    Federal Real Property: Property Conveyances between the District
    of Columbia and the Federal Government Await Completion, and
    Development Will Take Many Years (13-JUN-08, GAO-08-684).

    The Federal and District of Columbia Government Real Property Act
    of 2006 (Public Law 109-396) mandated GAO's review of the
    property exchange between the District and the federal
    government. None of the conveyances had occurred by the beginning
    of GAO's audit phase. After consulting with the congressional
    committees specified in the law, GAO developed research questions
    that reflect an assessment of property exchanges and development
    progress to date. GAO's objectives were to determine (1) the
    status of the conveyances and transfers of the properties
    identified in the law; (2) what steps the District and the
    federal government have taken toward completing the conveyances,
    what factors have affected their completion, and what additional
    steps remain; (3)what preliminary development has occurred on the
    properties exchanged between the District and the federal
    government, and what are the current plans for use of these
    properties; and (4)what development challenges the District and
    federal government face going forward. GAO analyzed planning and
    property documents; conducted site visits; and interviewed senior
    officials from the District and the Department of the Interior
    (DOI) among others. DOI and the General Services Administration
    agreed with our findings, while the District and the Architect of
    the Capitol (AOC) did not comment on our overall findings. All
    provided technical clarifications which we incorporated as
    appropriate.
    -------------------------Indexing Terms-------------------------
    REPORTNUM:   GAO-08-684
        ACCNO:   A82357
      TITLE:     Federal Real Property: Property Conveyances between the
    District of Columbia and the Federal Government Await Completion,
    and Development Will Take Many Years
         DATE:   06/13/2008
      SUBJECT:   Environmental cleanups
    	     Environmental impact statements
    	     Environmental monitoring
    	     Federal agencies
    	     Federal property
    	     Federal property management
    	     Federal regulations
    	     Federal/state relations
    	     Land management
    	     Land use
    	     Land use agreements
    	     Policy evaluation
    	     Program evaluation
    	     Program management
    	     Property disposal
    	     Real estate transfers
    	     Real property
    	     Real property acquisition
    	     Strategic planning
    	     District of Columbia

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    GAO-08-684

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    Report to Congressional Committees:

    United States Government Accountability Office:

    GAO:

    June 2008:

    Federal Real Property:

    Property Conveyances between the District of Columbia and the Federal
    Government Await Completion, and Development Will Take Many Years:

    GAO-08-684:

    GAO Highlights:

    Highlights of GAO-08-684, a report to congressional committees.

    Why GAO Did This Study:

    The Federal and District of Columbia Government Real Property Act of
    2006 (Public Law 109-396) mandated GAO’s review of the property
    exchange between the District and the federal government. None of the
    conveyances had occurred by the beginning of GAO’s audit phase. After
    consulting with the congressional committees specified in the law, GAO
    developed research questions that reflect an assessment of property
    exchanges and development progress to date. GAO’s objectives were to
    determine (1) the status of the conveyances and transfers of the
    properties identified in the law; (2) what steps the District and the
    federal government have taken toward completing the conveyances, what
    factors have affected their completion, and what additional steps
    remain; (3)what preliminary development has occurred on the properties
    exchanged between the District and the federal government, and what are
    the current plans for use of these properties; and (4)what development
    challenges the District and federal government face going forward. GAO
    analyzed planning and property documents; conducted site visits; and
    interviewed senior officials from the District and the Department of
    the Interior (DOI) among others. DOI and the General Services
    Administration agreed with our findings, while the District and the
    Architect of the Capitol (AOC) did not comment on our overall findings.
    All provided technical clarifications which we incorporated as
    appropriate.

    What GAO Found:

    No property conveyances between the District and the federal government
    have occurred as of June 6, 2008. All transfers of administrative
    jurisdiction, which do not involve the transfer of title, became
    effective the day (Dec. 15, 2006) that the President signed the Federal
    and District of Columbia Government Real Property Act of 2006. Nine
    conveyances between the Secretary of the Interior and the District,
    excluding Poplar Point, are planned to be completed by the end of
    summer 2008. The District intends to complete the conveyance of Poplar
    Point by the fall of 2009, if it is able to meet several conditions in
    the law, including developing a Secretary of the Interior-approved land-
    use plan. The date for the completion of the conveyances of title
    between the General Services Administration and the District is
    uncertain and depends on an agreement between the District and the AOC
    on the District conveying not more than 12 acres of District property
    to the AOC.

    Although the District and the federal government have taken several
    steps to complete the conveyances, several factors have affected their
    efforts, and additional steps must be taken to complete the
    conveyances. The District and the National Park Service formed working
    groups as a first step toward completing the conveyances. However,
    negotiations about cleanup; testing properties for contamination;
    disagreement over land to be conveyed as part of the Boathouse Row
    properties, two properties along the western shores of the Anacostia
    River; and decision changes about environmental impact statement
    development for Poplar Point have slowed the completion of the
    conveyances between the District and Secretary of the Interior.

    Limited development has occurred on property already transferred or to
    be conveyed between the District and the federal government.
    Development will take many years to complete because the District must
    first develop plans for most of these sites. For example, commercial
    and residential development of Poplar Point is not likely to begin
    until 2011 because of the steps, such as the development of a land-use
    plan, which must be completed before the conveyance can occur.
    Development may take over a decade to complete at Poplar Point.

    The District and the federal government face several challenges as they
    move forward to develop or manage the exchanged properties. For
    example, some cleanup and development uncertainties, such as the extent
    and location of the cleanup required, will likely affect the timeliness
    of property development at Poplar Point. Other challenges facing the
    District include (1) transitioning the Deputy Mayor’s Office from
    policymaking and oversight roles to the lead in coordinating
    development, a function that has not been the Deputy Mayor’s Office
    core business, and (2) reaching community agreement about development
    at Poplar Point.

    To view the full product, including the scope and methodology, click on
    [hyperlink, http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-684]. For more
    information, contact Terrell Dorn at (202) 512-6923 or dornt@gao.gov.

    [End of section]

    Contents:

    Letter:

    Results in Brief:

    Background:

    No Property Conveyances between the District of Columbia and the
    Federal Government Have Occurred to Date:

    Although the District of Columbia and the Federal Government Have Taken
    Several Steps toward Completing the Conveyances, Additional Steps
    Remain:

    Limited Development Has Occurred on Properties Exchanged between the
    District of Columbia and the Federal Government:

    The District of Columbia and the Federal Government Face Challenges
    Going Forward as the District Begins Development:

    Agency Comments and Our Evaluation:

    Appendix I: The Federal Government and the District of Columbia
    Property Conveyances and Transfers in Public Law 109-396:

    Appendix II: Description of Properties to Be Conveyed and Transferred
    between the District of Columbia and Federal Government:

    Appendix III: Comments from the Department of the Interior:

    Appendix IV: GAO Contact and Staff Acknowledgments:

    Tables:

    Table 1: Summary of Property Status and Use by Receiving Entity:

    Table 2: Proposed Land Uses of Properties Going to the District
    (Includes Poplar Point and Reservation 13):

    Figures:

    Figure 1: Properties Exchanged between the District of Columbia and the
    Federal Government:

    Figure 2: Aerial View of the Poplar Point Property:

    Figure 3: Master Developer's Vision of Poplar Point:

    Figure 4: Aerial View of the Reservation 13 Property:

    Figure 5: Aerial View of the Potomac Avenue Triangles Properties
    (Reservations 243, 244, 245, 247, and 248):

    Figure 6: Aerial View of the Boathouse Row Properties (Portions of
    Reservations 343D and 343E):

    Figure 7: Aerial View of the Eastern Market Properties (Reservations 44
    to 49):

    Figure 8: The Old Naval Hospital Property:

    Figure 9: Aerial View of the Mount Vernon Square Property (Reservation
    8):

    Figure 10: Aerial View of the Audubon Terrace Property (Reservation
    402):

    Figure 11: Aerial View of the Poplar Point Property:

    Figure 12: Aerial View of the U.S. Reservation 13 Property (Hill East
    Waterfront):

    Figure 13: Aerial View of the Old Naval Hospital Property (Lot 802,
    Square 948):

    Figure 14: Aerial View of the St. Elizabeths West Campus: Building
    Numbers 16, 37, 38, 118, and 118A:

    Figure 15: Aerial View of the U.S. Reservation 17A Property (Trash
    Transfer Station):

    Figure 16: Aerial View of the U.S. Reservation 484 Property (Randall
    Recreation Center):

    Figure 17: Aerial View of U.S. Reservations 243, 244, 245, 247, and 248
    (Potomac Avenue Triangles):

    Figure 18: Aerial View of U.S. Reservations 128, 129, 130, 298, and 299
    (Virginia Avenue Triangles):

    Figure 19: Aerial View of Portions of U.S. Reservations 343D and 343E
    (Boathouse Row):

    Figure 20: Aerial View of U.S. Reservations 721, 722, and 723
    (Waterside Mall):

    Figure 21: Aerial View of the U.S. Reservation 174 Property (Old
    Convention Center; Lot 849, Square 374):

    Figure 22: Aerial View of the Lovers Lane, NW, Property:

    Figure 23: Aerial View of Needwood, Niagara, and Pitt Streets, NW (C&O
    Canal National Historic Park):

    Figure 24: Aerial View of a Portion of the U.S. Reservation 451
    Property:

    Figure 25: Aerial View of a Portion of the U.S. Reservation 404
    Property (Canal Road, NW):

