Breakfast links: NPS might keep Beach Drive car-free, but only in the summers
Beach Drive car-free by BeyondDC licensed under Creative Commons.
Beach Drive could stay car-free in the summers
The National Park Service received thousands of public comments regarding the controversial decision of whether to close parts of Beach Drive to cars permanently. Their new proposed compromise is to close it to cars every summer and on holidays, but open it to cars for the rest of the year. Before the pandemic, the closed stretch would see 5,000 to 8,000 cars a day. (Luz Lazo / Post. Tip: Chester B.)
McDuffie proposes amendment to DC’s Clean Hands law
A bill from Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie would amend the city’s “Clean Hands” law so residents could get a driver’s license even if they are in debt to the government, commonly due to unpaid traffic fines and fees. The bill (up for a final vote today) was introduced to help reduce racial inequity as Black residents are disproportionately impacted by fines and fees, McDuffie said. Though the DC Council is generally in favor of the bill, some members are calling for other ways to address traffic safety in the absence of this enforcement tool. (Amanda Michelle Gomez / DCist)
Metro seeks solutions to its $350 million budget gap
WMATA’s board members and new Metro General Manager Randy Clarke are meeting at the end of the summer this year to address an operating budget gap of over $350 million. The pandemic changed commuting patterns, lowering fare revenue. The agency may have to consider service cuts, fare increases, and layoffs if they can’t find internal savings or if federal or local transit funding doesn’t increase. (DCist. Tip: Chester B.)
Mail-in voting may delay Maryland’s primary results
Results for some races in Maryland’s July 19 primary may not be available for several days after the election. Maryland rules state that mail-in ballots can’t be counted until the Thursday after the election. An emergency order previously allowed mail-in ballot-counting before election day, but that has expired. (Steve Thompson / Post)
Whether to continue the Taylor Run stream restoration sparks controversy
After tests found that phosphorous pollution was negligible in Taylor Run, the Alexandria City Council paused a stream restoration project last year funded on the basis of presumed significant pollution. Many local environmentalists want the project permanently canceled, arguing the project is unnecessary and will destroy the natural features of the stream and its habitats. (Kassidy McDonald / Alexandria Times)
Maryland awards grants for Chesapeake Bay restoration
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources will fund 22 grants to improve water quality and habitat in the Chesapeake Bay. 77 unique sites in the bay will be restored by riparian buffer and reforestation plantings, stream restoration, storm water management, and wetland creation. (Yasmine Cowan / WJLA)
Have a tip for the links? Submit it here.