Key facts
- Trump administration officials are pushing for swift approval of a mitigation plan for a proposed arch.
- Local departments and nonprofits argue the review process is premature.
- The arch is now designated to include ammunition storage and snipers.
- The National Park Service identified dozens of historic properties that would be harmed by the structure.
- A veterans group is suing to block construction of the arch.
- Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced excavation work would begin soon.
Trump administration officials are accelerating plans for a controversial arch, prompting pushback from local historians and preservation groups who argue the review process is being rushed. The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking swift approval for a mitigation plan, with NPS official Tammy Stidham urging relevant parties to consult on measures like vibration alert devices at historic properties during construction.
The National Capital Planning Commission, led by Trump appointees, is slated to discuss the arch in the fall. Concerns have been raised by commission staff regarding the arch's height, and by the public about its negative impacts. The National Trust for Historic Preservation stated that the mitigation plan requires a complete overhaul following President Trump's announcement that the arch will also serve as a military complex, complete with ammunition storage and sniper positions.
The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) has requested public comments on the arch and its effects on historic properties by September 29, with the council planning to submit its own comments to the Interior Department by October 7. The NPS had previously identified dozens of historic properties that would be negatively affected by the arch due to blocked views and altered sightlines.
A veterans group and others have filed a lawsuit to halt the arch's construction, which officials appear poised to begin later this fall. A federal judge had previously ordered the Interior Department to provide 14 days' notice before commencing any construction. On September 3, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced that excavation work would commence within the next two weeks, which was described as an archeological assessment rather than the start of construction.