    Figure 26: Aerial View of U.S. Reservations 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, and 49
    (Eastern Market):

    Figure 27: Aerial View of the U.S. Reservation 251 Property:

    Figure 28: Aerial View of the U.S. Reservation 8 Property (Mount Vernon
    Square):

    Figure 29: Aerial View of U.S. Reservations 277A and 277C:

    Figure 30: Aerial View of Portions of U.S. Reservation 470 (Fort Reno
    Park):

    Figure 31: Aerial View of the Audubon Terrace, NW, Property:

    Figure 32: Aerial View of the Barnaby Street, NW, Property:

    Figure 33: Aerial View of the Canal Street, SW, and V Street, SW,
    Property:

    Figure 34: Aerial View of the Streets and Alleys at the Fort Circle
    Park Property:

    Figure 35: Aerial View of the Western Avenue, NW, Property:

    Figure 36: Aerial View of the 17th Street, NW, Property:

    Figure 37: Aerial View of the 30th Street, NW, Property:

    Figure 38: Aerial View of Land over I-395 (Including additional land
    along/above I-395):

    Figure 39: Aerial View of the Whitehaven Parkway, NW, Property:

    Figure 40: Aerial View of the Remaining Land over I-395 (AOC):

    Abbreviations:

    AOC: Architect of the Capitol:

    AWC: Anacostia Waterfront Corporation:

    CERCLA: Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
    Liability Act:

    CSOSA: Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency:

    DHS: Department of Homeland Security:

    DMPED: Office of Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development:

    DOI: Department of the Interior:

    EIS: Environmental Impact Statement:

    GSA: General Services Administration:

    NCRC: National Capital Revitalization Corporation:

    NEPA: National Environmental Policy Act:

    NPS: National Park Service:

    RFEI: Request for Expressions of Interest:

    RFP: Request for Proposals:

    USPP: United States Park Police:

    United States Government Accountability Office:

    Washington, DC 20548:

    June 13, 2008:

    Congressional Committees:

    On December 15, 2006, Congress directed the conveyances of title or
    transfers of administrative jurisdiction[Footnote 1] of 30
    properties[Footnote 2] within the District of Columbia between the
    federal government and the District of Columbia government.[Footnote 3]
    The exchange was primarily intended to provide the District with
    property for economic development to help expand its tax base and
    reduce the District's structural fiscal imbalance--that is, the
    difference between the District's costs to provide services and its
    ability to raise revenue. The exchange was also intended to decrease
    the District's financial dependence on the federal government. In May
    2003, we reported that the District's structural imbalance, which stems
    partly from the District's public service costs that far exceeded that
    of the average state fiscal system, likely exceeded $470 million
    annually and could have been as high as $1.1 billion, depending on the
    assumptions used.[Footnote 4] The two largest properties to be
    conveyed--both to the District--are Poplar Point, a 110-acre property
    east of the Anacostia River administered by the Department of the
    Interior's (DOI) National Park Service (NPS), and Reservation 13 (Hill
    East), a 67-acre property along the western shores of the Anacostia
    River at the southeastern end of Capitol Hill administered by the
    General Services Administration (GSA). As the largest properties to be
    conveyed, Poplar Point and Reservation 13 are planned to have the most
    development and, thus, are likely to generate most of the new tax
    revenue that would be available to reduce the District's structural
    fiscal imbalance. Some of the property conveyances and transfers
    involve underutilized federal and District property, thus potentially
    providing management and efficiency benefits to both governments.
    Although the statute conveys the largest properties to the District,
    the federal government, including agencies such as NPS, GSA, and the
    Architect of the Capitol (AOC), receives some property. For example, as
    part of the exchange, GSA receives property that includes buildings on
    the West Campus of St. Elizabeths, facilitating plans to consolidate
    the Department of Homeland Security's headquarters on the property.

    The law authorizing the conveyances and transfers of the properties
    mandates that we report periodically over a 10-year period about (1)
    how the properties are used and developed and (2) how this use and
    development comply with the Anacostia Waterfront Framework Plan, which
    is the District's guiding document for the Anacostia River's
    restoration and revitalization. None of the conveyances had occurred by
    the beginning of our audit phase. After consulting with the
    congressional committees specified in the law, we developed research
    questions that reflect an assessment of land conveyances and
    development progress to date.[Footnote 5] In the future, we plan to
    report periodically on the questions mandated in the law. The research
    questions for this report are as follows:

    1. What is the status of the conveyances and transfers of the
    properties identified in Public Law 109-396?

    2. What steps have the District and the federal government taken toward
    completing the conveyances, what factors have affected their
    completion, and what additional steps remain?

    3. What preliminary development has occurred on the properties to be
    exchanged between the District and the federal government, and what are
    the current plans for use of these properties?

    4. What development challenges do the District and federal government
    face going forward?

    To answer each of the four questions, we reviewed and analyzed
    documents showing basic property data--such as maps, agency reports and
    Public Law 109-396--and conducted site visits to key properties. We
    also reviewed and analyzed planning documents, such as a summary of the
    properties created by the District government; area master plans; and
    development proposals. We interviewed senior officials from the
    District government, NPS, the U.S. Park Police (USPP), GSA, and the AOC
    as well as members of stakeholder groups, including Advisory
    Neighborhood Commission 6, the Capitol Hill Restoration Society, the
    Earth Conservation Corps, the Anacostia Economic Development
    Corporation, the National Capital Planning Commission, and the U.S.
    Commission of Fine Arts. We conducted this performance audit from
    August 2007 through June 2008 in accordance with generally accepted
    government auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and
    perform the audit to obtain sufficient, appropriate evidence to provide
    a reasonable basis for our findings and conclusions based on our audit
    objectives. We believe that the evidence obtained provides a reasonable
    basis for our findings and conclusions based on our audit objectives.

    Results in Brief:

    No property conveyances between the District and the federal government
    had occurred as of June 6, 2008. All transfers of administrative
    jurisdiction, which do not involve the transfer of title, became
    effective the day (Dec. 15, 2006) that the President signed the Federal
    and District of Columbia Government Real Property Act of 2006. The
    legislation directs the following exchanges:

    * Property to the District government:

    - Conveyances of eight NPS properties.

    - Conveyances of two GSA properties.

    - Transfers of administrative jurisdiction of seven NPS properties.

    * Property to the federal government:

    - Conveyances of two District properties to the Secretary of the
    Interior.

    - Conveyances of five buildings on the West Campus of St. Elizabeths
    from the District to the Administrator of General Services.

    - Conveyance of not more than 12 acres from the District to the AOC.

    - Transfers of administrative jurisdiction of nine District-controlled
    properties to the Secretary of the Interior for administration by the
    NPS Director (a portion of one property (land over I-395) transfers to
    the AOC) (See table 1 of this report.)

    All conveyances between the District and the Secretary of the Interior,
    except for Poplar Point, were planned to be completed by the end of
    summer 2008. The District intends to complete the conveyance of Poplar
    Point in the fall of 2009, if it can meet several conditions in the law
    including developing a Secretary of the Interior-approved land-use
    plan. The date for the completion of the conveyances of title between
    the District and GSA is uncertain. The completion date depends on
    agreement between the District and the AOC on conveying not more than
    12 acres of District property to the AOC.

    Although the District and the federal government have taken several
    steps toward completing the conveyances, several factors have affected
    their efforts, and additional steps must be taken to complete the
    conveyances. According to District and NPS officials, the District and
    NPS formed working groups to complete the conveyances between them.
    However, negotiations about cleanup, testing properties for
    contamination, disagreement over land to be conveyed as part of the
    Boathouse Row properties, and decision changes about environmental
    impact statement (EIS) development for Poplar Point have slowed the
    completion of conveyances between the District and the Secretary of the
    Interior. For example, the time frame for the conveyance of Poplar
    Point was extended up to 2 years, when the District and NPS decided in
    the summer of 2007 to develop an EIS for this property to avert
    potential lawsuits and to address the concern that decisions made by
    the Secretary of the Interior about Poplar Point might be considered a
    major federal action that would significantly affect the environment.
    District and GSA conveyances await agreement between the District and
    the AOC on a District property, which must convey to the AOC before
    Reservation 13--a 67-acre property along the western shores of the
    Anacostia River at the southeastern end of Capitol Hill administered by
    GSA--can convey to the District. Under an exchange agreement signed
    between the District and GSA on January 2008, the Old Naval Hospital's
    conveyance also awaits agreement on a District property of not more
    than 12 acres for the AOC. Lastly, the District and the federal
    government must complete several steps to complete the conveyance of
    Poplar Point. Most of these steps pertain to meeting conditions within
    the 2006 Act that transferred and will convey these properties. For
    example, the District must complete a Secretary of the Interior-
    approved land-use plan. In addition, facilities and property on Poplar
    Point that are currently used by NPS will not be conveyed to the
    District until the NPS Director certifies that replacement facilities,
    which the District is responsible for preparing, are ready to be
    occupied.

    Limited development has occurred on property transferred or to be
    conveyed between the District and the federal government. Development
    will take many years to complete because the District must first
    develop plans for most of these sites. As the largest conveyed
    properties, Poplar Point and Reservation 13 are likely to have most of
    the commercial and residential development and, thus, will likely
    generate most of the new tax revenue to potentially reduce the
    District's structural fiscal imbalance.

