Litter Trap Installed To Address Concerns At Little Hunting Creek

FORT HUNT, VA — A longstanding concern of trash entering Little Hunting Creek in southeastern Fairfax County is being mitigated with a litter trap. Fairfax County staff have installed the trap into the creek, which feeds into the Potomac River and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay.

Bandalong floating trash trap is part of a pilot program launched by the county's Department of Public Works and Environmental Services. Officials say the same kind of trap is used to remove litter from the Anacostia River between DC and Maryland.

The litter that makes its way into Little Hunting Creek could come from a number of sources, the county says. These include windblown trash and recyclables, trash placed outside bins, illegal dumping and littering. That litter may end up in the creek, as rain can wash it down storm drains into the creek.

Friends of Little Hunting Creek, a volunteer group which has done cleanups for nearly 20 years, applauded the action. The group says it has picked up nearly 4,000 bags of trash and recyclables, nearly 300 tires, nearly 200 shopping carts, and tons of bulk trash.

"The unbelievable amount of trash in the creek despoils neighborhoods, harms wildlife and the environment, and destroys the natural beauty of this tidal freshwater creek with its acres of wetlands, filled with birds and wildlife, that flows through George Washington’s former estate," the group said in a statement.

The volunteer group has been advocating for a number of measures to address the litter problem in Little Hunting Creek. Approved legislation from state Sen. Scott Surovell, who has recruited volunteers for cleanups, allows Fairfax County adopt ordinances to hold store owners accountable for abandoned shopping carts. Bills that raise the litter tax and allow localities to adopt a 5-cent plastic bag tax were also signed by the governor.

The county is also addressing litter with its Operation Stream Shield program. The county is partnering with New Hope Housing and the Lamb Center to employ homeless individuals to pick up litter and remove invasive plants. The program is temporarily suspended due to the pandemic.

County staff will monitor the litter trap in Little Hunting Creek during the one-year pilot program and set a maintenance schedule. Staff expect additional maintenance will be required after large rain events. The total project cost was $587,000, paid for by Stormwater Service District fees.