facilities renewal master plan - National Zoo - Smithsonian Institution

FACILITIES MASTER PLAN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
effect ground migration of species such as reptiles and amphibians. The adverse impact
to wildlife due to the construction and operation of the aerial tram would be moderate.
The creation of the Discovery Zone and Stormwater Management exhibit at the current
Parking Lot D site would replace current impervious surface with a functioning wetland.
This is likely to attract waterfowl and amphibious species, for a minor long-term
beneficial impact to wildlife.
None of the proposed improvements under Alternative A are located within known areas
of the Hay’s Spring amphipod, and erosion and sediment control measures would ensure
the amphipod’s habitat would not be impacted during construction activities.
Alternative B
Construction of improvements proposed under Alternative B could potentially impact
wildlife. Reclamation of parking lots and flat areas for exhibits and visitor walkways,
consolidation and revitalization of entrances, and renovation/expansion of older exhibits
and park administration facilities would occur mainly within previously developed areas.
Any site-specific or localized impacts to wildlife and/or wildlife habitat would be
negligible.
Construction of a new service road from Amazonia Science Gallery to Bird Hill would
require clearing of undeveloped forested area, permanently disrupting an uninterrupted
forest stand. This could potentially segment migration corridors used by tree and landdwelling
species, which would cause moderate localized adverse impacts to wildlife.
None of the proposed improvements under Alternative B are located within the vicinity
of known occurrences of the Hay’s Spring amphipod. Erosion and sediment control
measures would ensure the amphipod’s habitat would not be impacted during
construction activities.
Alternative C (Preferred Alternative)
Under Alternative C, facilities improvements and construction activities could potentially
impact wildlife. Most of the proposed improvements, including the reclamation of
parking lots and flat land areas for exhibits and visitor walkways, consolidation and
revitalization of entrances, and renovation/expansion of older exhibits and park
administration facilities would occur mainly within previously developed areas. Within
the urban context of the park, impacts to wildlife and wildlife habitat due to these
activities would be negligible.
The pathway of the proposed aerial tram, particularly from Amazonia Science Gallery to
Bird Hill would require clearing of trees and shrubs from an undeveloped forest,
segmenting the forest habitat and causing moderate adverse impacts to wildlife.
Construction of a new service road, also from Amazonia Science Gallery to Bird Hill
would require further clearing of the same undeveloped area of forest, causing additional
segmentation and resulting in moderate adverse impacts to wildlife. Separately, these
actions would fragment existing wildlife habitat by disconnecting the forest into two
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