Mayor's Decision Boosts Klingle Valley Efforts
| Mayor's Decision Boosts Klingle Valley Efforts February 2002 Months of grassroots activism produced a major victory in efforts to save Klingle Valley Park. Mayor Anthony Williams announced on Thursday, December 13, that he will support removal of the abandoned road through the park, restoring the stream valley to its natural condition, and construction of an environmentally friendly hiker-biker trail. "The decision we are making on this issue will provide more open space for our neighborhoods and more natural recreation opportunities for our residents and visitors. It will add a measure of protection to the water quality in nearby Rock Creek," the Mayor stated at his press conference. The issue will now go to the City Council. During 2001, activists from such groups as the Sierra Club and the D.C. Statehood Green Party joined forces with residents of neighborhoods both east and west of the park. Their work helped to channel the overwhelming support for permanently ending motor vehicle use of Klingle Road into political victory. The efforts were buoyed by strong support from the Washington Area Bicyclist Association, which supported the effort for improved bicycle access to Rock Creek Park. Arguments that ending the use of Klingle Valley as a motor vehicle route is necessary to protect the city's natural jewel, Rock Creek Park, received the backing of the National Park Service. Rock Creek Park superintendent Adriane Coleman appeared at the December 13 press conference to emphasize the importance of a healthy Klingle Valley in protecting the Rock Creek Park environment. At the press conference, the Mayor, representatives of the Department of Public Works (DPW), and Councilmember Jack Evans, spoke of the importance of finding real solutions to our transportation problems by funding alternatives to motor vehicle dependence, including mass transit and bicycle routes. The Mayor announced that rather than devoting taxpayer money to an expensive road project that would be little used, his administration will undertake efforts to develop effective solutions to cross-town traffic problems. Klingle Valley is a little issue with big implications. Although the abandoned road is only about one half mile long and the stream valley is one of several that drain northwest Washington into Rock Creek, restoring the valley is critical to larger environmental issues that concern all of D.C.'s residents. The Mayor, who is currently heading up the region's Chesepeake 2000 initiative, expressed the importance of tackling the problem of urban stormwater runoff in improving the health of the Chesapeake Bay. Removing the road from Klingle Valley will not only end the pollution caused directly by that portion of pavement, but will enable the steep wooded stream valley to perform its natural function as a filter for runoff from the over-paved surrounding neighborhoods. This will lead to a cleaner Rock Creek flowing into the Potomac and out to the Chesapeake. It will also have a positive impact on aquatic life in Rock Creek downstream from the Valley. Supporters of returning motor vehicles to Klingle Valley, embittered by the Mayor's decision to thwart their efforts to gain a shortcut for a few neighborhoods, have claimed that the decision was "undemocratic." Readers of the Peace Letter know that the Mayor has not always acted to promote democratic decision-making in this city, so they may wonder about this claim. But Klingle Valley is one case where the Mayor followed the democratic process and made his decision based on the will of the people. In November 2000, DPW held a public hearing attended by several hundred people followed by a written comment period. Over the following months, supporters of the Park generated hundreds of letters, postcards, emails, and telephone calls to the Mayor and Councilmembers. Thousands of D.C. residents signed petitions calling on the Mayor to save Klingle Valley. Klingle Valley Park is now a giant step closer to protection. But the democratic process is not over. The City Council intends to take up the issue, and supporters of Klingle Valley need to redouble their efforts to ensure that the decision to remove the old road and restore Klingle Valley to its natural condition is finalized. Vicki Linton is active with East of the Park for Klingle Valley and is a former coordinator of the Washington Peace Letter. Call, email, or write councilmembers and ask them to support the Mayor's decision. For information and council contact information, go to www.klinglevalley.org | ||||
