Collapse to view only § 8701. Findings and purposes
§ 8701. Findings and purposes
(a)Findings.—Congress finds that—
(1) the location of the seat of government in the District of Columbia has brought about the development of a metropolitan region extending well into adjoining territory in Maryland and Virginia;
(2) effective comprehensive planning is necessary on a regional basis and of continuing importance to the federal establishment;
(3) the distribution of federal installations throughout the region has been and will continue to be a major influence in determining the extent and character of development;
(4) there is needed a central planning agency for the National Capital region to coordinate certain developmental activities of the many different agencies of the Federal and District of Columbia Governments so that those activities may conform with general objectives;
(5) there is an increasing mutuality of interest and responsibility between the various levels of government that calls for coordinate and unified policies in planning both federal and local development in the interest of order and economy;
(6) there are developmental problems of an interstate character, the planning of which requires collaboration between federal, state, and local governments in the interest of equity and constructive action; and
(7) the instrumentalities and procedures provided in this chapter will aid in providing Congress with information and advice requisite to legislation.
(b)Purposes.—
(1)In general.—The purposes of this chapter (except sections 8733–8736) are—
(A) to secure comprehensive planning for the physical development of the National Capital and its environs;
(B) to provide for the participation of the appropriate planning agencies of the environs in the planning; and
(C) to establish the agency and procedures requisite to the administration of the functions of the Federal and District Governments related to the planning.
(2)Objective.—The general objective of this chapter (except sections 8733–8736) is to enable appropriate agencies to plan for the development of the federal establishment at the seat of government in a manner—
(A) consistent with the nature and function of the National Capital and with due regard for the rights and prerogatives of the adjoining States and local governments to exercise control appropriate to their functions; and
(B) which will, in accordance with present and future needs, best promote public health, safety, morals, order, convenience, prosperity, and the general welfare, as well as efficiency and economy in the process of development.
(Pub. L. 107–217, Aug. 21, 2002, 116 Stat. 1216.)
§ 8702. DefinitionsIn this chapter—
(1)Environs.—The term “environs” means the territory surrounding the District of Columbia included in the National Capital region.
(2)National capital.—The term “National Capital” means the District of Columbia and territory the Federal Government owns in the environs.
(3)National capital region.—The term “National Capital region” means—
(A) the District of Columbia;
(B) Montgomery and Prince Georges Counties in Maryland;
(C) Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William Counties in Virginia; and
(D) all cities in Maryland or Virginia in the geographic area bounded by the outer boundaries of the combined area of the counties listed in subparagraphs (B) and (C).
(4)Planning agency.—The term “planning agency” means any city, county, bi-county, part-county, or regional planning agency authorized under state and local laws to make and adopt comprehensive plans.
(Pub. L. 107–217, Aug. 21, 2002, 116 Stat. 1216.)