Environmental Assessment - National Capital Planning Commission

Environmental Assessment
Cultural Resources: The proposed action under this alternative
would have no effect on National Register-listed or eligible
architectural or archaeological resources. The site where the
proposed facility would be built has been extensively disturbed
and has little potential to contain intact archaeological
resources. If, however, archaeological artifacts or skeletal
remains were uncovered by construction activities, work would
stop immediately. The Navy would consult with the DC Historic
Preservation Office (DCHPO) and other parties, as appropriate,
before resuming any activities that could disturb the find.
Natural Resources: Construction of the proposed new facility
would disturb the project site’s soils over an area of
approximately three acres. The flatness of the site would
contribute to minimizing construction-related erosion.
Additionally, BMPs such as silt barriers or the seeding of
exposed soils would be used to further limit the risk of
erosion. Land disturbing activities affecting more than 50
square feet in the District of Columbia require the preparation
of an erosion and sediment control plan to be reviewed and
approved by the DC Department of the Environment, Watershed
Protection Division. Preparation and implementation of an
approved erosion and sediment control plan in compliance with
this requirement would ensure that erosion-related impacts are
minimal and not significant.
Implementation of the Anacostia Alternative would have no direct
impact on surface water resources. The project site does not
contain wetlands; nor is it located within the 100-year
floodplain. In the long term, construction of the proposed
facility would increase the amount of impervious surfaces at the
site, which is currently partly pervious. However, LID features
would minimize impacts on stormwater volume and sediment and
nutrient loadings. These features would be incorporated into the
stormwater management plan required by the District of Columbia
for projects disturbing more than 5,000 square feet. Thus,
impacts on both the quantity and the quality of the stormwater
runoff generated by the project site would be minimal and not
significant.
Impacts to biological resources would be negligible. A few trees
and some marginal habitat that may accommodate common urban
species would be lost. The new facility’s landscaping would
partially offset this loss. The proposed action would have no
effect on threatened or endangered species, including the
shortnose sturgeon, which may be present in the Potomac and
Anacostia rivers. Nor would the proposed action have a
Executive Summary
ES-6