Environmental Report, January 2025
The fight to stop harmful PFAS (forever chemicals) from entering our waterways continues. Betsy Nicholas, VP of the Potomac River Keepers Network (www.potomacriverkeepersnetwork.org) will be working with legislators in Virginia this term to pass bills that will require effective pre-treatment of wastewater. The goal is to cut off this pollution at the source. Testing for PFAS is also on the agenda with a proposal for additional funding to increase personnel at the VA State Lab and to enable the capacity of local municipalities to test and analyze their waterways.
In DC, the issue of bottle and can pollution of parkland and waterways is again before the City Council. Three Council members support a Bottle Deposit Bill. Check out this website to learn more about the Bill and how to support this effort: 3rcfordc.org
In Maryland, watch for changes in protected designations to rivers and streams as pressure for development grows in the more rural parts of the state. The Anacostia Watershed Society (AWS) continues to raise awareness about the harm done to our waters from single use plastic. Their campaign, along with support from HydroFlask, will focus on education and outreach to the public about this issue and its impact on our parklands and waterways. Efforts to revitalize the Anacostia River will ramp up in 2025. The AWS (www.anacostiaws.org) released its annual report on the health of the river in December. For the fourth year in a row the health of the Anacostia received a passing grade… in fact; it was the highest grade since reporting began in 2014. A promising trend toward a swimmable and fishable river in our Nation’s Capitol!
Missy Grace has joined the Environmental Education Committee. Thanks, Missy! She will help me keep up with legislative actions on the issues that impact our watershed and precious rivers and streams.
As in the past, CWA members will have the opportunity to participate in environmental projects such as clean ups and stream monitoring. Check the Calendar, read the news/updates on the webpage, and look for emails on upcoming events.
