(Washington, DC) DPR Director Neil O. Albert has implemented sustainable practices and initiatives aimed at improving the environment.

During this year, according to Albert, the department will increase its efforts to become an environmentally conscious agency. Bolstered by the director’s greenspace programs, the department has set three goals, all with major item deliverables.

Goal One: Use sustainable practices in agency capital improvement program.
Target items listed under Goal One include:
1. Developing and publishing sustainable design guidelines for all renovations and new constructions by June 2004;
2. Requiring that all new construction meet the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver rating standard;
3. Requiring 50 percent of all demolition debris be recycled;
4. Training landscape maintenance personnel in Integrated Pest Management practices.

Goal Two: Implement initiatives aimed at reducing global warming.
Target items listed under Goal Two include:
1. Retrofiting existing busses to use low sulfur diesel, and requiring all new purchases to use clean fuel;
2. Requiring that 75 percent of all replacements of light bulbs be compact fluorescent bulbs;
3. Providing staff with transit benefits to reduce number of staff using vehicles to commute to work;
4. Expanding recycling program to 50 percent of recreational facilities.

Goal Three: Develop new parkland and improve existing parkland.
Target items listed under Goal Three include:
1. Completing habitat restoration and recreational designs for Kingman Island;
2. Choosing joint development partner for nature center and management of Kingman Island;
3. Implementing Watts Branch Park master plan and first phase of capital improvements;
4. Developing stream restoration designs for Pope Branch Park;
5. Completing design of new Canal Park.