blue herons, ducks, and Canadian geese. It is also now home to two bald eagles.
And it’s not just the ecology immediately surrounding the lake that will be impacted. Without the lake trapping sediment, the wildlife downstream will suffer and, in some cases, die out completely. Doing nothing will impact all of the areas downstream including Fort Belvoir and Belmont Bay, and may ultimately impact Chesapeake Bay.
‘The lake “is doing its job,” Bulova said, as a filter for the Chesapeake Bay.’ – Washington Post
Justice
Fairfax County Park Authority has, for unknown reasons, campaigned against Lake Accotink while trying to hide the danger to the lake from the public. Lake Accotink is also important to an underserved multi-ethnic population that lacks a voice in the question of Lake Accotink.”
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Who else is concerned about the lake?
” tab_3=”You can check out the Facebook pages of others concerned about the fate of the lake through these links:
What’s the issue with the sediment?
The issue stems from the amount of development and impervious surface around all of the areas touched by the watershed. There is less area for storm water to drain into the ground so there is more runoff into local streams. Over the years, all of this increased storm water running into the streams have caused massive erosion, pushing that sediment to the Lake.
What will happen to the park itself?
According to Supervisor Cook in a town hall discussion:
“… after a decision is made about the lake, then Park Authority will pick up the ball from there and continue the planning process. We have a marina, we have place with the carousel and all that because of the lake. Now, we can make a carousel and other things in the middle of the woods. It’s probably unlikely that that would work well. You know, we might end up with a little playground at the edge, but, yes, we’re not just talking about the water. We’re talking about the lake park and it is unique in this county.“
What about all the trucks that will be in my neighborhood if we continue dredging the lake?
We don’t know. The FCPA has not done proper, independent studies on any of the options proposed. They have only showed the worst case scenarios. We need the FCPA to provide more detailed and independent analysis on their proposed options.