UPPER MARLBORO, Md. -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Baltimore District, and Prince George’s County Department of the Environment (DoE) have signed a Design Agreement that allows for the next steps in restoring the Anacostia Watershed in the county, which has suffered from years of environmental neglect.
“The Prince George’s County DoE is excited to partner with USACE on one of the largest stream restoration and habitat improvement projects for the county,” said Jeff DeHan, Prince George’s County DoE Stormwater Management Division associate director. “The project will deliver substantial benefits to impervious area treatments, improve water quality, and promote community uplift while restoring and beautifying the Anacostia River.”
The Anacostia Watershed Restoration project is a partnership between USACE and Prince George’s County DoE that focuses on restoring and improving the watershed to include restoring 7 miles of instream habitat, opening 4 miles for fish passage and connecting 14 miles of stream to previously restored stream reaches.
"We're proud to have a strong partnership with Prince George's County DoE, as we work together to move forward this important restoration effort," said Baltimore District Commander Col. Estee Pinchasin. "As one of the most urbanized watersheds within the Chesapeake Bay, this design agreement brings us one step closer to ensuring substantial environmental improvements are made for our habitat and communities."
A cost-sharing agreement with Prince George’s County DoE was signed Jan. 13, 2014, resulting in a Chief’s Report outlining project recommendations in December 2018. Baltimore District is slated to receive $30 million in the proposed fiscal 2022 President’s Budget to design and construct this project.
The recently signed Design Agreement formally allows the team to begin the complex pre-construction engineering and design phase (PED) of this project. The PED phase is the last major step before construction.
“We’re excited to start the PED now that the design agreement has been signed,” said Justin Callahan, Baltimore District Civil Works program manager. “During this time, we will work collectively toward a reliable and effective construction plan to restore and improve the Anacostia River watershed while leveraging existing community partnerships to reach the needs of the surrounding local communities within the Washington metropolitan region.”
Human development and alteration in the watershed have led to severe stream habitat damage, including excess sediment and erosion; physical blockages for fish movement; poor water quality; and loss of wetlands and forests along the Anacostia River and its tributaries.
The pre-construction engineering and design phase will begin right away. Construction is scheduled to begin in fall 2022.
For more information on Anacostia Watershed Restoration projects, please visit our website at: https://www.nab.usace.army.mil/Missions/Environmental/Anacostia-Watershed-Restoration/