RESTORING THE ANACOSTIA

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RESTORING THE ANACOSTIA

• Regional Impact Local Challenges

Governance Recommendations to the COG Board June
14, 2006
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The Anacostia Watershed

• As It Is
• Highly polluted but outstanding potential
• Impacts both regional local water quality
• Localized progress over twenty years
• Fulfilling potential requires new approach

• Fundamental Needs
• Higher-Level Coordination
• Comprehensive Plan
• In early stages
• Greater funding access

• Proposed Solutions
• Leadership Council
• Adopt Plan by Council
• Coordinated approach

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Timeline

• 3/05 Member/Stakeholder Retreat
• 12/05 Report Recommendation
• 2/06 Referral to CBPC
• 5/06 CBPC Recommendation
• 6/14/06 Board Consideration

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Chesapeake Anacostia Watersheds
Chesapeake Area 64,000 sq. mi. Population
16,300,000
Anacostia Area 176 sq. mi. (0.3) Population
800,000 (4.9)
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DC
Hains Point
National Airport
VA
MD

• Discharges
• Upper Estuary
• Below Hains Point
• Across from National Airport

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Urban Development
Washington D.C.
Sediment
Potomac River
Anacostia River
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The Anacostias Problems

• Causes
• Uncontrolled stormwater runoff
• Sewer overflows
• Effects
• High bacteria
• Low oxygen levels
• Erosion sediment
• Toxics
• Trash
• Degraded habitat

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The Problems
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The Vision
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Cooperative Agreements

• Four signatories
• Increasingly specific
• 1987 Pledge to cooperate
• 1991 Six broad goals
• 1999 Provisional restoration targets
• 2001 50 specific targets for 2010

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Restoration Potential

• To Fulfill the Vision
• Executive-level Leadership Council
• Comprehensive Plan
• Expected Outcomes
• Timetable, with resources, to get the job done
• Accelerated implementation
• Stronger Partnership
• Better access to restoration funding

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Governance Framework
Leadership Council Executive Officials
New
Steering Comm. Policy Officials
Existing
Restoration Committee Technical Staff
Management Committee Technical Staff
Advisory Subcommittees
Advisory Subcommittees
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Membership Responsibilities

• Leadership Council
• (Executive Officials)
• Core Members
• Mayor
• County Executives
• Governor
• EPA
• Corps of Engineers
• Others as determined by Council
• Responsibilities
• Adoption of Comprehensive Plan
• Oversight accountability
• Budget approval
• Staffed by COG
• Anacostia Fund
• Incentive grants

• Steering Committee
• (Policy Officials)
• Core Agencies
• Others as determined by Council
• Municipalities
• Other federal agencies
• NGOs
• Responsibilities
• Interagency policy coordination
• Policy guidance to staff
• Budget recommendation
• Staffed by COG

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DiscussionConsideration of Resolution R28-06
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