Anacostia River Sediment Project
Why is this happening?
The Anacostia River and the land area that drains to the river have a long history of urbanization, industrialization, and agriculture, which has resulted in pollution, poor water quality, and contaminated sediments in the river bed. The District Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE)’s Anacostia River Sediment Project was initiated to identify any potential sediment contamination in the nine-mile tidal portion of the Anacostia River, Washington Channel and Kingman Lake.
Since 2013, the Anacostia River Sediment Project has proceeded through a succession of phases. The initial phases determined the nature and extent of the sediment contamination (Remedial Investigation) and the risk posed to humans and wildlife (Risk Assessment). These studies concluded that elevated concentrations of contaminants, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), dioxins, heavy metals, and pesticides from industrial, urban, and human activities are present in sediment throughout the Anacostia River, posing a potential risk to humans or aquatic wildlife.
The Anacostia River Sediment Project has identified potential solutions to the risks posed by contaminated sediments (Feasibility Study). After input was gathered from broad array of stakeholders on the available options for remediation (Proposed Plan), DOEE issued an Interim Record of Decision that identifies the early action cleanup remedies for the most contaminated areas in the river and outlines the process for their implementation.
DOEE is pleased to announce the release of the ARSP 90-percent Design Report, which includes a description of the IROD remedy and its detailed design elements. It builds on the 60-percent Design Report and summarizes the Pre-Design Investigation Report and Treatability Study, which provide additional data for the remedial design. Stakeholder comments for the 90-percent Design Report are welcome during the public comment period, which is open from December 3 through January 2, 2025. A public meeting is scheduled for December 16, 2024 between 6:30-8:00 PM. Click here to join.
View Anacostia River Sediment Project document library here. The ARSP 90-percent Design Report can be found under the Remedial Design heading.
Cover photo © Krista Schlyer - learn more about her Anacostia River photo series.
SEDIMENT PROJECT LATEST NEWS
DOEE ‘s Anacostia River Sediment Project (ARSP) 60-Percent Design Report was released in Summer 2024 and was open for public comment from July 1 through August 2, 2024. The 60-percent Design Report builds upon the previous Basis of Design Report (BODR) and includes detailed drawings, technical specifications, calculations, and project plans. DOEE plans to post its ARSP 90% Design Report on the ARSP website on or about December 3, 2024, for public review and comment. The response to comments (RTC) matrix for the 60% Design Report will be included in the 90% Design Report as Appendix M. A virtual public meeting is planned for December. Meeting details will be posted here as soon as they become available.
USFWS Forage Fish Report, August 2022
US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has finalized the forage fish report titled “Polychlorinated Biphenyl and Organochlorine Pesticide Concentrations in Whole Body Mummichog and Banded Killifish from the Anacostia River Watershed: 2018-2020”. This report presents the results from monitoring of mummichog and banded killifish from 216 composite samples for three years.
Beneficial Use Guidance for Dredged Material
DOEE developed the Beneficial Use guidance, July 2024 related to potential beneficial uses for dredged material generated from waters of the District of Columbia (District or DC waters) for placement within the District focusing on District-owned, -operated, or -managed property. The guidance has been developed addressing public, stakeholder, and agencies comments on the draft document. Further, DOEE considered extensive exchange and discussion with federal agencies to seek their input in revising the document. Beneficial Use Guidance, July 2024 can be accessed following the link here.
ARSP Baseline Sampling Field Activities
DOEE’s contractor will mobilize their field team to the Anacostia River on July 8, 2024, to conduct baseline sampling in support of the remediation of Early Action Areas. The data collected during this field effort will be used to establish baseline conditions prior to the implementation of remedy next year. Field activities will begin on July 8, 2024, with the collection of surface sediment samples from the nine-tidal miles of the Anacostia River including Kingman Lake and the Washington Channel. Sampling will also extend to reference areas in the Northeast and Northwest Branches and in the Potomac River at Fletcher’s Cove. The collected sediment samples will be sent for analysis of sediment and pore water for the four primary chemicals of concern defined in the Anacostia River Sediment Project Interim ROD (polychlorinated biphenyls, chlordane, dioxin, and dioxin-like PCBs). In addition, benthic invertebrate toxicity testing, bioaccumulation and community survey data will also be collected. The surface sediment sampling is expected to continue through August 2024. Fish, surface water, and pore water samples will be collected in the fall of 2024 with the onset of lower water temperatures. The field schedule was also shared with federal agencies and stakeholders. DOEE is generating weekly progress report to provide progress on the Baseline sampling field activities. Use the link to access the weekly progress reports here.
Leadership Council for a Cleaner Anacostia River (LCCAR)
The LCCAR meets quarterly to discuss and advise on the District's Anacostia River Sediment Project (ARSP). Assembled in September 2014, the Leadership Council consists of 22 high-level local, state, and federal government officials and environmental leaders who support the Mayor's vision for a fishable and swimmable Anacostia River. To watch a recording of a meeting and/or review meeting materials please click here.
Anacostia River Sediment Project Remediation Planning Activities
DOEE and its remediation contractor are currently planning the first remedial actions to address contamination in the Anacostia River study area.
The Anacostia River Sediment Project is not the only effort to clean up legacy contamination in the Anacostia River. 15 Potential Environmental Cleanup Site (PECS) - defined as an area along the shoreline of the Anacostia River where current or historical activities included the storage, handling, use, or potential release of hazardous substances or petroleum products - have currently been identified. More sites may be identified as information becomes available.
Key Documents
Interim Record of Decision
The Interim Record of Decision (ROD) outlines the early actions that the District will be taking to clean up contaminated sediment in the Anacostia River. Read it here.
Focused Feasibility Study
The Focused Feasibility Study explored the feasibility of different options to address the issue of toxic sediment in the Anacostia River.
Read it here.
FAQ
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