Anacostia River Watershed Restoration Plan
April 19, 2010

Monday, April 19, under a brilliant sun and a steady breeze off the water, a number of our elected officials pledged fealty to the idea of restoring the Anacostia River at the official roll-out of the Anacostia River Watershed Restoration Plan.

If good speeches alone can do the job, we're in good shape. Unfortunately it will take money, strong regulations, and even enforcement, and those don't seem to be the strong suit of our local governments. Nevertheless, the blue crabs ARE making a comeback--as was pointed out by Governor O'Malley--which means some enforcement has taken place and is effective.

Over 3,000 specific projects with cost estimates attached are in the Restoration Plan, over 800 of them in the Northwest Branch watershed. And of those 3,000, the number so far completed is about 39, with ~2,961 to go, and local governments slashing their budgets. See http://www.anacostia.net/plan.html for downloads of the various sections of the report, especially the very readable "Overview."

Majority Whip Steny Hoyer EM-CEEed. Speakers, besides Gov. O'Malley, included Montgomery County Executive Leggett, Representatives Chris Van Hollen and Donna Edwards, DC Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton, and several others. Throughout, our NNWB banner blew in solitary splendor behind the audience, facing the speakers.

The slogan for the Restoration Plan is "Turn It Around," visible to the right of the speakers.

So here's hoping! Congressman Hoyer's parting quote was "If it is to be, it is up to you and me." Except the second time around, he made that "...up to us." That means not just the elected officials, but ALL of us.

An excerpt from the overview:

Without the Anacostia Watershed Restoration Plan, state and local governments and volunteer organizations would continue attempting — in a limited and uncoordinated fashion — to manage stormwater, combined sewer overflows, trash, and toxics, while working to restore aquatic and terrestrial habitats. However, they would face an uphill battle against the impacts of continuously expanding development. With the advent of this collaborative plan, these partners have a critical opportunity to coordinate and leverage their efforts in a systematic, watershed-wide, long-term strategy that can serve as a model for other jurisdictions across the country. ... The commitment and resources this endeavor demands are great, but the rewards will live on in a priceless legacy for generations to come.

Spring on the upper Anacostia River
Governor O'Malley speaks of the need for the strategy and value of the Anacostia River, with the Partnership slogan to his left.
Congressman Chris Van Hollen speaks for the Anacostia River and notes he represents one side, while Congresswoman Donna Edwards represents the other.
Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett speaks up.
The Neighbors of the Northwest Branch banner faced all the speakers. Although it probably didn't get in any of the TV coverage, which was directed toward the speakers, it couldn't help but be noticed by the speakers.