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September 2023

Photo Credit: Krista Schlyer

Ever since the passing of the Clean Water Act, the District has seen great improvements in water quality. Progress has been slow but steady – recent data show that the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers are often safe for swimming. In 2022, monitoring sites at Kingman Island, Buzzard Point, and Washington Channel passed short-term water quality standards for recreation over 90% of the time, and these trends have continued into 2023!

The ban on swimming in the rivers was originally put in place in 1971 due to health and safety concerns arising from bacteria (due to combined sewer overflows) and pollution. The Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) has since been taking steps to improve regulations and water quality standards to be consistent with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s most recent science and recommended guidelines. In addition, DC Water’s Clean Rivers Project is expected to prevent 98% of sewer overflows for the Anacostia River. The Sustainable DC 2.0 Plan includes a goal to make our waterways fishable and swimmable, and DOEE has put forward actions to amend the ban on swimming in the rivers, allowing special swimming events in the rivers if water quality standards are met. One such special event, Anacostia River Splash, which had to be cancelled due to rain this year, is planned to occur next swimming season!

While swimming is still not permitted in the rivers outside of special events, DOEE is working to provide residents with more opportunities to swim. The Swimguide website shows locations that are monitored and rated by the DC Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring program, which establishes a pass/fail rating for each spot and provides more information on the area’s water quality. This data and data DOEE collects itself can identify which sites meet recreational water quality standards most frequently. DOEE is exploring establishing designated swim sites at some of these locations, which could be monitored intensively to provide same-day results about water quality and swim safety. With more extreme heat coming our way, get up to speed on safe swimming practices and get your swimsuits ready for more days to come where you can cool off with a dip in the rivers!

2023 District Sustainability Award Winners Spotlight The District Sustainability Awards highlight businesses, individuals, and organizations that are working towards a more sustainable DC. Awardees’ projects and programs support the Sustainable DC 2.0 Plan, which aims to make the District the greenest, healthiest, most livable city in the United States. This year, five winners were announced – we will spotlight them every month in the newsletter:

MetLife Investment Management: MetLife Investment Management (MIM) strives to be a responsible owner of real estate and act as an industry leader by following best practices included in the Clean Energy DC Plan. MIM understands the role that buildings play in contributing to the District's greenhouse gas emissions, and has made public commitments to lower emissions so the District meets its goals. MetLife, the enterprise, has been carbon neutral since 2016 and announced a goal to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions across the company’s global operations and general account investment portfolio by 2050 or sooner. Locally, MIM has installed a 562 kW solar array on their office building. This solar array is the largest rooftop solar array on an office building in DC and will offset over 650,000 kWh of electricity used at the building each year.

Check out case studies and the YouTube short film featuring each of the five winners describing, in their own words, why they chose sustainable operations and practices!

GRANTS & FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Request for Applications - E-Bike Solar Charging Demonstration Project

DOEE seeks eligible entities to implement solar-powered charging docking stations for shared electric bikes. This project will increase mobility options that will enable a transportation mode shift away from single occupancy vehicles, improve air quality, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The amount available for the project is $375,000. The deadline for application submissions is October 13. For more information, visit: https://doee.dc.gov/node/1678451.

Small and Accessible Sustainability Grant Program Now Open

DOEE is excited to announce the 2024 Small and Accessible Sustainability Grant Program in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Trust. The 2024 program provides two funding opportunities:

• The Donation and Reuse Award Program provides up to $10,000 in funding for donation, reuse, and repair projects, programs, and services in the District. The grant program will support community-oriented projects that are designed to meet the needs of the community and/or encourage behavior change around donation, reuse, and repair of household items and food recovery. Learn more during an info session on October 11 at 2:15 p.m. Register here.
• The Urban Agriculture Small Award Program provides up to $10,000 for urban farms to expand operations and infrastructure capacity in the District. This funding specifically targets farms led by historically underrepresented farmers, and farms that directly benefit communities with low access to grocery stores and fresh food.

A range of applicants are encouraged to apply; please check the Request for Applications for each program for specific eligibility information. The deadline to apply to either program is November 9 at 6:00 p.m. Eastern.

