ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park 

 

 

 

 

GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY BOATHOUSE 

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 

 

 

 

 

 

Responsible Agency: 

National Park Service 

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park 

 

 

 

 

 

Summary: 

The National Park Service has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) to identify and address 

potential impacts associated with construction and operation of a boathouse (non-motorized) on the 

Potomac River for the men’s and women’s crew teams at Georgetown University. The EA evaluates the 

identified impacts associated with several design alternatives for the boathouse along with a No Action 

Alternative. Mitigation measures are provided for each of the alternatives. The information contained in 

this EA is required to fulfill the National Environmental Policy Act and National Historic Preservation Act 

requirements for the proposed action. 

 

Please provide comments on the EA through the following website, or send to the following address 

or fax number: 

Website: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/choh

Address: Kevin Brandt, Superintendent 

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park 

1850 Dual Highway, Suite 100 

Hagerstown, MD 21742 

Fax Number: 301-739-5275 

 

 

 

April 2006 
GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY BOATHOUSE

National Park Service

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Page Number 

Executive Summary 

1.0 Description of The Purpose And Need 

1.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... I-1 

1.2 Background............................................................................................................................ I-1 

1.3 Purpose and Need ................................................................................................................ I-4 

1.4 Program for the Proposed Boathouse ................................................................................ I-5 

1.5 Public Involvement ............................................................................................................... I-7 

1.6 Relationship to Other Projects and Plans .......................................................................... I-9 

1.7 Impact Topics Included in this Document ....................................................................... I-10 

1.8 Impact Topics Dismissed from Further Analysis ............................................................. I-10 

1.9 NEPA Requirements ............................................................................................................ I-11 

2.0 Alternatives Considered 

2.1 Alternative A – Zoning Alternative ..................................................................................... II-2 

2.2 Alternative B - MOA Alternative........................................................................................ II-8 

2.3 Alternative C (Preferred) – Reduced Height Alternative................................................. 11-13 

2.4 Alternative D – No Action Alternative ..............................................................................II-17 

2.5 Alternatives Considered But Rejected ............................................................................... II-18 

3.0 Affected Environment 

3.1 Socio-Economic Conditions 

3.1.1 Land Use and Property Ownership...................................................................... III-1 

3.1.2 Visitor Experience .................................................................................................. III-2 

3.1.3 Planning Controls and Policies ............................................................................ III-3 

3.1.4 Community Facilities ............................................................................................ III-9 

3.2 Cultural Resources 

3.2.1 Historic Resources ................................................................................................. III-11 

3.2.2 Visual Resources .................................................................................................... III-25 

3.3 Transportation Systems 

3.3.1 Vehicular Traffic and Parking............................................................................... III-33 

3.3.2 Public/Georgetown University Transit Service ................................................. III-34 

3.3.3 Pedestrian/Bicycle Facilities ................................................................................. III-35 

3.3.4 River Navigation/Use............................................................................................. III-37 

3.4 Physical/Biological Resources 

3.4.1 Water Resources .................................................................................................... III-43 

3.4.2 Geology, Topography & Soils .............................................................................. III-46 

3.4.3 Terrestrial/Aquatic Vegetation & Wildlife ......................................................... III-49 

3.4.4 Noise......................................................................................................................... III-55 

3.5 Utilities/Infrastructure 

3.5.1 Stormwater Drainage and Stormwater Management ....................................... III-56 

3.5.2 Urban Systems ........................................................................................................ III-56 

 

4.0 Environmental Consequences 

4.1 Socio-Economic Impacts 

4.1.1 Land Use and Property Ownership...................................................................... IV-1 

4.1.2 Visitor Experience .................................................................................................. IV-4 

4.1.3 Planning Controls and Policies ............................................................................ IV-5 

4.1.4 Community Facilities ............................................................................................ IV-9 
 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park 

 

4.2 Cultural Resources Impacts 

4.2.1 Historic Resources .................................................................................................IV-11 

4.2.2 Visual Resources .................................................................................................... IV-16 

4.3 Transportation Systems Impacts 

4.3.1 Vehicular Traffic and Parking............................................................................... IV-40 

4.3.2 Public/Georgetown University Transit Service ................................................. IV-43 

4.3.3 Pedestrian/Bicycle Facilities ................................................................................. IV-44 

4.3.4 River Navigation/Use ............................................................................................ IV-45 

4.4 Physical/Biological Resources Impacts 

4.4.1 Water Resources .................................................................................................... IV-48 

4.4.2 Geology, Topography & Soils............................................................................... IV-53 

4.4.3 Terrestrial/Aquatic Vegetation & Wildlife ......................................................... IV-54 

4.4.4 Noise......................................................................................................................... IV-58 

4.5 Utilities/Infrastructure Impacts 

4.5.1 Stormwater Drainage and Stormwater Management ........................................ IV-59 

4.5.2 Urban Systems ........................................................................................................ IV-60 