    * Poplar Point - In February 2008, the District began the process for
    developing an EIS to help devise alternative development scenarios for
    the site. District officials expect the conveyance of Poplar Point to
    occur in the fall of 2009. However, relocation of NPS and USPP
    facilities will likely take 18 to 24 months, thus commercial and
    residential development of Poplar Point is not likely to begin until
    2011 and may take up to a decade to complete. The District selected a
    Master Developer for Poplar Point in February 2008. This Master
    Developer's vision for Poplar Point includes 1.5 million square feet of
    office space, 3.8 million square feet of residential units, 405,000
    square feet of retail space, 70 acres of parks, a waterfront
    entertainment district, a deck over I-295 to connect the site with
    Historic Downtown Anacostia, and an option for a soccer stadium.

    * Reservation 13 - District officials expect the conveyance of
    Reservation 13, the second-largest property to be conveyed at 67 acres,
    to occur at an uncertain date in 2008. The District has administrative
    authority over this property, and it has remediated and is preparing to
    demolish Building 25. It has also begun constructing an interim plaza
    adjacent to a nearby metro station and planning for the extension of
    Massachusetts Avenue and other infrastructure improvements. Current
    District plans call for Reservation 13 to be transformed into an urban
    multiuse waterfront district that is in accordance with the Anacostia
    Waterfront Framework Plan and the Hill East Master Plan approved by the
    D.C. Council in 2002. Once complete, the mayor expects the site can
    accommodate about 3,000 new units of housing for residents at all
    income levels; nearly 5.5 million square feet of mixed-use development;
    new public park spaces; and more than $80 million in new infrastructure
    upgrades. While initial construction on Reservation 13 may begin in the
    fall of 2008, District officials say that construction may take as long
    as a decade.

    * Other Transferred or Conveyed Properties - The District plans to
    develop some transferred or conveyed properties commercially and
    residentially, while using other properties for parks, recreation, or
    other public uses. Development of the other exchanged properties, to
    the extent applicable, is also in its early stages. The District has
    commercial or residential redevelopment plans for at least part of two
    of these properties beyond Poplar Point and Reservation 13. For
    example, some of the Potomac Avenue triangles (Reservations 243, 244,
    and 245) are properties targeted for commercial and residential
    development in conjunction with the new major league baseball stadium,
    while Reservation 247 is part of the new baseball stadium.

    The District and the federal government face challenges as the District
    moves forward to develop or manage the transferred or to be conveyed
    properties. For example, some cleanup and development uncertainties
    will likely affect the timeliness of property development at Poplar
    Point. These uncertainties include the:

    * extent and location of cleanup required,

    * cost of environmental cleanup,

    * determination of responsibility for paying for the environmental
    cleanup,

    * potential complications of relocating USPP facilities, and:

    * amount of construction that is allowed prior to the Secretary of the
    Interior's determination that NPS and USPP facilities are ready to be
    occupied.

    According to a senior NPS official and a senior USPP official,
    relocating U.S. Park Police facilities may be complicated and might
    affect the timeliness of the conveyance of the Poplar Point site to the
    District, which in turn will affect when development on the site
    begins. USPP needs space for helicopter landings and a firing range.
    These facilities have flight space, noise, and safety implications that
    will affect neighbors substantially; therefore USPP will require
    community input that could make identifying a site difficult and could
    lengthen the process. These issues will be examined as part of the EIS
    process for Poplar Point. Other challenges facing the District include
    (1) transitioning the Deputy Mayor's Office, which has assumed the
    functions of the recently dissolved Anacostia Waterfront Corporation
    and the National Capital Revitalization Corporation, from policymaking
    and oversight roles to the lead in coordinating development, a function
    that has not been the Deputy Mayor's Office core business, and (2)
    reaching community agreement about development at Poplar Point.

    DOI and GSA agreed with our findings and provided technical
    clarifications which we incorporated as appropriate. The District and
    the AOC did not comment on our overall findings and provided technical
    clarifications which we incorporated as appropriate.

    Background:

    The Federal and District of Columbia Government Real Property Act of
    2006 was intended to provide the District with property for economic
    development to help expand its tax base and decrease the District's
    financial dependence on the federal government. Expanding the
    District's tax base should help reduce the District's structural fiscal
    imbalance. A structural fiscal imbalance exists when the cost of
    providing an average level of public services exceeds the amount of
    revenue a government raises by applying average tax rates. We
    highlighted this structural imbalance in a 2003 report, finding that
    the District's public service costs far exceeded that of the average
    state fiscal system, and these costs were largely beyond its control,
    due to factors such as its large low-income population.[Footnote 6] The
    report estimated that the imbalance likely exceeded $470 million
    annually and could have been as high as $1.1 billion, depending on the
    assumptions used. Our analysis indicated that the cost of delivering an
    average level of services per capita in the District exceeded that of
    the average state fiscal system by approximately 75 percent (or $2.3
    billion more annually than if it faced average cost circumstances) and
    was over one third more than the second-highest cost fiscal system, New
    York. We found that even if the District addressed its underlying
    management problems, such as inadequate financial management, billing
    systems, and internal controls, such actions would not be enough to
    offset the structural imbalance because the imbalance is determined by
    other factors, as previously mentioned, largely beyond the District's
    direct control. We also stated that addressing the imbalance may
    require changes to federal policies to expand the District's tax base
    or to provide additional financial support. If the assumptions
    underlying this structural imbalance analysis change, then estimates of
    the amount of the structural imbalance could change in either
    direction. Development of the properties conveyed or transferred from
    the federal government to the District through Public Law 109-396 is
    intended to enable the District to expand its tax base.

    The federal government and the District must comply with environmental
    laws when completing the transfers and conveyances. Two environmental
    laws relevant to the properties involved are the National Environmental
    Policy Act (NEPA) and the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
    Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). NEPA requires federal
    agencies to assess the likely environmental effects of the projects
    that they propose. Federal agencies must prepare EISs for proposed
    major actions significantly affecting the quality of the human
    environment. Upon completing the EIS, a federal agency prepares a
    public record of its decision addressing how it incorporated the
    findings of the EIS, including consideration of alternatives into its
    decision-making process. The NEPA process is designed to involve the
    public and gather the best available information so that decision
    makers can be fully informed when making their choices. The public may
    participate in the NEPA process by attending NEPA-related hearings or
    public meetings and by submitting comments directly to the lead agency.
    The lead agency must take into consideration all comments received from
    the public and other parties on NEPA documents during the comment
    period. The entire NEPA process can take several years to complete.

    CERCLA was enacted in 1980 to clean up highly contaminated hazardous
    waste sites across the country. CERCLA requires that parties
    statutorily responsible for cleaning up pollution bear the costs of
    cleaning up contaminated sites. CERCLA established that past owners or
    operators of contaminated property, including the U.S. government, may
    be held responsible for the contamination.

    No Property Conveyances between the District of Columbia and the
    Federal Government Have Occurred to Date:

    No property conveyances between the District, GSA, and NPS had occurred
    as of June 6, 2008. However, all transfers of administrative
    jurisdiction, which do not involve the transfer of title, became
    effective the day (Dec. 15, 2006) that the President signed the Federal
    and District of Columbia Government Real Property Act of 2006. (See
    fig. 1 and table 1 for information on all conveyances of title and
    transfers of administrative jurisdiction.) The legislation directs the
    following exchanges:

    Property to the District government:

    * Conveyances of eight NPS properties.

    * Conveyances of two GSA properties.

    * Transfers of administrative jurisdiction of seven NPS properties.

    Property to the federal government:

    * Conveyances of two District properties to the Secretary of the
    Interior.

    * Conveyances of five buildings on the West Campus of St. Elizabeths
    from the District to the Administrator of General Services.

    * Conveyance of up to 12 acres from the District to AOC.

    * Transfers of administrative jurisdiction of nine District-controlled
    properties to the Secretary of the Interior for administration by the
    NPS Director (a portion of one property (land over I-395) transfers to
    the AOC).

    All conveyances between the District and the Secretary of the Interior,
    except for Poplar Point, are expected to be completed by the end of
    summer 2008. For the conveyance of Poplar Point to occur in the fall of
    2009 as intended, the District must complete a number of tasks to meet
    conditions in the law including development of a Secretary-approved
    land-use plan (see fig. 2.) The date for the completion of conveyances
    of title between GSA and the District is uncertain and depends on
    agreement between the District and the AOC on not more than 12 acres of
    District property for the AOC. The AOC's current proposed use for the
    up to 12 acre property is an offsite delivery facility.[Footnote 7]

    Figure 1: Properties Exchanged between the District of Columbia and the
    Federal Government:

    This figure is a map of the properties exchanged between the District
    of Columbia and the Federal Government.

    [See PDF for image]

    Source: GAO and the National Park Service.

    [End of figure]

    Table 1: Summary of Property Status and Use by Receiving Entity:

    Receiving entity: District of Columbia: Conveyances from the Department
    of the Interior (DOI), National Park Service (NPS);
    Property name: Poplar Point;
    Acreage[H]: 110.0 (approx.);
    Status: Conveyance awaits completion;
    Estimated conveyance/ Actual transfer completion date: Fall 2009;
    Proposed use: Parks, Recreation and Open Space[A];
    Local Public Facilities[B]; and High Density Residential[C] and
    Commercial[D].

    Receiving entity: District of Columbia: Conveyances from the Department
    of the Interior (DOI), National Park Service (NPS);
    Property name: U.S. Reservation 17A;
    Acreage[H]: Receiving entity: 1.273;
    Status: Receiving entity: Conveyance awaits completion;
    Estimated conveyance/ Actual transfer completion date: Receiving
    entity: End of summer 2008;
    Proposed use: Receiving entity: High Density Commercial;
    Road realignment.

