Photo by andertho

Stock up on your canvas bags, everybody. The Washington Times has its story up already: the D.C. Council voted unanimously just a little while ago to give initial approval to the Anacostia River Clean Up and Protection Act of 2009, which among other things enacts a 5 cent fee on consumers per paper or plastic carryout bag taken from District retailers – retailers get to keep one cent of the fee, with the other four cents going toward Anacostia River cleanup. The bill also bans the use of non-recyclable disposable plastic carryout bags by retailers.

The bill, introduced by Ward 6’s Tommy Wells, was amended before today’s vote by At-large Council member Kwame Brown (D) to include allowing the city to offer a new specialized Anacostia River vehicle license plate, as well as an option to donate to the Anacostia River Cleanup Fund on your D.C. income tax return.

A second, final vote will still need to take place before the bill gets sent to Mayor Fenty for his signature, but given the 13-0 vote in favor, there’s little danger that it won’t ultimately be passed.