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.
View Anacostia River Sediment Project document library here.
Cover photo © Krista Schlyer - learn more about her Anacostia River photo series.
SEDIMENT PROJECT LATEST NEWS
Basis of Design Report (30 Percent Design Phase)
Based on existing data and new data from the Pre-Design Investigation, the Anacostia River Sediment Project (ARSP) 30% Basis of Design Report (BODR) provides a conceptual design and design criteria for clean-up of the early action areas (EAAs) identified in DOEE’s 2020 Interim Record of Decision (IROD). The BODR was open for public comment from November 1, 2023 through January 16, 2024. DOEE compiled its response to BODR public comments in a response to comment (RTC) matrix that can be found here. Stakeholders are invited to review and comment on the BODR RTC matrix. Public comments can be emailed to anacostiariversedimentproject@dc.gov and must be received by March 22, 2024.
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
The Beneficial Use guidance public comments period closed on June 16, 2022. DOEE received 48 public comments from EPA, NPS and number of stakeholders. The comments are posted on the web site and can be accessed here.
Both EPA and NPS had reservations about using dredged sediments for beneficial use. However, the stakeholders were positive in their responses thanking DOEE for being forward thinking and revolutionary for beneficially and safely reusing the dredged materials. Further, they believe DOEE’s Beneficial Use of materials will set a precedence and a model for river restoration. The comments were reviewed and draft response to comments have been prepared and sent to reviewers. After providing an opportunity to review response to comments, DOEE will arrange for the Federal Partners Meeting to hash out reviewers concerns to narrow our differences and seek solution towards agreement to use dredged material for beneficial use.
ARSP Pre-design Investigation (PDI) Field Activities
DOEE contractor mobilized their field team to the site on August 15, 2022, for performing PDI field activities. Field activities started with collecting surface sediment samples from EAA located adjacent to Fort Dupont and moved to Kingman Lake area covering each early action area for refining the remedial footprint and collect engineering parameters to support remedial design. The collected sediment samples were sent to the analytical laboratory for PCB congener analysis. The field approach prioritizes the collection of the initial samples first to expedite decision-making on whether to step in or out in the delineations. The delineation will be completed for all the EAAs. Weekly field report is being generated and posted on the DOEE web site. The field schedule was also shared with federal agencies and stakeholders.
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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