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Anacostia River Corridor Restoration Plan [General Public Feedback]

Public comment period is now CLOSED. Thank you for your interest!

The final public comment window for the Anacostia River Corridor Restoration Plan closed on July 31, 2024. DOEE intends to release the final plan in the fall of 2024. To learn more, please visit: restoretheanacostiariver.com

Anacostia River Corridor Restoration Plan Background:

The Anacostia River Corridor Restoration Plan (ARCRP) is a restoration planning project for the Anacostia River corridor being led by the District of Columbia's Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE). The plan seeks to identify and prioritize specific strategies for restoring the fish and wildlife habitat, improving water quality, adapting to climate change, and increasing equitable public access to the river corridor. The scope of this project is limited to the Anacostia River's 500 year floodplain within the District of Columbia. To learn more please visit: restoretheanacostiariver.com

After over two years of meaningful engagement with community members and close coordination with stakeholders, DOEE is very excited to share this restoration plan for public review. 

Questions or concerns? Feel free to contact the Office of District Waterways Management at ODWM@dc.gov

 

Anacostia River Seawall Rapid Assessment:

In addition to the ARCRP, we are also conducting an assessment of the historic seawall that lines 12.5-miles of the District's portion of the mainstem of Anacostia River to better understand the seawall's structural, ecological, and historical integrity. 

Want to learn more? Click here to read the Seawall Rapid Assessment Report.
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Trey Sherard Aug 1 2024 at 12:23AM on page 49

Suggestion
Anacostia Riverkeeper hopes that the District continues to work with NPS - NACE on their designs for the future of Anacostia Park sections D/E, most especially to correct the current slant of NPS's planning process against wetland restoration. Anacostia Park was a wetland and most if not all of the open fields should be restored to tidal freshwater marsh. Sea level rise will do this regardless of anyone's planning process, but we can preserve the use of major resources in Anacostia Park for significantly longer if we plan for sea level rise now instead of willfully ignoring it. All the streams running through Anacostia Park should be daylighted and the fields adjacent to them returned to their original state as tidal freshwater marsh. Care should be taken to protect the skating rink, path, roads, pool, and other major resources where possible, but with plans made soon for additional retreat from sea level rise to be implemented when needed.
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Trey Sherard Aug 1 2024 at 12:19AM on page 49

Suggestion
Anacostia Riverkeeper applauds the District's current plan to study and implement dredging to restore equitable access by Seafarers' Yacht Club - the nation's first African American boat club. It is astonishing and embarrassing that Congress has failed in its duty to secure funding to the Army Corps of Engineers to maintain what should be a nationally celebrated stretch of federal navigable waterway here. We sincerely hope the District secures ample funding for dredging the significant shoal from Seafarers Yacht Club all the way through and below the Sousa bridge, almost exactly down the middle of the river.
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Trey Sherard Aug 1 2024 at 12:17AM on page 49

Suggestion
The Anacostia River Corridor Plan needs to tie in more directly with NPS's Reimagining of Anacostia Park segments D and E, currently out for comment. Anacostia Riverkeeper agrees with AWCAC's comments regarding keeping this River Corridor Plan as a draft until at least the close and review of the current comment period for Anacostia Park, or finding some other way to clearly maintain public input on this area without jeopardizing the started goal of using this plan to pursue federal funding currently closed to the District for the Anacostia River.
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Trey Sherard Aug 1 2024 at 12:13AM on page 48

Suggestion
The stormsewers dumping into Kingman Lake are potential sites for future trash traps and should be studied systematically to assess current trash loads per outfall.
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Trey Sherard Aug 1 2024 at 12:12AM on page 48

Suggestion
This flat is begging to become more SAV beds and, given our rate of sedimentation, a new marsh in short order.
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Trey Sherard Aug 1 2024 at 12:12AM on page 48