    Receiving entity: District of Columbia: Conveyances from the Department
    of the Interior (DOI), National Park Service (NPS);
    Property name: U.S. Reservation 484;
    Acreage[H]: Receiving entity: 8.508;
    Status: Receiving entity: Conveyance awaits completion;
    Estimated conveyance/ Actual transfer completion date: Receiving
    entity: End of summer 2008;
    Proposed use: Receiving entity: Parks, Recreation, and Open Space.

    Receiving entity: District of Columbia: Conveyances from the Department
    of the Interior (DOI), National Park Service (NPS);
    Property name: U.S. Reservations 243, 244, 245, 247, and 248;
    Acreage[H]: Receiving entity: 2.69;
    Status: Receiving entity: Conveyance awaits completion;
    Estimated conveyance/ Actual transfer completion date: Receiving
    entity: End of summer 2008;
    Proposed use: Receiving entity: High and Medium Density Commercial and
    Residential[EF]; Local Public Facilities (baseball stadium).

    Receiving entity: District of Columbia: Conveyances from the Department
    of the Interior (DOI), National Park Service (NPS);
    Property name: U.S. Reservations 128, 129, 130, 298, and 299;
    Acreage[H]: 0.96;
    Status: Receiving entity: Conveyance awaits completion;
    Estimated conveyance/ Actual transfer completion date: Receiving
    entity: End of summer 2008;
    Proposed use: Receiving entity: Parks, Recreation, and Open Space (in
    conjunction with adjacent development).

    Receiving entity: District of Columbia: Conveyances from the Department
    of the Interior (DOI), National Park Service (NPS);
    Property name: Portion[A] of U.S. Reservations 343D and 343E;
    Acreage[H]: 19.0 (approx.);
    Status: Receiving entity: Conveyance awaits completion;
    Estimated conveyance/ Actual transfer completion date: Receiving
    entity: End of summer 2008;
    Proposed use: Receiving entity: Parks, Recreation, and Open Space
    (Boathouse Row--marina/recreation).

    Receiving entity: District of Columbia: Conveyances from the Department
    of the Interior (DOI), National Park Service (NPS);
    Property name: U.S. Reservations 721, 722, and 723;
    Acreage[H]: Receiving entity: 3.248;
    Status: Receiving entity: Conveyance awaits completion;
    Estimated conveyance/ Actual transfer completion date: Receiving
    entity: End of summer 2008;
    Proposed use: Receiving entity: Parks, Recreation, and Open Space;
    Road realignment.

    Receiving entity: District of Columbia: Conveyances from the Department
    of the Interior (DOI), National Park Service (NPS);
    Property name: U.S. Reservation 174;
    Acreage[H]: 0.31;
    Status: Conveyance awaits completion;
    Estimated conveyance/ Actual transfer completion date: End of summer
    2008;
    Proposed use: Parks, Recreation, and Open Space (part of High Density
    Development).

    Receiving entity: District of Columbia: Conveyances from the General
    Services Administration (GSA);
    Property name: U.S. Reservation 13;
    Acreage[H]: 67.0 (approx.);
    Status: Conveyance awaits completion;
    Estimated conveyance/ Actual transfer completion date: Uncertain;
    Proposed use: Medium Density Commercial;
    Local Public Facilities, Road Extension.

    Receiving entity: District of Columbia: Conveyances from the General
    Services Administration (GSA);
    Property name: Old Naval Hospital (Square 948);
    Acreage[H]: Transfers of administrative jurisdiction from DOI/NPS:
    0.705;
    Status: Conveyance awaits completion;
    Estimated conveyance/ Actual transfer completion date: Uncertain;
    Proposed use: Local Public Facility (Community Center).

    Receiving entity: District of Columbia: Transfers of administrative
    jurisdiction from DOI/ NPS;
    Property name: A portion of U.S. Reservation 451;
    Acreage[H]: 0.475;
    Status: Transfer completed;
    Estimated conveyance/ Actual transfer completion date: December 15,
    2006;
    Proposed use: Road/Access to Local Public Facility.

    Receiving entity: District of Columbia: Transfers of administrative
    jurisdiction from DOI/ NPS;
    Property name: A portion of U.S. Reservation 404;
    Acreage[H]: Survey pending;
    Status: Transfer completed;
    Estimated conveyance/ Actual transfer completion date: Receiving
    entity: December 15, 2006;
    Proposed use: Parks, Recreation, and Open Space;
    Road.

    Receiving entity: District of Columbia: Transfers of administrative
    jurisdiction from DOI/ NPS;
    Property name: U.S. Reservations 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, and 49;
    Acreage[H]: 1.114;
    Status: Transfer completed;
    Estimated conveyance/ Actual transfer completion date: Receiving
    entity: December 15, 2006;
    Proposed use: Parks, Recreation, and Open Space.

    Receiving entity: District of Columbia: Transfers of administrative
    jurisdiction from DOI/ NPS;
    Property name: U.S. Reservation 251;
    Acreage[H]: 0.151;
    Status: Transfer completed;
    Estimated conveyance/ Actual transfer completion date: December 15,
    2006;
    Proposed use: Parks, Recreation, and Open Space.

    Receiving entity: District of Columbia: Transfers of administrative
    jurisdiction from DOI/ NPS;
    Property name: U.S. Reservation 8;
    Acreage[H]: 2.748;
    Status: Transfer completed;
    Estimated conveyance/ Actual transfer completion date: December 15,
    2006;
    Proposed use: Parks, Recreation, and Open Space.

    Receiving entity: District of Columbia: Transfers of administrative
    jurisdiction from DOI/ NPS;
    Property name: U.S. Reservations 277A and 277C;
    Acreage[H]: 0.131;
    Status: Transfer completed;
    Estimated conveyance/ Actual transfer completion date: December 15,
    2006;
    Proposed use: Parks, Recreation, and Open Space.

    Receiving entity: District of Columbia: Transfers of administrative
    jurisdiction from DOI/ NPS;
    Property name: Portions of U.S. Reservation 470;
    Acreage[H]: 1.556;
    Status: Transfer completed;
    Estimated conveyance/ Actual transfer completion date: December 15,
    2006;
    Proposed use: Parks, Recreation, and Open Space.

    Receiving entity: DOI/NPS: Conveyances from the District of Columbia;
    Property name: Lovers Lane, NW (abuts U.S. Reservation 324);
    Acreage[H]: 0.52;
    Status: Conveyance awaits completion;
    Estimated conveyance/ Actual transfer completion date: End of summer
    2008;
    Proposed use: Parks, Recreation, and Open Space.

    Receiving entity: DOI/NPS: Conveyances from the District of Columbia;
    Property name: Transfers of administrative jurisdiction from the
    District of Columbia: Needwood, Niagara, and Pitt Streets, NW (within
    the C&O Canal National Historic Park);
    Acreage[H]: 1.35;
    Status: Transfers of administrative jurisdiction from the District of
    Columbia: Conveyance awaits completion;
    Estimated conveyance/ Actual transfer completion date: End of summer
    2008;
    Proposed use: Parks, Recreation, and Open Space.

    Receiving entity: Transfers of administrative jurisdiction from the
    District of Columbia;
    Property name: Audubon Terrace, NW (within U.S. Reservation 402);
    Acreage[H]: 0.381;
    Status: Transfer completed;
    Estimated conveyance/ Actual transfer completion date: December 15,
    2006;
    Proposed use: Parks, Recreation, and Open Space.

    Receiving entity: Transfers of administrative jurisdiction from the
    District of Columbia;
    Property name: Barnaby Street, NW (abuts U.S. Reservation 545);
    Acreage[H]: 0.436;
    Status: Transfer completed;
    Estimated conveyance/ Actual transfer completion date: December 15,
    2006;
    Proposed use: Parks, Recreation, and Open Space.

    Receiving entity: Transfers of administrative jurisdiction from the
    District of Columbia;
    Property name: Canal Street, SW, and V Street, SW (abuts U.S.
    Reservation 467);
    Acreage[H]: 3.732;
    Status: Transfer completed;
    Estimated conveyance/ Actual transfer completion date: December 15,
    2006;
    Proposed use: Parks, Recreation, and Open Space.

    Receiving entity: Transfers of administrative jurisdiction from the
    District of Columbia;
    Property name: Streets and alleys at Fort Circle Park (within U.S.
    Reservation 497);
    Acreage[H]: 4.35;
    Status: Transfer completed;
    Estimated conveyance/ Actual transfer completion date: December 15,
    2006;
    Proposed use: Parks, Recreation, and Open Space.

    Receiving entity: Transfers of administrative jurisdiction from the
    District of Columbia;
    Property name: Western Avenue, NW (abuts U.S. Reservation 339);
    Acreage[H]: 1.081;
    Status: Transfer completed;
    Estimated conveyance/ Actual transfer completion date: December 15,
    2006;
    Proposed use: Parks, Recreation, and Open Space.

    Receiving entity: Transfers of administrative jurisdiction from the
    District of Columbia;
    Property name: 17th Street, NW (abuts U.S. Reservation 339);
    Acreage[H]: 0.268;
    Status: Transfer completed;
    Estimated conveyance/ Actual transfer completion date: December 15,
    2006;
    Proposed use: Parks, Recreation, and Open Space.

