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Environmental Leaders Convene to Tackle Polluted Anacostia River

Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Effort Most Comprehensive in River’s History

CONTACT:       Donna Henry (DDOE) 202.299.3338; [email protected]

(Washington, DC) – Members of the newly-formed Leadership Council for a Cleaner Anacostia River met for the first time this week to discuss efforts to restore the Anacostia River.  The meeting, chaired by former Mayor Anthony Williams, was held at the John A. Wilson Building in Northwest DC. 

The District Department of the Environment (DDOE) gave an overview of the city’s ongoing Remedial Investigation of toxics in the Anacostia River.  Representatives from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Park Service (NPS), and the State of Maryland also discussed their past efforts and future plans to help clean up the river. 

Former Mayor Anthony Williams, who chairs the Leadership Council, said he is encouraged by the commitment and collaborative energy for the project.  “There is no doubt in my mind that the Leadership Council will help to accelerate efforts to make this river clean and healthy for the people of this region,” he said.

DDOE Director Keith A. Anderson agreed, adding that while many notable attempts to improve the condition of the Anacostia River has taken place in the past, he too  is encouraged by the comprehensive approach and leadership involved in assessing and removing toxic pollution from the river.

DDOE has taken the lead on this project and is conducting the remedial investigation and feasibility study to address contaminated sediments.  Tagged, For a Cleaner Anacostia River, this project is the most comprehensive approach in cleaning up the Anacostia River in its history.  The investigation will help identify where toxics are located in the river, who is responsible, the potential clean-up strategies, and projected costs.

The Leadership Council is made up of 22 high-level local, state, and federal government officials and environmental leaders.  Its members advise and support the District’s Anacostia River remediation efforts, which underscore Mayor Vincent C. Gray’s vision for a fishable and swimmable river.  The group plans to meet quarterly to help ensure that the For a Cleaner Anacostia River initiative receives the necessary guidance and community support to succeed.  Mayor Vincent C. Gray plans to welcome and address the group at the next Leadership Council meeting on December 17, 2014.  

Meeting attendees included:

The Honorable Anthony Williams, Federal City Council
Keith Anderson, District Department of the Environment
Ellen McCarthy, District of Columbia Office of Planning
Jon Capacasa, US Environmental Protection Agency, Region 3
Jeffrey Corbin, US Environmental Protection Agency
Fred Pinkney, US Fish and Wildlife Service
Gopaul Noojibail, National Park Service
Robert Summers, Maryland Department of the Environment
Kristen Flemming, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Adam Ortiz, Prince George’s County Department of Environmental Resources
Meo Curtis, Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection
Stephen Walz, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments
Jim Foster, Anacostia Watershed Society
Mike Bolinder, Anacostia Riverkeeper
Glen O’Glivie, Center for Nonprofit Advancement
Walter Smith, DC Appleseed
Chris Weiss, DC Environmental Network
Bill Matuszeski, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay
Doug Siglin, Federal City Council
Edward Grandis, Anacostia BID
Michael Stevens, Capitol Riverfront BID
David Bardin, Citizen Member