Norton to Continue Efforts to Pass Bill Prohibiting Restrictions on Public Access to Washington Channel Despite Official Withdrawal of Proposed Rule

Statement

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that, despite the official withdrawal today of a proposed rule restricting public access to the Washington Channel in the District of Columbia, she will continue working to pass her bill that would prohibit any such rule in the future. Norton hosted a public meeting on the proposed rule, where D.C. residents overwhelmingly opposed the restrictions.

"I am pleased the Army Corp of Engineers withdrew its proposed rule restricting public access to the Washington Channel," Norton said. "This proposed rule was arbitrary, capricious and unnecessarily restricted recreational and commercial access to the Channel without providing any benefits to Fort McNair. Moreover, I will continue working to pass my bill prohibiting any such restrictions. Congress passed my bills to redevelop the Southwest and Southeast waterfronts, which have reinvigorated community engagement on the waterfront and have generated considerable tax revenue for the District."

Last year, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure passed Norton's Washington Channel Public Access Act (H.R. 1765), which would prohibit the Army Corps from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing the proposed rule, or any other rule that restricts public access to the Washington Channel.

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