facilities renewal master plan - National Zoo - Smithsonian Institution

FACILITIES MASTER PLAN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Revitalization of entrances at Connecticut Avenue, Midpoint entry, and Harvard Street
Bridge/Beach Drive would occur within previously disturbed areas of the park.
Construction activities would have minor adverse impacts to soils, resulting in localized
soil loss.
The new parking structure at Parking Lot C would have negligible impacts to geology,
topography, or soils because the structure would be built on top of the existing structure.
Some stabilization and earthwork would be necessary for construction, but the land
disturbance would be minor. The underground parking garage near the Visitor Center at
the Connecticut Avenue entry would have minor impacts to soil and topography from the
excavation necessary to construct this facility. Minor localized impacts would also occur
to geology. More detailed analysis during preliminary design and planning would occur
to quantify potential impacts.
The addition of two new traffic circles on North Road would require minor earth
disturbance that would result in soil loss and erosion. With sediment and erosion control
measures, the impacts to soils would be minor and localized to the area of construction.
The aerial tram and three drop-off/pick-up stations would cause minor to moderate,
localized adverse impacts to soils due to earth disturbance activities. Negligible impacts
to topography and geology would occur.
The construction of a new administration support and operations center at the current
Parking Lot C site, additions to the research buildings near the hospital, and the addition
of a greenhouse would have minor impacts to soils due to land disturbance. Landgrading
activities would cause negligible to minor long-term impacts to topography.
Alternative B
Under the Alternative B scenario, activities associated with the new construction and
renovation of existing facilities and exhibit areas would alter topography and disturb
soils. Construction would occur mostly within previously disturbed and developed areas
of the National Zoo, and impacts associated with each activity would include minor and
localized soil loss due to land clearing activities, and minor and localized impacts to
topography due to grading, fill and excavation activities. In accordance with
Washington, DC requirements, erosion and sediment control measures would be
implemented to minimize soils loss and erosion. Negligible impacts to geology are
anticipated, but further investigation would be needed prior to constructing a new
underground parking structure.
Activities effecting soils, topography, and geology under Alternative B include:
Reclamation of Parking Lot A and the Bus Lot for creation of new large multispecies
exhibit areas;
New Beaver Valley exhibits and walkways;
Revitalization of visitor entrances at Connecticut Avenue and Harvard Street
Bridge/Beach Drive;
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION – NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK 42 | P a g e