Executive Director’s Recommendation Commission Meeting: January 9, 2020
PROJECT NCPC FILE NUMBER Temporary Security Cameras on the 8142 National Mall The National Mall NCPC MAP FILE NUMBER Washington, DC 00:00(00.00)45054
SUBMITTED BY APPLICANT’S REQUEST United States Department of the Interior Approval of preliminary and final National Park Service site development plans
REVIEW AUTHORITY PROPOSED ACTION Federal Projects in the District Approve preliminary and final site per 40 U.S.C. § 8722(b)(1) and (d) development plans with comments
ACTION ITEM TYPE Consent Calendar
PROJECT SUMMARY The National Park Service (NPS) has submitted preliminary and final site plans for the installation of temporary security cameras on the National Mall, between Third and Fourteenth Streets, NW. Currently, the National Mall lacks sufficient security infrastructure, which poses a significant safety risk. The goal of the project is to protect the health and safety of the public as well as some of the most important public areas in the country.
The project includes eight (8) temporary poles with cameras for a maximum height of 18 feet, installed along the walkways on the Mall for a period not to exceed five (5) years. The proposed poles, painted in dark bronze, will be located on the edges of the tree panels opposite the center panels on the Mall, centered between existing Olmsted light fixtures, from Third Street to Fourteenth Street, NW. The design of the camera pole and housing was selected to minimize the visual impact to the Mall. The cameras will be installed and powered through existing nearby electric boxes.
KEY INFORMATION • The United States Park Police (USPP) is responsible for law enforcement and security within the National Mall and Memorial Parks (NAMA). The USPP utilize a multi-pronged approach to securing park sites, including the use of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras that allow for improved and more accurate security responses by area USPP officers. • The National Mall is visited by over 25 million visitors a year and the purpose, as defined by NPS, is to provide a monumental, dignified, and symbolic setting for the governmental Executive Director’s Recommendation Page 2 NCPC File No. 8142
structures, museums, and national memorials as first delineated by the L'Enfant plan and further outlined in the McMillan plan. • The submission materials indicate that no cameras will be affixed or attached to any existing light poles or other elements. The application states that the proposed cameras and the selected locations were chosen to integrate into the area in manner that is harmonious and unobtrusive. • As part of the approval for security cameras at the World War II Memorial in 2016, the Commission requested that if NPS and USPP anticipated additional security elements at other locations on the National Mall or elsewhere in the city, that they should coordinate with NCPC and other appropriate stakeholders to develop a comprehensive security plan, which includes program goals and strategies for implementing surveillance technology in a manner that minimizes visual impacts and achieves security goals. • In March 2019, the Commission approved the Small Cell Guidelines that included the Federal Core Interest Map and noted the continued need to coordinate with National Mall stakeholders on the appropriate design and location of small cell infrastructure. • NPS is seeking funding to rehabilitate the National Mall Walkways by 2024 and will work with stakeholders to coordinate permanent security and small cell infrastructure in the future.
RECOMMENDATION The Commission:
Approves the preliminary and final site development plans for the installation of temporary security cameras and associated poles on the National Mall, in Washington, DC.
Notes that this approval is for the location and installation of eight poles with security cameras, and associated site and utility work for a period not to exceed five years.
Notes that the National Park Service and US Park Police will coordinate with NCPC and other appropriate stakeholders to incorporate comprehensive security goals, small cell infrastructure, and any other visible infrastructure into the planned rehabilitation of the National Mall walkways or as part of a separate plan, whichever occurs first.
PROJECT REVIEW TIMELINE Previous actions - None
Remaining actions - None (anticipated)
Executive Director’s Recommendation Page 3 NCPC File No. 8142
PROJECT ANALYSIS
Executive Summary
The National Mall currently has no closed-circuit security surveillance system, and the proposed cameras would address the current safety needs for the site. The proposed installation of eight, 18- foot poles with security cameras, painted dark bronze, and located adjacent to the Mall walkways blend in harmoniously and unobtrusively with their surroundings. Therefore, staff recommends the Commission approve the preliminary and final site development plans for the installation of the proposed temporary security cameras on the National Mall, and note that this approval is for the location and installation of eight poles with security cameras, and associated site and utility work for a period not to exceed five years.
Further, the increasing need for infrastructure such as security cameras and small cell technology as a component of the public realm requires additional discussion and analysis. Staff notes that the National Park Service and US Park Police will coordinate with NCPC and other appropriate stakeholders to incorporate comprehensive security goals, small cell infrastructure, and other visible infrastructure into the planned rehabilitation of the National Mall walkways or as part of a separate plan, whichever occurs first.
Analysis
The United States Park Police are responsible for law enforcement and security within the National Mall and Memorial Parks. The USPP utilize a multi-pronged approach to securing park sites, of which closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems play a critical role. CCTV allows for the monitoring of sites from a central facility, and the efficient dispatch of officers for the increased protection of visitors, park employees, law enforcement resources, and park resources.
