Draft Memorandum of Agreement, Issuance of a Special Use Permit for Demolition of the Foundry Branch Trestle Bridge

This is the draft Memorandum of Agreement for the issuance of a Special Use Permit, by the National Park Service, for the demolition of the Foundry Branch Trestle Bridge in Glover Archbold Park in Washington, DC.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has applied to the National Park Service (NPS) for a Special Use Permit to access NPS lands to demolish the Foundry Branch Trestle Bridge. This action constitutes an undertaking under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) as amended (54 U.S.C. 306108) and its implementing regulations (36 CFR part 800), as it would occur in part on land under the direct jurisdiction of the NPS, and requires the Service's approval and funding for implementation.

The NPS, in consultation with the DC State Historic Preservation Officer, WMATA, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), and the Consulting Parties has found that the undertaking will have adverse effects on the Foundry Branch Trestle Bridge and associated Glover Archbold Park. Demolition of the bridge will directly affect the physical integrity of the historic structure as well as diminish the integrity of the setting, feeling, and association of the Glover Archbold Park.

The NPS identified and evaluated several approaches to minimize adverse effects. To meet the undertaking's purpose and need, the NPS determined that an adverse effect on the historic property is unavoidable. Therefore, the NPS is entering into this MOA pursuant to 36 CFR § 800.6(c) to fulfill its responsibilities under Section 106.

This draft document provides information about the project history, as well as proposed measures intended to mitigate the adverse effect caused by the bridge's removal from the landscape.

Document Content:

Foundry Branch Trestle Draft for Consulting Parties Review April 21 2025.pdf   (1.5 MB, PDF file) Disclaimer: Links within the above document(s) were valid as of the date published. Note: Some of the files may be in PDF format and can be viewed using the Adobe Acrobat Reader software. You may download a free copy of from Adobe Systems.