Restricting Floodplain Development in the Nation's Capital

The D.C. Department of Energy and Environment has read the writing on the wall.

1 minute read

January 19, 2020, 5:00 AM PST

"A DC agency is considering changes to the city's floodplain regulations which would restrict construction in areas expected to be underwater in 2100," reports Nena Perry-Brown.

Namely, the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) "may amend its Flood Hazard Rules to expand the agency's purview over DC's floodplain, covering the 500-year floodplain rather than just the 100-year," according to Perry-Brown.

Those initial steps could all be prelude for an eventual decision by the DOEE to restrict development within the high tide mark—areas that are expected to be underwater by 2100.

"DOEE's proposed changes were included as part of a zoning application the Office of Planning (OP) filed to remove use prohibitions within the 100-year floodplain from the zoning code," adds Perry-Brown.

FULL STORY: DC Agency May Restrict Construction in Areas That May Eventually Be Underwater

Monday, January 6, 2020 in Urban Turf

Environment Infrastructure Land Use Urban Development District of Columbia Washington D.C. Floodplain Development D.C. Department of Energy and Environment Sea-Level Rise Climate Change Resilience View More

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