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Norton Calls on Army Corps of Engineers to Extend Public Comment Period on Proposed Washington Channel Restrictions near Wharf

August 29, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today released a letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers requesting an additional 90 days for the public to respond to a proposed rule that would restrict use of the Washington Channel along the Wharf neighborhood. The proposed rule would severely limit public access in the Washington Channel, impacting the reinvigorated community along the Wharf. Norton is concerned that the 30-day public comment period is too short, particularly in August, when many residents are on vacation or traveling. Norton said that ample time to comment and raise concerns that can be taken into account is necessary considering the significance of the proposed change.

In her letter, Norton writes: "Congress passed my bill to redevelop the Southwest Waterfront, and the Wharf will be one of the sites most affected by this proposed rule. The Wharf has reinvigorated community engagement on the waterfront and has generated a considerable tax revenue for the District…We are particularly concerned that the proposed restrictions would force kayaks and other recreational boats into the same space as water taxis and cruise ships, potentially causing injury."

The full text of the letter is posted below.

August 29, 2019

Lieutenant General Todd T. Semonite

54th Chief of Engineers and Commanding General

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

441 G Street NW

Washington, DC 20314

Dear Lieutenant General Semonite:

I write to request an extension of the comment period on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proposed rule restricting access to the Washington Channel next to Fort McNair, COE-2019-0010. After speaking with representatives of concerned parties who would be affected, I am deeply concerned that the 30-day comment period for this proposed rule does not provide sufficient time for public input. Furthermore, the proposed rule will severely limit public access to the Washington Channel. Therefore, I request that the Army Corps extend the public comment period on this proposed rule by a minimum of 90 days beyond the currently scheduled deadline.

As you know, on August 8, 2019, the Army Corps published notice in the Federal Register of a proposal to restrict public access to the Washington Channel. The notice provides a 30-day public comment period, which closes on September 9, 2019. Because the proposed rule was published in August, when many affected residents of and visitors to the nation's capital are on vacation and travel, the 30-day period does not provide sufficient time for the public to be heard.

Congress passed my bill to redevelop the Southwest Waterfront, and the Wharf will be one of the sites most affected by this proposed rule. The Wharf has reinvigorated community engagement on the waterfront and has generated a considerable tax revenue for the District. The Washington Channel has been increasingly used for regional transportation (water taxis) and recreation (kayaking, paddle boarding, sailing, motorboating and river events). This stretch past Fort McNair in Southwest is the only connection to the Potomac River. We are particularly concerned that the proposed restrictions would force kayaks and other recreational boats into the same space as water taxis and cruise ships, potentially causing injury.

Please provide a written response within a week of the date of this letter regarding an extension of the comment period.

Sincerely,

Eleanor Holmes Norton