The National Park Service sent a memorandum of agreement to historic preservation groups that included a series of measures to lessen the impact of President Donald Trump’s planned 250-foot triumphal arch after concluding the massive structure would have unavoidable “adverse effects” on historic sites around the nation’s capital.
The proposed MOA, obtained by the Washington Post, lays out steps federal officials say could mitigate the project’s effects as the Trump administration seeks to complete a required historic preservation review and move the arch toward final approval.
NPS is asking the National Capital Planning Commission, District of Columbia State Historic Preservation Office, Virginia Historic Preservation Office, and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation to sign the agreement by Monday, according to the outlet.
The park service acknowledged in the agreement that placing the arch at Memorial Circle, between Arlington Memorial Bridge and Arlington National Cemetery, would affect historic properties by changing their setting, design, spatial organization, and views. The agency said those effects “cannot be fully avoided” while keeping the arch at its proposed location, which is “central” to the project.
To reduce the impact, NPS proposed restrictions on construction noise, lighting, vibration, and work hours, including coordination with Arlington National Cemetery to avoid disruptions during funerals and major commemorative events. The plan would also maintain pedestrian access during construction.
Other measures include rehabilitating the Memorial Avenue landscape, mitigating dust from transporting materials, and documenting existing views before construction. The park service also proposed creating exhibits, signs, and webpages explaining the history of the corridor and triumphal arches.
Under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, federal agencies are charged with reviewing adverse effects on historic sites. An adverse effect occurs when a federal project alters any characteristic of a historic property. The most obvious example would be physical damage or destruction, but more subtle ways include introducing incompatible visual, atmospheric, or audible elements that intrude on the property’s historical integrity.
The arch has faced opposition from preservationists, veterans, and others who argue its size and placement would disrupt the historic sightline connecting the Lincoln Memorial, Arlington Bridge, and Arlington National Cemetery.
TRUMP ARCH COULD TAKE UP TO THREE YEARS AND 20 HOURS OF CONSTRUCTION PER DAY
The project is also facing a federal lawsuit from three military veterans who argue that the project requires congressional approval and an extensive review process and would dishonor service members buried at Arlington National Cemetery. A federal judge has required the administration to provide notice before beginning the construction process while the case proceeds.
Trump has said the arch should stand 250 feet tall to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary. The Interior Department previously said the arch will “enhance the visitor experience at Arlington National Cemetery for veterans, the families of the fallen, and all Americans alike, serving as a visual reminder of the noble sacrifices borne by so many American heroes throughout our 250-year history so we can enjoy our freedoms today.”