Tell the DC Council: include binding sustainability standards for RFK

Stadium or not: include binding sustainability standards for RFK

Dear Councilmembers, Please include legally binding sustainability standards as part of the redevelopment of the RFK site. This development will impact DC, so we should not lock in environmental and other harms for decades to come. These environmental standards must include the following items: Water Quality: Protect the Anacostia river from stormwater runoff and pollution. - All stormwater runoff must be managed on site implementing best practices for low-impact development. - Anacostia River water quality should be protected from runoff contamination through construction of natural buffers along the river banks of no less than 60 feet from the water’s edge at high tide. - Permeable pavement should be used whenever pavement is necessary, and impervious surfaces in the flood plain should be removed. - Any use of toxic materials at the site (e.g. pesticides, petroleum-based chemicals) should minimize soil or natural environment contamination. - Water fixtures and faucets should be highly efficient. Wildlife & Habitat: Protect natural areas. - The buffer along the river must be planted and maintained with indigenous plants suitable for local wildlife habitat. - The natural areas along the river’s edge must be maintained as habitat for wildlife consistent with the District’s Wildlife Action Plan. - Kingman Island must be integrated into the Anacostia riparian zone such that habitat on the islands and along the river’s edge is continuous. Energy: RFK should be a model of green infrastructure that is fully aligned with DC’s clean energy commitments. - Any legislation for the redevelopment of the RFK site should require that all buildings on the site are energy efficient, maximize renewable energy generation, and burn no fossil fuels for heat, power, or any other purpose. - Buildings on the RFK site should deploy geothermal, waste heat, and sewage heat pumps to the maximum extent feasible. All other heating needs should be met with air-source heat pumps. Fossil fuel and combustion heat and power systems should be prohibited by law. - The site should generate its own electricity with solar energy to the maximum extent possible, and otherwise rely on electricity from the local grid, which is moving toward 100% renewable sources. Transportation: Limit parking and prioritize safe, equitable transit, cycling, and pedestrian access. - On-site parking should be minimal. Instead, investments must ensure that Metrorail can fully serve the site and is equipped to move the majority of attendees traveling to and from events—potentially by adding a new Metro station. - Tax and fee revenue from paid parking on the site should be collected at all times and directed toward funding improvements to transit, cycling, and pedestrian infrastructure within and around the site. - All parking must, at a minimum, meet the requirements of the new EV charging law. Waste: RFK should be a model of zero waste practices aligned with District zero waste plans. - Cut plastic pollution by requiring drinks be sold in reusable cups, allowing refillable water bottles onsite and providing water bottle refill stations. - Minimize food waste through a food recovery and composting program. Flood Control: Protect residents, businesses and downstream areas from flooding. - There should be no development of residential or commercial structures within the 100-year floodplain. - Any structures built within the floodplain should not impede the movement of floodwaters in the floodplain. - The floodplain should be preserved to manage extreme storm events on the river and help prevent flooding downstream.