Office of Property Management
Committee Hearing on Stormwater Management, Pollution and the Restoration of the District River
Testimony of Lars Etzkorn, Director, Office of Property Management
Adrian M. Fenty, Mayor
COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND THE ENVIRONMENT, GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Councilmember Jim Graham, Chairperson
Friday, July, 13, 2007
Council Chambers
John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW – Room 412
Washington, DC 20004
10 am
Good morning, Chairperson Graham and members of the Committee on Public Works and the Environment. I am Spencer Davis, Acting Administrator of the Facilities Management Division for the Office of Property Management (OPM). I am pleased to present testimony on behalf of Lars Etzkorn, Director of the Office of Property Management, who regrets being unable to be here himself.
OPM is responsible for property acquisition and disposal, capital projects, portfolio management and facility operations and maintenance for six million square feet of office space, three million owned, three million leased, which house approximately 20,000 District employees.
In support of these responsibilities, OPM has integrated a new program to focus on sustainable design and the environmental performance and economic returns of buildings, as envisioned by DC Act 16-590, the “Green Building Act of 2006,” approved by District Council last December. OPM Green Program centers attention on the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED™) standards; Mayor Fenty’s 100 Days and Beyond plan; greenroof technology, smart landscaping and restoring green spaces. We are particularly proud of a number of sustainable practices already in place, which promote energy conservation measures, waste prevention and recycling.
Stormwater Management
OPM recognizes the significant impact roads, buildings, parking structures and other impervious surfaces have on the natural hydrological or rainfall absorption cycle. It is our goal to take advantage of innovative stormwater management controls to reduce water runoff and improve water quality in support of our rivers.
My purpose here today is to lend my voice and join other District agencies working to advance the District’s environmental agenda; and more specifically to bring back a fishable and swimmable Anacostia River.
Construction Standards
OPM follows DC and International Building Codes; guidelines set forth by DC Stormwater Management Regulation, 21 DCMR §§ 526-535; the requirements of DC Law 5-188, The Water Pollution Control Act of 1984, as amended; the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) document EPA 832/R-92-005, Stormwater Management for Construction Activities, Chapter 3 and other applicable construction standards to help preserve our rivers.
OPM looks at proven best practices to address volume, water quality and flow rate in order to minimize unsuitable stormwater management practices at our project sites. Stabilization plans that effectively control soil erosion and sedimentation, are good examples of best practices that help minimize runoff and negative impact on water and air quality. By using straw mulch, seed, manufactured erosion products or a combination of the above, OPM helps reduce erosion, pollution and stormwater discharge.
LEED is the green buildings rating system developed by the US Green Building Council (USGBC) to provide a standard method to rate sustainable buildings for design and construction practices. LEED promotes five key components for human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality. LEED provides a road map for measuring and documenting “green” and environmentally responsible practices; objectives also delineated by the DC Green Building Act of 2006, and currently implemented by OPM.
OPM is constructing new buildings for the Departments of Employment Services and Transportation, in northeast and southeast respectively. And the new leased building, under construction, that will serve as the headquarters for the Chief Financial Officer and Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs in southwest at LEED Silver level.
The new juvenile facility at Oak Hill and the Consolidated Laboratory at 4th and School Streets, SW, will also be LEED Silver buildings.
Greenroofs
Another opportunity seized by OPM is the introduction of greenroofs that help reduce the size of impervious surfaces, reduce the urban heat island effect, and most importantly, reduce stormwater runoff.
The District receives approximately 35 inches of rainfall annually and greenroofs are ideal application of Low Impact Development (LID) because of their positive affect on impervious surfaces. Studies available through the Green Roof for Health Cities, North America Inc., non-profit industry association dedicated to developing the green roof technology, show that integrating an extensive greenroof can reduce total run-off by 60% and detain 85% of the first flush in a rainfall event for several hours before its release into the stormwater system. Greenroofs help filter rain water, shield against acid rain and remove nitrate pollution.
This week, OPM completed the design schematics for two demonstrations projects at OPM managed sites; one at the Frank Reeves Center and another for One Judiciary Square. We are now in the contracting phase.
The greenroof planned for the Reeves Center is approximately 4,000 sq ft. A modular system is planned with 3.5 inches of engineered soil and sedums. The planters will include sedums and low maintenance grasses as well as flowering perennials. Installation at the Reeves Center is scheduled to commence by the end of this month.
The One Judiciary Square greenroof will cover approximately 8,000 sq ft of impervious surface. A shallow 2 inch engineered soil planting medium will incorporate approximately 10 varieties of sedums selected for their performance and visual interest. Installation should be completed by the end of October.
The new Ward 1 Senior Wellness Center scheduled to open in the spring of 2009 will also include an accessible 2,000 sq. ft. greenroof.
