District Waterways Advisory Plan
District Waterways Advisory Plan
The District Waterways Advisory Plan will set out a strategic vision for the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers, the Washington Channel, and adjacent property. The Plan will be developed by the District Waterways Advisory Commission with leadership from the Department of Energy and Environment's Office of District Waterways Management and input from the public and stakeholders.
District Waterways Advisory Commission Inaugural Meeting (In-Person Event)
The Office of District Waterways Management invites you to attend the inaugural meeting of the District Waterways Advisory Commission. This meeting will begin a two-year, collaborative process to develop a District Waterways Advisory Plan, a strategic vision for the future of the District’s waterways.
This registration is for in-person attendance. Space is limited, and early registration is encouraged.
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1984490938819
The District Waterways Advisory Plan (Advisory Plan) will set out a strategic vision for the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers, the Washington Channel, and adjacent property. Over the past two decades these areas have seen substantial change and increased activation, and new pressures related to development, environmental stewardship, safety, and access are emerging. To support continued activation in a safe, equitable, and sustainable manner, an Advisory Plan is needed to bring together diverse perspectives and considerations to guide coordinated and thoughtful decision-making.
The Advisory Plan will be developed by the District Waterways Advisory Commission with leadership from the Office of District Waterways Management and input from the public and stakeholders. The plan will prioritize concrete, realistic actions, ranging from quick wins and pilots to longer-term investments. It will define ownership and roles, reducing ambiguity around responsibilities and helping leaders and stakeholders understand their role in implementation.
What the Advisory Plan is...
A coordinated citywide effort to identify goals and strategies that improve access, safety, use, and stewardship of the District’s waterways (i.e. Anacostia River, Potomac River, and Washington Channel).
A continuation of the work completed through the Anacostia Waterfront Initiative and the Anacostia Waterfront Initiative Framework Plan that will expand planning efforts to the District’s other waterways, the Potomac River and Washington Channel.
A roadmap for delivering activation of the District’s waterways.
A process to educate and inform the work of the District Waterways Advisory Commission.
A way to center equitable access and community benefits across all waterways.
A tool to strengthen coordination across agencies and resolve longstanding gaps in communication and decision-making.
A framework for prioritizing investments, policy updates, and implementation steps.
A process to elevate community/stakeholder and agency perspectives into a unified, actionable plan.
What the Advisory Plan is not...
It is not a plan that DOEE alone will implement.
It is not a one-time listening effort with no tangible actions.
It is not a referendum on specific development projects.
It is not a land-use, zoning, or small area plan.
It is not a replacement for existing initiatives and planning efforts for the District’s waterways and adjacent property.
The Office of District Waterways Management
The mission of the Office of District Waterways Management (Office) is to plan, promote, advocate for, and facilitate stakeholder cooperation for the diverse uses of and access to the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers, the Washington Channel, and adjacent property.
In pursuit of this goal, the Office:
Supports the work of the District Waterways Advisory Commission to develop a strategic vision for the District’s navigable waterways;
Facilitates communication between the District, Maryland, Virginia, the federal government, businesses, community organizations, and the public on issues relevant to the District’s Waterways, including economic activity, public safety and security, environment, recreation, and transportation; and
Advises the Mayor and the Council on issues related to the District’s waterways and adjacent property, including public improvements, maintenance, operations, programming, budgeting, resiliency, planning, and public safety and security.
The Council of the District of Columbia established the Office (DC Code 8-191.02(c)(2)) within the District Department of Energy and Environment in 2023.
Kara Pennino
Waterways Administrator
Pronouns: she/her
Email: [email protected]
Cell: 202-734-8738
Brent Peterson
Program Analyst
Pronouns: he/him
Email: [email protected]
Cell: 202-617-1097
Office of District Waterways Management
Department of Energy and Environment
1200 First Street NE, 5th Floor
Washington, DC 20002
Web: doee.dc.gov
[email protected]