    Receiving entity: Transfers of administrative jurisdiction from the
    District of Columbia;
    Property name: 30th Street, NW (within U.S. Reservation 515);
    Acreage[H]: 0.343;
    Status: Transfer completed;
    Estimated conveyance/ Actual transfer completion date: December 15,
    2006;
    Proposed use: Parks, Recreation, and Open Space.

    Receiving entity: Transfers of administrative jurisdiction from the
    District of Columbia;
    Property name: Land over I-395;
    Acreage[H]: 1.69;
    Status: Transfer completed;
    Estimated conveyance/ Actual transfer completion date: December 15,
    2006;
    Proposed use: Memorial to disabled veterans;
    Parking.

    Receiving entity: Transfers of administrative jurisdiction from the
    District of Columbia;
    Property name: GSA: Whitehaven Parkway, NW (portion of U.S. Reservation
    357;
    Acreage[H]: GSA: 1.80;
    Status: Transfer completed;
    Estimated conveyance/ Actual transfer completion date: December 15,
    2006;
    Proposed use: Parks, Recreation, and Open Space.

    Receiving entity: GSA;
    Property name: St. Elizabeths' Building Numbers 16, 37, 38, 118, and
    118A;
    Acreage[H]: 6.55;
    Status: Conveyance awaits completion;
    Estimated conveyance/ Actual transfer completion date: Uncertain;
    Proposed use: Part of proposed Department of Homeland Security
    headquarters.

    Receiving entity: The Architect of the Capitol;
    Property name: Not more than 12 acres of District of Columbia property;
    Acreage[H]: 12.0;
    Status: Conveyance awaits completion;
    Estimated conveyance/ Actual transfer completion date: Uncertain;
    Proposed use: Offsite delivery facility.

    Receiving entity: The Architect of the Capitol;
    Property name: Additional land over;
    I-395;
    Acreage[H]: 0.504;
    Status: Transfer completed;
    Estimated conveyance/ Actual transfer completion date: December 15,
    2006;
    Proposed use: Parking and Open Space.

    Source: District of Columbia.

    [A] "Parks, Recreation, and Open Space" is a land use designation that
    includes federal and District park systems, including circles and
    squares of the city, and permanent open spaces, such as the open spaces
    along highways.

    [B] "Local Public Facilities" is a land use designation that includes
    land and facilities occupied and used by the District government or
    other local government agencies, excluding parks and open spaces.

    [C] "High Density Residential" is a land use designation used to define
    neighborhoods and corridors where high-rise (eight stories or more)
    apartment buildings are the predominant use.

    [D] "High Density Commercial" is a land use designation characterized
    by office and mixed office/retail buildings more than eight stories,
    although many lower-scale buildings are interspersed.

    [E] "Medium Density Residential" is a land use designation used to
    define neighborhoods or areas where midrise (four-seven stories)
    apartment buildings are the predominant use.

    [F] "Medium Density Commercial" is a land use designation that defines
    shopping and service areas in which buildings are generally more than
    five stories, but generally do not exceed eight stories.

    [G] Although "Parks, Recreation, and Open Space" is a District
    classification, we believe that properties transferred or conveyed from
    the District to the Secretary of the Interior also could be classified
    as such.

    [H] The basis for many of these acreage estimates are recent surveys
    conducted by a surveyor hired by the District of Columbia.

    [End of table]

    Although the District of Columbia and the Federal Government Have Taken
    Several Steps toward Completing the Conveyances, Additional Steps
    Remain:

    Although the District and the federal government have taken several
    steps toward completing the conveyances, several factors have affected
    their efforts, and additional steps must be taken to complete the
    conveyances. The District and NPS formed working groups as a first step
    toward completing the conveyances. However, negotiations about cleanup,
    testing properties for contamination, and disagreement over land to be
    conveyed as part of the Boathouse Row properties have slowed the
    completion of District and NPS conveyances. The District and GSA have
    completed a property exchange agreement, but the agreement is
    contingent on the key step of conveying up to 12 acres of District
    property to the AOC. In addition, the District must complete several
    steps to complete the conveyance of Poplar Point by the fall of 2009.

    The District and NPS Formed Working Groups as a First Step toward
    Completing the Conveyances:

    According to District and NPS officials, the two parties are working
    cooperatively and formed four working groups to complete the
    conveyances.

    * A NPS and USPP Facilities Replacement team has been established to
    discuss various aspects of the pending relocation of existing
    facilities at Poplar Point.

    * A Planning for Poplar Point team has been established to develop a
    land-use plan for the site and produce this plan as a document in
    accordance with NEPA as a way for (1) the District to consider a
    variety of options for developing Poplar Point and satisfying the
    District's Environmental Policy Act and (2) the District and NPS to use
    in making decisions about NPS and USPP facilities at Poplar Point and
    their possible relocation.

    * A Environmental Compliance team has been established to ensure
    compliance with the provisions of CERCLA that govern the transfer of
    property by federal agencies.

    * A Conveyance Documents team has been established to complete the
    deeds by which the District and United States will convey properties.

    The staffs of the District government and NPS also cooperated to
    complete preparatory work, including drafting conveyance documents,
    assessing property conditions, completing land-use plans, and
    identifying potential new facilities for NPS and USPP. In addition,
    both the District and NPS independently conducted environmental site
    characterizations for each of the conveyed properties. GSA and District
    staffs also worked cooperatively to complete preparatory work,
    including drafting conveyance documents.

    Several Factors Have Slowed District and NPS Conveyances:

    Several factors have affected efforts to complete the conveyances
    between the District and NPS. For example, the time frame for conveying
    Poplar Point was extended when the District and NPS determined in
    summer 2007 to develop an EIS for this property to (1) avert potential
    lawsuits and (2) address the concern that decisions made by the
    Secretary of the Interior about Poplar Point might be considered a
    major federal action. According to District and NPS officials, they had
    mutually agreed in early discussions that a full NEPA process involving
    development of an EIS would not be required before the conveyance;
    however, once they moved into more details of the transfer and proposed
    development of Poplar Point, both parties agreed that meeting NEPA
    requirements by developing an EIS appeared to be the most prudent
    course.

    Despite the extended time frame for Poplar Point, the District and NPS
    originally hoped to have the other conveyances completed by the fall of
    2007. However, NPS's desire to conduct soil sample tests to determine
    property contamination levels, as well as negotiations over
    environmental elements of the exchange agreement for Boathouse Row,
    have lengthened the time needed to complete these conveyances. In
    October 2007, NPS tested soil and groundwater samples taken from
    Waterside Mall (Reservations 721, 722, and 723) and Virginia Avenue
    properties (Reservations 128, 129, 130, and 299) for potential
    contamination. The analysis of the collected samples did not indicate
    the presence of contamination as defined by CERCLA.

    The District and Secretary of the Interior have completed agreements
    called a Finding of Suitability for Early Transfer (FOSET) and a Site
    Specific Memorandum of Agreement for Reservations 343D and 343E (the
    Boathouse Row properties) and Reservation 298. According to senior
    District and NPS officials, the agreements for Reservations 298 and
    343D outline how the Washington Gas remediation plan for Reservations
    343D and 298 will be modified to meet the requirements of applicable
    law and take into account the District's proposed changes in land use.
    According to senior District and NPS officials, the District and NPS
    agreed to identify a new cleanup plan before going jointly to
    Washington Gas to negotiate its agreement (or compel it) to undertake
    the necessary cleanup. These officials also stated that Reservation
    343E, which is contaminated as a result of the prior operations of a
    NPS concessioner, is covered in the FOSET agreement. The District and
    NPS will identify and agree on a remediation plan for portions of
    Reservations 343D and 343E and Reservation 298 after completion of a
    land use plan, the development of which began in the spring of 2008 and
    is scheduled to be complete by the fall of 2008. In short, the District
    and DOI have come to an agreement about the process for reaching
    cleanup agreements for these properties. The District and DOI agree
    that in doing so they are meeting the requirements of CERCLA, Section
    120(h) applicable to property transferred by federal agencies,
    including use of a "deferral" of certain actions until after the
    properties are transferred to the District.[Footnote 8]

    An additional factor affecting the exchange agreement between the
    District and NPS involves disagreement between the District and the
    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps) over a small land parcel
    currently administered by the Corps on the Boathouse Row property. From
    a docking area within Reservation 343D, the Corps operates a debris
    removal facility that helps remove trash from the Anacostia River.
    According to NPS and the Corps, although this property was mistakenly
    included in an aerial photograph sent to the District at one point,
    this land was never intended to be part of the conveyance. Prior to the
    enactment of Public Law 109-396, the Corps and NPS attempted to
    complete a transfer of jurisdiction through the District of Columbia
    Office of the Surveyor transferring a small parcel of additional land
    from NPS to the Corps to facilitate their existing operation. However,
    according to a senior District official, NPS and the Corps were unable
    to secure the approval for the proposed transfer from the District
    Office of the Surveyor. The Corps will have to be temporarily relocated
    from the existing site during part of the Washington Gas cleanup
    efforts. The District disagrees with NPS's and the Corps' position and
    has stated (1) that there is no documentary evidence showing that the
    Corps has interest in the property and (2) that, therefore, it should
    be conveyed to the District. The District and the Corps are currently
    negotiating to devise a solution that is acceptable to both parties.
    According to the District, the Corps' current location is not a good
    spot because it would disrupt the Riverwalk Trail, a proposed trail
    that runs along the Anacostia River and passes through the Boathouse
    Row property, hinder the value and desirability of surrounding
    boathouses and marinas, and is incompatible with the planned use of the
    site.