Suggestion
Any bridges connecting the mainland to the southern end of Kingman Island should be avoided. The southern end of Kingman is one of the leading reasons the District's portion of Kingman became our first Wildlife Conservation Area and includes rare plants and habitats. This site should not be subjected to pass-through traffic as it would be if a bridge is placed here.
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Trey Sherard Aug 1 2024 at 12:10AM on page 48

Suggestion
The Fields at RFK are a tragic reminder that some portions of District government like Events DC do not care about the river or about the communities near their sites. Despite significant pushback against synthetic fields, Events DC forced the issue at The Fields at RFK and spent public dollars to build a massive new source of PFAS, microplastics, and who knows what else into Kingman Lake and the Anacostia River. This site should receive significant testing and treatment before runoff can enter the lake and river in the future, and future recreational fields in the District should be natural grass.
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Trey Sherard Aug 1 2024 at 12:07AM on page 48

Suggestion
Anacostia Riverkeeper fully supports the proposed increase of trash traps along all segments of the river in and out of this plan. Traps on tributaries prevent that trash from entering the mainstem of the river where it's much harder to catch and remove, and from where it enters the Potomac River, the Chesapeake Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean if not intercepted.
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Trey Sherard Aug 1 2024 at 12:05AM on page 48

Suggestion
travel CSX and other freight lines in this country as nurdles, this bridge poses a threat for a massive future plastics disaster in addition to the chronic problem of coal dust and other hazardous materials, nevermind the historic coal accident here.
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Trey Sherard Aug 1 2024 at 12:01AM on page 48

Suggestion
One of the biggest surprises I've gotten in over a decade on this river was when I heard several River Terrace residents complain about the wetland restoration work here. They were upset that the wetland removed their direct view of the river and it opened my eyes to the need to be very careful of unintended consequences. My suggestion for this site and for other wetland restorations that we and the river desperately need, would be to consider boardwalks that restore the direct water view and access while also provided beautiful and educational new amenities.
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Trey Sherard Jul 31 2024 at 11:57PM on page 47

Suggestion
The devastating story of Kelvin Mock and all the other threads of this segment's juxtaposing needed undeveloped "wild" green-space inside the city with the history of environmental racism here deserves to be highlighted and protected for future generations.
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Trey Sherard Jul 31 2024 at 11:54PM on page 47

Suggestion
A boating access area here could be a major amenity to the communities nearby but care should be taken to encourage pedestrian, cyclist, and public transit access to the site over private vehicle access, pursuant to the neighborhoods' firmly stated concerns about too much existing vehicular congestion and lack of egress.
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Trey Sherard Jul 31 2024 at 11:53PM on page 47

Suggestion
The currently planned toxics remediation work here must be prioritized over the proposed Kenilworth Arboretum bridge work. The failure of the bridge's outdated EA to address the Anacostia River Sediment Project remains an ongoing threat to the ARSP and to the river.
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Trey Sherard Jul 31 2024 at 11:50PM on page 47

Suggestion
The currently proposed wetland restoration of Kenilworth Park North is an enormous win for the river and for the flood-prone homes' owners up Watts Branch. The current proposed wetland area can and should be vastly expanded however. This is in line with the community's desire for more natural areas and less amenities that draw large crowds from outside the neighborhoods, making ever worse their existing traffic issues including and beyond lack of egress. This would also better prepare the area for longterm flood and climate resilience - not only the site but the neighborhoods nearby.
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Trey Sherard Jul 31 2024 at 11:49PM on page 46

Suggestion
The currently proposed wetland restoration of Kenilworth Park North is an enormous win for the river and for the flood-prone homes' owners up Watts Branch. The current proposed wetland area can and should be vastly expanded however. This is in line with the community's desire for more natural areas and less amenities that draw large crowds from outside the neighborhoods, making ever worse their existing traffic issues including and beyond lack of egress. This would also better prepare the area for longterm flood and climate resilience - not only the site but the neighborhoods nearby.
replies

