facilities renewal master plan - National Zoo - Smithsonian Institution

FACILITIES MASTER PLAN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. PURPOSE AND NEED FOR THE PROPOSED ACTION .............................. 1
A. Introduction .............................................................................................................. 1
B. Purpose and Need .................................................................................................... 1
C. Background .............................................................................................................. 3
D. Planning Policies ...................................................................................................... 6
E. Public Involvement .................................................................................................. 9
F. Agency Coordination ............................................................................................. 11
G. Workshops/Planning Process ................................................................................. 13
II. DESCRIPTION OF ALTERNATIVES ............................................................. 15
A. Process for Alternative Development .................................................................... 15
B. Actions Common to All Alternatives .................................................................... 19
C. No-Action Alternative ........................................................................................... 20
D. Alternative A .......................................................................................................... 21
E. Alternative B .......................................................................................................... 24
F. Alternative C (Preferred Alternative) .................................................................... 27
G. Alternative Concepts .............................................................................................. 30
H. Comparison of Alternatives with Master Plan Objectives ..................................... 35
III. AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL
CONSEQUENCES ......................................................................................................... 39
A. Natural and Biological Resources .......................................................................... 40
A.1 Soils, Geology, and Topography ........................................................................ 40
A.2 Vegetation .......................................................................................................... 46
A.3 Wildlife including Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Species ......................... 50
A.4 Water Resources ................................................................................................ 53
A.5 Air Quality ......................................................................................................... 56
A.6 Noise .................................................................................................................. 58
B. Cultural Resources ................................................................................................. 61
B.1 Cultural Landscapes ........................................................................................... 61
B.2 Historic Structures .............................................................................................. 67
B.3 Archeological Resources .................................................................................... 76
C. Socioeconomics ..................................................................................................... 81
C.1 Aesthetics/Visual Resources ............................................................................. 81
C.2 Land Use and Zoning ........................................................................................ 86
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION – NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK i | P a g e