Triumphal Arch - Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact

To comply with the National Environmental Policy Act, the National Park Service (NPS) prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) analyzing the alternatives and evaluating the potential environmental effects associated with constructing the proposed Triumphal Arch on the George Washington Memorial Parkway. The EA is prepared in accordance with 516 DM 1, U.S. Department of the Interior, Handbook of National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures, February 2026 (DOI NEPA Handbook) and its appendices, along with the National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Regulations at 43 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 46. (see link to document below)

In addition, the NPS has prepared a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) which documents the National Park Service's determination that the proposed Triumphal Arch in Memorial Circle would not result in significant environmental impacts. However, this FONSI does not constitute a final decision or approval for the project. Typically, the NPS issues the FONSI and the associated Decision Document together; however, because certain components of the decision-making process have not yet been completed, including compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, NPS will issue a separate Decision Document at a later date. Preparation of a standalone Decision Document is consistent with the DOI NEPA Handbook.

Similarly, the NPS has not yet prepared a Non-Impairment Determination for the project. Although NPS guidance recommends completing this determination concurrently with the FONSI, that recommendation presumes that the FONSI and Decision Record are issued together. In this instance, because they are not, the NPS will prepare the Non-Impairment Determination to accompany the later Decision Record. This approach ensures that the non-impairment finding is based on the full compliance record rather than solely on the NEPA analysis.

The project study area includes Memorial Circle, the adjacent staging area, the surrounding cultural landscapes and the proposed utility corridors. Memorial Circle is a formally designed element of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, located at the western end of Arlington Memorial Bridge. The Parkway, a 25-mile corridor along the Potomac River, combines early 20th century landscape design, transportation infrastructure, natural and cultural resources, and recreational features. Memorial Circle lies within Lady Bird Johnson Park, whose landscaped grounds, native plantings, multi-use trails, and cultural features provide the broader setting that frames the Circle within the Parkway corridor.

Document Content:

Triumphal Arch Environmental Assessment_508.pdf   (6.2 MB, PDF file) Triumphal Arch Finding of No Significant Impact_508.pdf   (352.3 KB, 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.