This area of the National Mall consists of landscaped panels and loose gravel walking paths bisected by public streets from Third Street to Fourteenth Street, NW. Convergint Technologies, LLC is proposing to donate security equipment to NAMA to be utilized by the USPP in modernizing and upgrading current protection systems in the National Mall monumental core. Convergint is donating eight (8) new cameras and associated poles at a height of 18 feet. The camera poles will be installed adjacent to the Mall panels, along the walkways, to ensure the highest visibility of the area. The proposed cameras and poles will be painted the same dark bronze finish so that they will blend in harmoniously and unobtrusively with the surrounding area and maintain existing viewsheds.
In general, NPS has taken steps to integrate the proposed security elements into the existing landscape. However, the increasing importance of both security technology as well as wireless technology requires continued analysis and coordination. Strategies should be developed in Executive Director’s Recommendation Page 4 NCPC File No. 8142
consultation with applicable stakeholders that will guide the implementation of this technology in a comprehensive and balanced way. Staff would like to better understand how these disparate technological needs can be coordinated and agency goals achieved while also respecting the historic and visual character of the National Mall area.
CONFORMANCE TO EXISTING PLANS, POLICIES AND RELATED GUIDANCE
Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital
As noted above, this project meets basic goals of the Comprehensive Plan. In particular, policies related to parks and open space state that federal agencies should “Minimize impacts from park safety and security improvements so they remain inviting public spaces, accommodate multiple users and activities, retain physical and visual connectivity, and are consistent with maintenance, management, and programming strategies.” In addition, the temporary nature of the proposal and the plan to rehabilitate the Mall meets the historic preservation goal to “Protect and rehabilitate the National Mall and its monumental character as a historic open space that functions as the nation’s preeminent gathering space.” In general, the proposed project has taken steps to integrate the proposed security elements into the existing landscape in a manner that minimizing visual impacts.
National Historic Preservation Act
In compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act, NPS concluded on December 6, 2019 that the undertaking will have no adverse effects on historic properties. The District of Columbia State Historic Preservation Officer does not object to the finding of no adverse effects.
Given its approval authority over the project, NCPC also has an independent responsibility to satisfy the regulations implementing Section 106 of the NHPA. NCPC designated the NPS as the lead agency for Section 106 purposes related to the approval actions regarding this project.
National Environmental Policy Act
Pursuant to the regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the NPS determined on December 6, 2019 that the proposed action would not be expected to individually or cumulatively have significant effects on the human or national environment, that no environmentally controversial changes to existing environmental conditions would be expected, and that no circumstances would require an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement under NEPA, and as such, the proposed action qualifies as a Categorical Exclusion. NPS identified Categorical Exclusion Citation C.19 – “Construction or rehabilitation in previously disturbed or developed areas, required to meet health or safety regulations, or to meet requirements for making facilities accessible to the handicapped.” Executive Director’s Recommendation Page 5 NCPC File No. 8142
Given its approval authority over the project, NCPC also has an independent responsibility to satisfy the requirements of NEPA in accordance with NCPC’s environmental policies and procedures, along with CEQ regulations. Based on a review of the information provided by NPS, staff has determined that the proposed action meets the criteria of NCPC’s Categorical Exclusion (a)(3), which states “Approval of the installation or restoration of minor site elements, such as but not limited to identification signs, sidewalks, patios, fences, curbs, retaining walls, landscaping, and trail or stream improvements.” Prior to applying this categorical exclusion, NCPC staff determined that no extraordinary circumstances were present.
CONSULTATION
Coordinating Committee
The Coordinating Committee reviewed the proposal at its December 18, 2019 meeting. The Committee forwarded the proposal to the Commission with the statement that it has been coordinated with all participating agencies. The participating agencies were: NCPC; The District of Columbia Office of Planning; the District of Columbia State Historic Preservation Office (email); the District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment (email); the National Park Service and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.
U.S. Commission of Fine Arts
This proposal has not yet been reviewed by the Commission of Fine Arts.
ONLINE REFERENCE
The following supporting documents for this project are available online at www.ncpc.gov:
• Submission Package • Project Synopsis • NEPA and Section 106 Documentation
Prepared by Jamie Herr 12/17/2019
POWERPOINT (ATTACHED) Temporary Security Cameras on the National Mall
National Mall, Washington DC
Approval of Comments on Preliminary and Final
United States Department of the Interior
1 NationalJanuary 9, Capital 2020 Planning| File: 8142 Commission File: 8142 Site Location
Location Map
3 National Capital Planning Commission File: 8142 Proposed Camera Locations
Location numbers from east to west
4 National Capital Planning Commission File: 8142 Proposed Camera Locations
Location 1
Location 2
5 National Capital Planning Commission File: 8142 Proposed Camera Locations
Location 3
Location 4
6 National Capital Planning Commission File: 8142 Proposed Camera Locations
Location 5
Location 6
7 National Capital Planning Commission File: 8142 Proposed Camera Locations
Location 7
Location 8
8 National Capital Planning Commission File: 8142 Proposed Camera Locations
9 National Capital Planning Commission File: 8142 Proposed Camera Details
New Pole Detail New Camera Detail
10 National Capital Planning Commission File: 8142