Erosion & Sediment Control Violation
On July 2, 2014, Friends of Accotink Creek reported an erosion and sediment control violation at a construction site on Andrea Ave in Annandale. It was a case of obvious indifference to possible sediment runoff, left uncorrected while heavy rain was forecast. Fortunately, the rain did not materialize, but neither did any enforcement action. As has been our experience in these cases, violators are merely told to do what they are required by law to do, without penalty.

The email chain below (with names deleted to protect the blameworthy) illustrates the weakness of enforcement.

If you see erosion control failures, report them at 703-324-1937 or by Online Report Form

Soil carelessly dumped on the silt fence, spilling over...
...and causing the protective fence to collapse.

Date: Jul 14, 2014 1:40:27 PM

Please see the attached e-mail. Please let us know if you still have some concern.
Thanks

Chief Central Branch
Site Development and Inspections Division (SDID)
Department of Public Works and Environmental Services
Tel: 703-324-1720

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, July 03, 2014 2:34 PM
Subject: RE: Construction Erosion and Sediment Violations

Good Afternoon,
This morning I went to investigate the citizen complaint at 4942 Andrea Ave and saw where the breach in the silt fence occurred. I contacted the construction operations manager and notified him to have a crew to go out today and make the repairs to the silt fence and remove and sediment that may have escaped as a result. I contacted citizen via phone and informed him of my findings. Please contact me with any questions. Thanks

Senior Engineering Inspector
Site Development and Inspection Division (SDID)
12055 Government Center Pkwy., Suite 535
Fairfax, Virginia 22035-5503
Main Office: 703 324 1720

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, July 03, 2014 9:48 AM
Subject: RE: Construction Erosion and Sediment Violations

It will be looked at today.

Thank you,

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, July 03, 2014 7:24 AM
Subject: FW: Construction Erosion and Sediment Violations

This project is in the Braddock District, could someone please check this out and contact the citizen.

Thanks

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Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 2014
To: DPWES OSDSmail
Subject: Construction Erosion and Sediment Violations
On July 2, 2014, I reported damaged silt fences at 4942 Andrea Ave. I received a phone call, but also requested an email response explaining action taken. I have not yet received such an email.

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Sent: Wednesday, July 02, 2014 9:08:35 PM
To: DPWES OSDSmail
Subject: Construction Erosion and Sediment Violations

[This email message was generated from a Web form submission by a Fairfax County website user at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/contact/MailForm.aspx?agId=100629]

Message: The contractor working at 4942 Andrea Ave has piled soil atop the silt fence causing it to collapse and leaving loose soil piled outside the fence. With the heavy rain forecast, this will be disastrous.

This is a wanton violation, calling for more than just a promise by the contractor to begin respecting the law.

Submitted By: Friends of Accotink Creek

Contact Friends of Accotink Creek.