STORIES OF PROGRESS IN ACHIEVING HEALTHY WATERS

,3/ EPA Region 3 Water Protection Division

Virginia

Washington, D.C.

ATA GLANCE

EPA Clean Water Act Section 319 funds help
to finance a large-scale urban farm in the
District of Columbia.

Project contributes to storm water
managementand quality of life for the
community.

Urban Farm Harvests Community,

Environmental Bounty

Washington, D.C. • October 1, 2015

An urban farm with community and environmental
benefits is sprouting in an underserved area of the
nation's capital.

An alliance of government, community, business and
academic partners is creating the East Capitol Urban Farm
- a three-acre site near the Capitol Heights Metro Station
in the District of Columbia's Ward 7. The farm will include
community garden space, a farmer's market, public art,
nature discovery space for children, a portable aquaponics
system for raising fish, pollinator gardens, interpretive
trails, rain gardens and other environmental touches.

The city's largest-scale urban farm is designed to be a
model for community revitalization, stormwater
management, and access to fresh produce and fish. EPA
was the first of several federal agency partners to contribute
to the project as part of the Urban Waters Federal
Partnership.

Hundreds of volunteers, including EPA's Jeff Corbin, Senior
Advisor for the Chesapeake Bay and the Anacostia River,
spent a recent Saturday helping to build the site and cut a
ribbon for the unique project.

In addition to the federal support, partners in the project
include the District of Columbia Building Industry Association,

the University of the District of Columbia, the District of Columbia Housing Authority, Several D.C.
government agencies, community organizations, businesses and the Metropolitan Memorial United
Methodist Church.

EPA provided $60,000 in Clean Water Act Section 319 funds to create the green infrastructure features
at the primary entry to the farm, including about 2,200 square feet of plantings, 1,650 square feet of
porous brick pavers, and educational signage explaining the importance of stormwater management
and how concepts at the site can be adapted for private yards and other locations.

In a press release, EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy said, "This unique project exemplifies the very
best of the Urban Waters Federal Partnership and how government is working with communities to help
address their priorities - whether it's job development, more green space or improving public health.
By working collectively, local, state and federal partnerships can help communities transform
abandoned or underused urban spaces into community assets like the East Capitol Urban Farm."

For additional information contact:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency	Catherine King, king.catherine@epa.gov

EPA Region 3 Water Protection Division	EPA WPD Office of State and Watershed Partnerships

Philadelphia, PA

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