facilities renewal master plan - National Zoo - Smithsonian Institution

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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 SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION – NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK 52 | P a g e
FACILITIES MASTER PLAN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT segments. Combined, these actions would break the continuous forest tract into three segments. 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 C 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. Mitigation for the Preferred Alternative Best management practices and tree protection measures will be utilized to avoid preventable impacts to forest habitat. More detailed tree save plans will be prepared for individual projects. Implementation of erosion and sediment control plans, which will also be prepared individually for during construction activities will help to minimize potential soil erosion and sediment transport that could impact aquatic habitat in Rock Creek Park. A.4 Water Resources The National Zoo is cradled by Rock Creek, a tributary of the Potomac River that surrounds the National Zoo almost completely on three sides. Rock Creek is a perennial stream. Surface waters from the National Zoo property drain to Rock Creek, which then flows to the Potomac River. The Rock Creek watershed is a large urbanized surface drainage area consisting of older, high density residential land use. The average impervious surface in the watershed is 50 percent. Based on the review of National Wetland Inventory mapping, three small wetlands were identified. However, based on field inspection, it was determined that these wetlands do not exist. There are no naturally occurring wetlands at the National Zoo, but manmade ponds which serve as animal habitats within exhibits are found throughout the park. Stormwater runoff from the site drains into Rock Creek. Runoff from the animal exhibits is retained in a central holding tank to allow settling of sediments prior to discharge into the Washington, DC wastewater main located near Rock Creek. Based on the review of FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps, the lower portion of the National Zoo is within the 100-year floodplain (FEMA, 1985). Figure 14 presents the natural resources found within the National Zoo Rock Creek site. SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION – NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK 53 | P a g e
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facilities renewal master plan - National Zoo - Smithsonian Institution

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