facilities renewal master plan - National Zoo - Smithsonian Institution

FACILITIES MASTER PLAN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
improvements. A description of these road projects is provided in the transportation
section of this EA.
Since most of the actions associated with the alternatives are similar and collectively
have similar impacts on the environment, cumulative effects associated with the
implementation of the National Zoo Master Plan have been grouped together by resource.
There are very little to no differences in the overall cumulative effect of each alternative
considered by SI. Alternatives A, B, and C would have beneficial impacts on
transportation infrastructure and the visitor experience at the National Zoo and therefore,
there would be no adverse cumulative effects of the action alternatives.
Natural Resources
Alternatives A, B, and C would have minor impacts on soils, topography, vegetation,
wildlife , and water resources associated with site improvements related to reclamation of
parking lots for new expanded exhibit areas, revitalization of visitor entrances,
renovation/expansion of older exhibits and administration facilities, and transportation
improvements such as traffic circles and trams as described throughout this
Environmental Assessment. In general, these impacts to natural resources are minor
short-term and long-term, and adverse. The incremental impact to natural resources is
very small when compared to the existing resources in the project vicinity. For instance,
the total affect to vegetation is negligible when compared to existing vegetation and
forest cover nearby. Other projects such as Asia Trail and Elephant Trail have impacted
or will impact vegetation at the National Zoo. The cumulative effect on natural resources
of Alternatives A, B, and C when added to impacts from other projects identified in the
cumulative impact scenario is minor, long-term and short-term, and adverse.
Cultural Resources
Alternatives A, B, and C have minor to moderate impacts on the cultural landscape,
historic structures, and archeology associated with site improvements related to
reclamation of parking lots for new expanded, exhibit areas, revitalization of visitor
entrances, renovation/expansion of older exhibits and administration facilities and
transportation improvements and trams as described throughout this Environmental
Assessment. In general, these impacts to cultural resources are minor to moderate, longterm,
and adverse with some beneficial impacts such as the case for the rehabilitation of
the Holt House. The incremental impact to cultural resources is small when compared to
the existing resources in the project vicinity. For instance, the total affect to the cultural
landscape is negligible when compared to existing cultural landscape features that make
up the National Zoo Historic Site. Other projects such as Asia Trail and Elephant Trail
have impacted or will impact cultural resources at the National Zoo. These impacts have
been relatively minor when considering the entire resource. The incrementally small
cumulative effect on cultural resources of Alternatives A, B, and C when added to
impacts from other projects identified in the cumulative impact scenario is minor to
moderate, long-term, and adverse. With mitigation, proper planning, and design of new
facilities that are sensitive to the cultural resources, the integrity of the National Zoo
Historic Site would not be diminished to the point that the resource would no longer be
recognized for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION – NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK 108 | P a g e