PROBLEM: The majority of the watershed's citizens are unfamiliar with the environmental conditions of the watershed or the efforts that are ongoing to restore and protect it. Many essentially do not understand their connection to their streams and the relevant ecosystems. The success of the Anacostia restoration and its protection requires an informed and supportive public, and better appreciation of the watershed by its approximately 805,000 residents.

STRATEGY: Raise public awareness about the problems of the Anacostia River and associated ongoing restoration efforts; seek active public support and sustained commitment and involvement; educate the public concerning the watershed system and their role in reducing urban pollution; and, encourage a grassroots network of citizens to participate in a variety of restoration initiatives.

PROGRESS:

Education and Outreach
In 1988, the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB) began to develop an Anacostia public outreach program. Through its efforts, the ICPRB has reached more than 60,000 people. The program effectively reached the public through the efforts of five sub-basin coordinators, publications focusing on sub-basin problems, newsletters and Anacostia information packets. The coordinators were instrumental in the formation of several citizen watershed groups and have enlisted others into Stream Teams programs run by Montgomery and Prince George=s counties. They have given presentations, organized cleanups, and have worked on various restoration projects related to stream stewardship. Unfortunately, due to budgetary constraints, the Anacostia sub-basin coordinators program was discontinued in October 1997.

The Anacostia Watershed Society, a major private non-profit organization formed in 1989 and devoted to restoring the Anacostia River, has effectively mobilized many of the local communities and been the catalyst for numerous tree planting and stream cleanup projects. The Society also organizes river tours, community action days and a variety of other educational events that have brought much attention to the plight of the Anacostia.

Since its inception in 1992, the Lower Beaverdam Creek Task Force (a coalition of concerned citizens, civic and environmental groups and Prince George=s County government representatives) has been actively working on addressing a broad range of environmental problems in the subwatershed. Major accomplishments include: Anacostia watershed education through public information meetings and river boat tours, trash reduction through a major adopt-a-stream campaign and public education; establishment of a used motor oil recycling center in Palmer Park; community signage; and both regular stream and alleyway trash cleanups.

In 1995, the District of Columbia with support from the Potomac Electric Power Company (PEPCO) established an Anacostia River Education Center. PEPCO has also recently created approximately 0.5 acres of tidal wetland habitat at its District of Columbia Benning Road Power Station.

In 1996, the AWRC formally established an Anacostia Citizens Advisory Committee (AWCAC) to provide advice on the ongoing restoration and to help educate and promote restoration efforts throughout the watershed. Since then, AWCAC members have been diligently working with local communities and environmental groups, serving as a critical information link with the AWRC.

In 1997, the D.C. Department of Health-Environmental Health Administration in conjunction with the D.C. Soil and Water Conservation District completed a broadcast-quality video to educate District residents about the ways they can help to reduce nonpoint source pollution to the Anacostia and Potomac rivers. Copies of the video have been made available to government cable television stations, schools and other organizations within the city interested in promoting environmental education.

The District of Columbia in partnership with the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay has developed a Bayscape Community Watershed Stewardship Initiative for Popes Branch, a tributary of the Anacostia River. The goals of this initiative are to demonstrate an effective and transferable watershed-based education program that links community concerns with nonpoint source pollution prevention, stream restoration and Ahome river@ stewardship in an urban environment. This will help empower home owners and watershed residents to actively participate in the restoration and protection of the Popes Branch watershed.

From the start of the restoration effort, the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission has committed itself to Anacostia public education and outreach through its nature centers and Anacostia Visitors Center at the Port of Bladensburg.

COG Small Habitat Improvement Program
In 1989, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments developed a Small Habitat Improvement Program (SHIP) designed to enlist volunteers to implement small scale restoration projects (such as storm drain stenciling, stream cleanups, tree plantings and maintenance, etc.) that rely upon citizen involvement and participation. Since 1989, more than 27 SHIP projects have been implemented watershed-wide.

Figure 44. Citizen Stream Clean Up (photo: PG DER, 1996)

Since 1990, volunteers have removed over 200 tons of trash and debris from the river and its tributaries, sending a positive message of environmental stewardship (Figure 44).

Port Towns and Bladensburg Marina Revitalization
The Port Towns Revitalization Initiative for the Prince George=s County river towns of Bladensburg, Colmar Manor and Cottage City was begun in 1993 by a coalition of municipalities, citizens, private organizations, businesses and government agencies at county, state and Federal levels. The purpose of the initiative is to revitalize these older communities through economic investment, political empowerment and community involvement, and environmental restoration. One of the centerpieces of this effort is the reconstruction of the Bladensburg Marina, which began in March 1997 and is expected to be completed in 1998.

Stream Habitat Enhancement
Since 1973, Trout Unlimited has been a major player in the overall effort to protect Paint Branch and its unique brown trout fishery. In addition to serving as lead advocacy and watchdog groups, Trout Unlimited together with the Eyes of Paint Branch have been responsible for orchestrating a variety of stream cleanups, tree plantings, education seminars and stream habitat enhancement projects in the Paint Branch (Figures 45 and 46).

Figure 45. Trout Unlimited Construction of Gum Springs Check Dams, 1990.

Figure 46. Trout Unlimited Member Inspecting Handiwork.