Petition Title: Dredge and Restore - Old Estates (OBE) Retaining Pond and Channels

Petition Photo: OBE Pond* on Smoketown Road in Prince William County (PWC) *aka Wet Retention Facility #482

Photo: August 21, 2019

Petition and Photo provided by: Janine W. - OBE Homeowner and Concerned Citizen

Petition Background and Summary:

In June, 2018, the deterioration of the OBE Pond and Channels on Smoketown Road became very apparent. Significant negative changes to water clarity, water level, water flow, wildlife sustaining benefits and environmental erosion have occurred and continue to worsen. There is no doubt that the construction of the new John D. Jenkins Elementary School (ES) on Prince William County Parkway is the sole source for the OBE Pond and Channels filling with excessive amounts of sediment, resulting in them no longer functioning properly as a stormwater retaining pond / wet retention facility. During the site selection process, PWC Officials were made aware of the likelihood of such damage, by concerned citizens, and documented the need to be responsible for corrective actions. With construction nearly complete PWC Public Officials, involved and aware of the damages caused, need to honor their commitment in a timely manner. Immediate steps would be to coordinate with the construction company and all responsible parties to take the appropriate actions, for PWC Taxpayers and our PWC Environment, ensuring that dredging and restoring to preconstruction conditions occurs immediately for the OBE Pond and Channels.

Petition Action:

To require any and all involved PWC Departments and Agencies be held financially accountable and fully responsible for all necessary corrective actions. This includes immediate dredging and restoring of the OBE Pond and Channels. In addition, any and all other ponds and channels affected by the mismanagement of the worksite run-off, caused by the new ES construction, should also be included.

This link http://eservice.pwcgov.org/planning/documents/PFR2016-00006.pdf references the Letter of Commitment pertaining to the Public Facility Review (PFR) proposals related to the PWC new ES project. Specifically, Attachment E pages 7 and 8 reference this commitment, “To ensure that the development of the school site does not impact the downstream channel condition…”

Why You Should Be Concerned:

• It has been over a year that PWC has been aware of the deterioration of ponds and channels. No steps have been taken to correct the issue, even though there are several PWC Public Officials who are informed and aware of the ES construction impact. It is important as PWC residents to join in the effort of ensuring our voices are heard, action is taken and the proper resolution is achieved.
• Completion of the ES could release any collateral / surety bond(s) that Dustin Construction Inc. may have implemented. Releasing any bond(s) SHOULD NOT occur until funds are secured for the dredging and restoration of all ponds and channels that have been negatively affected by the construction worksite run-off.
• Ponds and Channels are an environmental and wildlife necessity, as well as, an aesthetically pleasing element within our communities.

Please Get Involved In One Or More Ways:

1- Sign this Petition.

2- Attend the PWC Board of Supervisors Meeting on Tuesday, October 8th and / or 16th at 2:00pm or 7:30pm or both in the PWC building at 1 County Complex Ct, Woodbridge.

3- Attend the PWC School Board Meeting on Wednesday, October 2nd and / or 16th at 7:00pm in the Edward L. Kelly Leadership Center at 14715 Bristow Road, Manassas.

4- Email (Suggestion: Copy & Paste the section of this petition titled ‘Petition Action’) and / or Call PWC Public Officials to ensure your voice is heard. Provided below is contact information that might be helpful - officials representing OBE are in bold:

PWC School Board Emails and Phone Numbers:

School Board Office 703.791.8709

Chairman: Babur B. Lateef, M.D. [email protected] 571.353.5469

Coles District: William J. Deutsch [email protected] 571.251.4039

Occoquan District: Lillie G. Jessie [email protected] 571.659.1636

Neabsco District: Diane L. Raulston [email protected] 571.251.3467

Gainesville District: Alyson A. Satterwhite [email protected] 571.268.1733

Brentsville District: Gil Trenum [email protected] 571.722.8874

Vice Chair Potomac District: Justin David Wilk [email protected] 703.791.8709

Woodbridge District: Loree Y. Williams [email protected] 571.242.8259

PWC Board of Supervisors Emails:

Chairman At-Large: Corey A. Stewart [email protected]

Potomac District Supervisor: Vice Chair, Maureen S. Caddigan [email protected]

Brentsville District Supervisor: Jeanine M. Lawson [email protected]

Coles District Supervisor: Martin E. Nohe [email protected]

Gainesville District Supervisor: Pete K. Candland [email protected]

Neabsco District Supervisor: Victor S. Angry [email protected]

Occoquan District Supervisor: Ruth M. Anderson [email protected]

Woodbridge District Supervisor: Frank J. Principi [email protected]

PWC Planning Commission Emails:

At-Large: Don Taylor, Parliamentarian [email protected]

Brentsville: Patti McKay [email protected]

Coles: Austin B. Haynes, Jr. [email protected]

Gainesville: Richard R. Berry [email protected]

Neabsco: Edgar Bruce Holley [email protected]

Occoquan: William J. Milne, Chairman [email protected]

Potomac: Rene M. Fry, Vice Chairman [email protected]

Woodbridge: Cynthia Moses-Nedd [email protected]