4.6 Cumulative Impacts .............................................................................................................. IV-63 

5.0 Appendices 

 

A. References 

B. Distribution List 

C. List of Preparers 

D. List of Acronyms 

E. Index 

F. Summary of Comments Received During Scoping 

The following appendix items are available in an electronic format at the following website:

http://parkplanning.nps.gov/choh

G. Correspondence Received from US Army Corps of Engineers (Wetlands Determination) 

H. Correspondence Received from US Dept of Interior (Fish and Wildlife Service) 

I. Georgetown Waterfront Park Plan (1987) 

J. EA and FONSI for the Proposed Land Exchange Between NPS and Georgetown 

University (1995) 

K. Section 106 Memorandum of Agreement (1997) 

L. Draft Supplemental Report, Non-Motorized Boating on the Potomac River in 

Georgetown (2000) 

M. Geotechnical Study (2002) 

N. C&O Canal NHP – Fish Survey (2004) 

O. Preliminary Survey of Duller Interceptor Sewer Line Easement (2004) 

P. Summary of Hydrological Conditions Report (2004) 

Q. Water Quality Data (2004) 

R. Soil Tests (2005) 

S. Wetlands Delineation and SAV Report (2005) 

T. C&O Canal NHP – Herp Species Observed (2005) 
GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY BOATHOUSE

National Park Service

LIST OF FIGURES 

Page 

1-1 Location Map ...................................................................................................................................... I-2 

1-2 Project Site ........................................................................................................................................... I-3 

1-3 Detailed Portion of Georgetown Waterfront Park Plan ................................................................ I-5 

2-1 Alternative A – Site Plan...................................................................................................................... II-2 

2-2 Alternative A – Building Plans............................................................................................................ II-3 

2-3 Alternative A – Building Elevations................................................................................................... II-4 

2-4 Alternative A – Utility Access Typical Section................................................................................. II-7 

2-5 Alternative B – Site Plan...................................................................................................................... II-8 

2-6 Alternative B – Building Plans............................................................................................................ II-9 

2-7 Alternative C – Building Elevations................................................................................................... II-10 

2-8 Alternative C – Building Plans ........................................................................................................... II-14 

2-9 Alternative C – Building Elevations................................................................................................... II-15 

2-10 Site Plan for Proposed Boathouse on Tract 102-109 ....................................................................... II-19 

2-11 Elevation for Proposed Boathouse on Tract 102-109...................................................................... II-19 

2-12 Potential Site Plan for Two Boathouses between Key Bridge and 34th Street, NW................... II-21 

2-13 Potential Site Plan for a Boathouse at Jack’s.................................................................................... II-22 

2-14 Potential Site Plans for a Boathouse at Dempsey’s .........................................................................II-23 

2-15 Potential Site Plan for a Boathouse to the East of 34th Street, NW .............................................. II-25 

3-1 Georgetown Waterfront Park Plan, Designated Boathouse Zone ............................................... III-4 

3-2 Industrial Uses and Boathouses along Georgetown Waterfront, 1888......................................... III-15 

3-3 Location of Viewpoints ...................................................................................................................... III-28 

3-4 Existing Transportation Routes Accessing the Georgetown Waterfront.................................... III-36 

3-5 River Traffic Patterns.......................................................................................................................... III-39 

3-6 River Traffic Patterns on Race Day................................................................................................... III-40 

3-7 Canoe/Kayak and Crew Race Courses............................................................................................. III-42 

4-1 Viewpoints for Photo Simulations 4, 5 and 6 from C&O Canal Towpath................................... IV-31 

4-2 Washington Canoe Club and Proposed Georgetown University Boathouse Dock................... IV-46 

4-3 Potential Realignment of WCC Race Course .................................................................................. IV-47 
 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park 

 

LIST OF TABLES 

Page 

2-1 Physical Dimensions of the Proposed Boathouse under Alternative A ....................................... II-5 

2-2 Program Elements of the Proposed Boathouse under Alternative A ........................................... II-5 

2-3 Physical Dimensions of the Proposed Boathouse under Alternative B ....................................... II-11 

2-4 Program Elements of the Proposed Boathouse under Alternative B ........................................... II-11 

2-5 Physical Dimensions of the Proposed Boathouse under Alternative C ....................................... II-16 

2-6 Program Elements of the Proposed Boathouse under Alternative C........................................... II-16 

3-1 W-O Zoning Allowances Specific to Boathouse Uses.................................................................... III-8 

3-2 Georgetown University Rowing Regatta Schedule, 2005 Season ................................................. III-38 

3-3 Washington Canoe Club Canoe/Kayak Regatta Schedule, 2005 Season..................................... III-41 

4-1 Project Boathouse Visibility from Towpath .................................................................................... IV-31 
GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY BOATHOUSE

National Park Service

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