    A Change in Mayoral Administrations and Dissolution of the District's
    Development Corporations Are Other Factors That Have Affected
    Conveyance Timelines:

    Other factors affecting the completion of the conveyances between the
    District and the Secretary of the Interior, according to stakeholders,
    was the change in mayoral administrations in the District at the
    beginning of 2007 and the dissolution of the District's development
    corporations later that year. The change of mayoral administrations
    brought new personnel into city departments and put interaction with
    the federal agencies briefly on hold, according to senior NPS
    officials. Also, the new administration dissolved the Anacostia
    Waterfront Corporation (AWC) and the National Capital Revitalization
    Corporation (NCRC) and transferred their duties to the Office of the
    Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) in September
    2007. AWC and NCRC were quasigovernment entities tasked with managing a
    variety of economic development projects, with AWC focusing on the
    Anacostia Waterfront Initiative area and NCRC covering the rest of the
    city. The mayor and D.C. Council cited a number of reasons for the
    dissolution. The mayor and D.C. Council wanted more direct control of
    development activities, because the quasigovernment entities were seen
    as less accountable. In particular, city officials were frustrated by
    the disagreement between the two corporations over control of
    properties along the Southwest Waterfront. In addition, the District
    wanted to improve management by reducing redundancies in staff and
    improving effectiveness. The ultimate goal of direct control and
    streamlined management is to speed-up delivery of the projects, while
    reducing costs, according to District officials. The dissolution
    resulted in staff changes and attrition. According to a senior District
    official, the staff of DMPED has increased from 33 full-time
    equivalents (FTEs) in September 2007 to 63 FTEs in June 2008 and is
    expected to grow to a total of 73 FTEs by August 2008 which is allowing
    the agency to increase its capacity and more effectively respond to its
    increased mission. According to senior NPS officials, the inevitable
    transition time that the District needed for restructuring and
    reorganization appears to have resulted in delays to the process of
    completing the conveyances.

    The District and GSA Have Completed a Property Exchange Agreement, but
    the Agreement Is Contingent on the Key Step of Conveying Not More Than
    12 Acres of District Property to the AOC:

    On January 17, 2008, the District government and GSA executed an
    agreement that established the terms and conditions of the property
    conveyance between the two parties. Under the terms of the agreement,
    GSA will convey Reservation 13 and the Old Naval Hospital to the
    District in exchange for five buildings on the West Campus of St.
    Elizabeths. However, the conveyance of Reservation 13 from GSA to the
    District government is conditioned on the District's conveyance of not
    more than 12 acres of District property to the AOC, which the AOC
    currently intends to use for an offsite delivery facility. The
    completion of the District-GSA exchange agreement was slightly delayed
    by negotiations over conditions for the Court Services and Offender
    Supervision Agency (CSOSA) remaining on Reservation 13. The issues
    concerning the length of an extended CSOSA lease and the location of
    parking spaces were resolved in a supplemental lease agreement signed
    on January 8, 2008.

    According to District and GSA officials, the conveyance of properties
    between the District and GSA has been delayed by the need to agree upon
    this site of not more than 12 acres for the AOC. After months of
    researching possible sites, the District proposed four options in
    August 2007. The two parties met in October 2007 to further discuss
    these options: that is, three options in the D.C Village area at the
    extreme southern tip of the District of Columbia and one option in
    Beltsville, Maryland. In May 2008, an AOC letter to the District stated
    that three of these options did not meet the AOC's needs, while a
    fourth option is still subject to further investigation as the AOC
    requested geotechnical, utility, and other information on the
    District's 12 acre wooded parcel at the southernmost edge of the DC
    village complex. According to AOC officials, the Beltsville site is too
    far away and has entry through small roads that will make access by
    large trucks difficult. These officials said that two options at D.C.
    Village will not work because the AOC already has plans for the 10.8
    unused acres at their current interim location that the District
    suggested be combined with additional land offered by the District.
    Negotiations to find agreement on a property of not more than 12 acres
    are ongoing. As part of the exchange agreement signed with GSA on
    January 17, the District must use its best efforts to complete the
    conveyance within 6 months. According to AOC officials, the
    identification and conveyance of a 12-acre District property to the AOC
    is not close to completion, and therefore the date of the District-GSA
    property conveyances is uncertain.

    The District and the Federal Government Must Complete Several Steps to
    Complete the Conveyances:

    The District Must Complete a Poplar Point Land-Use Plan before
    Conveyance:

    For the conveyance of Poplar Point to occur by the fall of 2009 as
    planned, the District must complete several steps to meet conditions in
    Public Law 109-396. For example, before Poplar Point can be conveyed,
    the District must complete a land-use plan that receives the approval
    of the Secretary of the Interior. The statute requires a land-use plan
    that:

    * reserves no fewer than 70 acres for park purposes;

    * identifies existing facilities and related property used by NPS, and
    provides for relocation to other suitable facilities and related
    property;

    * sets aside at least two sites within the designated parkland for
    commemorative works; and:

    * is consistent with the Anacostia Waterfront Framework Plan, to the
    greatest extent practicable.

    The District must consult with the NPS Director about the
    identification of existing and replacement facilities and properties
    for NPS. The Secretary of the Interior must certify that the statute's
    requirements for the land-use plan are met.

    The District and DOI Must Meet the Environmental Requirements of NEPA
    and CERCLA:

    The District and DOI must also meet all requirements of NEPA by
    considering the environmental impacts of their proposed actions at
    Poplar Point and reasonable alternatives to those actions. The NEPA
    process is designed to involve the public and gather the best available
    information so that decision makers can be fully informed when making
    their choices. At the end of the NEPA process, DOI will issue a record
    of decision selecting a preferred alternative at Poplar Point. District
    officials said that meeting NEPA requirements will likely take 12 to15
    months, which means that this process will not be completed until about
    the fall of 2009. In addition, the District anticipates that all CERCLA
    requirements will be fully explored during the NEPA process. The
    District issued a request for proposal (RFP) for NEPA consultants in
    the fall of 2007 and received three proposals on November 30. The
    District selected a NEPA consultant in February 2008.

    The District and the federal government must also meet the requirements
    of CERCLA. For contaminated DOI property, such as Reservations 343D,
    343E, and 298, the District and DOI have come to agreement about the
    process for reaching cleanup agreements for these properties, which
    they believe meets applicable requirements set forth in CERCLA
    governing the transfer of property by federal agencies. According to a
    senior NPS official and a senior District official, these cleanup
    agreements, once completed, will allow conveyances of the property from
    the Secretary of the Interior to the District before the property is
    remediated pursuant to the use of the so-called "deferral" or "early
    transfer alternative" set forth in CERCLA at 42 U.S.C. §9620(h)(3)(C).
    According to these officials, use of this option requires that the
    transferring federal agency, here the DOI, remain responsible for
    cleanup costs incurred post transfer. In addition, these officials also
    say that the District may recoup cleanup costs from other responsible
    parties, where appropriate, in the future.

    Property Currently Used by NPS Will Not Be Conveyed Until the NPS
    Director Certifies That Replacement Facilities Are Ready to Be
    Occupied:

    The facilities and related property currently used by NPS will not be
    conveyed until the NPS Director certifies that replacement facilities
    and related property are ready to be occupied or used by NPS. The NEPA
    and relocation processes together could take almost 3 years, according
    to the District government, NPS, and USPP, in part because construction
    of these facilities must wait for the aforementioned Secretary-approved
    land-use plan for the site. The current facilities encompass 100,000
    square feet; sit on approximately 18 acres; and include NPS National
    Capital Parks East Headquarters, the USPP Anacostia Operations
    Facility, and the USPP Aviation Unit. The District and NPS are still
    determining relocation plans for the facilities. Perhaps the most
    likely option, according to District and NPS officials, is to relocate
    the NPS offices; the offices for USPP District 5; and the other USPP
    facilities, including the canine unit and shooting range to the
    northern end of Poplar Point near the 11th Street Bridge. The USPP
    aviation unit would move to a yet-to-be identified site that meets the
    5-acre landing area and 10-acre safety zone requirement for their
    helicopter pad. The District reissued a request for proposals (RFP) for
    architecture and engineering firms for the facilities on December 3,
    2007, after an initial RFP in November received no responses. The
    District selected a firm in March 2008 to begin the design process. The
    selected contractor will work with NPS and USPP to design replacements
    for the NPS and USPP facilities currently located at Poplar Point. The
    District anticipates construction will take at least 18 to 24 months
    after the site is secured. Therefore, the relocation will not likely be
    complete until 2011. The District is restricted from initiating other
    construction until the NPS Director certifies that the facilities and
    associated property to which NPS is to be relocated are ready to
    occupy. Therefore, private development of Poplar Point is not likely to
    begin until 2011. NPS was evaluating the definition of what constitutes
    a "construction project" under the statute to determine which types of
    preconstruction work may be done prior to the completion of the
    replacement facilities.

    Limited Development Has Occurred on Properties Exchanged between the
    District of Columbia and the Federal Government:

    Limited development has occurred on property transferred or to be
    conveyed between the District and the federal government. Development
    of the two largest properties, Poplar Point and Reservation 13, to be
    conveyed between the District and the federal government is in its
    early stages and will likely take up to a decade to complete. As the
    largest properties to be conveyed, Poplar Point and Reservation 13 are
    planned to have the most development and, thus, are likely to generate
    most of the tax revenue to reduce the District's structural fiscal
    imbalance. Development of the other exchanged properties, to the extent
    applicable, is also in its early stages and will take many years to
    complete as the District and the federal government develop plans for
    use of each property.

