Updates

February 2, 2016 | Press Release

New Legislation Will Formalize DC Interscholastic Sports Management, Oppose Offshore Drilling - Office of Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau

“These pieces of legislation will help maintain the health of the Chesapeake Bay and improve the management of District interscholastic sports,” said Councilmember Nadeau. “As the incoming Chair of the Chesapeake Bay Local Government Advisory Committee, I want to ensure our region is doing everything it can to protect the health of the bay and the communities along its watershed. I also want to ensure that our students have access to the best quality athletics programs in our schools.”

The District of Columbia State Athletics Consolidation Act of 2016 will bring consistency and a legislative framework to the oversight of DC interscholastic athletic programs. It authorizes the District of Columbia State Athletic Association to administer all school based interscholastic athletic programs operated in the District and specifically includes all public schools, public charter schools and independent schools wishing to compete. The existing interscholastic athletics system has been in the news lately because of fiscal mismanagement and it was created outside the legislative process. This bill formalizes the role of the DCSAA to coordinate all activities. It also formalizes its board and its jurisdiction so there can be consistent oversight. The idea for this bill originally came from community members in Ward 1. The text of the bill is below.

The District of Columbia Seismic Airgun Blasting and Offshore Drilling Opposition Recognition Resolution of 2016 expresses the District’s opposition to offshore drilling activities and seismic airgun blasting, which is used during oil and gas exploration. Drilling could have serious impacts on the Chesapeake Bay watershed, which includes the District’s waterways, and coastal communities and beaches enjoyed by residents of the District. Offshore oil and gas off the Mid-Atlantic will not effectively address the long-term energy needs of the country. More drilling runs contrary to the District’s stated goal of increasing use of renewable energy to make up 50% of our energy supply by 2030. More than 100 communities along the proposed exploration area have already passed similar resolutions.

Councilmember Nadeau is the incoming Chair of the Chesapeake Bay Local Government Advisory Committee, a regional body of elected officials focused on the health and restoration of the Chesapeake Bay.

About Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau

In her many years of service to the community, Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau (D-Ward 1) has brought perspectives from a career that spans the non-profit, public and private sectors. She is committed to strengthening our schools, increasing affordable housing and promoting government transparency and the highest ethical standards. Prior to joining the Council, she was a strategic advisor to faith-based, Democratic and environmental non-profits, and is a former ANC. Follow her on Twitter @brianneknadeau or at Facebook.com/brianneknadeau.