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Washington Post Spotlights AWS Stormwater Mitigation Efforts—Bladensburg Beach Party Draws Attention to Marina Silt-in

Bladensburg, MD Aug 25, 2006— The Washington Post and several other local newspapers turned out yesterday at Bladensburg Waterfront Park to learn more about the threat posed to the Anacostia River by unchecked stormwater runoff from Montgomery and Prince George's Counties. While AWS staffers threw a "beach party" on the park's nearly-dry, silted-in river bed (see photo), AWS President, Robert Boone, and AWS Executive Director, Jim Connolly, fielded questions about stormwater policy and called for immediate changes in the the way local governments and developers manage runoff and silt from heavy rains.

AWS staff members bask in the sun on dry land in the middle of the Anacostia River at Bladensburg Waterfront Park. Once 40 feet deep here, the river's main channel has been silted in with dirt and debris carried by stormwater runoff from Montgomery and Prince George's Counties.


	Trans-boundary Stormwater Runoff Mitigation
	Washington Post Spotlights AWS Stormwater Mitigation Efforts—Bladensburg Beach Party Draws Attention to Marina Silt-in Bladensburg, MD Aug 25, 2006— The Washington Post and several other local newspapers turned out yesterday at Bladensburg Waterfront Park to learn more about the threat posed to the Anacostia River by unchecked stormwater runoff from Montgomery and Prince George's Counties. While AWS staffers threw a "beach party" on the park's nearly-dry, silted-in river bed (see photo), AWS President, Robert Boone, and AWS Executive Director, Jim Connolly, fielded questions about stormwater policy and called for immediate changes in the the way local governments and developers manage runoff and silt from heavy rains.
	"This sediment load is choking the very life out of the Anacostia River as is dramatically evident here at the Bladensburg Waterfront Park," Connolly said, as he pointed to the trickle of water that was once a 40 foot deep shipping channel. "This is evidence that planning for stormwater in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties has failed the river, has failed all the people who may want to enjoy the river, and has failed the birds and wildlife who survive by the river,” he added, stressing the need to do more to improve systems for trapping runoff from parking lots, roofs, and other impermeable surfaces.	AWS staff members bask in the sun on dry land in the middle of the Anacostia River at Bladensburg Waterfront Park. Once 40 feet deep here, the river's main channel has been silted in with dirt and debris carried by stormwater runoff from Montgomery and Prince George's Counties.
	In addition to reporters, the beach party also drew proponents of Anacostia River restoration efforts, as well as members of the University of Maryland's Rowing Team who use the park and its boat house as a practice site. Local Councilman David Harrington rallied the assembly by promising to sponsor a resolution in the Prince George's County Council that would recommend freeing up additional county funds for stormwater a remediation program. This morning, the Washington Post ran a story about yesterday's beach party event. The article, reported by David A. Fahrenthold and tilled, "Environmentalists protest silt buildup," is available with a free subscription to washingtonpost.com. Click here to be redirected to the article. Several other local papers plan to run similar stories early next week.
	For more information, please contact AWS President, Robert Boone, or AWS Executive Director, Jim Connolly.
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Trans-boundary Stormwater Runoff Mitigation

Washington Post Spotlights AWS Stormwater Mitigation Efforts—Bladensburg Beach Party Draws Attention to Marina Silt-in