National Park Service
ON THE RECORD · 7 verbatim quotes · every quote source-verified
“Swimming in water colder than 70F lowers your body temperature and can lead to cold shock. Cold shock makes it difficult for you to breathe and swim,”
National Park Service · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-29
The NPS warned on its water safety page that swimming in water colder than 70F can cause cold shock.
“fully avoided without either relocating the Arch away from the historically identified site or eliminating the principal commemorative feature, both of which would fail to meet the undertaking’s purpose and need,”
National Park Service · said 2026-08-28 · reported 2026-08-28
The report states the project's adverse effects cannot be fully avoided without relocating or eliminating the arch's principal commemorative feature.
“For this reason, alternative locations outside Memorial Circle are not reasonable avoidance alternatives,”
National Park Service · said 2026-08-28 · reported 2026-08-28
The report concludes that alternative locations outside Memorial Circle are not reasonable avoidance alternatives.
“intended to physically and symbolically unite North and South through a coordinated monumental composition extending across the Potomac River,”
National Park Service · said 2026-08-28 · reported 2026-08-28
The report describes the alignment between the Lincoln Memorial, Memorial Bridge, and Arlington House as intended to symbolically unite North and South.
“the same characteristics that make Memorial Circle sensitive from a preservation perspective are also the characteristics that make it the historically appropriate location for the undertaking.”
National Park Service · said 2026-08-28 · reported 2026-08-28
The Park Service report says Memorial Circle is the historically appropriate location for the arch despite its preservation sensitivity.
“no staff, drinking water, shelter, facilities, or communication”
National Park Service · said date not stated · reported 2026-07-10
The National Park Service described Horn Island as lacking staff, drinking water, shelter, facilities, or communication.
“There are no current threats to the public,”
National Park Service · said date not stated · reported 2025-07-22
The National Park Service confirmed the public was safe after park staff killed the mountain lion.