National Park Service Finalizes Plan for Georgetown Nonmotorized Boathouse Zone

The National Park Service (NPS) has approved a plan for the Georgetown Nonmotorized Boathouse Zone Development Plan and Environmental Assessment. the development of nonmotorized boating facilities and related park improvements along the District of Columbia side of the Potomac River in the Georgetown area.

NPS National Capital Regional Director Bob Vogel signed a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) on February 13, 2017 for the Georgetown Nonmotorized Boathouse Zone Development Plan at the conclusion of an environmental assessment for the development of the nonmotorized boating facilities and related park improvement along the District of Columbia side of the Potomac River in the Georgetown area.that evaluated proposed alternatives for proposed improvements.

Public involvement and work with other federal and District government agencies played an important role in developing the alternative proposals and environmental assessment for this project. The FONSI is based on a preferred alternative that includes proposed changes that respect the historic character, natural resources and existing recreational uses of Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park and Rock Creek Park while providing substantial improvements to the waterfront.

The preferred alternative allows for the phased development of nonmotorized boating facilities for both rowing programs and recreational paddlers, while providing planning flexibility in future size, placement, and design of these facilities. The preferred alternative includes two new facilities east of the aqueduct along Water Street NW in the District, an expanded kayak rental facility, and a proposed reconfiguration of the streetscape to improve the connections of the Capital Crescent Trail and Georgetown Waterfront Park, and access to the private properties in the zone.

The FONSI completes the initial project planning and compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and National Historic Preservation Act. The NPS will work with a variety of partners to implement the plan. The initial coordination will begin soon, but an exact timetable for realizing the plan has not yet been determined.

Document Content:

Final Nonmotorized Boathouse - Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)   (9.9 MB, PDF file) Final Nonmotorized Boathouse Transportation Study   (6.0 MB, PDF file) Final Nonmotorized Boathouse Environmental Assessment   (19.0 MB, PDF file) Disclaimer: Links within the above document(s) were valid as of the date published. Note: Some of the files may be in PDF format and can be viewed using the Adobe Acrobat Reader software. You may download a free copy of from Adobe Systems.