Trey Sherard Jul 31 2024 at 11:47PM on page 46

Suggestion
Outstanding to see Dark Sky lighting practices referenced throughout this document, please make sure that remains a priority throughout the ongoing years of this work.
replies

Trey Sherard Jul 31 2024 at 11:45PM on page 46

Suggestion
The proposed Kenilworth Arboretum bridge on the edge of this segment and segment 2 is a disaster waiting to happen as currently designed, and if built will permanently take away this globally rare ~2 mile stretch of river with both banks undeveloped within city limits. This is an incredible asset to be protected. If a bridge is indeed deemed necessary here despite the improvements to the Benning Rd bridge and the proposed new pedestrian bridge adjacent to NY Ave, then it must be free-span to avoid unnecessary risks of injury and death to current rowers, SUPers and other boaters, as well as future swimmers. A free-span design also eliminates the problem of sedimentation downstream of the bridge piers which can be seen quite clearly where the Benning Rd bridge interrupts flow and has created two massive sandbars/islands.
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Stella Tarnay, Capital Nature Jul 31 2024 at 10:55PM on page 62

Question
Can you look at opportunities to integrate Wildlife Action Plan goals with this plan?
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Stella Tarnay, Capital Nature Jul 31 2024 at 10:53PM on page 62

Suggestion
Please consider outreach to public health and mental health nonprofits/agencies to identify health strategies during climate impacts (active shade strategy for example), and restorative health opportunities that can work with nature in a therapeutic manner.
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Stella Tarnay, Capital Nature Jul 31 2024 at 10:48PM on page 62

This could be a very rich process. great next step.
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Stella Tarnay, Capital Nature Jul 31 2024 at 10:46PM on page 62

This is a big goal and makes a lot of sense.
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Stella Tarnay, Capital Nature Jul 31 2024 at 10:44PM on page 58

Agreed
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Stella Tarnay, Capital Nature Jul 31 2024 at 10:43PM on page 58

Suggestion
Can these be matched with shading and restorative space.
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Stella Tarnay, Capital Nature Jul 31 2024 at 10:43PM on page 58

Yes, we agree.
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Stella Tarnay, Capital Nature Jul 31 2024 at 10:42PM on page 57

Suggestion
These are all excellent actions/goals. Even here, quiet and reflective experience of nature can be integrated. This is when nature and its critters speak to us and help us understand that we need to reciprocate - that we are part of the system.
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Stella Tarnay, Capital Nature Jul 31 2024 at 10:39PM on page 57

Suggestion
Residents respond very positively to these kinds of experiences - they often lead to stewardship.
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Stella Tarnay, Capital Nature Jul 31 2024 at 10:38PM on page 57

This will be very important.
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Stella Tarnay, Capital Nature Jul 31 2024 at 10:37PM on page 57

Yes!
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Stella Tarnay, Capital Nature Jul 31 2024 at 10:37PM on page 57

We support this and agree.
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Stella Tarnay, Capital Nature Jul 31 2024 at 10:36PM on page 55

This is a beautiful suggestion.
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Stella Tarnay, Capital Nature Jul 31 2024 at 10:35PM on page 55

Yes, this can be very effective and healing.
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Stella Tarnay, Capital Nature Jul 31 2024 at 10:35PM on page 55

Suggestion
We can involve Master Naturalists and Master Gardeners in these activities. Citizen/participatory science can support this also.
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Stella Tarnay, Capital Nature Jul 31 2024 at 10:33PM on page 55

Organizations like Capital Nature and others will be very interested in this.
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Stella Tarnay, Capital Nature Jul 31 2024 at 10:32PM on page 54

Suggestion
How this is articulated will be very important. Can human infrastructure incorporate strategies for permeability, lowered heat impact, biodiversity and wildlife protection? Can we see active shade and breeze strategies and protection of canopy trees?
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Stella Tarnay, Capital Nature Jul 31 2024 at 10:21PM on page 51

The iconography is really good and very helpful. True for the plan overall.
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Stella Tarnay, Capital Nature Jul 31 2024 at 10:20PM on page 50

