The District Department of the Environment (DDOE) will receive a $500,000 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to restore Watts Branch, a tributary of the Anacostia River. The award ceremony will take place on Thursday, May 10, 2007 at 9:45 am at Marvin Gaye Park in Northeast. This grant is one of eight being awarded through the highly competitive Targeted Watershed Grants Program that funds efforts to reduce nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorous) and sediment pollution to the Chesapeake Bay.
DDOE will use the grant to restore 1.75 miles of urban stream using natural stream channel design and plant 28 acres of riparian buffer. The District was awarded this grant because of its strong restoration partnerships with non-profit organizations, District agencies, and the Federal government. The stream restoration effort will be augmented by:
- The elimination and relocation of sanitary sewer stream crossings by DC Water and Sewer Authority (WASA)
- Public outreach and education to the surrounding community by Washington Parks & People
- The rehabilitation of Marvin Gaye hiking and biking trails by the Department of Parks and Recreation
- The revitalization of Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue including stormwater reducing technologies by the District Department of Transportation through an EPA Green Highways Grant.