Record of Decision on the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the National Mall Plan, National Mall and Memorial Parks, Washington, DC, 66960-66961 [2011-27891]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
• National Park Service

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 209 (Friday, October 28, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66960-66961]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-27891]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-NCR-NAMA-0411-7123; 3401-007-SZM]


Record of Decision on the Final Environmental Impact Statement 
for the National Mall Plan, National Mall and Memorial Parks, 
Washington, DC

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability, Record of Decision on the Final 
Environmental Impact Statement for the National Mall Plan, National 
Mall and Memorial Parks, Washington, DC.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 
U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service announces the availability 
of the Record of Decision for the Final Environmental Impact Statement 
for the National Mall Plan, National Mall and Memorial Parks (Final 
EIS/Plan).

ADDRESSES: The Record of Decision, Final EIS/Plan, and other 
information are available for public review in the Office of the 
Superintendent, National Mall and Memorial Parks, 900 Ohio Drive SW., 
Washington, DC 20024-2000. Copies are also posted online at https://www.nps.gov/nationalmallplan.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Superintendent, National Mall and 
Memorial Parks, 900 Ohio Drive SW., Washington, DC 20024-2000, or by 
telephone at (202) 245-4690.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Record of Decision was signed at the 
Thomas Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC on November 9, 2010, by 
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar; Assistant Secretary for Fish, 
Wildlife and Parks Tom Strickland, and National Park Service Director 
Jon Jarvis. The Record of Decision was also signed by National Capital 
Regional Director Peggy O'Dell and Acting National Mall and Memorial 
Parks Superintendent Maria Burks. A Floodplain Statement of Findings 
was signed on September 30, 2010, and a Programmatic Agreement with the 
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, the District of Columbia 
State Historic Preservation Office, and others was signed on November 
8, 2010. All of these documents are posted online at https://www.nps.gov/nationalmallplan.
    Other related material is also available at https://www.nps.gov/nationalmallplan--``A National Mall Plan: Summary,'' ``The National 
Mall Plan: 2010 General Implementation Priorities'' list and related 
map, ``The Draft Environmental Impact Statement and National Mall 
Plan,'' newsletters, studies, public comment reports, maps, historic 
reports and background materials, and a number of related papers.
    The National Mall in Washington, DC is managed by the National Park 
Service as part of the National Park System. Following direction by 
Congress, in November 2006, the National Park Service announced an 
intensive planning effort to refurbish the National Mall so that (1) 
Its treasured memorials and historic landscapes could be preserved, (2) 
very high levels of use could be sustained, and (3) the needs of 
visitors could be met. This effort recognized that the National Mall 
was not designed for the types and levels of use it currently 
receives--nearly 25 million visits annually, including demonstrations, 
national celebrations, and permitted events. This high level of 
visitation has resulted in adverse impacts on the cultural and natural 
resources of the National Mall. Adequate facilities are lacking for 
large gatherings, events, exhibitions, and celebrations; for tourism 
and general visitation; for group visitation; for visitors with 
disabilities; and for recreational opportunities. This has had adverse 
impacts on visitor experiences and park operations.
    The scope of the Final Plan/EIS encompasses three specific 
locations

[[Page 66961]]

