Norton Negotiates Favorable Rule for Public Access to Washington Channel, Thanks Army

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today announced that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is planning to issue a revised, initial rule for the Washington Channel that will provide much greater flexibility for mariners than the original proposal. After a 30-day comment period closes, the final determination will be announced in the Federal Register in the coming months.

In August of last year, USACE issued a proposed rule on behalf of the U.S. Army to establish a permanent restricted area in the Washington Channel that would be entirely closed to both transient traffic and vessels seeking to anchor or moor near Fort McNair due to the need for increased security at this location. This proposed rule would have severely limited public access in the Washington Channel, impacting the reinvigorated community along the Wharf.

USACE originally announced this proposed rule with a 30-day public comment period that would have closed in September 2019. After hearing concerns from constituents about the brevity of this timeframe and the impacts of the proposed rule, Norton requested that USACE extend the public comment period for an additional 90 days to ensure ample time for public input. USACE extended the public comment period for the proposed rule to November 2019 as a result of Norton's efforts.

Norton collaborated with the Army over the past several months to ensure that the final rule for the Washington Channel is responsive to the concerns expressed by the community. The final rule, which would go into effect 30 days after the final determination is announced in the Federal Register, will allow transient traffic near Fort McNair at all times except during periods of National Security Special Events, such as the State of the Union, and other periods of increased security. This is consistent with the U.S. Coast Guard's current practice of limiting access to certain areas of the Washington Channel during high-security periods, a process many boaters are already familiar with. Anchoring, mooring and loitering in the restricted area near Fort McNair will be prohibited at all times, but boaters will still have the option of conducting these activities on the Hains Point side. The Army has indicated that they will use ample signage to note the limits of the restricted area and ensure that boaters are made aware of any periods of limited access through Local Notices to Mariners (LNMs) and Broadcast Notices to Mariners (BNMs) as appropriate.

"I am pleased by the result of our collaboration with the Army," Norton said. "We worked closely with the Army to ensure that D.C.'s preferences were met. Therefore, we thank the Army for this rule, which, although it is subject to an additional comment period, we expect will not need many changes. The revised, initial rule represents a narrowly tailored response to the security needs of Fort McNair and concerns of the District's boaters, riverfront businesses, and residents. Importantly, full access to the Washington Channel will be preserved for transient traffic except during periods of heightened security. Maintaining access to the District's waterways is not only important for recreation and riverfront development, but it is also vital to safeguarding the District's ability to fully benefit from the power of water transportation in the coming years as we explore ways to combat congestion in our region. I thank the Army for working closely with us throughout this process, incorporating the feedback of stakeholders and developing a rule that is flexible enough to accommodate the District's present and future needs."

Congresswoman Norton is available for Skype and telephone interviews upon request.

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