USDA AND MOUNT PLEASANT COMMUNITY JOIN FORCES IN DC EFFORT

                                                                 Release No. 0245.97

                                  Rick Alexander (202) 205-1134
				/s=pao/ou1=w01b@mhs-fswa.attmail.com                             
                                      Tom Amontree (202) 720-4623
                                            tom.amontree@usda.gov


USDA AND MOUNT PLEASANT COMMUNITY JOIN FORCES IN DC EFFORT

     WASHINGTON, July 23, 1997--Mike Dombeck, chief of the U.S. Department
of Agriculture's Forest Service, participated today with a large contingent
of  agency employees and local community volunteers in a tree care and
cleanup effort in the Mount Pleasant area of the District of Columbia. 

     The Community Pride Day is part of USDA's new multi-year Plan of
Action in the District of Columbia, to help renew and revitalize the
nation's capital.  The plan has three specific components: 1) an Urban
Environmental Resource Initiative; 2) an Anti-Hunger and Nutrition
Initiative; and 3) a Citizen Service and Volunteerism Initiative. 

     The USDA Plan of Action in the District of Columbia evolved as a
result of a challenge made by President Clinton in his State of the Union
address in February 1997.
     
     "Healthy landscapes translate to healthier communities.  Improving
urban forests, diminishing soil erosion, improving water and air quality all
have a direct and positive effect on the quality of life of citizens
throughout the city," said Dombeck. "Federal employees, especially those who
work for natural resource management agencies, have a special obligation to
commit their time, effort, and energies to revitalize the urban environment
where we work, live, and recreate." said Dombeck.  

     "Future efforts will enhance our commitment."

     Participants included community volunteers from The Coalition of Mount
Pleasant Organizations, which helped to organize the event.  District of
Columbia government representatives, the District of Columbia Urban Forest
Council, USDA employee volunteers, and others pitched in. Workers were
assigned to five sites near Lamont Park to remove debris, mulch and prune
plants, spread topsoil, and paint the railings and trim of the Mount
Pleasant Library.

     Overall plans for activities occurring during the next 2-3 years will
include such items as tree planting, school/education projects, streambank
cleanup, and environmental awareness activities. 

     Keenan Keller, Mount Pleasant resident and local advisory neighborhood
commissioner said, "By providing support for urban natural resource
projects, USDA's Plan of Action in the District of Columbia offers
communities like Mount Pleasant a tremendous opportunity to improve the
quality of life for all residents of the neighborhood."

                                   
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