Sierra Club Questionnaire

Anthony Williams Statement on the Environment

Destruction of habitats by urban sprawl is the greatest threat to our nation’s natural resources. Local jurisdictions around the country are beginning to recognize that we need to build livable cities where people want to live and work. The District of Columbia is the heart — or core — of this region and we must invest in making it a strong, healthy city. Everyone - city government, federal government, businesses in the District and the region, nonprofit organizations, civic leaders and advocates — must all work together, to solve the District’s problems. I believe there are three key areas that influence a family's or a business's decision to stay or move to a location — public education, public safety and overall quality of life. As Mayor, improving services in these key areas will be my highest priority so that we can stem and then halt the flow of residents out of the District.

#1. Q.1 The Sierra Club strongly supports the speedy redevelopment and environmental restoration of the South East Federal Center as a means of retaining federal jobs in the District. What would you do to promote the retention of federal jobs in the District?

The Federal government is the largest employer in the District but increasingly the percentage of jobs within the District proper is dwindling. The Federal government is far below the 60% threshold set by President Carter’s executive order. The city must work closely with the federal government to make sure that this hemorrhaging of jobs stops. The District has a responsibility to provide an environment that is attractive to federal employees: decent schools for their children, safe streets surrounding their work places, effective transportation to and from work. These services are things that we as citizens should expect from our local government. That they are delivered well, or not, is how we decide whether government works. More importantly the result of these services is how we define quality of life.

Through access to federal grants and private sector resources, the city should set a priority on preparing our young people for employment opportunities within the federal government. Partnership between the District and federal agencies could include work-study programs, mentoring and other work force development tools.

It is important to recognize that federal agencies are located in neighborhoods and should be seen as a part of the community. The employees provide a valuable resource that has been virtually untapped. I believe that sustainable solutions to neighborhood problems must be developed through a community planning process. As Mayor, I will make a commitment to involve stakeholders in major decisions. However, we must balance process with results. For too long, the District focused on endless studies that did not have genuine community input and ended with few measurable result. We will develop an action plan that will achieve both short- and long-term results. Local resources will be leveraged through participation by community groups, businesses and non-profits, Is. who will for the first time be asked to come together to support a multi-faceted approach to a major neighborhood project.

During this campaign, I am working with community and en\ environmental leaders from Anacostia neighborhoods to develop an implementation plan to restore quality of life neighborhoods adjacent to the Anacostia River This model plan will include housing, education, policing,. public works and neighborhood development. The Sierra Club’s findings and recommendation regarding the South East Federal Center could be incorporated into this plan.

Q.2 The Sierra Club and other D.C. groups support a split-rate property tax system whereby occupied residential and commercial property is taxed at a lower rate than vacant or abandoned property. Do you support this type of development tax incentive?

Yes I support this type of development tax incentive. The residents and small businesses in the District bear one of the highest tax burdens in the nation We must restructure our tax administration to be fair and equitable, but also to be enforceable. The Office of the Chief Financial Officer recommended a simplified property tax structure that can be more easily enforced, yet maintained the disincentive for abandoned or vacant properties In addition to streamlining categories, the District will need to invest in employee training and technology that will support enforcement efforts. Funding for this is available under management reform.

2. Q 2. Will you work to halt additional planning, financing and pre-construction activities for the Shaw site for the Convention Center until a full assessment of the Union Station alternative is completed?

As CFO, I served on the Convention Center board and my role was to evaluate the proposed financing structure. I did vote to approve the funding because I believe that we do need to build a convention center as part of rebuilding the economy of this city.

The city leadership made a decision to build a new convention center site at the Shaw location, prior to my arrival as CFO. A number of sites were examined and the Shaw location was approved by the Mayor and the City Council before I took office. As someone with a background in community development, I was disappointed to learn that effective community planning was not part of the site selection process. However, I believe that the economic benefit to the City outweighs concerns about the site location, especially this far into the development. I don’t plan to work to stop the financing and pre-construction in Shaw because we need to move this project to completion. However, I am always open to ideas and recommendations that will mitigate arty adverse impact of construction and operation of the Convention Center.

3. Will you support Alternative 2.5 and advocate for its adoption by the Park Service.

While I have not yet studied the details of Alternative 2.5, I support the inclusive process of neighborhood groups working with environmentalists to draft this alternative. The goals of Alternative 2.5 are certainly consistent with my own. However, it will be necessary to measure the impact of closing this commuting route upon traffic flow in surrounding areas I will work closely with all of the groups involved to make sure that an alternative that we can all live with is implemented so that we can protect this important natural resource within the District.

