Construction of Trump’s Washington, DC arch could put archaeological sites at risk

A National Park Service report warns that construction of US President Donald Trump’s proposed 250-foot-tall triumphal arch at Memorial Circle in Washington, DC could disturb intact precolonial and historic archaeological resources beneath the site. The project must undergo Section 106 review under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, and the NPS assessment notes that although Columbia Island was built with 10–14 feet of landfill between 1915 and 1927, the arch’s moorings would need to reach bedrock about 75 feet below the surface in areas deemed of “moderate to high” archaeological sensitivity. The report cites 13 documented archaeological and historic sites within one mile on the Virginia side of the Potomac River, including Arlington House, and links the area to the War of 1812. A more detailed archaeological appendix was not posted publicly due to sensitivity concerns, while six preservation groups have sought inclusion in the consultation process ahead of a Section 106 meeting scheduled for 15 June, shortly after public comments opened.

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