August 13, 2021

Ward 3 Update: Hearst Pool and Field Project and Oak Mites

Dear Neighbors,

This update is a special one with only two items. We'll have a fuller
update next week.

Regards,

Mary

Hearst Pool and Field Project

As executed, this project has been marked by one failure after another: the
repeated removal of the sod, every schedule has been inaccurate, every
deadline missed. In fact, the most recent estimates are likely to be wrong,
and it appears that the pool will not open this season. Obviously, this is
not acceptable. The most recent pulling up of the sod was blamed on the
fact that the field had not been properly graded. Just yesterday, I spoke
to DGS, and although this is not official yet, the estimate is that the new
sod will be put down in September or October and should be available for
use in November. Again, I’m waiting for official word on that. I did say to
DGS, though, if they give me a date, they’d better stick to it.

As you may know, I’ve had site visits there and a dedicated staff member,
Dee Smith, detailed to follow the project. I’ve written to the Mayor and
asked for her direct intervention. And, I’ve spoken to the director of DGS,
the agency overseeing the project. He agrees with the bleak assessment of
the project and seems to put much of the blame on the contractors. Wherever
the the blame lies, with the contractor or the agency, we have to get the
project back on track, and I’m pressing for that every day.

Oak Mites

I reached out two weeks ago to DC Health to see whether it had any guidance
about oak mites. DC Health said it was fully engaged with COVID, and that,
in any event, the mites are not a public health crisis because mites are
not a vector (i.e. they don’t carry disease). The director referred the
issue to the Department of Energy and the Environment, and that department
sent me the following draft statement. Although only a draft, I thought it
might be helpful for residents to see it now:

"Native to Central Europe, the Oak Leaf Itch Mite, Pyemotes herfsi is a
tiny (0.2 mm in length), eight-legged parasitic that lives inside the
galls of Oak trees. “The mite feeds on the larvae of a small fly (midge)
which forms a brown and crusty shell on the edge of an oak leaf (known as a
gall)” (Illinois Department of Public Health). In 2004, the mite was first
reported in the US (Pittsburg, Kansas) and has since spread to Illinois,
Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Missouri, Tennessee, Texas, Pennsylvania and the
District of Columbia. Although this pest has limited mobility, mites can
easily be carried by the wind and enter homes through window screens.

Depending on the region, between August to October, as many as
300,000 mites may drop from a single Oak tree and land onto persons
underneath the tree’s canopy. Mite bites are painful and usually occur on
the upper body or wherever clothing is loose. The Oak Leaf Itch Mite does
not transmit disease to humans, if you are bitten, the remedies are similar
to treating other common bites. Rashes may appear on arms, necks and
face, avoid scratching it, apply anti-itch cream, take an antihistamine or
apply a cold compress or ice to the site of the bite.

Oak Leaf Itch Mite Management proves difficult. Traditional tree sprays do
not penetrate the galls, so the mites are safe from sprays. Instead,
experts recommend avoiding oak trees with galls toward the end of summer.
Luckily the majority of the population will die after the first hard freeze
of the season.

If you have any questions concerning this matter, please call 202-934-3300
or e-mail [1][email protected]. Thank you for your usual cooperation."

Our Office is Open!

Connect with our staff - While Councilmember Cheh's physical office is
closed during the public health emergency, she and her staff are
teleworking and will remain accessible for residents.

You may continue to reach us via phone through our main line at (202)
724-8062 with legislative ideas, budget requests, and constituent services
requests.

[2]Facebook [3]Twitter

FOLLOW MARY

References

1. mailto:[email protected]
2. [link removed]
3. [link removed]
Unsubscribe:
[link removed]

This message was sent to [email protected] from [email protected]

Mary Cheh
Mary Cheh Ward 3
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NWSuite 108
Washington, DC 20004
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

iContact - Try it for FREE: [link removed]