JOBS

Department of Energy and Environment – Energy Program Specialist

This position is in DOEE’s Energy Administration, Policy and Compliance Division, Renewable Energy and Clean Transportation Branch. This position will identify funding opportunities and lead the development of federal and other grant applications, and manage the relevant reporting, grant and budget management, and compliance processes associated with those grants. This position will also be charged with coordinating the development and implementation of policies and programs to address transportation electrification and decarbonization in line with the Clean Energy DC Act, the Clean Energy DC Plan, the District’s Transportation Electrification Roadmap, the Move DC Plan and other associated laws and District Government policies. The incumbent will utilize knowledge of best practices, technical expertise and knowledge with clean transportation solutions, and ensure compliance with applicable District laws. For more information and to apply, visit careers.dc.gov and enter Job ID# 23494. Applications close September 29.

Department of Energy and Environment – Environmental Protection Specialist, Groundwater

This position is in the groundwater team within DOEE’s Floodplains, Wetlands, and Groundwater Branch. The incumbent will work to ensure the District’s groundwater resources are protected during construction and development, and that any groundwater removed from the soil is properly treated before being discharged into the District’s rivers and streams. Duties include conducting wells and soil boring permit reviews to ensure their construction and abandonment is in accordance with District regulations and guidance. The selected candidate may visit sites to evaluate compliance with the conditions of approved plans and collaborate with DOEE’s inspectors to enforce permittees who fail to comply with the conditions of the permit. The incumbent will assist the groundwater team in amending existing well and soil boring regulations, developing and executing an outreach campaign to register wells, and considering other business process improvements to improve program efficiency and customer service. For more information and to apply, visit careers.dc.gov and enter Job ID# 23465. Applications close October 6.

Department of Energy and Environment – Staff Assistant, Watershed Protection

The incumbent in this position will serve as a Staff Assistant in the Watershed Protection Division (WPD) of the Natural Resources Administration.  The mission of the WPD is to protect and restore the environmental health of the District’s waterways. The WPD is comprised of two branches, Partnering and Environmental Conservation Branch and Restoration Branch, that work together to protect our watersheds from soil erosion, litter and debris, and other nonpoint sources of pollution.  The incumbent will report to the Associate Director for WPD and be responsible for supporting and coordinating with the WPD program analyst and providing administrative support across the Division. For more information and to apply, visit careers.dc.gov and enter Job ID# 23572. Applications close October 10.

Department of Energy and Environment – Program Analyst, Urban Agriculture

This position is in DOEE’s Urban Sustainability Administration and will work to advance the efforts of the District’s Office of Urban Agriculture. This employee will administer the urban farming grant program to support development and operations at District farms. This position will engage urban farm stakeholders to maintain clear understanding in the areas of support needed for farms, identify barriers to farm/farmer success, and will develop and implement strategies to improve program delivery. This position will research new sources of funding for the office and provide support in grant writing/submission for future funding. Further, this position will provide support for research, development, and implementation of needed policy and regulations to advance urban agriculture in the District with a focus on strengthening existing farms, spurring agricultural entrepreneurship, and undoing institutional and structural racism/bias in the food system. For more information and to apply, visit careers.dc.gov and enter Job ID# 23451. Applications close October 14.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Public Input Sought for Fort Dupont Creek Restoration Project in Ward 7

Public input is being sought on how to improve stream, floodplain, and wetland conditions in Ward 7’s Fort Dupont Creek Watershed, under an initiative by DOEE and the National Park Service (NPS). DOEE and NPS are working on the Environmental Assessment for the proposed Fort Dupont Creek Stream and Wetland Restoration Project, situated within the iconic Fort Dupont Park in Ward 7. The restoration efforts will improve the long-term stability of streams within the watershed and improve downstream water quality, supporting water quality standards for the larger Anacostia River watershed. This project seeks to rejuvenate natural ecosystems and enhance the resilience of the local environment. Public participation is vital to the planning process. The deadline to provide comments is October 5, 2023. For more information, visit: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?projectID=68832.

Notice of Solicitation of Public Comment - Draft Revised Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) for Organics and Metals in the Anacostia River Watershed

The Acting Director of DOEE is submitting the draft revised Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for organics and metals in the Anacostia River Watershed for a second public review and comment. The deadline to provide comments is Oct 8, 2023. For more information, visit: https://doee.dc.gov/node/1677581.

