facilities renewal master plan - National Zoo - Smithsonian Institution
facilities renewal master plan - National Zoo - Smithsonian Institution
facilities renewal master plan - National Zoo - Smithsonian Institution
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FACILITIES MASTER PLAN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT<br />
The improvements proposed to alleviate congestion along the North Road through a<br />
comprehensive traffic and parking management strategy include the construction of two<br />
traffic circles and a limited-use turn lane on North Road at the Harvard Street Bridge/<br />
Beach Drive entrance. The traffic circle would physically impact areas A007, A008, and<br />
A009. Ground disturbance in these areas could damage or destroy archeological<br />
resources.<br />
In summary, before any ground disturbance associated with Alternative B improvements,<br />
the presence or absence of archeological resources in these areas of high archeological<br />
potential needs to be verified by testing. Alternative B may have minor to moderate long<br />
term adverse impacts through the proposed new construction as it would physically<br />
impact areas of high potential for prehistoric archeological resources. As the final designs<br />
for these improvements have not been fully developed, consultation with the Washington,<br />
DC Historic Preservation Office through the Section 106 process should establish<br />
appropriate testing and mitigation efforts.<br />
Alternative C (Preferred Alternative)<br />
Under Alternative C, facility improvements would result in revitalization of older<br />
exhibits including renovation of exhibits, revitalization of new entrances, installation of<br />
new transportation <strong>facilities</strong>, and construction of new administrative <strong>facilities</strong>. These<br />
improvements could have physical impacts to prehistoric archeological resources or<br />
resources that contribute to the significance of the <strong>National</strong> Register-listed <strong>National</strong> <strong>Zoo</strong><br />
Historic Site. As a result, Alternative C could result in direct, long-term, moderate<br />
impacts to areas of high archeological potential. SI has initiated consultation with the<br />
Washington, DC Historic Preservation Office through the Section 106 process. As a<br />
result of this consultation, a programmatic agreement will be sought that identifies future<br />
review requirements and mitigation to be employed during project development. Future<br />
design would consider ways to minimize impacts to areas of high archeological potential,<br />
such as following the principles outlined in The Secretary of Interiors Guidelines for the<br />
Treatment of Historic Properties.<br />
Projects under Alternative C that could have an adverse effect to areas of high<br />
archeological potential include:<br />
Creation of new larger multi-species exhibit areas;<br />
Revitalization of the entrance at Harvard Street Bridge/Beach Drive; and<br />
Transportation improvements including construction of two traffic circles and<br />
the separation of visitor and service vehicle traffic.<br />
The creation of new multi-species exhibit areas, specifically at the Lion-Tiger Hill, could<br />
physically impact areas of high potential for prehistoric archeological resources (A004<br />
and A005). Ground disturbance in these areas could damage or destroy archeological<br />
resources.<br />
The revitalization of the Harvard Street Bridge/Beach Drive entrance, with new <strong>facilities</strong>,<br />
could physically impact areas A007, A008, and A009. The reclamation of surface<br />
parking (Parking Lot D) and the creation of a visitor experience focused on the Rock<br />
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION – NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK 80 | P a g e