Dalecarlia Reservoir Resident Action Case Study

Initiated: Mid June
Author: John Nelson (jnelson at communitywebinc dot com)
Last updated: September 13, 2004

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First week of June: John Nelson contacted by neighborhood resident who read of Corps plans in Northwest Current. Click for article (available shortly).
June 15th Broadcasted to neighborhood using Community Web mail to see if anyone had received a letter informing him or her of public commentary meeting, last month.
June 16th No one had received a letter of the 70% of neighborhood on Community Web broadcast system. One neighbor had received the Washington Aqueduct report and forwarded it the next day.
June 17th Called WA to request electronic version or link and to get more information.
-Spoke with Thomas Jacobus about project and working together, provided link to report on website. Wanted access to yards overlooking possible landfill site to take photo.
-Broadcasted links to neighborhood, got several responses from people with environmental experience; some messages very sobering.
-Scheduled meeting with association officers for early July to discuss materials and plan next steps.
July sixth meeting---Landfill steering committee formed and met--Click for minutes
July 22 Steering committe meets and develops action plans for political, legal, community outreach, publicity, and fund raising. Click for minutes.
August 20 story logged on News 4 website http://www.nbc4.com/houseandhome/3670432/detail.html
August 23 Due to the efforts of a neighbor with media contacts, channel 4 runs a story on the proposed plans. John Nelson and Liz Adams of the WCA appear in spot, along with neighbors from other areas. Click here (available shortly)
August 25 Article appears in Current, linking issue of ongoing search for and remediation of WWI arsenic issues. Click here.
September 7 Washington Aqueduct holds meeting to explain residuals treatment options. About 300 people show up, overwhelming the facility and resulting in difficult communications and upset residents. Nevertheless, it is the first step in developing a public process. The WA decides to hold another meeting in late September to take other alternatives and address concerns.