D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 10-A, § 1709
1709.1 The watershed of Watts Branch, a tributary of the Anacostia River, was identified as a priority area for resilience planning in the Vulnerability and Risk Assessment of Climate Ready DC. The Watts Branch watershed encompasses multiple neighborhoods, including Deanwood, Eastland Gardens, Kenilworth, Northeast Boundary, Mayfair, Parkside, and River Terrace. There is also a significant risk to dozens of public and community-serving facilities, as well as public and affordable housing units. This area is currently at risk of flooding and is projected to be at increased risk as early as 2020.
1709.2 Policy FNS-1.2.1: Watts Branch and Pope Branch Conserve and improve Alger Park, Watts Branch, and Pope Branch as safe, healthy natural resource areas. Undertake capital improvements to acquire land, improve trails, provide recreational features, improve stormwater management, restore water quality and natural habitat, and maintain riparian zones to minimize flood hazards. Promote District maintenance, enforcement, and community stewardship projects to keep the stream bed and parklands clean, reduce crime and illegal dumping, and ensure that the parks remain resources that the whole community can enjoy.
1709.3 Policy FNS-1.2.2: Connecting to the River Link the neighborhoods of Far Northeast and Southeast to the Anacostia River through trail, path, transit, sidewalk, pedestrian crossing, pedestrian safety, and road improvements. Provide new amenities and facilities and support programming and events in the waterfront parks that meet the needs of Far Northeast and Southeast residents. Also, preserve and enhance the existing waterfront open space. Support the NPS in its effort to plan for Anacostia Park and to focus on improving park amenities and access points to better serve the community.
1709.4 Policy FNS-1.2.3: Neighborhood Climate Resilience Encourage neighborhood-scale and site-specific projects that decrease the vulnerability of people, places, and systems in Far Northeast and Southeast to climate crises.
1709.5 Policy FNS-1.2.4: Flood Mitigation Identify and prioritize flood-prone properties along Watts Branch for flood hazard mitigation projects. Project prioritization should be based on determinations of flood prevention and the extent to which other neighborhood benefits are realized, including improvements to parklands and trails, recreational features, water quality, and natural habitat. Partner with other federal, local, and private entities to include flood mitigation programs into key flood zones.
1709.6 Policy FNS-R.1.2.5: Critical Community Facilities Preservation Preserve critical community facilities that provide human services and other resources in the Planning Area and that are determined to be at risk for current and future flooding conditions. Support vulnerability assessments for those facilities near Watts Branch that have already been identified as high risk and prepare flood-proofing strategies that can be incorporated into capital improvement plans and future hazard mitigation grant applications. Promote improvement, of and public access to, amenities including recreation centers, schools, urban farms, and pedestrian and bicycle trails. 1709.7 Policy FNS-1.2.6: Fort Dupont Park Work with the NPS to continue to improve access to Fort Dupont Park by providing shared parking, bicycle, and pedestrian access and public transit service. Expand outdoor recreational activities and community events at the park to better meet community needs. 1709.8 Policy FNS-1.2.7: Soil Erosion Reduce soil erosion and stabilize slopes at Far Northeast and Southeast erosion hot spots, particularly the Skyland/Alabama Avenue area, Blaine Street NE (in Capitol View), O Street SE, and along Watts Branch and Pope Branch. 1709.9 Policy FNS-1.2.8: View Protection Preserve and enhance important views and vistas between Far Northeast/Southeast and Central Washington, such as the vistas of the U.S. Capitol and Washington Monument from East Capitol Street. Such views are rare in the District and should be cherished and maintained. 1709.10 Policy FNS-1.2.9: Historic Resources Protect and restore buildings and places of historic significance in Far Northeast and Southeast, including historic landmarks, such as the Nannie Helen Burroughs School, Sousa Junior High School, Mayfair Mansions, Strand Theater, Woodlawn Cemetery, Queens Stroll Road, Payne Cemetery, Southeast Boundary Stone (SE1), National Capitol Hebrew Cemetery, and the Shrimp Boat. Identify and increase awareness of other places of potential significance and consider appropriate preservation. Increase public awareness of these historic assets by incorporating the community's recommendations as part of the process. 1709.11 Policy FNS-1.2.10: Health Care Facilities Encourage and support additional facilities to meet the behavioral and physical health needs of Far Northeast and Southeast residents, including primary and urgent care facilities, youth development centers, nutrition and chronic disease
treatment, family counseling, and drug abuse and alcohol treatment facilities. Such facilities are vital to provide residents access to health care and maintain good health. Specific plans for new social service and health facilities should be developed through needs assessments, agency master plans, strategic plans, and the District’s public facility planning process. All plans should be prepared in collaboration with the community, with input from local Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (ANCs) and civic associations, residents and businesses, and local community development corporations and nonprofit service providers. Facilities should be easily accessible and meet the needs of the community.
