DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, 42
U.S.C. 4321, (NEPA), and applicable regulations and policies, the
National Park Service (NPS) and the United States Secret Service
(USSS), as joint lead agencies, are preparing an Environmental
Assessment (EA). The EA will aid the USSS in deciding whether to
permanently close E Street, South Executive Avenue, and the Ellipse
roadways within President's Park South to unauthorized vehicular
traffic, and State Place and West South Executive Avenue and adjacent
sidewalks (contiguous to First Division Monument) and Hamilton Place
and East South Executive Avenue and adjacent sidewalks (contiguous to
Sherman Park) to unauthorized vehicular and unauthorized pedestrian
traffic. The EA will further inform the USSS as it considers replacing
existing security elements in the area, such as jersey barriers,
provisional guard booths, canopy tents, bike rack, concrete planters
and standing canine vehicles. These security elements, while effective,
are visually unattractive and may detract from the iconic and historic
nature of the area. The USSS would seek to install security elements
that are both durable and more aesthetic at the vehicle checkpoints and
along the street closures. The NPS will utilize the EA to assist in its
consideration of landscape and infrastructure changes to President's
Park South that respond to USSS security requirements and conform to
the area's historic features, its iconic status and popularity as a
visitor destination. The National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) is
a cooperating agency in this EA and is assisting in the development of
potential alternatives by holding a limited competition for design
concepts that integrate USSS security requirements and NPS cultural