Public Meeting and Comments on Washington Navy Yard Environmental Plan

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, July 9, 2026

The Department of the Navy, EPA, and D.C. Department of Energy and Environment are requesting public feedback on a plan to remediate contaminated sediment containing PCBs, PAHs, and lead in the Anacostia River near the Washington Navy Yard. The plan proposes using an activated carbon-enhanced sand cap to reduce toxin exposure, followed by long-term monitoring, with public comments accepted through August 13, 2026, before a final decision is made.

The Department of the Navy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) are seeking public input on a proposed environmental remediation plan for Operable Unit 2 (OU2) at the Washington Navy Yard (WNY) in Washington, D.C. The plan addresses contamination found in sediment located in the Anacostia River adjacent to and downstream from the Navy Yard.

The affected area covers approximately 15.6 acres of river sediment, which contains elevated levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and lead. These contaminants originate both from historical Navy-related industrial activities at the site and from various sources throughout the river’s watershed. The PCBs, in particular, pose potential health risks to individuals who consume fish from the river, while the PAHs and lead present ecological risks to benthic and nearby organisms.

To mitigate these risks, the Navy has proposed an enhanced natural recovery remediation strategy, which involves placing a thin-layer sand cap amended with activated carbon on sediment areas exhibiting the highest concentrations of contaminants. This capping is designed to isolate and reduce the bioavailability of harmful substances. Following the cap installation, long-term performance monitoring will be conducted within an adaptive management framework to evaluate the effectiveness of the remedial action and determine whether further interventions are required under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).

A public meeting is scheduled for Thursday, July 23, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at the Earth Conservation Corps’ Monique Johnson Anacostia River Center in Diamond Teague Park, located at 1520 First Street SE, Washington, D.C. This session will provide an overview of the project, findings from the investigation, details of the remedial alternatives considered, and the preferred course of action. Officials from the Navy, EPA, and DOEE will be available to answer questions and receive public comments.

The public comment period opened on July 13, 2026, and will remain open until August 13, 2026. After this period, the agencies will finalize their decision on the remedial plan based on the input received. Relevant documents, including the Proposed Plan and supporting environmental reports, are available for review at the D.C. Public Library, Washington Navy Yard, and Southwest Branch Library locations, as well as online.

Individuals seeking additional information or requiring assistance to participate can contact Ms. Regina Adams at the Navy’s public affairs office. Written comments may be submitted via email to navfac_wash_publicaffairsoffice@us.navy.mil by the close of the comment period. The EPA and DOEE have also designated points of contact for inquiries related to the project.

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