Suggestion
Can we bring in the element of human health here. Again, look for opportunities for restorative nature experience and quieter nature.
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Stella Tarnay, Capital Nature Jul 31 2024 at 10:17PM on page 46

Suggestion
Please consider restorative and quiet nature experiences for this stretch of the river. Is there room for a therapeutic green space or garden?
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Stella Tarnay, Capital Nature Jul 31 2024 at 10:13PM on page 49

Suggestion
I hope there will be opportunities for experiencing a living shoreline and restored riparian habitat in this part of the river, and that NPS will take on similar strategies.
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Stella Tarnay, Capital Nature Jul 31 2024 at 10:09PM on page 43

These can be wonderful is they are not overwhelming and over-used. But again, beautiful rendering that reminds me of being out at Huntley Meadows, a much loved aquatic and forest environment.
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mdombros Jul 31 2024 at 10:07PM on page 49

Suggestion
Hold final report until this area is represented.
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Stella Tarnay, Capital Nature Jul 31 2024 at 10:05PM on page 42

Suggestion
These renderings are very helpful. It is beautiful to imagine this kind of experiences. I would add Reforested area ... and ecological restoration. And again, I suggest the recognition of personal nature experience, and restorative nature experience.
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in reply to Jorge Bogantes Montero's comment

mdombros Jul 31 2024 at 10:05PM on page 48

Great idea!
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Stella Tarnay, Capital Nature Jul 31 2024 at 10:01PM on page 41

Suggestion
And supporting human health...
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Stella Tarnay, Capital Nature Jul 31 2024 at 9:59PM on page 58

Suggestion
We support all of these recommendations and would like to see DOEE consider a policy on having at least 70 percent of plant and tree species planted be regionally native. Such a policy has long been advocated for by ecologist Dr. Doug Tallemy and has recently been adopted by our neighboring Arlington County’s Forestry and Natural Resources Plan
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Stella Tarnay, Capital Nature Jul 31 2024 at 9:58PM on page 56

Suggestion
We appreciate this action and encourage DOEE to utilize the dynamic Mid Atlantic Invaders Tool (MAIT). If it is not in the text, can public land owners be encouraged to participate in the regional invasive species partnership now based at COG?
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Stella Tarnay, Capital Nature Jul 31 2024 at 9:52PM on page 39

This cohesive, connected strategy for ecological restoration and resilience is very encouraging. I commend DOEE and its partner agencies for taking this integrated approach. This could be our finest example of a blue-green resilience corridor in the District.
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mdombros Jul 31 2024 at 9:49PM on page 37

Suggestion
DoEE does a great job with Urban BMPs. Looking forward to what they develop for these important public lands. Their work in natural areas consists primarily of stream restoration. We look forward to seeing projects developed for the Parks. Trails, roads and parking lots must be given special attention. The ARWT is an abysmal example. We sincerely hope that DoEE will do better.
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Stella Tarnay, Capital Nature Jul 31 2024 at 9:48PM on page 38

Suggestion
I applaud DOEE's and AWS's restoration work with mussels. It would be good to know that these sites are not disturbed by competing recreational activities.
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mdombros Jul 31 2024 at 9:47PM on page 35

Suggestion
We do not need a public vote to know that wetlands need to be restored. FEMA identified them as one of the most economical and effective means of flood control. Their benefits are undisputed, though not well known to the general public. The landfilling of Kenilworth Park covered acres of wetlands. These must be returned. A more extensive area of the Park meeds to be devoted to restoring wetlands.
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mdombros Jul 31 2024 at 9:46PM on page 35

Suggestion
Stream restoration must include the goal of improving water quality to make it safe for human contact. We cannot afford to wait any longer. People need safe attractive natural areas where they can take refuge from the increasingly dangerous summer heat. Green and blue corridors both for wildlife and for humans must be part of this plan. This is a resiliency and a public health issue.
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