    Commercial and Residential Development of Poplar Point Will Not Likely
    Begin until 2011:

    Poplar Point is the most significant development opportunity involved
    in the land exchange with the federal government and on the District's
    waterfront. The District government envisions Poplar Point, which is a
    110-acre DOI/NPS property east of the Anacostia River (see fig. 2), as
    a mixed-use development that features a 70-acre waterfront park serving
    as a green gateway to the Anacostia River and a series of river parks.
    District plans envision residential development at Poplar Point to help
    reconnect the historic Anacostia neighborhood back to the river that
    shares its name. The District says that the Anacostia Waterfront
    Framework Plan guides its vision for the site. As we have previously
    discussed, Poplar Point's conveyance is not likely to occur until the
    fall of 2009 because a number of conditions, such as the development of
    a Secretary-approved land-use plan, must be met before the entire
    conveyance can occur.

    Figure 2: Aerial View of the Poplar Point Property:

    This figure is a picture of an aerial view of the Poplar Point
    property.

    [See PDF for image]

    Source: National Park Service.

    [End of figure]

    To develop the vision for Poplar Point's future and help devise
    alternative development scenarios for the NEPA process, the District
    selected a Master Developer for the site in February 2008. The Master
    Developer's vision for Poplar Point includes 1.5 million square feet of
    office space, 3.8 million square feet of residential units, 405,000
    square feet of retail space, 70 acres of parks, a waterfront
    entertainment district, a deck over I-295 to connect the site with
    Historic Downtown Anacostia, and an option for a soccer stadium (see
    fig. 3). The District has required that at least 51 percent of the new
    jobs created as a part of the development go to District residents. In
    addition, the project must include affordable housing, and 35 percent
    of the contracting dollars must be awarded to small and local
    businesses. This Master Developer will be part of a long-term
    collaborative planning and development process with the community,
    according to the District. An EIS consultant will work with the
    District, the Master Developer, and NPS to create a stakeholder
    engagement process that will comply with the requirements of NEPA. The
    District worked with NPS and USPP to select an architectural and
    engineering firm in March 2008 to design replacement facilities for the
    NPS and USPP facilities located on Poplar Point. According to a senior
    District official, commercial and residential construction will not
    likely begin on the site until 2011, and development will take many
    years, perhaps up to a decade.

    Figure 3: Master Developer's Vision of Poplar Point:

    This figure is a picture of a master developer's vision of Poplar
    Point.

    [See PDF for image]

    Source: Clark Realty Capital (artist's rendering).

    [End of figure]

    The District Envisions Mixed-Use Development for Reservation 13 in
    Accordance with the Master Plan for the Site:

    Current plans call for Reservation 13, a 67-acre property along the
    shores of the Anacostia River at the southeastern end of Capitol Hill,
    to be transformed into an urban multiuse waterfront district that is in
    accordance with the Anacostia Waterfront Framework Plan and the Hill
    East Master Plan approved by the D.C. Council in 2002 (see fig.
    4).[Footnote 9] Once complete, DMPED expects that the site can
    accommodate about 3,000 new units of housing for residents at all
    income levels, nearly 5.5 million square feet of mixed-use development,
    new public park spaces, and more than $80 million in new infrastructure
    upgrades. The District intends for the project to create thousands of
    new permanent jobs and construction jobs. The District's correctional
    facilities will remain on the site, along with Anne Archbold Hall,
    which was recently made a historic landmark.[Footnote 10]

    Figure 4: Aerial View of the Reservation 13 Property:

    This figure is a picture of an aerial view of the Reservation 13
    property.

    [See PDF for image]

    Source: GSA.

    [End of figure]

    The District has completed or is in the process of completing a number
    of development activities at Reservation 13, even though the site has
    yet to convey. For example, the District has completed several design
    activities for the site, including 100 percent of the interim plaza and
    90 percent of Phase I infrastructure design drawings. Over the last few
    months, the District has begun construction on an interim plaza
    adjacent to the southern Stadium/Armory Metrorail Station and planning
    for the extension of Massachusetts Avenue. The District has remediated
    and selected a contractor to demolish Building 25, but the bulk of the
    buildings will be remediated and demolished by the Master Developer.
    The District issued a request for expressions of interest (RFEI) for a
    Master Developer in May 2008 and expects to select one for Reservation
    13 by the end of 2008. Completion of 100 percent of Phase I
    infrastructure design is expected by August 2008, and construction
    should begin in the fall of 2008. Development of Reservation 13 may
    take as long as a decade.

    The District Plans to Develop Other Exchanged Properties Commercially
    and Residentially, While Using Some of These Properties for Parks,
    Recreation, or Other Public Uses:

    Development of the other exchanged properties, to the extent
    applicable, is also in its early stages. The District has commercial or
    residential redevelopment plans for at least part of two conveyed NPS
    and GSA properties beyond Poplar Point and Reservation 13 (see table
    2). For example, some of the Potomac Avenue triangles (Reservations
    243, 244, and 245) are properties targeted for commercial and
    residential development in conjunction with the baseball stadium, while
    Reservation 247 is part of the new baseball stadium. Also, Reservation
    248, just east of the Nationals baseball stadium, will be developed by
    the group currently redeveloping the Southeast Federal Center and will
    include the proposed Diamond Teague Park, which is part of the
    Anacostia Riverwalk Trail (see fig. 5). Construction of residential and
    office space is expected to begin within 2 years of the conveyance of
    this property.

    Table 2: Proposed Land Uses of Properties Going to the District
    (Includes Poplar Point and Reservation 13):

    Proposed use: Residential and/or commercial development;
    Number of properties with this use as a component: 4.

    Proposed use: Local public facility;
    Number of properties with this use as a component: 4.

    Proposed use: Parks, recreation, and open space;
    Number of properties with this use as a component: 12.

    Proposed use: Road construction/realignment;
    Number of properties with this use as a component: 5.

    Source: GAO analysis of District data.

    Note: Some properties' plans propose multiple uses and are counted more
    than once. See table 1 for a list of the individual properties and
    their proposed uses.

    [End of table]

    Figure 5: Aerial View of the Potomac Avenue Triangles Properties
    (Reservations 243, 244, 245, 247, and 248):

    This figure is an aerial view of the Potomac Avenue Triangles
    properties (Reservations 243, 244, 245, 247, and 248).

    [See PDF for image]

    Source: National Park Service.

    [End of figure]

    Twelve properties will be used as open space, parks, or for
    recreational uses. For example, the Boathouse Row properties (portions
    of Reservations 343D and 343E), 12-and 6-acre properties located on the
    western shores of the Anacostia River, will be used for recreational
    uses (see fig. 6). Currently classified as land with a light industrial
    use, according to District and NPS officials, portions of Reservation
    334D required a more stringent cleanup agreement than previously
    existed between Washington Gas and NPS because the District intends to
    change the land use from light industrial to recreational. The District
    issued a request for proposals in December 2007 to select a firm to
    assist in the creation of a master plan for these properties with the
    goal of increasing use of and access to the Anacostia River, while
    expanding opportunities for maritime development. The District selected
    a planning firm in April 2008. This planning effort is under way and
    expected to be completed by the end of September 2008. In addition,
    construction of the Riverwalk Trail is under way and the portions along
    Boathouse Row are expected to be completed in late 2008.

    Figure 6: Aerial View of the Boathouse Row Properties (Portions of
    Reservations 343D and 343E):

    This figure is picture of an aerial view of the Boathouse Row
    properties (portions of Reservations 343D and 343E).

    [See PDF for image]

    Source: National Park Service.

    Note: This photo of the Boathouse Row properties captures NPS's version
    of the property to be conveyed as the unhighlighted notch along the
    Anacostia River is the current site of the Corps debris removal
    facility. According to a senior District official, the exact boundaries
    of the property to be conveyed have not been resolved.

    [End of figure]

    In addition, the Eastern Market properties (Reservations 44 to 49),
    located next to the Eastern Market metro station, will be rehabilitated
    and enhanced to create a gateway and link to a recently renovated
    commercial strip along 8th Street, SE, called Barracks Row (see fig.
    7). Reservations 721, 722, and 723 will be reconfigured as parks or
    streets for the Waterside Mall redevelopment, which is currently under
    way. Reservation 174 is a 0.25 acre property located at New York Avenue
    and 11th Street, NW, to be conveyed from the Secretary of the Interior
    to the District, whose conveyance is conditioned on the District's
    enacting a final plan for the development of the former Convention
    Center Site. The plan must be developed through a public process and
    set aside no fewer than 1.25 acres of the former Convention Center Site
    as open space. The Reservation 174 triangle will remain open space to
    complement the surrounding residential and commercial development.
    Reservations 128, 129, 130, 298, and 299 are triangles located on
    Virginia Avenue that will be reconfigured into usable open space in
    conjunction with the redevelopment of adjacent private property, in
    accordance with the Anacostia Waterfront Framework Plan.

    Figure 7: Aerial View of the Eastern Market Properties (Reservations 44
    to 49):

    This figure is picture of an aerial view of the Easter Market
    properties (Reservations 44 to 49).

