D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 10-A, § 618
618.1 The District of Columbia Environmental Policy Act (DCEPA), modeled after the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), requires all District agencies to analyze and disclose the environmental effects of their major actions, including the permitting of new development. Environmental Impact Statements are required for projects that are likely to have substantial negative impacts on the environment.
618.2 To determine if a project meets this threshold, applicants must complete a checklist called an Environmental Impact Screening Form (EISF). Unlike NEPA’s Environmental Assessment, the EISF contains simple yes/no questions and requires no narrative or analysis. The policies and actions below call for a more rigorous analysis of impacts in the future, with more substantive documentation of environmental effects.
Future development must mitigate impacts on the natural environment and anticipate the impacts of climate change, resulting in environmental improvements wherever feasible. Construction practices that would permanently degrade natural resources without mitigation shall not be allowed.
Ensure that discussions and decisions regarding environmental impacts and mitigation measures occur through a transparent process in which the public is kept informed and given a meaningful opportunity to participate.
Ensure full and meaningful compliance with the District of Columbia Environmental Policy Act of 1989, effective October 18, 1989 (DC Law 8-36; DC Official Code § 8-109.01 et seq.), including the use of procedures to assess the environmental impacts of major development projects comparable to the regulations developed by the Council on Environmental Quality for the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, approved January 1, 1970 (83 Stat. 852; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). The environmental review should include all pertinent information about the effects of the project on the human environment, including information about existing conditions, projected impacts, and mitigation measures. Carbon dioxide and other GHG emissions impacts should be included in the environmental impact assessments. The process should ensure that such information is available when a development is proposed and is available to the public and decision-makers before any decision is made.
Strengthen District government programs that monitor and resolve air pollution, water pollution, noise, soil contamination, dust, vibration, and other environmental impacts resulting from commercial uses, industrial uses, trucking, construction activities, and other activities around Washington, DC that could potentially degrade environmental quality.
618.7
Compile and maintain a District-wide natural resources inventory that catalogs and monitors the location and condition of Washington, DC’s natural resources. The inventory should be used as a benchmark to evaluate the success of environmental programs and the impacts of land use and development decisions.
618.8
Continue interagency efforts to improve compliance with the District’s existing environmental laws and regulations. This effort should include public education, compliance assistance, and continued support for Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and DPW’s partnership to address environmental crimes.
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)).