Section 10-A604. E-1.2 PROTECTING RIVERS, WETLANDS, AND RIPARIAN AREAS

 

604.1Washington is situated at the confluence of two great rivers-the Anacostia and the Potomac. Both rivers have been altered over the centuries to accommodate development, highways, railroads, airports, military bases, parkland, federal monuments, and other vestiges of life in the nation’s capital. The Potomac has fared better than the Anacostia in this regard- much of its shoreline is publicly accessible and has been conserved as parkland. For years, the Anacostia suffered the fate of being of the District’s lesser known and less valued river. As its natural beauty yielded to industry, its waters became polluted and the river became a divide between more and less desirable neighborhoods. 604.1

 

604.2In the first years of the 21st century, a major initiative was launched to restore the Anacostia River. While the initiative is perhaps best known for its efforts to reclaim the shoreline for recreation and bring new life to underused sites, its programs to improve the natural environment are equally important. A range of environmental initiatives are now being implemented to restore wetlands and estuarine habitat, improve water quality, and increase environmental education about the river. When completed, these initiatives will greatly reduce sewage overflows and pollutant discharges, uncover longburied tributary streams, and bring native plant and animal species back to the river once again. Improving the health of the Anacostia River will help achieve broader national goals for a healthier Chesapeake Bay. Map 6.2 indicates the location of rivers, streams, and watersheds in the District of Columbia. 604.2

 

604.3Policy E-1.2.1: River Conservation

 

Improve environmental conditions along the Anacostia River and other water bodies, including shorelines, wetlands, islands, tributaries, and the rivers themselves. Particular attention should be given to eliminating toxic sediments, improving river edges to restore vegetation and reduce erosion, enhancing wetlands and wildlife habitat, creating new wetlands, and reducing litter. 604.3

 

604.4Policy E-1.2.2: Waterfront Habitat Restoration

 

Undertake a range of environmental initiatives along the Anacostia River to eliminate combined sewer overflows, reduce urban runoff, restore wetlands and tributary streams, increase oxygen levels in the water, remediate toxins in the riverbed, clean and redevelop contaminated brownfield sites, and enhance natural habitat. 604.4

 

604.5Policy E-1.2.3: Retention of Environmentally Sensitive Areas as Open Space

 

Retain environmentally fragile areas such as wetlands and riparian areas along the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers as open space or parkland. In areas under federal jurisdiction such as Rock Creek Park, work with the National Park Service to conserve and carefully manage such areas, and to implement an effective “no net loss” policy. 604.5

 

604.6Map 6.2: Watersheds and Waterways in DC and the Surrounding Region

 

http://planning.dc.gov/planning/frames.asp?doc=/planning/lib/planning/2006_revised_comp_plan/6_environprotection.pdf.

 

604.7Policy E-1.2.4: Identification, Protection, and Restoration of Wetlands

 

Identify and protect wetlands and riparian habitat on private and public land. Require official surveys when development is proposed in areas where wetlands are believed to be present to ensure that wetlands are preserved. Undertake wetlands restoration, enhancement, and creation projects to mitigate the impacts of stormwater runoff and improve plant and animal habitat. 604.7

 

604.8Policy E-1.2.5: Wetland Buffers

 

Maintain open space buffers around existing and restored wetlands in order to reduce the likelihood of environmental degradation from urban runoff and human activities. 604.8

 

604.9Action E-1.2.A: Anacostia River Habitat Improvements

 

Work collaboratively with federal agencies, upstream jurisdictions, the Anacostia Waterfront Corporation, and environmental advocacy groups to implement conservation measures for the Anacostia River, including:

 

•Removing litter and trash on tidal flats;

 

•Restoring tidal wetlands around Kingman Island and along lower Watts Branch;

 

•Creating new stormwater wetlands along tributary streams;

 

•Daylighting streams (i.e., taking streams out of buried pipes and allowing them to run uncovered), particularly Pope Branch, Fort Dupont Stream, and Stickfoot Creek;

 

•Creating naturalized or bio-engineered river edges that maximize habitat value;

 

•Improving bulkheads and seawalls to provide protection from flooding and erosion;

 

•Requiring open space buffers consistent with the recommendations of the Anacostia Waterfront Initiative Framework Plan; and

 

•Preventing the net loss of parkland and improving access to the waterfront and river trails. 604.9

 

604.10Action E-1.2.B: Wetland Setback Standards

 

Establish clear District of Columbia regulations for wetland setbacks and ensure compliance with these regulations during plan review, permitting, and inspections. 604.10

 

See the “Water Quality” section of this Element for additional recommendations for the Anacostia River watershed.

 

notation

The provisions of Title 10, Part A of the DCMR accessible through this web interface are codification of the District Elements of the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital. As such, they do not represent the organic provisions adopted by the Council of the District of Columbia. The official version of the District Elements only appears as a hard copy volume of Title 10, Part A published pursuant to section 9a of the District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1994, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; D.C. Official Code § 1 -301.66)) . In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions accessible through this site and the provisions contained in the published version of Title 10, Part A, the provisions contained in the published version govern. A copy of the published District Elements is available www.planning.dc.gov.