Kyle Ohlson
Project Manager, Arboretum Bridge and Trail Project
DC Department of Transportation
Dear Mr. Ohlson,
The Sierra Club DC Chapter is the largest environmental organization in the District of Columbia, with more than 3,000 dues-paying members. The Sierra Club’s mission is to explore, enjoy and protect the natural environment. We lead outings for DC residents and youth, and this past year we adopted a stretch of Watts Branch, a tributary to the Anacostia River, to monitor and clean up trash. Our commitment to clean rivers is long-held, having been a plaintiff in legal action over raw sewage being discharged into the Anacostia River, which resulted in the Clean Rivers Project.
The Sierra Club also strongly supports efforts to expand bicycle, pedestrian, and other non-automobile transportation options. We want to expand access to the Anacostia River, on both sides, so that more people enjoy the river and are invested in its continued improvement.
Given our support for multimodal transportation options, reducing pollution in the Anacostia River and expanding access to the river, we have four questions regarding the proposed pedestrian bridge across linking Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens and the National Arboretum:
1. Will the bridge have a measurable impact on wildlife? District wildlife biologists have recorded the disappearance of marbled salamanders, white-eyed vireos and other wild species since the Anacostia River Trail was built. Other specific ecological harm from recreational infrastructure are listed in the Department of Energy and Environment’s Wildlife Action Plan. The Sierra Club requests that DDOT inform us whether and how DDOT has integrated DC wildlife protection goals into the bridge proposal.
2. What, if any, other locations for this bridge have been considered? Infrastructure such as bridges can create segmentation and fragmentation of habitat that can be avoided by co-locating pedestrian and bike infrastructure with pre-existing bridges.
3. How has DDOT coordinated with other agencies that have authority over other Anacostia River projects, such as those involving the Arboretum, the Anacostia Riverwalk, Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, Langston Golf Course, and numerous dock proposals? One particular concern is the bridge’s landing at the Arboretum gate, which is closed between 4:30pm and 8am every day.
4. What assessment has DDOT made regarding the bridge piers causing silting or catching floating debris that will adversely affect rowing lanes? If this occurs, how would it be managed? Bridges designed with pilings located in moving water sometimes collect floating debris resulting in jams during heavy flows that can create blockages and contribute to flooding.
The Sierra Club strongly supports expanding pedestrian and bicycling connections across the Anacostia River while protecting the natural environment. We eagerly await your response to our questions.
Sincerely,
Larry Martin, Ph.D.
Chair, Clean Water Committee, Sierra Club DC Chapter
CC:
Jeff Marootian, Director, DDOT
Dawit Muluneh, Chief Engineer, DDOT
Tara Morrison, Superintendent, National Capital Parks - East, National Park Service