*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) Within 2 years of the initial appointment of District Waterways Advisory Commission voting members, the Commission shall develop a District Waterways Advisory Plan ("Advisory Plan") to create a strategic vision for the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers, the Washington Channel, and adjacent property. The Advisory Plan shall include recommendations for:

   1. (1) The orderly, safe, and efficient use of the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers and the Washington Channel for boating and recreation;
   2. (2) Public and private uses of property and infrastructure adjacent to the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers and the Washington Channel;
   3. (3) Interagency and regional coordination on issues relevant to the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers, the Washington Channel, and adjacent property;
   4. (4) Environmental conservation and management of the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers, the Washington Channel, and adjacent property;
   5. (5) Strategies for coordinated economic growth on and adjacent to the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers and the Washington Channel;
   6. (6) Assessments of safety and security risks and needs on and adjacent to the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers and the Washington Channel;
   7. (7) Identification of transportation gaps on and adjacent to the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers and the Washington Channel; and
   8. (8) Opportunities to increase local control of the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers, the Washington Channel, and adjacent property.

2. (b)

   1. (1) The Advisory Plan shall be developed with public input and input from ex officio members of the Commission.
   2. (2) The Commission shall publish a draft of the Advisory Plan for a specified public comment period that shall be not fewer than 30 days.
   3. (3) The Commission shall hold at least 2 public meetings, one for residents east of the Anacostia River and one for residents west of the Anacostia River, to solicit public testimony and written comments on the draft Advisory Plan.
3. (c) After conclusion of the public comment period, and within 60 days after completing revisions, if any, the voting members of the Commission shall adopt the Advisory Plan. Thereupon, the Advisory Plan shall be submitted to the Office of Waterways Management for publication.
4. (d) If considered necessary by the Commission, the Advisory Plan shall be updated at least once every 3 years, following the same process required for the initial Advisory Plan pursuant to subsections (b) and (c) of this section.

Applicability of D.C. Law 24-336: § 6 of D.C. Law 24-336 provided that the creation of this section by § 4 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, § 4

Dec. 31, 2025, D.C. Law 26-75, § 2(b)

Applicability

Applicability of D.C. Law 24-336: § 6 of D.C. Law 24-336 provided that the creation of this section by § 4 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 4 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(b) 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(b) 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(b) 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(b) 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 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(b) of Office of District Waterways Management Establishment Temporary Amendment Act of 2025 (D.C. Law 26-75, Dec. 31, 2025, 72 DCR 12872).