(NOTE: from the November, 2003 Prince William Community Report)
- In 2001, about 38% of Prince William was forested. Studies by American Forests
recommend that U.S. communities should strive for an overall tree canopy coverage
of 40% (30% in the arid Southwest) to ensure a healthy ecosystem and quality of
life. Local conditions will vary, but the general recommendation by American Forests
is to achieve the 40% average through 15% coverage in downtown and industrial
areas, 25% in urban residential and light commercial areas, and 50% in suburban
residential areas.
- Between 1980 and 2000, highway travel in the U.S. increased 80 percent and the number of drivers increased by 30 percent, while highway mileage increased only 2 percent. At the same time, 84 percent of the nation's $7 trillion in freight traffic travels on highways, with truck travel expected to grow by more than 3 percent annually over the next 20 years.
- Prince William connects the Potomac River to historic Bull Run Mountain. Between these natural boundaries the landscape shifts from coastal plain to Piedmont conditions, with about 80 percent of the County included in the Piedmont region. As the northernmost location for southern plant species and the southernmost location for other vegetative species, Prince William is a transition area between northern and southern ecosystems.