National Coast Guard Museum NEPA environmental assessment

Challenge

SLR was retained by the National Coast Guard Museum Association to undertake a Supplemental Environmental Assessment (SEA) to evaluate the environmental impacts related to the construction and operation of an approximately 80,000 square foot six-story museum along the Thames River in downtown New London under the National Environmental Policy Act.

Solution

Specific proposed action elements that are the subject of the SEA include:

• Acquisition of approximately 15,000 square feet of land area;
• Adjustment of property boundaries;
• Construction of approximately 225 linear feet of bulkhead and fill along the shoreline of the Thames River;
• Demolition of approximately 3,300 square feet of the City Pier Plaza to provide compensatory open water;
• Completion of site and utility improvements on land and in the water to accommodate the Museum and water exhibits; and
• Long-term construction and operation of the Museum.

The project site is located within the Federal Emergency Management Agency designated VE flood zone, requiring a rigorous flood analysis and sustainability review.

Due to existing traffic and parking needs, along with a significant number of projects in the downtown area, cumulative traffic impacts were evaluated for the broader downtown New London area in a comprehensive traffic and parking assessment.

The assessment includes development of a Programmatic Agreement with the State Office of Historic Preservation and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation as well as Section 106 consultation.