D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 10-A, § 1015
1015.1 Washington, DC has been the home of successive generations stretching far back in time. The artifacts and human-made features uncovered through archaeological investigation are important evidence of the District’s history, its colonial origins, and its prehistoric past. These resources often illustrate aspects of past lives that are not visible in documents or in the built environment. They can illuminate what has been long forgotten about everyday life and help connect residents to the lives of those who preceded them.
Retain archaeological resources in place where feasible, taking appropriate steps to protect sites from unauthorized disturbance. If sites must be excavated, follow established standards and guidelines for the treatment of archaeological resources, whether in documentation and recordation or in the collection, storage, and protection of artifacts.
Treat archaeological artifacts as significant civic property. Ensure that all data and artifacts recovered from archaeological excavations are appropriately inventoried, conserved, and stored in a facility with proper environmental controls.
Make archaeological artifacts and data visible to the public. Maintain public access to collections, use artifacts and information as educational tools, and treat artifacts as objects of cultural interest.
Establish, as a high priority, a facility for the proper conservation, curation, storage, and study of artifacts, archaeological materials, and related historic documents owned by the District. Ensure public access to these materials, and promote research using the collections and records.
Increase surveys, inventories, and other efforts to identify and protect significant archaeological resources. Surveys and inventories should be directed by qualified professionals and adhere to the standards in the Guidelines for Archaeological Investigations in the District.
Require prompt completion of site reports that document archaeological findings after investigations are undertaken. Maintain a central archive of these reports and increase efforts to disseminate their findings and conclusions.
SOURCE: District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; 31 DCR 1049 (March 9, 1984)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Element Amendment Act of 1984, effective March 16, 1985 (D.C. Law 5-187; 32 DCR 873 (February 15, 1985)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-129; 37 DCR 55 (January 5, 1990)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989 NCPC-Recommended Amendments, and Closing of Public Alleys in Square 669, S.O. 88-452, Act of 1990, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-132; 37 DCR 2213 (April 6, 1990)); as amended by District Government Land Use Temporary Amendment Act of 1994, effective October 1, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-190; 41 DCR 5360 (August 12, 1994)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1994, effective October 6, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-193; 41 DCR 5536 (August 19, 1994)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Amendment Act of 1994, effective March 21, 1995 (D.C. Law 10-235; 42 DCR 30 (January 6, 1995)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1996, effective April 18, 1996 (D.C. Law 11-110; 43 DCR 530 (February 9, 1996)); as amended by Second Technical Amendments Act of 1996, effective April 9, 1997 (D.C. Law 11-255; 44 DCR 1271 (March 7, 1997)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 1998, effective April 27, 1999 (D.C. Law 12-275; 46 DCR 1441 (February 19, 1999)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1999, effective April 12, 2000 (D.C. Law 13-91; 47 DCR 520 (January 28, 2000)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2006, effective March 8, 2007 (D.C. Law 16-300; 54 DCR 924 (February 2, 2007)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 2008, effective March 25, 2009 (D.C. Law 17-353; 56 DCR 1117 (February 6, 2009)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2010, effective April 8, 2011 (D.C. Law 18-361; 58 DCR 908 (February 4, 2011)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2021, effective August 21, 2021 (D.C. Law 24-20; 68 DCR 006918 (July 16, 2021)).