Environment in District of Columbia

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Oct 1, 2025

B 26-0313: Parkside Canopy Temporary Amendment Act of 2025

This bill temporarily exempts Heritage Trees in Lots 865-869 of Square 5056 (Parkside mixed-use development) from removal requirements under the Urban Forest Preservation Act. It applies only to trees on these specific lots where a planned unit development was approved by the Zoning Commission before July 1, 2016. The exemption expires 225 days after the bill takes effect.

Topics ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Forestry

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Oct 1, 2025

B 26-0320: Long Bridge Project Temporary Amendment Act of 2025

This bill temporarily amends the Urban Forest Preservation Act to allow removal of Heritage Trees near the Long Bridge Project (managed by Virginia Passenger Rail Authority) under specific conditions. It requires the Mayor to issue a permit only if: no design alternative avoids the tree, the tree cannot be protected in place, relocation costs exceed $1 million or would cause public burden, and the applicant pays $1,200 per inch of tree circumference. The amendment applies solely to this project and expires 225 days after enactment. It directly affects developers of the Long Bridge Project and the District’s tree preservation enforcement process.

Topics ✗ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Forestry Bridges Rail

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Jul 25, 2025

PR 26-0274: Parkside Canopy Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2025

This resolution seeks to exempt specific Heritage Trees in the Parkside mixed-use development (Lots 865-869, Square 5056, Ward 7) from the Urban Forest Preservation Act's permit requirements for tree removal. It directly affects the Parkside project, which includes 209 affordable housing units and retail space (like a grocery store), already approved before the 2016 tree protection amendments. The resolution declares an emergency to bypass standard removal permits, arguing the project’s existing park and green space offset the tree loss. It aims to expedite the development’s construction without requiring the usual Special Tree removal permits under current law.

Topics ✗ Environment ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Forestry Natural Disasters Parks & Recreation Affordable Housing Historic Preservation Property Development

died · District of Columbia · Legislature Jul 9, 2025

B 26-0298: Parkside Canopy Temporary Amendment Act of 2025

This bill temporarily exempts specific Heritage Trees in Lots 865-869 of Square 5056 (Parkside mixed-use development) from removal restrictions under the Urban Forest Preservation Act. It applies only to trees in this area where a planned unit development was approved by the Zoning Commission before July 1, 2016. The exemption is temporary, expiring 225 days after the bill takes effect, and does not change general tree protection rules for other areas.

Topics ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Forestry

in committee · District of Columbia · Legislature Jan 9, 2026

B 26-0277: Parkside Support Amendment Act of 2025

This bill exempts certain heritage tree protections for the Parkside mixed-use development project (Lots 865-869 in Square 5056) that had prior zoning approval before July 1, 2016. It provides tax abatements of up to $300,000 annually for 30 years on these lots, contingent on issuing a final building certificate by September 30, 2029. The bill also includes refunds for related development fees paid by the project owner. It directly affects the Parkside development project owners through these tax and tree regulation changes.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Aug 8, 2025

B 26-0319: Long Bridge Project Emergency Amendment Act of 2025

This emergency bill modifies the Urban Forest Preservation Act to allow removal of Heritage Trees adjacent to the Long Bridge Project (managed by Virginia Passenger Rail Authority) under specific conditions. The Mayor must issue permits if no design alternative avoids the tree, in-place protection is impossible, relocation costs exceed $1 million or causes public burden, and the project pays $1,200 per inch of tree circumference. It directly affects the Long Bridge Project developers and Heritage Tree owners by creating a streamlined removal process for trees on or near the project site. The bill is temporary, taking effect immediately but lasting only 90 days as an emergency measure.

Topics ✗ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Forestry Bridges Rail

died · District of Columbia · Legislature Jul 9, 2025

B 26-0297: Parkside Canopy Emergency Amendment Act of 2025

This bill exempts specific Heritage Trees in the Parkside mixed-use development project from removal requirements under the Urban Forest Preservation Act. It directly affects the Parkside project (Lots 865-869, Square 5056) by allowing tree removal to proceed without violating heritage tree protections, as the Zoning Commission approved the project before July 1, 2016. The key provision amends the 2002 law to exclude these trees from preservation rules, enabling the development to move forward. The exemption applies only to the specified lots and is structured as an emergency measure.

Topics ✗ Environment ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Forestry Historic Preservation Property Development Zoning

died · District of Columbia · Legislature Jul 9, 2025

PR 26-0255: Parkside Canopy Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2025

This resolution (PR 26-0255) declares an emergency to exempt five Heritage Trees in the Parkside mixed-use development (Lots 865-869, Square 5056, Ward 7) from the District’s Urban Forest Preservation Act requirements. It directly affects the Parkside project, which includes 209 affordable housing units and retail space (like a grocery store), by allowing removal of these specific trees without a Special Tree removal permit. The resolution bypasses standard tree protection rules to support the project’s economic development, noting the development already created new green space to offset the tree loss. This is an emergency declaration, not a new law, and takes effect immediately.

Topics ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Forestry Natural Disasters

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Feb 14, 2025

B 26-0006: Climate Commitment Clarification Emergency Amendment Act of 2025

This bill clarifies that the District's Climate Commitment Act does not prevent the Department of General Services (DGS) from repairing or replacing parts of existing fossil fuel-based heating and cooling systems in government buildings. It specifically allows DGS to maintain these systems - such as boilers or furnaces - without requiring full replacement with electric systems, as long as the work occurs on existing infrastructure. The change applies retroactively from January 1, 2025, and avoids the need for costly, time-intensive full system replacements that would generate significant carbon emissions. This adjustment directly affects DGS operations across over 300 existing fossil fuel systems in District government buildings.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Climate Change

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Feb 28, 2025

B 26-0079: Department of Energy and Environment Rulemaking Clarification Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2025

This bill (B 26-0079) removes a requirement that the Mayor of Washington, D.C., submit all environmental rules to the Council for a mandatory 45-day review period. It amends the District Department of the Environment Establishment Act of 2005 to change the Mayor’s authority from "shall promulgate" (must create) to "may promulgate" (may create), eliminating the review process. This change allows the Mayor to issue environmental regulations more quickly without Council approval. The bill applies to rules implementing the Department of Energy and Environment’s authority and is an emergency measure valid for 90 days.

Topics ✗ Environment

All environment bills