As required by Congress and implemented by the Secretary of Defense, Army National Military Cemeteries (ANMC) is required to remove the Confederate Memorial in Section 16 of Arlington National Cemetery (ANC). As part of this process, ANMC must comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966 (known as “Section 106”) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969. As such, ANMC is soliciting public comments at key points during these two processes.
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires that all federal agencies conduct environmental impact analysis for major actions that affect the human environment. This process includes exploring reasonable alternatives to any proposed action and ensuring that the public has an opportunity to provide input.
The Army is following the NEPA process as part of the Congressionally-directed removal of the bronze elements of the Confederate Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. After fact gathering and analysis of potential impacts, the Army has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) addressing the discretionary elements of the proposed action, including how to disassemble the Confederate Memorial. The EA determined that the removal will not have significant environmental impacts. The Army has created a draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) that reflects the EA’s determinations.
Comments are not being accepted at this time. The comment period seeking comments specifically for the EA and Draft FONSI ended on Dec. 2, 2023.
National Historic Preservation Act: Section 106
Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act requires federal agencies to identify and assess the effects their actions may have on historic properties. If effects on historic properties have been determined, federal agencies are required to complete the Section 106 process before implementing proposed projects. Under Section 106, each federal agency must consider public views and concerns about historic preservation issues when making final project decisions.
ANMC is following the Section 106 process as part of the federally mandated removal of the Confederate Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. The public has been provided opportunities to submit comments on the different steps of the Section 106 process.
Comments are not being accepted at this time. The comment period seeking comments specifically on assessment of effects and mitigation measures ended on Nov. 21, 2023.