The following testimony was presented on June 13, 2025, by Andrew Schichtel, Chief Operating Officer (Casey Trees), to the DC Council’s Committee on Transportation & the Environment (Chair – Councilmember Charles Allen). This testimony was part of the 2025 public hearings focused on performance oversight and fiscal year budget planning, specifically addressing the budget oversight of the District Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE).
“Good morning, and thank you, Chairperson Allen, for your commitment to environmentalism in Washington, DC. We appreciate your interest in our programs and their efficacy in the District. My name is Andrew Schichtel. I’m the Chief Operating Officer at Casey Trees, and a resident of Historic Anacostia in Ward 8.
Washington, DC is known for its vibrant parks, lush tree canopy, and commitment to sustainability—qualities that make our city healthy and resilient. This placement and position of our city as a green oasis happened because the District has been proactive and consistent with our investments in environmental priorities – assets that now make DC an exceptional place to live, do business, and visit. Yet, the proposed budget threatens to undermine decades of progress by making dramatic cuts to the very programs that protect our environment, support public health, ensure green jobs and build climate resilience.
It is often said that one’s pocketbook reflects one’s values. In this case, the District’s budget reflects our collective values and priorities. It is widely known that communities of color and communities with lower socioeconomic means bear the brunt of climate impacts. In Washington, DC, those are our communities east of the river and on the eastern side of the city. The residents of DC have been clear for decades that we prioritize environmental programs city-wide and particularly for our communities most at risk.
However, with this budget, it seems we are no longer prioritizing green investments and healthy communities. The Department of Energy and Environment is facing a 24% budget reduction, compounded by the fact that many federal funds will be left unspent because there is no local commitment of funds to match. This means many DOEE programs are set to be abandoned or severely underfunded. These programs are critical to our communities, particularly those disproportionately experiencing climate and health impacts.
Historically, DOEE’s budget has largely been funded by fees and fines accrued in Special Purpose Revenue funds as well as federal funds. Unlike many agencies, DOEE programs are largely self-funding. The laws and investments we’ve collectively made are working. They aren’t perfect, there’s more to do – but they are working. Pulling back now or redirecting special-purpose funds is only going to make our most vulnerable residents less resilient and create larger, more expensive problems down the road.
While we want to see all DOEE’s funding put back, we are particularly concerned about the future of the following green investments:
The Anacostia River Clean-Up and Protection Fund is set to be swept over 1.5 million dollars. This fund, like many Special Purpose Revenue funds, was intended to supply specific programs through a bag-fee. Our residents were promised that these fees would solely fund cleaning and protecting the Anacostia River through trash capture, green infrastructure development, wildlife conservation and environmental education. Instead, they are being taken and used elsewhere. My colleague Melinda Peters, the Director of Education, is going to speak more about this in a minute. The full cohort of our environmental program, including six other great partner organizations, are also here today to discuss this critical program. These funds must be put back.
The Tree Fund is another Special Purpose Revenue Fund at Risk. The Tree Fund directly supports the Riversmart Homes program administered by DOEE and is slated to become a “lapsing fund.” This means that fees collected for tree removal and replacement may be diverted to the city’s General Fund, potentially leaving replacement trees unplanted and our tree canopy in decline. At a time when our city is seeing tree canopy loss, eliminating that provision is senseless and goes against the intent of the law.
DOEE’s Green Infrastructure Maintenance Program is also set to be eliminated. This effectively undermines the investments the District has already made in stormwater management, reduces our capacity to meet MS4 permit requirements, puts into jeopardy federal funding that requires local match, and reduces green jobs and training for our residents most in need. We ask that funds be restored to keep this critical program going.
Finally, DOEE is the primary agency tasked with managing the city’s natural spaces, the remaining woodlands, wetlands, and meadows that are urban sanctuaries for biodiversity and connect our residents to nearby nature. They manage invasive species and train partners in this work, building green jobs and funding them through Park Maintenance Grants. Both of these programs are slated to be cut in half, reducing investment in the green fabric of our city.
Protecting our environment, clean air, and clean water is paramount. The investments we make today will pay dividends in public health, community, and climate resilience for generations to come. Without action now, we risk losing the progress we’ve made and leaving future generations with a less healthy, less resilient city. Let’s not leave our city’s future behind.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify.”