CHAPTER 7: ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW - ddot

LONG BRIDGE STUDY FINAL REPORT

CHAPTER 7: ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW

LONG BRIDGE STUDY FINAL REPORT

CHAPTER 7: ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW

The environmental review identified potential environmental constraints within the human and natural environment in the study area. For the purposes of this review, a 500-foot wide corridor was established around each of the alternatives, including the No Build Alternative (Alternative 1). The corridors are 250 feet to either side of the centerline of the proposed alternative, providing a total corridor width of 500 feet.

The environmental review and resource identification process provided:

? Identification of sensitive resources within the project area in light of current regulatory requirements;

? Identification of potential fatal flaws for any of the build alternatives; and,

? Identification of and possible future studies necessary to obtain environmental clearances in accordance with the NEPA requirements and related environmental regulations and executive orders.

Areas identified in this environmental review are the same as those typically evaluated during the NEPA process.

This environmental review is intended to highlight the environmental resources present in the study area and help plan a future environmental study to determine the most appropriate NEPA document. Twelve elements are discussed as part of the environmental review including:

Land Use Community Facilities and Services

Environmental Justice Air Quality

Noise and Vibration Hazardous Materials

Section 106 Historic Resources Section 4(f) and 6(f) Resources

Aesthetics Water Resources Protected Species and Critical Habitat Federal Action and Permits

Land Use

A number of physical characteristics have been identified that would play a part in any environmental analysis. The northern third of the project area is located in the District and includes the National Park Service (NPS) National Mall and Memorial Parks; the middle third of the project area spans the Potomac River; and the southern third of the project area is located in Arlington County, Virginia.

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LONG BRIDGE STUDY FINAL REPORT

In the District, the Long Bridge reaches the Southwest waterfront area on NPS land adjacent to the Tidal Basin. To the south of the Long Bridge is the Southwest waterfront, including the Gangplank Marina and Fish Market. The railroad continues underneath Maryland Avenue, SW, in front of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel and Federal Communication Commission buildings. It continues further to go underneath L'Enfant Plaza to service the L'Enfant Station for Amtrak and VRE. This is a major hub for federal employment and serves as a major transfer location. The bridge crosses over East Potomac Park, which is owned by NPS. Beyond East Basin Drive are the Thomas Jefferson Memorial and Tidal Basin and other memorials. East Potomac Park is not part of the National Mall but does house recreational facilities such as tennis courts, pool, and golf course. East Potomac Park is also the home for the NPS's National Capital Park Central Headquarters, maintenance facilities, the US Park Police Headquarters, and parking lots. The Virginia landing is also owned by NPS, the Mount Vernon Trail facility, and George Washington Memorial Parkway. The railroad continues across the Long Bridge Park. During the future NEPA process, land use consistency and future land use impacts will need to be evaluated in greater detail. Included in this effort will be coordination and collaboration with localities, stakeholders, landowners, and citizens to develop alternatives that meet the purpose and need.

Community Facilities and Services

Community facilities and services include schools, hospitals, libraries, places of worship, cemeteries, emergency services (police, fire, and emergency response), park and recreation resources, retail centers, businesses, and other facilities and services. As shown in Table 7.1, there are many such resources within the vicinity of the Long Bridge. While the project is an urbanized area, parks, recreation areas, and wildlife and waterfowl refuges are the dominant community facilities and services in the project area. Table 7.2 provides details on these resources and identifies the jurisdictional authority of each.

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CHAPTER 7: ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES

Table 7.1:Community Facilities and Services

District of Columbia

Arlington, VA

National Park Service, East Potomac Park (including NCP Central Headquarters, NCP Headquarters, East Potomac Maintenance Facilities, US Park Police Headquarters, East Potomac Tennis Center, East Potomac Public Golf Course, East Potomac Pool)

National Park Service, Lady Bird Johnson Memorial Park, Lyndon B. Johnson Memorial Grove, Navy and Marine Memorial, Mount Vernon Trail, George Washington Memorial Parkway

National Park Service, National Mall and Memorial Parks (including Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Tidal Basin, George Mason Memorial, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, and West Potomac Park Unit, including West Potomac Park Fields #3 and #4)

Long Bridge Park, Gravelly Point Park, and Crystal City Water Park

Rock Creek Park Trails, Benjamin Banneker Park, Roaches Run Waterfowl Sanctuary and Box Car Willie Park

L'Enfant Plaza Metro Station

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

Federal Office Buildings: US Treasury Department, FCC, USDA, US Postal Service Headquarters, Department of Education, Department of Energy, HUD, USDOT, USDA Graduate School, United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Headquarters, USDOT-Federal Aviation Administration

The Pentagon

Commercial Retail and Office Buildings, including The Portals II and III, and the Mandarin Oriental Hotel

Crystal City Metro Station

1st District Police Station

Crystal City shops, businesses, hotels, multifamily dwellings

Washington Marina, Southwest Fish Wharf, Capital Yacht Club

Columbia Island Marina

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