Environment - PoPville

“Washington Gas Has Failed to Take Action to Stop Toxic Chemicals from Leaching into the Anacostia River; Settlement Requires Additional Mitigation Measures”

Published September 26, 2025 at 1:05PM

From the DC Office of the Attorney General (OAG):

“Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb today announced that Washington Gas has agreed to contain hazardous pollution actively seeping into the Anacostia River at the former site of the company’s East Station, a gas plant that operated on the banks of the river for nearly 100 years.

An investigation by the District’s Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) and the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) uncovered evidence that toxic chemicals—byproducts of gas manufacturing at the shuttered plant—are currently bubbling up from the contaminated riverbed and seeping into the water from polluted soil on the riverbank. OAG alleges that Washington Gas has failed to take adequate steps to prevent the ongoing release of pollutants. Under the terms of a new settlement agreement, the company must install a new floating boom to contain pollution on the surface of the water; install new barriers to prevent the release of pollutants from the riverbed and riverbank; submit to ongoing monitoring by the District; and face fines for any noncompliance. (more…)

#anacostia river

“Sign The Petition: Don’t Cut Down RFK’s Heritage Trees”

By Prince Of Petworth

Published September 2, 2025 at 8:25AM

Thanks to all who passed on from Casey Trees:

“For more than 60 years, the trees at RFK have been growing into the giants you see today—living landmarks that frame the stadium and provide much-needed relief from the heat.

Now, their fate remains uncertain. Last month, the DC Council advanced legislation granting developers blanket permission to cut down at least 30 historic trees without even trying to incorporate them into the new campus. It’s unacceptable. (more…)

PSA: Lantern Flies Continue to Menace, “Be alert for good stomping.”

By Prince Of Petworth

Published August 5, 2025 at 12:30PM

“Dear PoPville,

Spotted lantern flies out today in force in Eastern Market/Navy Yard. Cooler temps? Be alert for good stomping. I got 5 during a lunch walk.”

USDA also notes: (more…)

“Do you know how to lobby for more compost bins?”

By Prince Of Petworth

Published July 30, 2025 at 1:45PM

“Dear PoPville,

So I am totally in love with the DPW compost bins. I go almost daily on my way to work or dropping off the kids’. The bins are convenient but not THAT convenient without a car. (more…)

PSA: Spotted Lantern Flies – “Kill on sight!”

By Prince Of Petworth

Published July 14, 2025 at 1:00PM

“Dear PoPville,

“NoMa neighborhood is swarming with spotted lanternflies this weekend. They are a destructive invasive species with no natural predators. Kill on sight!” (more…)

#PSA

Just RFK Jr taking a dip in the “high bacteria and other infectious pathogens” creek of Rock Creek Park.

By Prince Of Petworth

Published May 13, 2025 at 12:35PM

Robert F. Kennedy Jr shared Sunday:

“Mother’s Day hike in Dumbarton Oaks Park with Amaryllis, Bobby, Kick, and Jackson, and a swim with my grandchildren, Bobcat and Cassius in Rock Creek.”

From NPS:

“Stay safe while enjoying Rock Creek Park! Swimming and wading are not allowed due to high bacteria levels.

Stay out of the water to protect streambanks, plants and animals and keep you and your family (including pets!) safe from illness.

Rock Creek has high levels of bacteria and other infectious pathogens that make swimming, wading, and other contact with the water a hazard to human (and pet) health. (more…)

“DC Water mobilizes for emergency repair of major sewer line at risk of collapse and endangering Rock Creek”

By Prince Of Petworth

Published May 6, 2025 at 3:45PM

From DC Water on Friday:

“DC Water is preparing for emergency repairs on a large sewer line next to Rock Creek, after discovering significant structural issues. The six-foot pipeline, known as the Rock Creek Main Interceptor, carries as much as 100 million gallons of wastewater a day and could cause significant environmental harm if a failure occurred. (more…)

#rock creek park

“Lanternfly Nymphs Spotted – Stay vigilant!”

By Prince Of Petworth

Published April 24, 2025 at 11:00AM

Thanks to C. for sending from Park View:

“A heads up that I noticed about 20 of these tiny, strange-looking insects on my balcony today. Google informed me that they are lanternfly nymphs, so they were summarily smashed. Stay vigilant!”