It is a happy holiday for the critters living in the two branches, or at least for those still left. The County Departments of Environmental Quality and Permitting Services have acted following complaints about illegal discharges.
1) The toilets in a downtown Bethesda office building which have been flushing directly into the Willett Branch of Little Falls Creek for years have been rerouted to the proper sewer line. After requiring that further testing be done, the offending party finally assumed responsibility for the corrective action necessary.
2) Our Little Falls Branch, which runs behind 4701 Willard, has been the color of cafe au lait following the recent rainstorm, another repeat performance following the last storms. The source of the silt is the Chevy Chase Golf Club. County Departments are working to correct this problem.
On another environmental health matter, testing for salt levels in the Branches will begin this weekend. Melt water containing high levels of salt placed on sidewalks and streets in the Village and surrounding neighborhoods runs directly into the Creek. Building managers in Friendship Heights have been asked to use less salt and to sweep up piles of remaining salt after a storm or icy weather. The Village of Friendship Heights has also asked its contractor to reduce levels of applied salt and to clean up excess afterwards, too.
And if you haven’t walked through Willard Avenue Neighborhood Park to notice the difference that cleaning out non-native, invasive species of plants can make, please take a look.
Bobby Pestronk
Chairman, Village of Friendship Heights Council
Friends of Willard Avenue Park 