Our Approach
USDA Agricultural Research Service is constructing a new intersection to serve as a new visitor’s entrance for the United States National Arboretum, as well as rehabilitating an existing access road. Straughan conducted an environmental resource identification, impact analysis, and prepared the Environmental Assessment for this project. As a first step, Straughan reviewed previous studies, relevant regulations, and the engineering design. We performed field investigations of alternative entrance road alignments, roadway rehabilitation areas, and overlook removal to document existing conditions including tree and wetland resources. During the field investigation, Straughan identified and confirmed the presence of an active bald eagle nest, as projects within close proximity of eagle’s nest are subject to time of year restrictions and construction requirements. In coordination with USDA, Straughan managed the preparation and delivery of the Environmental Assessment and accompanying documentation.