1709.12
Continue to develop additional parks, recreation centers, playgrounds, waterfront access, and other facilities and programs that meet the needs of children, youth, and older adults in the Far Northeast/Southeast community. Use the Age-Friendly DC Strategic Plan to help implement specific strategies for facilities that serve residents of all ages.
1709.13
Retain Kingman and Heritage Islands, located in the Anacostia River, as natural sanctuaries and urban wildlife refuges. Uses should be limited to an interpretive nature center, trails, public art, small vessel boating access (docks or launches), outdoor classrooms, passive open spaces, concerts and festivals, fishing, and pedestrian accessways. Coordinate efforts with federal agencies to improve pedestrian access to Kingman Island from both sides of the Anacostia River and continue high-quality public space design.
1709.14
Improve safety, security, and maintenance levels at all parks located along and around the Planning Area, recognizing that most of the parkland in and around the Planning Area is owned and operated by the NPS. A high level of coordination will be required between the District and federal governments to ensure that this land is managed in the best interest of the residents.
1709.15
Develop additional docks, educational centers, boat rentals, and other facilities that expand access to the Anacostia River for children and youth in the Far Northeast/Southeast community.
1709.16
Document places of potential historic significance in Far Northeast and Southeast, such as the Antioch Baptist Church, the Shrimp Boat Restaurant, the Pennsylvania Avenue Commercial District between Minnesota and Alabama Avenues, the Minnesota/Benning Commercial District, and the Deanwood and Burrville neighborhoods. Identify appropriate preservation efforts for these places using
community recommendations and the Ward 7 Heritage Guide prepared by the DC Historic Preservation Office as part of the process.
1709.17 Action FNS-1.2.B: Clean Up the Anacostia River Toxic Sediments In collaboration with the NPS, implement hazardous material remediation in the Anacostia River to include Anacostia and Kenilworth Park and other contaminated adjacent land areas, such as Poplar Point and Kenilworth Landfill. The Anacostia River is a valuable District natural resource and priority should be given to restore years of damage.1709.18 Action FNS-1.2.C: Marvin Gaye Park Continually maintain and upgrade Marvin Gaye Park along Watts Branch, including the restored habitat and natural features, trails and bridges, meadows, and nature sanctuaries. Lighting, mowing, and other safety improvements for park visitors are crucial for the enjoyment of the park area. The continued coordination among agencies, such as the District Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and the NPS should continue to be strengthened.1709.19 Action FNS-1.2.D: Fort Dupont Park Improvements In collaboration with NPS, explore the feasibility of developing additional community-serving recreational facilities at Fort Dupont Park, including indoor swimming and tennis facilities, equestrian facilities, and an upgraded outdoor theater.1709.20 Action FNS-1.2.E: Anacostia Park and Fort Circle Parks Enhance existing pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicle access to Anacostia Park and the Fort Circle Parks through community signage along adjacent commercial corridors. Create Anacostia Park workout/walking trails similar to those in Rock Creek Park.1709.21 Action FNS-1.2.F: John Philip Sousa Bridge Enhance the beauty of the John Philip Sousa Bridge, continuing along Pennsylvania Avenue across the Anacostia River through lighting, artwork, and other strategies befitting one of the great streets in America. Encourage pedestrian and bicycle traffic between the Capitol Hill and Pennsylvania Avenue Southeast communities to use retail and community attractions for the mutual benefit of both communities.1709.22 Action FNS-1.2.G: Connect to the Anacostia River Connect the neighborhoods of the Far Northeast and Southeast Area to the Anacostia River, particularly through the redevelopment of Anacostia Park, implementation of the Anacostia Waterfront Initiative (AWI), and trail improvements. Climate Ready DC has identified areas along the Anacostia River, such as Mayfair, Kenilworth, Eastland Gardens, and Parkside, as Priority
Planning Areas. An interdisciplinary approach will showcase how resilience to climate crises can be achieved.
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)).