NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
National Museum of African American History and Culture

The Smithsonian Institution, the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), and the National Park Service (NPS) announce the availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). The FEIS evaluates potential environmental impacts associated with the construction and operation of the museum.

The NMAAHC is proposed to be constructed on a five-acre site located between Constitution Avenue, Madison Drive, and 14th and 15th Streets, NW, in Washington, D.C. Administrative jurisdiction over the site was transferred from NPS to the Smithsonian Institution on June 1, 2007. The FEIS for the site has been prepared in accordance with the implementing regulations of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and includes information relevant to the Section 106 process of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).

The FEIS analyzes the potential effects of schematic massing alternatives on the natural and manmade environments including cultural resources, aesthetic/visual resources, groundwater and surface water resources, air quality, noise, transportation, land use, visitor use, communities and businesses, infrastructure and utility services, and public health and security. In addition, the FEIS describes design principles which identify important issues that must be considered to minimize adverse effects on historic buildings, landscapes, views and vistas of the site, and environs of the NMAAHC.

Information included in the FEIS reflects public comments and discussions with the Section 106 Consulting Parties at this stage under the National Historic Preservation Act for the new museum during this first tier FEIS process.

There will be a second tier Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement to analyze the potential impacts associated with at least one or more design alternatives for the site. Any other significant impacts found to be important to the final design and construction implementation of the project will also be addressed in the second tier phase of the process. The timeframe for further evaluations is identified in the FEIS.

The FEIS is being distributed to agencies, organizations and parties that have previously expressed an interest in reviewing the document. The FEIS is also available on-line at the Smithsonian and at the project website at http://www.louisberger-nmaahceis.com. Printed copies are available for review at:
• Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
• Northeast Branch Library, 330 7th Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20002
• Southeast Branch Library, 403 7th Street, SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
• Southwest Branch Library, 900 Wesley Place, SW, Washington, D.C. 20024
• National Capital Planning Commission, 401 9th Street, NW, Suite 500, Washington D.C. 20004
• Smithsonian Institution Planning Library and Resource Room, Capital Gallery, 600 Maryland Avenue, SW, Suite 5001, Washington, D.C. 20024

The Smithsonian Institution and NCPC invite the general public, civic groups, organizations, federal agencies, and District agencies to review the final document. Written responses to the FEIS will be accepted until July 28, 2008. All information received during this period will be considered by the responsible agencies. Please send written comments on the NMAAHC FEIS to: Jane Passman, Smithsonian Institution, 600 Maryland Avenue SW, Suite 5001, P.O. Box 37012 MRC 511, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012.