Watershed Protection Division

Mission

The Watershed Protection Division's mission is to conserve the soil and water resources of the District of Columbia and to protect its watersheds from nonpoint source pollution.

The Watershed Protection Division's works with several regional organizations such as the USEPA Chesapeake Bay Program,
the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB), the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) to address shared environmental concerns.

Program Description

The Watershed Protection Division (WPD) protects and restores the environmental health of our watersheds in several ways. The Division has developed and enacted storm water management and sediment and erosion control regulations for construction sites. In addition, it has developed an extensive Environmental Education Program, using nationally accredited curricula, to educate District teachers, students, and residents in the benefits of environmental stewardship. The WPD also assesses the health of watersheds and habitats and sponsors activities that re-create wetlands or restore stream buffers with trees. The following Branch Offices work together to protect our watersheds from soil erosion and nonpoint source pollution.

Sediment and Storm Water Technical Services Branch

• Reviews construction and grading plans for storm water management, erosion and sediment control, and flood plain management.

Inspection and Enforcement Branch

• Inspects construction sites for compliance with the District of Columbia sediment control and storm water management laws and regulations.
• Inspects Best Management Practices (BMPs) to ensure they are adequately maintained.
• Investigates citizen complaints relating to soil erosion and drainage problems and recommends appropriate solutions.

Nonpoint Source Management Branch

• Encourages pollution prevention by carrying out information and education campaigns and increasing involvement in cleanup efforts in the Anacostia River, neighborhood watersheds, and the Chesapeake Bay.
• Sponsors activities that protect and restore river, stream, and wetland habitats in DC, increase the DC and Chesapeake Bay watershed's ecological diversity, and protect the health, welfare, and safety of our residents.
• Sponsors teacher training workshops in environmental education using nationally accredited environmental curriculums, that provide teachers with continuing education credits, and provide students with meaningful environmental experiences through the Anacostia River Environmental Fair and other outdoor experiences.