asia trail elephant facility - National Zoo - Smithsonian Institution

ASIA TRAIL - ELEPHANT FACILITY SUPPLEMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
more natural animal behaviors; and enhance the visitor interpretive experience. In addition, the
project will implement some of the objectives of previous and existing planning efforts for the
Zoo including the 1986 Revised Master Plan for the Zoo, the 1996 facilities study, the 2000
renewal plan, the 2001 failing facilities study, and the 2001 Site Utility Improvement Plan. In
addition, the Zoo will undertake a comprehensive facilities master plan in 2005 to coordinate
these and other efforts with the long-term needs of the Zoo.
Background on the Asia Trail EA
Consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, and the
Council of Environmental Quality’s (CEQ) regulations implementing NEPA, SI prepared the
Asia Trail at the National Zoological Park Environmental Assessment (Asia Trail EA) in
December 2003 to evaluate the potential impacts of the Asia Trail Project. Although SI is not a
“federal agency” within the meaning of NEPA, it is SI’s policy and intent to inform and involve
host communities during the planning of its facilities and SI is committed to integrating
environmental considerations into its planning and decision-making activities.
The Asia Trail EA evaluated development of the Asia Trail as the Proposed Alternative, and also
evaluated a No Action Alternative. SI analyzed the technical and procedural components of the
Asia Trail EA, along with comments received during the public review period regarding the EA.
Based on the lack of significant impacts expected under the Proposed Alternative, as described in
the EA, SI issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) in January 2004. As a federal
agency with an approval role on the project, NCPC adopted and developed a FONSI in February
2004 on the original Asia Trail EA. Implementation of the Asia Trail project is currently
underway in phases and construction has begun on Phase I. The proposed facilities are scheduled
to be completed and operational in 2008.
1.3 Purpose and Need for the New Elephant Facility
Provision of a suitable facility for a modernized and revitalized Asian elephant exhibit is an
important component of the Asia Trail project. A new facility for the exhibit is needed due to the
lack of functionality of the Elephant House and because only limited modification of the existing
structure is possible.
The National Zoo, with its variety of 19 th and 20 th century zoo-related structures, is a listed site in
the National Register of Historic Places, and is also listed in the District of Columbia Inventory
of Historic Sites. According to the Zoo’s National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form,
the Zoo contributes to the cultural heritage and visual beauty of the District. The Elephant
House, while not individually listed in the Historic Register, is eligible for listing due to its age
(68 years) and its status as a contributing element to the Zoo’s National Register listing. As a
result, SI would strive to meet the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic
Properties for potential structural changes to the Elephant House, consistent with SI policy and,
depending on the scope of the project, Public Law 108-72.
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION – NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK 1-4