Home News Agreement Signed to Expedite Reviews for Washington Monument Security Enhancements

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information, contact Don Klima or Sharon Conway/202-606-8503

May 7, 2002, Washington, DC—Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) has signed an agreement with the National Park Service (NPS), the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) and the District of Columbia State Historic Preservation Officer outlining a streamlined review process for planned permanent security improvements to the Washington Monument and surrounding grounds. [Read the text of the agreement]

This agreement symbolizes ACHP's commitment to working with State and Federal agencies to ensure the historical integrity of our Nation's treasures, said John L. Nau, III, ACHP Chairman.

The agreement provides for an evaluation of proposals for an adaptive use of the historic 1888 Monument Lodge building as a visitors' entrance; construction of an underground visitor facility that connects to the monument through its foundation, and creation of a new system of walkways and low walls to minimize recognizable security barriers around the monument.

The agreement also allows the public to actively participate in the consideration of the proposed security enhancements for the Washington Monument and grounds. In addition, the public may give testimony at public hearings hosted by NCPC or the Commission of Fine Arts in conjunction with their formal review processes.

The role of ACHP in the agreement, in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, is to ensure that the effects of the security enhancements for the Washington Monument and grounds are fully considered and that the public has meaningful input into resolving preservation issues.

Following the February business meeting, members of ACHP's Task Force on Homeland Security and Historic Preservation received a firsthand look at the proposed security enhancements and enhanced visitor services for the Washington Monument in a site visit conducted by the National Park Service.

ACHP, an independent Federal agency, serves as primary policy advisor to the President and Congress on historic preservation matters and oversees an administrative review process that requires Federal agencies to consider historic properties when planning projects. ACHP is headquartered in Washington, DC, with an office in Denver, Colorado. For more information on ACHP, please visit our Web site at www.achp.gov.

###

Updated May 7, 2002

Return to Top