EVENTS

National Energy Efficiency Day Celebration Join DOEE and partners at the Southwest DC Library on Wednesday, October 4 from 3:00–5:00 p.m. to celebrate National Energy Efficiency Day! Efficiency could provide one-third of total expected electricity generation needs by 2030, avoiding the need for an additional 487 large power plants. Combined with the gains since 1990, savings from energy efficiency could amount to the output of 800 power plants by 2030! At the event, enjoy live music by the Metropolitan Police Department’s very own Side-By-Side Band! For more information and to register, visit the event’s Eventbrite page.

Kingman Island Friends & Family Day DOEE and partners invite you to explore Kingman + Heritage Islands on Saturday, October 14, from 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. with your family and friends! Experience all the amazing activities the islands offer including paddling, nature walks, fishing, scavenger hunts, and so much more! To register and see the day’s full list of activities, visit the Eventbrite page.

Commercial Food Donations: An Overview and Introduction The Commercial Food Donation webinar will provide an overview of food donation requirements and best management practices. Join us for an exciting online event onTuesday, October 24, 10:30–11:30 a.m. to learn everything you need to know about starting commercial food donations. Whether you're a restaurant owner, caterer, or food industry professional, this event is for you! During this webinar, you will hear from food donation experts from DOEE, the Department of Public Works, and the Food Recovery Network. For any questions, call Mary Lynn Wilhere at DOEE at (202) 535-1939 or by email at marylynn.wilhere@dc.gov. To connect on small business support, please reach out to Inno.ED@dc.gov. Registration is required through visit the webinar’s Eventbrite page.

Fix-It DC Fix-It DC events are community repair events dedicated to changing the “throw-it-away” mentality. Visitors bring their broken items to the Fix-It DC event where volunteer Fix-It coaches provide guidance in troubleshooting how to repair each item. The next event is: Saturday, October 21, 1:30 –3:30 p.m. at Twin Oaks Community Gardens (1390 Taylor St NW) –Register Here (Eventbrite link will be available on the page soon) DOEE is also looking for coaches to help other residents try to repair their small household items. If you are interested in coaching, please sign up here.

eCYCLE Collection Events By recycling used electronics, individuals can help recover valuable resources and properly manage potentially hazardous materials. eCYCLE DC, through manufacturers’ collection and recycling plans, is bringing District residents more options for recycling their electronics. The following items are banned from the trash and are collected at the eCYCLE DC collection events: computers and monitors, tablets, e-readers, mice, keyboards, DVD or VCR players, printers, televisions, game consoles, and portable music players. For more information, check out this fact sheet. See below for upcoming eCYCLE DC events around the District.

• Saturday, Oct 7, 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Collection vehicle expected to be on Lamont St between 17^th St NW & Mount Pleasant St NW (Ward 1, near Mount Pleasant Farmers Market)
• Saturday Oct 14, 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Collection vehicle expected to be near Uptown Farmers Market on the north end of Colorado Ave NW (Ward 4)
• Saturday Oct 21, 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Collection vehicle expected to be on Ord St NE near 4321 Ord St NE (Ward 4, near Kenilworth Rec Center Farmers Market)
• Saturday Oct 28, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Collection vehicle expected to be on Calvert St NW between 40^th Pl NW & 39^th Pl NW (Ward 3, near Stoddert Recreation Center)

Please visit the eCYCLE DC website to check for any updates closer to the event date.

DOEE: Ears & Eyes of the Environment Episode 6: Is the Air Lava? Air Quality Issues in the District – DOEE's air quality experts give an overview of how air quality is measured in the District and what to expect on the best and worst air quality days; health experts discuss the link between asthma and air pollution and provide insights into how air quality issues affect the youth and families in the District.

National Park Sites Contributed More Than $1B to DC Economy Last Year – The National Park Service found that visitors to DC’s National Park attractions spent $973 million in 2022, which resulted in 9,140 jobs and a cumulative benefit to DC’s economy of $1.44 billion.

And the Largest Tree is... – Casey Trees asked DC residents to join the quest to find the largest tree in our nation’s capital – and the results are in!

The Federal Emergency Management Agency Names First Communities for Targeted Assistance on Hazards Resilience– Two census tracts in DC are part of the initial designation of census tracts across the country that will be eligible for increased federal support to boost resilience to natural hazards and extreme weather.