The Occoquan Watershed Coalition (OWC) is in its twelfth year of continuous service to Fairfax County, Virginia; the Downzoned Occoquan Watershed; and those who live there. Fairfax County is fully committed to maintaining and keeping the land rural and in its natural state. Specifically, the 1982 Downzoning of approximately 41,000 acres, approved by The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, restricted development to no more than one residence per five acres and recognized the importance of a series of well-maintained Parks contiguous to the Occoquan Reservoir. This preservation of the Downzoned Watershed ensures minimum pollution of the reservoir and protects the drinking water for over one million residents who live in the greater Region of Northern Virginia.

"The OCCOQUAN WATERSHED" begins as far west as the Shenandoah and ends at the mouth of the Potomac River. It is a 600 square mile Watershed area that includes parts of Prince William, Fauquier, and Loudon Counties. Nearly a third of Fairfax County is in this Watershed. "THE DOWNZONED OCCOQUAN WATERSHED", established on July 26, 1982, consists of 41,000 acres (63%) of the land comprising the Occoquan Basin portion of Fairfax County and is a very, small part of the larger "OCCOQUAN WATERSHED".

The prescient downzoning of The Occoquan Watershed by The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors occurred on July 26, 1982. On March 18, 2002 the current Fairfax County Board of Supervisors designated 2002, as "The Occoquan Watershed Year", celebrating The 20th Anniversary Year. This decision by the current Fairfax Board is meaningful, historic and thought-provoking. It ratified the decision reached by the Supervisors in 1982, after their evaluation and discussion of detailed studies conducted in the 1970s.

This Downzoned Watershed is different from others in the Northern Region of Virginia. And it is protected, having withstood over 40 legal challenges to its Down Zoning. It constitutes an ecological reserve, sited in a rural setting and is designed to protect and preserve our drinking water today, as Fairfax County becomes more urban and developed tomorrow. Major commuter roads across the reservoir, running through the Downzoned Watershed and large, man-made complexes do not belong there. They constitute a challenge to the ecological balance of this Down Zoned area.

The OWC represents over 16,000 residents on the Downzoned Watershed, including some 119 Associations, plus individual residents who are not part of an established Association. The Coalition encompasses the area enclosed by Braddock Road on the north, Union Mill Road on the west, Route 123 on the east and south to the Fairfax-Prince William County Line.

The By-Laws which govern the OWC are explicit and provide checks and balances. These include the Executive Committee, comprised of the President, Vice President, and the Secretary/Treasurer, and a broad based twenty member Board of Directors. To increase the scope, experience and advice to the elected Board of Directors, the OWC currently has eight Directors-at-Large, who have proven to be invaluable as an intellectual resource and have provided important contacts. These Directors-at-Large, like the elected Directors, participate as active, contributing members of our committees. We have two established Committees -- The Transportation Committee and The Environmental and Land Use Committee.

The OWC has not in the past become engaged in every issue on the Downzoned Watershed. We will continue to be selective in determining which specific problem threatens the well being of our environmentally, sensitive area. We are a volunteer organization and nobody is full time or salaried. The talents, skills, education and varied experience of the OWC membership is our major strength and unlimited resource. Service to Community and Service to Others is what the OWC is about. None of the Officers, Directors, or Directors-at-Large seek reward or recognition for their collective and individual efforts.

This Web Site is designed to serve all who have an interest in preserving the Downzoned Occoquan Watershed and the quality of the Region's drinking water by preventing pollution of the reservoir. We are grateful to Elaine McConnell, Supervisor of the Fairfax County Springfield District with whom we have worked closely and effectively, for her continuing strong support of the Occoquan Watershed Coalition. The 30 minute video which she and Fairfax County produced in late 1998 on why it is important to continue to protect this Downzoned Watershed is informative, historic and timeless. We commend it for your viewing. (Associations, small groups or individuals can borrow this 30-minute video by contacting Supervisor Elaine McConnell's office at (703) 451-8873.) One final point: your OWC web site is dynamic, structured for your use. It will continue to grow and develop, but it will never be fully completed and that is good.
James Bonhivert, President, Occoquan Watershed Coalition

October 20, 2006