OPM is also identifying funds for a 12,000 sq ft. greenroof at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) headquarters located at 95 M Street, SW.
Facilities that include greenroofs as part of their design and construction could potentially receive up to 13 project points under the LEED rating system for (1) restoring green space that previously consumed the building’s footprint and promoting biodiversity; (2) significantly reducing stormwater discharge and their ability to remove contaminants and other pollutants; (3) helping reduce rooftop temperatures; (4) by introducing drought-resistant plants that require minimum irrigation or by capturing rain water or reusing the buildings gray water for irrigation; and (5) by reducing energy demand by more than 50 percent and reducing cooling cost.
Tree Canopy Initiative
In recent weeks, OPM joined efforts by the District Department of the Environment (DDOE), the DC Department of Transportation’s (DDOT) Urban Forestry Division, the Casey Trees Foundation and others to restore the District’s tree canopy. The first step is to conduct a canopy assessment and develop a comprehensive tree management program for OPM managed properties.
Integrated Pest and Nutrient Management
OPM, working with the DDOE, has adopted integrated pest and nutrient management practices to provide safer pest abatement and fertilizer application methods. This reduces the potential health and environmental risk associated with their use in or around District government-owned buildings.
Waste Prevention and Recycling
OPM is steadily expanding recycling throughout District buildings. Building on the successful 63% recycling rate generated by the Multi-ports and Mini-bins program here at the Wilson Building, OPM has expanded this program at the Reeves, Judiciary Square and Daly buildings. OPM is launching a pilot recycling program with the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR). DPR selected one recreation center per ward for this pilot. These centers are:
1. Columbia Heights Recreation Center – WARD 1
1480 Girard Street, NW – Washington, DC 20009
2. Kennedy Recreation Center – WARD 2
1401 7th Street, NW – Washington, DC 20001
3. Chevy Chase Community Center & Preschool/Cooperative Play – WARD 3
5601 Connecticut Avenue, NW – Washington, DC 20015
4. Lamond Recreation Center – WARD 4
20 Tuckerman Street, NW – Washington, DC 20011
5. Trinidad Recreation Center – WARD 5
1380 Childress Street, NE – Washington, DC 20002
6. Sherwood Recreation Center – WARD 6
640 10th Street, NE – Washington, DC 20002
7. Hillcrest Recreation Center – WARD 7
3100 Denver Street, SE – Washington, DC 20020
8. Bald Eagle Recreation Center – WARD 8
100 Joliet Street, SW – Washington, DC 20032
DPR is now selecting 24 new sites to conduct needs assessments to expand this program.
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
By making multiple energy sellers compete for the District’s business via a “reverse auction,” OPM, working with the Office of Contracting and Procurement (OCP), reduced the estimated cost of electricity by $30 million by securing a below market price over the next three years. A similar auction is now underway for natural gas with anticipated savings of approximately $5.6 million in fiscal year 2007.
OPM is implementing key energy components of Mayor Fenty’s 100 Days and Beyond plan. OPM is conducting energy audits or surveys to identify how energy is currently being used, how much energy costs, what energy is being used for and how to identify opportunities to reduce consumption and/or cost. The goal is to replace or retrofit equipment, to conserve energy and support other environmental initiatives.
An energy audit generates a list of Energy Conservation Measures (ECM) designed to improve the energy efficiency of the building’s infrastructure. Related work includes evaluating the performance of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, identifying cost-effective, energy-saving measures, seeking opportunities to conserve water and preparing energy conservation action plans. ECMs will be considered when a net overall energy usage or cost reduction can be demonstrated and verified. OPM energy projects will meet the North-American Energy Measurement and Verification Protocol (NEMVP), published by the Department of Energy’s Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP).
The ECM pilot projects are being pursued at the Henry Daly building, the Frank D. Reeves Center, and MPD 4th District headquarters. These buildings were selected because of their high usage and potential for energy savings based on an engineering evaluation.
OPM has already implemented a number of energy conservations measures at District facilities worth mentioning, including automatic motion-detectors to lower or turn off lights, energy efficient equipment and appliances, water-efficient or low-flow water fixtures, and battery operated irrigation systems. Our facilities operations and maintenance staff also monitors and repairs water leaks. Additionally, OPM has added Susan Riley-Laudadio, here with me today, as the agency Green Program Manager to oversee OPM’s environmental initiatives.
OPM is also exploring commercial solar solutions and is identifying candidate buildings for technical and financial viability study on sites that meet the requirements of having flat roofs with minimal obstructions and at least 20,000 sq. ft.
In closing, I want to emphasize OPM’s commitment to expanding operating strategies for maintaining sustainability and providing a healthy environment. OPM recognizes the impact our day-to-day operations have on our community and the environment and we want to make our contribution count.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify. I look forward to your oversight and support, Chairperson Graham. I am pleased to answer your questions.