*NOTE: This section includes amendments by temporary legislation that will expire on August 13, 2026. To view the text of this section after the expiration of all emergency and temporary legislation affecting this section, click this link: Permanent Version.*

1. (a) There is established a District Waterways Advisory Commission ("Commission") to advise the Office of District Waterways and to adopt a Waterways Advisory Plan pursuant to § 8-191.03.

2. (b)

   1. (1) The Commission shall be comprised of 14 voting members appointed as follows:

      1. (A) Seven members appointed by the Mayor, with the advice and consent of the Council, pursuant to § 1-523.01(f), one of whom shall be designated as Chairperson. Each appointee shall have experience in at least one of the following areas:

         1. (i) Public safety;
         2. (ii) Environmental stewardship;
         3. (iii) Economic development or tourism;
         4. (iv) Maritime management or policy;
         5. (v) Athletics and recreation; and
         6. (vi) Maritime transportation.

      2. (B) Seven members appointed by the Chairman of the Council as follows:

         1. (i) Two Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners, each of whose single-member districts borders a waterway, one from east of the Anacostia River and one from west of the Anacostia River;
         2. (ii) Two individuals, each representing a Business Improvement District that borders a waterway, one from east of the Anacostia River and one from west of the Anacostia River; and
         3. (iii) Two individuals, each representing a marina or yacht club located in the District; provided, that the individuals do not represent the same marina or yacht club; and
         4. (iv) An individual with expertise or interest in waterway management.
   2. (2) Members appointed pursuant to this subsection shall serve for 4-year staggered terms; provided, that of the members initially appointed under this subsection, 4 of the members appointed by the Mayor shall be appointed for a term of 4 years and 3 for a term of one year, and of the members initially appointed by the Chairman of the Council, 4 shall serve for a term of 3 years and 3 shall serve for a term of 2 years.

3. (c) The government officials who head the following entities, or their designees, shall serve as ex officio non-voting members of the Commission:

   1. (1) The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development;
   2. (2) The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice;
   3. (3) The Metropolitan Police Department;
   4. (4) The Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department;
   5. (5) The District Department of Transportation;
   6. (6) The Department of Energy and Environment;
   7. (7) The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority;
   8. (8) The Washington Convention and Sports Authority;
   9. (9) The Public Service Commission;
   10. (10) The Department of Housing and Community Development; and
   11. (11) The Department of Parks and Recreation.

4. (d) The Mayor shall request that each of the following federal agencies appoint a representative as an ex officio non-voting member of the Commission:

   1. (1) The National Park Service;
   2. (2) The United States Coast Guard;
   3. (3) The Department of Defense;
   4. (4) The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority; and
   5. (5) The National Capital Planning Commission.
5. (e) The Office of Waterways Management shall provide administrative support to the Commission.
6. (f) The Commission shall meet at least once every 2 months until the first Advisory Plan developed pursuant to § 8-191.03 is published and at least quarterly thereafter.
7. (g) Proceedings of the Commission are subject to subchapter IV of Chapter 5 of Title 2.
8. (h) A majority of the members appointed pursuant to subsection (b) of this section shall constitute a quorum.

Applicability of D.C. Law 24-336: § 6 of D.C. Law 24-336 provided that the creation of this section by § 3 of D.C. Law 24-336 is subject to the inclusion of the law’s fiscal effect in an approved budget and financial plan. Therefore that amendment has not been implemented.

History

Mar. 22, 2023, D.C. Law 24-336, § 3

Dec. 31, 2025, D.C. Law 26-75, § 2(a)

Applicability

Applicability of D.C. Law 24-336: § 6 of D.C. Law 24-336 provided that the creation of this section by § 3 of D.C. Law 24-336 is subject to the inclusion of the law’s fiscal effect in an approved budget and financial plan. Therefore that amendment has not been implemented.

Section 7096 of D.C. Law 25-50 repealed section 6 of D.C. Law 24-336 removing the applicability provision impacting this section. Therefore the creation of this section by section 3 of Law 24-336 has been implemented.

Section 4 of D.C. Law 26-75 provided that the amendments made to this section by section 2(a) of D.C. Law 26-75 shall apply as of October 18, 2025.

Emergency Legislation

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 2(a) of Office of District Waterways Management Establishment Emergency Amendment Act of 2024 (D.C. Act 25-585, Oct. 18, 2024, 71 DCR 12850).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 2(a) of Office of District Waterways Management Establishment Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2024 (D.C. Act 25-675, Dec. 24, 2024, 72 DCR 16).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 2(a) of Office of District Waterways Management Establishment Emergency Amendment Act of 2025 (D.C. Act 26-173, Oct. 23, 2025, 0 DCR 0).

Temporary Legislation

For temporary (225 days) amendment of this section, see § 2(a) of Office of District Waterways Management Establishment Temporary Amendment Act of 2024 (D.C. Law 25-283, Mar. 7, 2025, 71 DCR 14105).

For temporary (225 days) amendment of this section, see § 2(a) of Office of District Waterways Management Establishment Temporary Amendment Act of 2025 (D.C. Law 26-75, Dec. 31, 2025, 72 DCR 12872).