Delegated Action of the Executive Director

PROJECT NCPC FILE NUMBER Temporary Public Art Installation in 7808 Park, Section D Located along the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail, NCPC MAP FILE NUMBER and Anacostia Drive, SE 8.10(38.00)44390

Washington, DC ACTION TAKEN Approve as requested SUBMITTED BY

United States Department of the Interior REVIEW AUTHORITY Approval Per 40 U.S.C. § 8722(b)(1) and (d)

The National Park Service, – East (NACE), in collaboration with the 11th Street Bridge Park (a project of Building Bridges Across the River at THEARC) and the Ward 8 Arts and Culture Council, has submitted preliminary and final site development plans for a temporary art installation located in Anacostia Park, Section D along the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail and Anacostia Drive in southeast, Washington, DC. The project will entail the installation of four pieces of art located between the John Philip Sousa/Pennsylvania Avenue, SE Bridge and the 11th Street Bridge, with one art work located to the southwest of the 11th Street Bridge. The area is an active recreational zone, and the artwork will be a focal point for the visitors who use the trail. The art sculptures are intended to be in use for three years following installation. After this period, the art installation will be removed. The purpose of the project is to celebrate the , its history, ecology and communities that live alongside its banks. Designed by local high school students and artists, the art work includes four themes: flora and fauna of the Anacostia River; early Native American presence; the Navy Yard; and the African American experience.

The artwork consists of sculptural three-dimensional pieces composed of hand painted sign foam, wood, aluminum, paint and tile panels. The sculptures will not exceed ten feet in height, six inches in width and will be installed approximately eight feet above the ground surface. Each sculpture will be braced by square aluminum poles running along the horizontal center line of the sculpture and anchored with four-inch by four-inch wooden posts that extend three feet below the ground which are back filled with concrete or dirt. The artwork will be located at least four feet from the river trail, and placed between the trail and the river.

The project is not inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan and is part of a series of art installation projects that will set the stage for the future 11th Street Bridge Park, these projects include the Interpretive Signage for the Washington Navy Yard Perimeter Wall and the 295 Underpass Art Installation Display.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), NPS has determined that the project meets the criteria of its categorical exclusion (CATEX) #C.5 as defined in NPS’s NEPA Handbook, which applies to installation of signs, displays, kiosks, etc. As a federal project located within the District of Columbia, NCPC has approval authority over the project and therefore has

Commission Action Page 2 NCPC File No. 7808

an independent obligation to satisfy the requirements of NEPA. Staff has reviewed the proposal in accordance with NCPC’s Environmental and Historic Preservation Policies and Procedures, and has determined that the project meets the conditions of CATEX 8(C)(2) for “repair, replacement and routine installation of components such as windows, doors, roofs; and site elements such as site or building identification signs, sidewalks, patios, fences, retaining walls, curbs, or gates.” Prior to applying this categorical exclusion, NCPC staff determined that no extraordinary circumstances were present as required by the Commission’s NEPA procedures.

Pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), NPS conducted consultation with the District of Columbia State Historic Preservation Officer (DC SHPO). On July 29, 2016, the DC SHPO determined the project would have no adverse effect on historic properties. As this is a federal project located in the District of Columbia, NCPC has an independent responsibility to comply with NHPA. NCPC staff has elected to designate NPS as lead agency pursuant to the Section 106 regulations.

The Coordinating Committee reviewed the proposal at its August 17, 2016 meeting. Without objection, the Committee forwarded the proposed preliminary and final site development plans to the Commission with the statement that the proposal has been coordinated with all participating agencies. The participating agencies were: NCPC; the District of Columbia Office of Planning; the State Historic Preservation Office; the District of Columbia Department of Transportation, the General Services Administration; the National Park Service and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.

* * *

Pursuant to delegations of authority adopted by the Commission on October 3, 1996 and per 40

U.S.C. § 8722(b)(1) and (d), I approve the preliminary and final site development plans for the

temporary public art installation located in Anacostia Park, Section D, along Anacostia Riverwalk

Trail and Anacostia Drive, in southeast Washington, DC, for a period not to exceed three years

following installation completion.

Marcel Acosta Date Executive Director