Interpret and Access Historic Ruins and Resources Environmental Assessment

Hennessy, John

The National Park Service is proposing to stabilize historic resources and improve interpretation at Sunken Road, the Fredericksburg National Cemetery, and many of the 25 civilian sites at Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park to more accurately convey their historical significance to visitors and to support a more coherent and expanded interpretation of the Civil War. This would improve visitor experience and circulation, rehabilitate cultural landscapes, and protect natural and cultural resources within the park. This work would include establishing an interpretive setting at Sunken Road in Fredericksburg Battlefield; restoring and improving portions of the Fredericksburg National Cemetery; and accessing, stabilizing, and interpreting civilian sites throughout the park. This document assesses the impacts related to the proposed action, which include negligible, minor, and moderate impacts to soils and topography, vegetation, wildlife and wildlife habitat, archeological resources, cultural landscapes, historic structures, visual resources, visitor experience, circulation and site access, and park operations and infrastructure.