D.C. Council Rejects Hazmat Shipment Measure: After there was a lot of support for legislation that would bar hazardous shipments from being transported through the District via rail, the D.C. Council rejected the emergency measure. The Post reports that the mayor’s office believed that because of the way the legislation was written, it wouldn’t have been able to survive a court challenge. The bill’s opponents note that the most hazardous materials already bypass the city at the Bush administration’s request and the threat of derailing trains downtown has been reduced.

Sex Ed Approval Riles Parents: The W.Times reports that the board of education in Montgomery County has approved a 10th grade and eighth grade sex ed curriculum that involves putting condoms on cucumbers and discussing gay family life. Some parents are peeved, others are very supportive.

Group to Sue EPA Over Chesapeake Clean-up: Feeling that the Environmental Protection Agency hasn’t taken adequate action to clean up the Chesapeake Bay, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation is set to sue the EPA. The group says that area sewage plants are dumping harmful levels of nitrogen into the watershed, the Post reports. Those algae blooms that are choking fish and crabs? They’re apparently tied to nitrogen and high phosphorus levels.

Alexandria to Buy Up Prime Waterfront: In a city running out of open space, the city of Alexandria is considering a plan to buy up property along the Potomac waterfront to preserve for public use, the Post reports. There are seven parcels being looked at. It could cost $10-15 million to purchase the property.

Briefly Noted: Just as the Intercounty Connector in Maryland has found fedeal funds, Virginia transportation officials are resurrecting plans to build the so-called Western Bypass, which would link I-95 with Route 7 east of Leesburg … D.C. libraries were shut for part of yesterday because they didn’t meet new boiler regulations … D.C.’s former deputy director in the Office of Property Management has been convicted of bribery conspiracy in federal court …

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