Q1 & 2. DO you support or oppose the proposal put forth by National Children’s Island, Inc., Island Development Corp. and Contessa Bina Sella Di Monteluce? If opposed, would you support the development of an alternative, more natural development plan that does not impose an entry fee on D.C. residents.

As CFO I actively opposed this proposal because it was not financially sound or in the best interest of the District. As a long-time member of the Sierra Club and other environmental organization 1 also understand the adverse environmental impact of projects that don't respect our natural resources The Anacostia River
runs through our city — figuratively and literally separating our people. It is one of the most polluted rivers in the United States. In this campaign, and as Mayor, I will make restoring the Anacostia and the surrounding area a top economic development priority. We should look to other cities such as Cleveland and San Antonio that addressed similar problems. In general, I support plans that protect the Anacostia’s natural habitat and to make it available to all District residents.

#5. Will you advocate for the reinstatement of recycling services and their continuation even if the budget line item appears insufficient?

The absence of the District’s recycling program is yet another example of mismanagement in the District. A broad range of residents made it clear that recycling makes both economic and environmental sense. Within the first 100 days of a Williams Administration, there will be curbside recycling throughout the District.

Good fiscal management calls for agency managers to build a budget that is based on real cost and to manage service delivery that stays within the budget parameters agreed upon by the District's leadership. The $3.12 million in the budget for recycling should be adequate to restore a basic recycling program if managed appropriately. The District should implement a recycling program immediately and evaluate its effectiveness after the first year. Based on defined performance measures, adjustments in funding should be addressed in future budget cycles.

#6.Q. Will you take a stand to fully fund the tree planing/maintenance program?

This program, as with others, must be examined in the context of the overall budget. That said, I believe a tree planting and maintenance program is a relatively inexpensive service that enhances the beauty and livability of this city. It is my intention to fund the program, either through the District budget, private sponsorship or a combination of both.

#7 Ql. Would you advocate for the following measures as a means to increase Metro ridership and improve service (a) reversal of 1997 Metrobus service cutbacks (particularly in Anacostia); (b) extension of Metrorail service hours; and (c) improvement of the fair discount program?

As Mayor, I will advocate for improved public transportation and support policies designed to connect District residents with jobs in the region. Public transportation, specifically access to buses, is documented as the number one concern of residents Ward 8. Access to affordable and convenient public transportation fosters both environmental and economic benefits for the District I will ensure that DC residents have access to educational programs that prepare them for job opportunities and I will work with the Metropolitan Area Transit Authority to assure easy access to high employment areas.

I support the reversal of the 1997 Metro cutbacks in Anacostia because it is compatible with my plans to restore quality of life in neighborhoods adjacent to the river. I will call upon Metro to commission a cost benefit analysis of the fare structure to determine a fare rate that yields the highest and best use of Metro. I will also advocate for increased services for Metrorail in high demand areas.

#7.Q.2 Will you advocate for improved bicycle access in the District. including bike-friendly road and metro policies, as well as increased funding for the development and maintenance of hike trails in the city?

As an avid bicyclist, who often used dedicated bike lanes to commute to and from work when I was living in St. Louis. I fully understand the benefits of safe path for cyclists Of course I will advocate a more bike-friendly city. However, the city faces a huge, multi-billion dollar capital investment deficit caused by years of neglect and deferred maintenance on our roads buildings sewers and other components of infrastructure. It will be necessary to set priorities as we reinvest in our city. I do however support funding for routine maintenance and believe that taking good care of our bike paths is a wise use of limited resources.

8. Describe what you have done to improve the quality of the natural environment in the District of Columbia.

I have spent the majority of my professional life striving to make urban governments work for people because I believe that safe healthy and well-run cities are the best defense against the continuing destruction of our natural resources. Since coming to the District I have focused on restoring financial stability to government both in the District and as the CFO of the US Department of Agriculture so that we
can make rational sound decisions about how to use our financial resources to protect our natural resources.

On a personal note I would like to add that I have been a committed activist since childhood. From my dad I learned a great love of our wilderness and rivers. As an adult I have canoed on most of the major and many smaller rivers in North America. I am a long time member of the Sierra a Club, the Audubon Society and other environmental groups.