This time last year, hordes of people filled the National Mall for Barack Obama’s inauguration. The frozen Mall recovered well, says National Park Service spokesman Bill Line, but some 3,000 other permitted events cause major damage each year. Now the future of the Mall’s grass is being considered.
What’s happening with the Mall now?
There’s a huge three-year planning effort that is culminating in terms of how the National Park Service plans for, maintains and preserves the National Mall for the next 50 years. There is a draft environmental impact statement that is available online [www.nps.gov/nationalmallplan].
What happens next?
We have received over 3,000 written comments from Americans in all 50 states. The American public has the right, and we strongly encourage, the American public to go online, to read … to understand the draft environmental impact statement regarding the future of the National Mall. We ask the public to submit written comments.
How long do they have to comment?
They have until precisely 11:59 p.m., not 12 midnight …11:59 p.m., March 18.
What is the central issue?
Do we limit special events, not First Amendment activities, from the defense contractor who wants to bring in helicopters and 14 tanks and a number of Jeeps that of course are going to tear up the grass and the turf of the National Mall? There’s not a First Amendment component to that. Or something along the lines of the first lady’s book festival? The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure? Americans need to … tell the National Park Service whether they want all these special events to be utilized and take place on the Mall, or whether the American public prefers the grass and turf.
How much does the National park Service pay each year on the grass?
Park staff spend approximately $3 million to $4 million doing it on an annual basis only to have it worn out and trampled down again.
– Kytja Weir
