COMMUNITY PARTNER WORKSHOP ACTION STRATEGY

FOUR-MILE RUN
COMMUNITY PARTNER WORKSHOP ACTION STRATEGY
DRAFT #1

August 22, 2000
Glenn Eugster, NPS-National Capital Region
Partnerships Program (202)619-7492

What do you value about Four-Mile Run?
I once lived there
The wetlands part
A group coming together, reaching consensus and benefiting the community and it's quality of life
People with passion--energy and synergy
Network of parks, a natural corridor intact
I want to walk along the Run and enjoy the area. It's a good time to take advantage of the focus on Four-Mile Run
We need to deal with the implications of how we live
We need to protect and restore it to its former self
Four-Mile Run is under-utilized and under appreciated
Education!
Access!
It surprises you! It's a respite from the "slings and arrows" of urban life
A backyard stream for 170,000 people
It's an opportunity!
Occasional wildness--a connection to wildness


What do you want to see happen to Four-Mile Run in the future?
h Remove concrete
h Replace wetlands
h $500,000 appropriation goes through
Take a whole tour to see diversity and issues--get a better feeling of the potentials
Frame the problems as people see them
Get stakeholders to identify end-points/ results
Better personal access and focus on a "backyard" river
More recreation, fishing bicycling, birding, running, resource for conservation, horticulture, etc.
Think about Spanish people
Use the stream and the watershed as an outdoor classroom
Don't duck the bacteria issue
Show the connection between how we live and where we live
Tie into the Interpretive Park at Columbia Pike
Restore natural diversity and flow regimes


What is the primary objective of the workshop?
Outline issues, goals and initial tasks
Get communities public input
Present urbanization and its effects; what do the watershed managers have to do? Outline what the mandates are--give regulatory education and then let the people dream and scheme dreams
Identify priorities within people's ideas. Split up by theme or topic
Expand groups and interests involved. Make the program culturally sensitive
Get non-traditional participants involved and engaged in the Four-Mile Run effort


What does post-workshop success look like?
Get people interested and engaged
Decent turnout
Validate community issues
Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church elected officials are more engaged
Follow-up commitment, roles and responsibilities, clarify roles--be more efficient
Spin-off group--watershed group encompassing all of the jurisdictions to ensure action and implementation
Energize a segment of the public--kick-start!


What area will the workshop focus on?
The entire watershed (20 square miles)
Focus on portions of the watershed during breakouts.


Who should be involved in planning and holding the workshop?
Figureheads/ Influential People (Big names (i.e. snake wrestler). A few words at the beginning of the workshop; a commitment of resources and their own people to help; public statements and actions to indicate that "we are going to do this"; leaders to inspire and draw people to the event)

2. Grunts/ Steering Committee/ Enlisted People (Those who make it happen, cradle to grave; sell it to other groups and governments; front-line planners and doers)


3. Regulators & Government/ Resources and Obstacles (Invited groups; asked for advise every step of the way; network; may offer resources for the event (i.e. press)


4. Audience/ Volunteers (Get charged up; network; hang flyers; sign-ups to engage the volunteers; help at the workshop)

Who are some of the key individuals, groups, governments, and leaders that we need to get involved?
Jim Fowler--The Snake Wrestler
State Senator Whipple
Bob Wayland, EPA
Dave Davis, EPA
Peg Nelson, League of Women Voters, Alexandria
Paul Ferguson, Arlington Co.
Tom Shuyler, The Center for Watershed Protection
Crowder, VA DEQ
David Brickley, VA DCR
Corps of Engineers
Hodges, ACE
Chair of Arlington County
Mayor of Falss Church
Congressman Moran
Mayor Donley, Alexandria
Penny Gross, Fairfax County Supervisor
Don Beyer--History of Stream
Jack Taylor, Toyota
Peg Knight, EASI
Leaders from the Hispanic Community
Northern VA Park Authority
Culmore Community
Airport Authority
Washington Area Transportation Authority
US Airways
Arlington Sewer Authority
American Forest Association
Arlington Sustainability Growth group


What does the workshop look like?
One evening and one day or two days
Held at a public facility designed for meetings
Includes food to get people to attend

Example A:
bStart out in a big room;
aMove to break out sessions;
aHave outside sessions for hands-on--virtual to discussions

Example B:
aInclude a bike tour--complete accessibility;
aOpportunities for fishing;
aOpportunities for plantings;
aOpportunities for a clean-up

Example C:
a Include a social event;
a Have a real event;
a Have an activity day following the workshop

Example D:
aHave tables for people to sign-up for other activities


When will the workshop be held?

Spring 2001

What are the major tasks to move ahead?

Recruit Grunts (Don, Todd, All)

Contact local representatives (By jurisdiction, Dave, Mari Lou)

Contact Non-profits (Mari Lou)

Type-up August 9, 2000 meeting notes (Glenn)

Start to secure Figureheads (Dave, Mari Lou, Todd)

Prepare a funding strategy--do more vs. cheap (Friends of the Potomac, ASF, Bill)

Get better definition and intent (Jason and Don)

Coordination of activities (Leigh)

What do you think?

Please provide any additional thoughts you have.