Fletcher's Cove is the nation’s premier urban fishery, and a regional center for outdoor recreation and access to the Potomac River.
During the spring season, hikers, birders, boaters, paddlers and anglers witness close-up an unparalleled migration, thanks to successful recovery efforts for Bald Eagles, Osprey, Striped Bass and American Shad. The Potomac River in Washington is in better shape than it’s been in decades.
While the Potomac is in great shape, the Cove is not. Silt has been accumulating in Fletcher's Cove for years, threatening the longstanding public access to the Potomac. The cause: A man-made berm north of the Cove from a 1960s infrastructure project which alters the flow of the river.
Action is needed to ensure continued public boating access to the river, including emergency relief dredging costing approximately $500,000 and eventual floodplain restoration that will cost an estimated $26 million under a four-phase plan.
We need a thorough remediation plan to permanently restore and maintain access to the Potomac from Fletcher's Cove. This plan should be federally funded, time-bound, science-based and comprehensive, to ensure Fletcher's Cove remains a preserved and viable access point for current and future generations.
