Politics & Government

Voting for Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District Board Members

Little known office has 5 candidates vying for 3 seats

The Nov. 8 general election ballot includes candidates for the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District (NVSWCD) Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors is composed of five members, three of whom are elected every four years.

The two remaining directors are appointed by the board, one being a Virginia Cooperative Extension agent serving Fairfax County. Adria Bordas was appointed to that position in 2002.

Find out what's happening in McLeanwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Five candidates—three incumbents and two challengers—are vying for three NWSWCD seats.

Candidates run as independents. However, Johna Good Gagnon and George W. Lamb have been endorsed by the Fairfax County Democratic Committee, and Peter Marchetti is a candidate with the Independent Green Party, Virginia's affiliate of the Independence Party of America.

Find out what's happening in McLeanwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Thomas L. Cranmer

  • Resident of Great Falls
  • Yale, BA geology and civil engineering, Columbia, MBA economics
  • Former director and vice president, Student Conservation Association
  • Told the Fairfax Times: "Erosion control, limiting runoff, pollution of streams, damage to roads and bridges all need greater attention in as many as 200 areas in Fairfax. With awareness of the problems caused by the recent heavy rains, it is time to budget and take action to deal with the problems; otherwise memories will fade and funds will be allocated to more attractive projects."

Johna Good Gagnon (webpage)

  • Resident of Franconia
  • Finishing her first term on the NVSWCD Board, serving as secretary
  • Appointed since 1993 to the Environmental Advisory Council by the Board of Supervisors
  • Also appointed to the Citizen Corps Council and serves on the Fairfax Joint Local Emergency Planning Committee
  • Served on the Lee District Land Use and Transportation Advisory Committee for more than 15 years
  • Retired from the federal government after 26 years of service
  • Told the Fairfax Times: "The District needs to continue and expand its work with citizen groups to encourage the use of rain barrels, rain gardens and low-impact development practices."

George W. Lamb (webpage, Facebook)

  • Resident of Falls Church
  • Currently serves as vice-chair of the NVSWCD Board
  • At-large appointee on the Environment Quality Advisory Council
  • Co-founder and current president of the Fairfax League of Conservation Voters
  • Member of the Tysons Corner Land Use Task Force
  • Told the Fairfax Times: "The District can demonstrate successful projects and share the knowledge that good conservation is within the grasp of every landowner."

Peter M. Marchetti (website)

  • Resident of Springfield
  • Independent Green Party candidate for the Northern Virginia Soil and Water District  
  • IT manager for government contractor
  • Told the Fairfax Times: He plans to "encourage citizens to begin collecting and using rainwater for yard and garden watering; improve water management infrastructure to include municipal rain-water collection and purification. Continue to monitor and clean our soil to ensure the health of all citizens."

John W. Peterson (webpage)

  • Resident of Burke
  • Appointed by the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board in January  2006 to fill the unexpired term of Delegate David Bulova on NVSWCD Board
  • Founded Kemps Consultants in 1994, and serves as the company's CEO
  • Formerly served as Assistant Chief of USDA’s Soil Conservation Service
  • Former Watershed Specialist for the National Association of Conservation Districts
  • Former executive director of the National Watershed Coalition
  • Drafted and lobbied for the successful passage of the Small Watershed Rehabilitation Act of 2000, the first major USDA water resources legislation passed in over 22 years
  • Currently director of Government Relations for the Certified Professionals in Erosion and Sediment Control’s Governing Council
  • Is a Soil and Water Conservation Society fellow
  • Told the Fairfax Times: "We provide technical help and educational programs for citizens. We share our expertise with other units of government, and are called on by them for assistance."

The NVSWCD was founded in 1945 by citizens concerned about protecting and conserving the county’s natural resources. The district has the same boundaries as Fairfax County, but does not include the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax or Falls Church.  NVSWCD is one of 47 conservation districts in Virginia and approximately 3,000 nationwide.

The agency's goal, according to its website, "is to promote clean streams and protected natural resources."  It is not a regulatory agency, but provides technical expertise in soils, conservation engineering, water quality and erosion control.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here