Dear Ward 5 neighbors,
The District’s waterways, forests, and native gardens are precious commodities that drive our well-being. They are nature’s air conditioning, filters, and ecosystem regulators that set the tone for how our communities feel and function.
So when entities profiting off of District residents and business directly harm those natural resources, they are harming us. Today, Attorney General Brian Schwalb announced a significant resolution in a lawsuit against Fort Myer—one of the city’s most prominent construction companies—for polluting DC waterways via their storage and maintenance facility in Ward 5 at 2237 33rd St NE. I am deeply grateful for Attorney General Schwalb’s partnership in securing environmental justice for Ward 5 neighbors. Under the terms of a consent order, Fort Myer will:
- Pay $450,000 to the District. This includes $225,000 that will go directly to DOEE’s Water Quality Enforcement Fund.
- Make extensive improvements at its property to prevent future pollution. Pursuant to a negotiated Environmental Management Plan (EMP) Fort Myer must install new runoff control structures, drains, and filters, upgrade existing drainage infrastructure, remove decommissioned equipment and vehicles from its property, and make other changes to prevent future water pollution events. The company must also perform maintenance on its existing infrastructure.
- Submit data showing its progress to the District for three years. Fort Myer must conduct weekly compliance inspections, conduct laboratory tests of water quality from stormwater outfalls on the property, and submit monitoring photos taken during one rain event a month to DOEE. The company must submit monthly reports to the District describing actions taken the previous month, including, when applicable, lab test results, monitoring photos, and inspections.
- Face monetary penalties for any violations of the agreement. If Fort Myer fails to conduct required compliance inspections, water testing, photo monitoring, and specified equipment and facility improvements, it could face additional penalties for non-compliance with the settlement.
While I am clear-eyed that the work of environmental justice is a long and difficult road following generations of harm, resolutions like this one are a meaningful step in the right direction. Healthy communities for Ward 5 neighbors means clean air, thriving waterways, and lush forests.
Expanded Recreation Center Hours
One of the concerns I hear about most often from neighbors is the lack of regular access to our recreation centers. Shorter hours, programming limitations, and staffing issues all contribute to the problem. For years, my Council colleagues and I have worked with DPR and the Mayor’s office to express the need for more access to rec centers, including through the introduction of legislation.
We are making a small step in the right direction this summer with new expanded weekend hours at four DPR locations, including Turkey Thicket in Ward 5. These four locations will now be open until 11:00 p.m. every Friday and Saturday, and from 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. on Sundays. There’s more work to do to keep expanding hours and investing in reliable facilities that are accessible to all residents, so stay tuned for updates in the fall legislative season.
