2616.1 Wetlands designated as wetlands of special concern have exceptional ecological value and safeguard the natural diversity of the District's wetlands.

2616.2 The Department may designate any of the following as wetlands of special concern:

1. (a) Wetlands providing habitat or ecologically important buffers for the habitat of plant or animal species listed as federally threatened, endangered, or rare by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service;
2. (b) Wetlands providing habitat or ecologically important buffers for the habitat of plant or animal species listed as District species of greatest conservation need;
3. (c) Wetlands containing any of the following: vernal pools, headwater wetlands, groundwater seeps, or springs;
4. (d) Tidal wetlands; and
5. (e) Wetlands identified as Conservation Opportunity Areas in the District's Wildlife Action Plan.

2616.3 Maps of areas designated as wetlands of special concern will be available for public review on the Department's website. Wetlands of special concern include the following:

1. (a) Potomac River Floodplain wetlands;
2. (b) Oxon Run wetlands;
3. (c) Northern Rock Creek wetlands KA, KB, KG, JZ, JY, JX, KF, KI, and KH (as listed in the District's 2016 Wetland Conservation Plan);
4. (d) Anacostia River Gateway wetlands;
5. (e) Anacostia River tidal wetlands;
6. (f) Kenilworth wetlands;
7. (g) Kingman Island wetlands;
8. (h) Heritage Island wetlands;

(i) Poplar Point wetlands;

(j) Piney Branch wetlands LP and LQ (as listed in the District's 2016 Wetland Conservation Plan); and

(k) Theodore Roosevelt Island wetlands.

2616.4 The Department may annually update the map and list of areas designated as wetlands of special concern in § 2616.3.

2616.5 Mitigation for impacts to wetlands of special concern shall replace lost aquatic resource function.

SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 68 DCR 5254 (May 14, 2021).