New D.C. Bill Would Boost Upkeep of the City's Forested Areas

Image via The Washington Post

From The Washington Post:

A new bill from D.C. Council member Janeese Lewis George (D-Ward 4) aims to shore up how the District maintains its forested areas by creating an office to manage invasive species that threaten native plants and make potential recreation space inaccessible to residents.

While the federal government owns and operates 90 percent of parkland in D.C., the District owns some 500 acres of forested natural areas, according to Lewis George’s office. The city’s Departments of General Services and Transportation, among others, have roles in the upkeep of the city’s green spaces and wooded land, but their efforts are largely focused on managing trees and landscaping services — meanwhile some areas have become overrun with invasive species or turned into dumping grounds. Some of the forested areas maintained by the National Park Service have faced similar complaints.

Community groups have tried to fill the gaps through grass-roots cleanups and similar efforts, but Lewis George’s bill seeks to formalize the city government’s responsibility. Her legislation, introduced Thursday with 10 co-sponsors, would create the “Office of Natural Area Conservation” within the Department of Energy and Environment to handle trash and invasive species on city-owned forest land, promote native plants and explore ways to open up inaccessible areas through trails and signage.