Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett Joins in Signing of the Anacostia River Accord to Preserve and Protect the Anacostia Watershed

For Immediate Release: Thursday, October 13, 2016

Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett joined District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser and Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III today to sign the Anacostia River Accord. The signing of the Accord signifies a renewed multi-jurisdictional commitment to work collaboratively toward removing trash and preserving the Anacostia River, its tributaries and watershed.

The signing event took place at the District of Columbia’s Aquatic Resources Education Center located at 1900 Anacostia Drive inside Anacostia Park by the Anacostia River.  The Anacostia River Watershed spans approximately 176 square miles and covers portions of Montgomery and Prince George’s County and Washington, D.C. The Anacostia River begins at the confluence of its northeast and northwest branches near Bladensburg, Maryland, and runs for 8.5 miles before meeting the Potomac River at Hains Point in Washington, D.C.

The Anacostia watershed is one of the most densely populated watersheds within the Chesapeake Bay drainage basin. Efforts to restore the Anacostia watershed began nearly three decades ago and since that time, the three jurisdictions have had a leading role along with state and federal agencies and environmental groups. Each respective jurisdiction is nationally recognized for the implementation of progressive environmental policies and programs.

The Anacostia River Accord highlighted the commitment of Montgomery County, Prince George’s County and Washington, D.C., to continue to work as partners to clean up the Anacostia River and work together to advance local and regional trash reduction strategies. While continuing to work closely together there will be continued collaborations with regional leaders, businesses, government agencies, nonprofits, communities, and the public to develop innovative solutions to work toward a healthier Anacostia River.

 “I am pleased to join Mayor Bowser and County Executive Baker as we renew our commitment to work together toward a healthier Anacostia River,” said Leggett. “While our work to restore the Anacostia is not a new goal for Montgomery County, there is more to be done and we will continue to do our part to protect and preserve the more than 1,500 miles of Montgomery County streams, many which flow into the Anacostia River.” 

Recognized regionally and nationally as a leader of environmental stewardship the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection implements a multi-pronged approach to stream restoration and stormwater management to protect regional waterways. The department has installed and is actively maintaining over 200 Green Streets Low Impact Development techniques. Green Street projects specific to protection of the Anacostia Watershed include the Arcola, Dennis Avenue, Sligo Park Hills, White Oak, Franklin Knolls, Forest Estates projects. These innovative practices significantly reduce stormwater runoff, minimize pollution and restore stream conditions. 

Recent Montgomery County legislation has included the 2012 Carryout Bag Law requiring retailers to charge five cents per bag to deter the use of disposable bags and the passing of Bill 41-14, commonly known as the “Styrofoam ban” to ban the use of non-recyclable Polystyrene (Styrofoam) in the County.

“The Anacostia River is such an important part of who we are as a region, so we must make every artery as clean and healthy possible,” said Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III. “Today’s signing of the Anacostia River Accord is a significant step forward for our region and is symbolic of what we can accomplish together. Standing with our friends and neighbors in the District of Columbia and Montgomery County, Prince George’s County is committed to ensuring that the Anacostia River is cleaner and safer for our residents.”

"Signing the Anacostia River Accord with our neighbors in Montgomery and Prince George's Counties signifies another important step toward a cleaner, healthier Anacostia River,” said District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser. “We are committed to working in partnership with our neighbors and stakeholders to remove trash, manage pollution, and take bold, innovative actions to restore the river for future generations to fully enjoy."

The mission of the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is to enhance the quality of life in our community by protecting and improving Montgomery County's air, water and land in a sustainable way while fostering smart growth, a thriving economy and healthy communities.

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Release ID: 16-439
Media Contact: Judy Stiles 240-777-6507