facilities renewal master plan - National Zoo - Smithsonian Institution

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FACILITIES MASTER PLAN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Table 3. Noise Abatement Thresholds Activity Category Description of Activity Category Leq(1) A Land for which serenity and quiet area of extraordinary significance and serve an important public need and where the preservation of those qualities is essential if the area is to continue to serve its intended purpose 57 (exterior) B Picnic areas, recreation areas, playgrounds, active sports areas, parks, residences, motels, hotels, schools, churches, libraries, and hospitals. 67 (exterior) C Developed land, properties, or activities not included in Categories A or B above 72 (exterior) D Undeveloped lands. N/A E Residences, motels, public meeting rooms, schools, churches, libraries, hospitals, and auditoriums. 52 (interior) Note: The Leq(1) designations represent hourly A-weighted sound levels expressed in dBA. Source: FHWA, June 1995 Additionally, sensitive receptors on the project site include the National Zoo’s animal exhibits. These exhibits are designed to encourage the natural behaviors of their inhabitants such as social interaction, sleeping, and breeding. Presently, the predominant source of noise within the National Zoo vicinity is vehicular traffic along Connecticut Avenue and surrounding roadways. Other less contributing noise sources at the National Zoo include small generators, animals, and maintenance activities such as snow blowers, street vacuums, or mowers. Noise Impacts No-Action Alternative Under the No-Action Alternative, SI would maintain its current operations at the National Zoo and no new noise sources would be created. Therefore, there would be no direct or indirect impacts to noise levels resulting from the No-Action Alternative. Alternatives A, B, and C In general, the impacts on noise of the three action alternatives are similar and therefore, they have been grouped together in this section. Construction activities under each alternative would have effect on existing noise levels. With any large construction projects, areas around the construction site are likely to experience varied periods and degrees of noise impacts. Construction activities associated with the exhibit renewal, entrance revitalizations, the aerial tram, and the parking structures would result in changes to noise levels. For construction activities, the contractor would have to comply with the Section 5 of the Washington, DC Noise Control Act of 1977 that only permits noise resulting from construction or demolition (excluding pile drivers) activity between SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION – NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK 60 | P a g e
FACILITIES MASTER PLAN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 7:00 am and 7:00 pm on any weekday. Noise levels are not permitted to exceed 80 dBA unless granted variance. For each larger development activities, SI would assess the potential impacts to noise and seek to minimize noise levels during construction. Operationally, Alternatives A, B, and C would not result in any substantial changes that would affect noises levels at the National Zoo or to the surrounding properties. The road and aerial trams would add a new noise source but the long-term impacts resulting from each would be minor. For comparison purposes, the aerial tram noise would be equivalent to that of a manual typewriter. Additional evaluation would occur to further assess the impacts associated with the aerial tram. Renovation or the addition of additional building systems such as heat pumps, air condition units, generators, etc. could add an additional noise source to the environment that might be perceptible to nearby residents at night. In each instance, SI would consider screening or noise abatement measure to reduce noise levels from sensitive noise receptors such as nearby residences. Overall, impacts associated with Alternatives A, B, and C would have minor short-term and long-term adverse impacts on noise levels at the National Zoo because noise generated from construction activities and other facilities improvements such as the road and aerial trams could be perceptible from outside the National Zoo. Mitigation for the Preferred Alternative Temporary noise impacts will be minimized during construction or demolition activities of individual projects by utilizing BMPs, as necessary, to meet the requirements of the Washington, DC Noise Control Act of 1977. In accordance with the standards, construction and demolition activity would be limited to between 7:00 am and 7:00 pm on weekdays. If necessary, noise abatement would be used to attenuate excessive construction noise in proximity of noise sensitive receptors. In addition, it is recommended that construction specifications require selection of construction truck routes that would minimize the potential for noise impacts to residences. Before beginning construction on larger projects, a noise study will be performed and a construction noise mitigation plan will be required. The plan will detail specific actions to be taken by the contractor in order to minimize noise impacts and comply with DC noise regulations. B. Cultural Resources B.1 Cultural Landscapes The National Zoo is listed in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) as a historic site. It is significant under National Register Criteria A and C as one of the earliest zoological parks developed in the United States, and as a premier recreational area for Washington, DC. Moreover, the National Zoo’s original plan was prepared by Frederick Law Olmsted, whose idea of allotting a space for each type of animal that is appropriate to its needs and indigenous habitat, revolutionized zoo design. As a cultural landscape, the National Register Bulletin No. 18, How to Evaluate and Nominate Designed Historic Landscapes details various types of designed historic landscapes. The National Zoo has these characteristics of a cultural landscape: SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION – NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK 61 | P a g e
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