FOR EVERYBODY'S INFORMATION
genesolon
COMMENTS ON SUSTAINABLE DC EFFORTS
Relatively new to Sustainable DC proceedings (I attended Green Economy and Built Environment workgroup sessions), and, though somewhat disappointed that there was some confusion between goals and goal-achieving actions, I am extremely impressed with participants’ workshop and plenary session coverage of the issue spectrum, their understanding of the complexity of issue interrelationships, their grasp of “green” science, technology, and economics, and their political savvy. I commend Mayor Gray and all of the rest of those who have applied their talent, energy and skill to the Sustainable DC effort.
After reviewing the documents I’ve received, I’m inclined to suggest that there should be a more thorough address of what I believe to be parts of the “built environment,” including, among other things, the “paved environment.” The volume of polluting stormwater runoff needs to be reduced, and I suggest that there’s a need for Sustainable DC participants to delineate goals and actions for more permeable alleyways, sidewalks, plazas, parking lots, streets, roads, highways, etc. (Seattle has identified a range of permeable materials for such places).
Also, perhaps more should be said about medium- and large-scale landscaping, such as state-of-the-art ground-stabilizing earth berm and gabion construction, levee construction, and ground-leveling landfill projects (note the National Mall flood protection project, and, in anticipation of development along Anacostia River banks, assess the need for a new flood control effort there).
Great work, Sustainable DCers! Keep it up!
-- Gene Solon
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GENE SOLON’S PRESENTATION AT THE ANC 6D MEETING OF MARCH 12, 2012
At a recent meeting at the ANC 6D/SWNA meeting room, a group of us explored how to reduce health-threatening pollution. One person reported on bus and other engine idling, and I reported on construction site pollution. We made some progress, but some of the conversation was absolutely bizarre. ANC commissioner McBee tried to convince us that we shouldn’t address D.C.-wide issues and that airborne silica and mercury was a uniquely Southwest quadrant issue. Likewise, SWNA president Anderson tried to convince us that air pollution in public housing was an issue separate from that in other housing. Such statements are so bizarre that I have every right to suspect that they are manifestations of either a shocking ignorance of basic science, or errant motivation. I grew up in a public housing project and I know first hand that public housing residents can think straight. They know that the materials and systems used to build public housing are the same as those used to build subsidized housing and private housing! They also know that an airborne silica particle cannot turn to a nearby airborne mercury particle and, like copilot to pilot, cry out, “Quick, Merk, make a U-turn – we’re approaching the Northwest quadrant boundary line!” Maybe McBee and Anderson have difficulty with reality, but the rest of us, no matter where we live, realize that air pollution is bad for everyone’s health! Maybe the McBee/Anderson mistaken remarks were a mistaken reaction to the mistaken behavior of those who, under a mistaken interpretation of the term “Environmental Justice,” have mistakenly separated Southwest public housing residents from other Southwesters who are working hard alongside Mayor Gray -- not only to make his Sustainable D.C. program a success, but to make his One City program a success as well! We’re in this together, folks!
We discussed the fact that ANC 6D, SWNA and the Zoning Commission approved Stage One of the proposed massive Wharf project despite the fact that the D.C. Department of the Environment has not yet received an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or even an Environmental Impact Screening Form (EISF) from the Hoffman-Madison-Waterfront (HMW) developers. (How sad that, at this late date, key people didn’t know what an EISF, and even a PUD was.) Commissioner Shockley’s and SWNA’s Anderson’s attempts to justify their initial project approval were full of holes: project groundbreaking (for Kastles Stadium, e.g.) has already occurred, and HMW should have submitted environmental impact documents by now. A “liveaboard” Southwester reported that HMW has not even submitted such documents to the Army Corps of Engineers (ACE), which, with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), has seriously questioned the HMW-proposed excessive intrusion of five piers into our lovely Washington Channel.
Commissioners, you should not stoop to dig up excuses for approving Wharf project stages. You should respect, not act against, the ACE/NMFS conclusions! You should not approve Stage Two of the massive Wharf project until HMW submits a full-fledged EIS statement that proves there will be no net-negative impact on our environment!
NOTE:
I’ve been so polite and patient, but In a conference call I had at about 3:15 PM today, Tuesday, March 13, 2012, with DDOE Chief of Staff Keith Anderson and DDOE Environmental Review Coordinator Ibrahim Bullo, Mr. Bullo again reported (this time to both Mr. Anderson and me) that DDOE has still not received an EISF or an EIS on HMW’s The Wharf project. After politely notifying Mr. Anderson and Mr. Bullo that I would, hence, widely circulate (to Mayor, Council and many others) copies of my March 12th presentation to ANC 6D, I am now doing so.
-- Gene Solon
(202) 484-1184