STORIES OF PROGRESS IN ACHIEVING HEALTHY WATERS
RAIN GARDEN ACTIVITY BLOOMING IN D.C.
Washington, D.C., March 12, 2015

•	Rain gardens soaking up stormwater in the
District of Columbia

•	Gardens helping to prevent flooding, sewer
overflows

•	Expansion planned after success of initial EPA-
funded gardens

Success/Progress Story: Rain gardens in downtown D.C. spark interest in additional green infrastructure.

General Information;

The non-profit organization that brought four EPA-funded rain
gardens to a bustling downtown neighborhood in the District
of Columbia has plans for more.

Building on the momentum of the gardens at the corner of 19th
and L streets, N.W., the Golden Triangle Business Improvement
District (BID) is developing plans to extend them north and
south along 19th Street, from Kto M streets - two full city blocks.

The expansion was prompted by "a lot of positive feedback and
support for the rain gardens we put in," says David Suls, the BID's
Director of Planning and Economic Development.

Specifics:

Last year, EPA participated in a ribbon cutting event for the four
rain gardens, each 10' x 57', which capture stormwater and help
prevent flooding. EPA Mid-Atlantic Water Protection Division Director Jon Capacasa, who spoke at the event,
said, "As we turn main streets into green streets, we're controlling urban runoff pollution and making a visible
difference in the community."

The planted depressions mimic nature, allowing heavy rain to slowly absorb rather than rush into storm drains
where it can overwhelm the combined sewer system and cause polluted discharges to local waters. The
gardens help to reduce the amount of water flowing into the sewer system in an area subject to sewer
overflows. They also complement the green infrastructure program featured in the District's innovative
municipal stormwater permit.

EPA provided $100,000 in Clean Water Act Section 319 funds and $85,000 in Chesapeake Bay Implementation
Grant funds through the District of Columbia Department of the Environment for the project. The funds were
matched by $15,000 from the BID.

The rain gardens, with drought-resistant plants that attract butterflies, birds and bees, were recognized as a
Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Foundation. They'll get extra attention on April 22 when the
BID holds its Earth Day 2015 Demo Fair at the busy corner.

For the expansion, the BID received funding for preliminary plans from the Metropolitan Washington Council of
Governments. The BID has approached District of Columbia agencies for funding for final plans and
construction.

Catherine King, 215-814-2657
EPA WPD Office of State and Watershed Partnerships

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