facilities renewal master plan - National Zoo - Smithsonian Institution

FACILITIES MASTER PLAN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
buildings. Construction disturbance likely destroyed evidence of any early outbuildings
associated with the nineteenth-century occupation of the Holt House.
Impacts to Archaeological Resources
No-Action Alternative
Under the No-Action Alternative, small scale site improvements would continue for site
improvements, building rehabilitation, and facilities updates related to safety, health, and
maintenance. There would be only minor changes that would include ground disturbance.
Such disturbance is unlikely to affect the integrity of the archeological resources. Thus,
the No-Action Alternative is not likely to impact archeological resources.
Alternative A
Under Alternative A, facility improvements would result in revitalization of older
exhibits including renovation of exhibits, construction of new entrances into the National
Zoo, installation of new transportation facilities and construction of new administrative
facilities. These improvements could have physical impacts to prehistoric archeological
resources or resources that contribute to the significance of the National Register-listed
National Zoo Historic Site. As a result, Alternative A could result in direct long-term
moderate impacts to areas of high archeological potential. SI has initiated consultation
with the Washington, DC Historic Preservation Office through the Section 106 process.
As a result of this consultation, a programmatic agreement will be sought that identifies
future review requirements and mitigation to be employed during project development.
Future design would consider ways to minimize impacts to areas of high archeological
potential, such as following the principles outlined in The Secretary of Interiors
Guidelines for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
Projects under Alternative A that could have an adverse effect to areas of high
archeological potential include:
Creation of new larger multi-species exhibit areas;
Revitalization of the entrance at Harvard Street Bridge/Beach Drive; and
Transportation improvements including construction of two traffic circles and
the separation of visitor and service vehicle traffic.
The creation of new multi-species exhibit areas, specifically at the Lion-Tiger Hill, could
physically impact areas of high potential for prehistoric archeological resources (A004
and A005). Ground disturbance in these areas could damage or destroy archeological
resources.
The revitalization of the Harvard Street Bridge/Beach Drive entrance, with new facilities,
could physically impact areas A007, A008, and A009. The reclamation of surface
parking (Parking Lot D) and the creation of a visitor experience focused on the Rock
Creek ecosystem could disturb areas A010. Ground disturbance in these areas could
damage or destroy archeological resources.
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION – NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK 78 | P a g e