Pacemaker Fishing Forum

Washington DC - September 29, 2017

We are now one step closer to a short-term solution to the ongoing river access problems at Fletcher’s Cove.

The District Government's Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) has initiated a project to complete the sediment and soil sampling of the Cove area, due to begin early 2018. Public access to the Potomac River at Fletcher’s Cove continues to be significantly impeded by the buildup of sediment, and the sampling project is a necessary prerequisite before dredging can be undertaken.

Friend’s of Fletcher’s Cove (FFC), a loosely formed advocacy group of concerned citizens, has been working tirelessly to attract attention to the challenges at the Cove, which is one of Washington, DC’s only public access sites for the Potomac, attracting over 100,000 citizens annually.  In 2015, river access was abruptly shut down due to buckling docks and unsafe conditions brought on by the severe sedimentation. This event prompted the formation of FFC.

This August, DOEE informed FFC that they had secured funding to conduct sediment and soil sampling in and around the Cove. This work will fulfill the first phase of FFC’s strategic plan, developed in consultation with the National Park Service. Tommy Wells, the DOEE Director under Mayor Muriel Bowser, was instrumental in securing the funding.   

Mike Bailey, the spokesperson for FFC, said “Mr. Wells’ determination to preserve public access to the District’s waterways, particularly at such an historic location, is the reason our project is moving forward.” FFC will continue to advocate for future funding for the next phase to dredge the Cove, while seeking a long-term sustainable solution for the Cove.

More information regarding the effort is available at friendsoffletcherscove.org.

info@friendsoffletcherscove.org.