Wells, 57, is relinquishing the Ward 6 seat on Jan. 2 after eight years, having given up a likely third term to seek the Democratic mayoral nomination. He finished third in the April 1 Democratic primary behind Bowser and outgoing Mayor Vincent C. Gray. After the primary, he emdorsed Bowser and became a strong supporter, helping her outpoll independent David A. Catania in Wells’s closely contested home ward.

AD

AD

In remarks Friday, Wells noted he will become the first former D.C. Council member to serve in a mayoral Cabinet position.

“One of the greatest challenges facing America if not the planet is to have sustainable cities, resilient cities as we go forward,” he said. “As a lifelong fisherman, as someone who keeps a canoe down on the Anacostia River, I could not be more thrilled to have this role in the nation’s capital.”

Wells, a former child social worker for the city, built his reputation as a council member as a champion for “livable, walkable neighborhoods” — advocating car-free lifestyles and pushing for public transit investments. But on the environmental front, he is best-known as the political architect of the city’s 5-cent disposable bag tax, which environmental advocates have credited with reducing trash in city waterways.

AD

AD

Wells will replace Keith Anderson, who took over the environmental agency in 2012 after Gray dismissed director Christoph Tulou. Prominent environmental groups in the city raised questions about Tulou’s firing, and many advocates never quite warmed to Anderson.

Mike Bolinder of Anacostia Riverkeeper said his group had a productive relationship with Anderson, whom he praised, but said Wells’s appointment was welcome given his leadership on water issues while on the council — even if Wells has never served as a high-ranking government administrator.

“If they say Tommy’s not a technocrat, he’s a visionary, that’s okay because there are plenty of great administrators there,” he said. “They’ve got great lawyers, they’ve got great scientists, and they’ve got great managers. I hope most of that great staff will stay.”