District of Columbia Bicycle Advisory Council

Ms. Denise Decker NEPA Team Lead, GSA NCR co/ Shirley Walker 301 7th Street SW, Room 6628 Washington, DC 20407
RE: St. Elizabeths Draft EIS Comments

Dear Ms. Decker, The DC Bicycle Advisory Council (BAC) has reviewed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Headquarters Consolidation at St. Elizabeths Master Plan Amendment East Campus North Parcel Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and has some concerns and recommendations. While the EIS acknowledges DCs planned South Capitol Street Trail, it does not incorporate the plans for the trail into the evaluation of alternatives for transportation improvement. In particular it appears there may be a conflict with the South Capitol Trail right-of-way. In Alternative 1, area F on page 5-37 the EIS shows a widening of South Capitol Street which may encroach on the right-of-way needed for the planned trail. The DC BAC recommends the following: Incorporate the planned South Capitol Street Trail into the EIS. Assure drawings are made to scale so that it is clear how the planned trail and proposed St. Elizabeths plans mesh. Eliminate Alternatives which impinge upon the planned South Capitol Street Trail. Completion of the South Capitol Street Trail is a critical connective link for DC between the west side of the Anacostia River and the southeastern area of DC. It also provides needed trail connectivity to the Wilson Bridge trail and the National Harbor.

Building the South Capitol Street Trail has the potential to increase the percentage of DHS employees who could / would bicycle to work rather than drive. If plans do not take bicycling as a mode of transportation into consideration, the likelihood of increasing that mode relative to automobiles decreases and only exacerbates traffic woes.

Sincerely, Jeanie Osburn DC Bicycle Advisory Council Facilities Committee Chair copy sent via webform