facilities renewal master plan - National Zoo - Smithsonian Institution

FACILITIES MASTER PLAN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
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 construction
of a new greenhouse would have minor impacts on soils due to land disturbance. Landgrading
activities would cause negligible to minor long-term impacts to topography.
Alternative C (Preferred Alternative)
Under Alternative C, new construction and renovation of existing facilities and exhibit
areas would alter topography and disturb soils. Construction activity would occur mostly
within previously disturbed and developed areas of the National Zoo, and impacts
associated with each activity would include minor to moderate 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 in the Alternative C concept include:
Reclamation of Parking Lots A, B, D, and the Bus Lot for the creation of new
large multi-species exhibit areas;
New Beaver Valley exhibits and walkways;
Revitalization/expansion of visitor entrances at Connecticut Avenue, Midpoint
entry, and Harvard Street Bridge/Beach Drive;
New above ground parking structure at current Parking Lot C site;
Two-story underground parking structure near the Connecticut Avenue entry;
Addition of two new traffic circles on North Road;
Construction of an aerial tram system;
Construction of a new service road from Amazonia Science Gallery to Bird Hill;
The construction of a new administrative, support and operations hub near the
Parking Lot C site; and
Additions to research buildings near the hospital, a new greenhouse, and a small
staff parking lot near Holt House.
Parking Lots A, B, D, and the Bus Lot would be reclaimed and older exhibits and flat
land areas would be revitalized. Land clearing and grading would be required to
construct five new large multi-species habitat and exhibits areas throughout the park to
enhance animal exhibits and visitor experience. The larger exhibit areas would help the
National Zoo provide the highest quality animal care and management. It should be noted
that collection planning for animal exhibits at the National Zoo is a separate process from
the master planning process. The reclamation of Parking Lots A, B, D, and the Bus Lot,
and revitalization of older exhibits and flat land areas would cause land disturbance,
minor soil erosion, and alteration of existing topography.
The new Beaver Valley exhibits and walkways would be designed to separate park
service from visitor circulation through a series of bridges, structures, lifts, and ramps.
Minor soil loss would occur due to land disturbance activities. The Beaver Valley
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