collectively referred to as the National Mall, in Washington, DC.
     The Mall, which extends from the grounds of the United 
States Capitol to the Washington Monument and includes Union Square.
     The Washington Monument and its grounds.
     West Potomac Park, including the Lincoln Memorial, the 
World War II Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Franklin 
Delano Roosevelt Memorial, the Tidal Basin, and the Thomas Jefferson 
Memorial.
    The Record of Decision identifies the preferred alternative, as 
described in the Final EIS/Plan, as the selected action for 
implementation. The preferred alternative articulates a vision to 
protect and refurbish the National Mall so that it can better fulfill 
its function as our American symbol and civic space for our democracy, 
and so that high levels of use can be sustained, resources protected, 
and visitor needs met.
    The National Park Service's proposed course of action is to 
reinforce the overall identity of the National Mall and to establish a 
sense of place through enduring and compatible high-quality design, as 
well as through the highest standards of facility maintenance. The 
National Mall will be respectfully rehabilitated and refurbished, with 
improvements made to the pedestrian environment, so that very high 
levels of use can be accommodated and so that the needs of all visitors 
can be met in an attractive, high-quality, energy-efficient, and 
sustainable manner. As the preeminent civic stage for our country, 
First Amendment demonstrations, commemorations, national ceremonies and 
celebrations will be better accommodated. Memorials and landscapes will 
be protected and the large areas of open space that are defining 
features of the designed historic landscape will be better maintained.
    The landscape will evolve to accommodate contemporary uses while 
respecting the planned historic character and visions of the L'Enfant 
and McMillan plans. The National Mall will be emphasized as a year-
round destination where the beauty and variety of every season will 
enhance visitor experiences. Diverse opportunities will be available 
for visitors and will include educational, cultural, and musical 
programs, as well as active and passive recreational activities. The 
National Park Service will continue to manage the National Mall 
pursuant to the applicable laws, regulations, and policies for these 
natural, cultural, and historic resources. Taken as a whole, the 
selected action is also the environmentally preferred alternative 
because it best meets all six goals of the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA). It was developed by combining the advantages of the 
other alternatives, and resource conditions will be greatly improved to 
help achieve the paramount goal of enriching and providing a quality 
American experience for all. The selected action will address high 
levels of use and improve conditions.
    The decision is based on:
     Considerations of public use;
     Civic, ceremonial and commemorative functions;
     Park operational efficiency;
     Analyses of environmental impacts on cultural and natural 
resources;
     Demonstrations;
     Special events;
     National celebrations;
     Access and circulation;
     Visitor experience;
     Socioeconomic environment; and
     Park operations.
    Planning started with a National Park Service-hosted national 
symposium on future use and management of the National Mall and 
featured nationally-recognized experts in architecture, freedom of 
speech, First Amendment rights, landscape architecture, history, law 
enforcement, planning, and government. Substantial public involvement 
was integral to the process for developing the plan and resulted in 
more than 30,000 public comments, as well as close collaboration with 
21 governmental agencies and 30 organizations with an interest in the 
National Mall and/or historic preservation.
    The Final EIS/Plan will serve as the foundation for subsequent 
implementation plans. Among decisions made in the Final EIS/Plan, the 
identification of locations capable of better accommodating use within 
a designed historic landscape is significant.
    The National Park Service investigated means to avoid or minimize 
environmental impacts as a result of the plan and its projects. The 
National Park Service had studies, and assessments prepared at the 
beginning of the planning process, both for public information and as 
background for the National Park Service planning team. The National 
Park Service also worked with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 
and consultants to learn about best practices for solid waste and 
recycling programs. The results of this extensive background analysis 
were incorporated into the alternatives, including the preferred 
alternative. The National Park Service will continue to take all 
practical measures to avoid environmental harm and harm to related 
cultural and historic resources through compliance with statutes such 
as the NEPA and the National Historic Preservation Act, which provide 
for analyses and consultation. The National Park Service will continue 
to work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on projects related to 
the Potomac River, the Tidal Basin, and the Potomac Park levee, and as 
appropriate with other organizations, agencies, and commissions 
including the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, the District 
of Columbia State Historic Preservation Office, the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, and the National 
Capital Planning Commission.
    The Record of Decision contains:
     A summary of the selected alternative;
     Mitigation measures developed to minimize environmental 
harm;
     The four other alternatives considered (including a no-
action alternative);
     The basis for the decision in terms of planning objectives 
and the criteria used to develop the preferred alternative;
     The finding of no impairment of park resources and values;
     The environmentally preferred alternative; and
     The public and agency involvement.

    Dated: September 28, 2010.
Stephen E. Whitesell,
Regional Director, National Capital Region.
[FR Doc. 2011-27891 Filed 10-27-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-39-P