    [See PDF for image]

    Source: National Park Service.

    [End of figure]

    The District will use at least part of four conveyed properties for
    other public uses. For example, the Old Naval Hospital, an almost 0.75
    acre property in southeast D.C. near Capitol Hill conveyed from GSA to
    the District, will be developed into a community center to be used for
    educational classes, lectures, recitals, art shows, and community
    events and will be operated by the Hill Center/Old Naval Hospital
    Foundation (see fig. 8).

    Figure 8: The Old Naval Hospital Property:

    This figure is a picture of the Old Naval Hospital property.

    [See PDF for image]

    Source: GAO.

    [End of figure]

    The community center is scheduled for opening in early 2010. Also, GSA
    plans to use the five buildings on the St. Elizabeths campus for
    federal use, as part of the proposed Department of Homeland Security
    (DHS) headquarters. For example, Building 37 Hitchcock Hall, will be
    used as a DHS conference center. All of the exchanged properties are
    discussed in more detail in appendix II.

    Some Land Transfers Provided Management Efficiency Benefits to both the
    District and the Federal Government:

    The transfer of many properties between the District and the federal
    government provided management efficiencies for both parties. The
    Secretary of the Interior transferred the jurisdiction of Reservations
    277A and 277C (North Capitol, Florida, and Lincoln Streets); 404 (Canal
    Road); portions of 470 (Fort Reno Park); and 8 (Mount Vernon Square),
    which were underutilized properties under NPS management, to provide
    the District with continuity of management benefits or the interest to
    properly maintain them. For example, Reservation 8, which the United
    States continues to own although jurisdiction has been transferred to
    the District, surrounds the City Museum (Carnegie Library), which the
    District owns (see fig. 9). This transfer provides uniform
    administration and more efficient management of the entire square by
    the District. The District, on the other hand, transferred properties,
    such as portions of Audubon Terrace, NW (Reservation 402), and Barnaby
    Street, NW (Reservation 545), to the Secretary of the Interior for
    administration by the NPS Director to ensure that planned streets that
    were originally contemplated to bisect NPS parkland will never be built
    (see fig. 10). Senior NPS officials commented that these transfers can
    be seen as improving management efficiency, since most surrounding land
    is NPS parkland and NPS would no longer have to be concerned about the
    construction of new streets.

    Figure 9: Aerial View of the Mount Vernon Square Property (Reservation
    8):

    This figure is a picture of an aerial view of the Mount Vernon Square
    property (Reservation 8).

    [See PDF for image]

    Source: National Park Service.

    [End of figure]

    Figure 10: Aerial View of the Audubon Terrace Property (Reservation
    402):

    This figure is an aerial view of the Audobon Terrace property
    (Reservation 402).

    [See PDF for image]

    Source: National Park Service.

    [End of figure]

    The District of Columbia and the Federal Government Face Challenges
    Going Forward as the District Begins Development:

    The District and the federal government face challenges as the District
    moves forward to develop or manage the transferred or to be conveyed
    properties. For example, cleanup and development uncertainties will
    likely affect the timeliness of property development at Poplar Point.
    Other challenges facing the District include (1) transitioning the
    Deputy Mayor's Office from policymaking and oversight roles to the lead
    in coordinating development, a function that has not been the Deputy
    Mayor's Office core business, and (2) reaching community agreement
    about development at Poplar Point.

    Cleanup and Development Uncertainties May Affect the Timeliness of the
    Development of Poplar Point:

    Cleanup and development uncertainties may affect the timeliness of the
    development of Poplar Point. These uncertainties include the:

    * extent and location of cleanup required,[Footnote 11]

    * cost of environmental cleanup,

    * determination of responsibility for paying for the environmental
    cleanup,[Footnote 12]

    * potential complications of relocating U.S. Park Police facilities on
    Poplar Point, and:

    * amount of construction that is allowed prior to the Secretary of the
    Interior's determination that NPS facilities are ready to be occupied.

    The District is conducting a series of environmental assessments on the
    Poplar Point site, the completion of which should begin to clarify the
    cleanup issues. One senior NPS official said that multiple government
    agencies could be responsible for contamination on the site. The
    District's current plan is to complete the necessary cleanup and then
    seek reimbursement from the responsible federal agencies. According to
    District and NPS officials, the federal government is potentially
    responsible for the majority of the costs of the cleanup on Poplar
    Point, the scope of which is still in the process of being determined.
    Any contamination that is found in areas where residential construction
    is planned could delay the progress of construction until the cleanup
    is finished or construction plans are modified. If cleanup costs for
    the site are higher than expected, delays could result if funding is
    not available. In addition, if significant federal funding is needed by
    the District to complete the cleanup, a negative impact on future
    agency budgets is possible. The quicker the District is able to develop
    property such as Poplar Point, the more quickly the District will
    potentially be able to reduce the structural fiscal imbalance that it
    faces.

    According to a senior NPS official and a senior USPP official,
    replacing U.S. Park Police facilities may be complicated and might
    affect the timeliness of the conveyance of the Poplar Point site to the
    District, which in turn will affect when development on the site
    begins. Replacing the NPS National Capital Parks Headquarters East
    facilities should be relatively straightforward because the building is
    an ordinary office building, but the replacement of USPP facilities
    will be more challenging. For example, according to a senior NPS
    official and a senior USPP official, USPP needs space for helicopter
    landings and a firing range. These facilities have flight space, noise,
    and safety implications that will affect neighbors substantially,
    therefore the District and DOI will require community input. The
    process could make identifying a site difficult and delay the
    conveyance. In addition, a senior USPP official said that USPP prefers
    that the motorcycle and special event units remain close to downtown
    because even a mile or two difference can affect response times. USPP's
    preference could complicate site identification.

    The timeliness of the conveyance of the Poplar Point site to the
    District for development may also be affected by the legal
    interpretation of the statute's restriction on the initiation of
    construction projects on Poplar Point. Under the statute, existing NPS
    facilities and properties must be withheld from conveyance until the
    NPS Director certifies that the facilities and related property to
    which NPS is to be relocated are ready to be used and occupied by NPS.
    The District may not initiate any construction project on Poplar Point,
    except for any required to prepare facilities for occupation by NPS,
    until the NPS Director makes this certification. However, what
    qualifies as a "construction project" and what various types of
    preconstruction work, utility relocation, soil-boring, or environmental
    remediation would be allowed, is unclear, according to a senior NPS
    official. NPS lawyers were examining this issue at the time of our
    review. Therefore, the definition of "construction project" that is
    ultimately decided upon will impact the speed of development and what
    could be completed concurrently. A senior NPS official stated that NPS
    wants to ensure that NPS and USPP have no disruption of operations
    while they remain at their current facilities, which may further limit
    activities on-site before the relocation. For example, he said that he
    would not be comfortable with the District's working on the utilities
    on which NPS and USPP currently rely.

    The Office of Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development is
    Transitioning from Policy-making and Oversight Roles to the Lead in
    Coordinating Development:

    With the dissolution of AWC and NCRC and the transfer of their
    functions to DMPED, this office faces the challenge of moving from
    policy-making and oversight roles to the lead in coordinating
    development--taking on responsibilities that had not been DMPED's core
    business. For example, DMPED is moving from overseeing the activities
    of AWC and NCRC to actually being responsible for hiring master
    developers, NEPA consultants, and architecture and engineering firms
    and for managing their work. District officials told us that they
    believe they can succeed because the transition has included the
    integration of many former AWC and NCRC employees. NPS officials also
    spoke positively about interactions with senior District officials and
    their seeming ability to achieve results. Some stakeholders, including
    local community groups, one D.C. Council member, and a Ward 8 economic
    development organization, have expressed concern about whether the
    District has enough personnel to efficiently manage the District's
    development projects given all of the construction projects under way
    throughout the city. For example, a community group and an economic
    development organization said that DMPED, as a result of the AWC
    dissolution, has over 100 development projects to manage across the
    city, and they expressed concern that some projects would end up
    receiving less priority and be delayed as other development projects
    progressed. A D.C. Council member expressed concern that putting $10
    billion worth of development under the direct purview of the mayor may
    be overwhelming, given all of the mayor's other responsibilities. Other
    stakeholders, including a representative for a D.C. Council member and
    an environmental community group, noted that the District had recently
    dissolved two development authorities, AWC and NCRC, because they were
    generally considered to be ineffective. These stakeholders maintained
    that it was probably too early to tell whether the District's current
    structure to manage development and construction throughout the city
    would be effective.[Footnote 13]

    Reaching Community Agreement about How to Develop Poplar Point and
    Other Properties Could Be a Challenge:

    Another challenge could be reaching community agreement about how to
    develop some of the properties. Reaching community agreement at any of
    the sites could be a challenge, but particularly at Poplar Point
    because of the size of the potential development and the millions of
    dollars at stake. According to most stakeholders, including several
    community groups and the D.C. Council's Ward 8 representative, Ward 8
    residents want affordable housing; commercial amenities, such as retail
    stores, restaurants, and grocery stores; and community benefit packages
    for Ward 8, such as jobs and business preferences. However, opinion is
    divided on whether a soccer stadium should be a part of Poplar Point's
    development. Some stakeholders, including the District community groups
    One D.C. and the D.C. Association of Community Organizations for Reform
    Now, believe that the stadium is not a priority for members of the Ward
    8 community. Others, including the Ward 7 and Ward 8 D.C. Council
    members and a President of an Anacostia economic development
    organization, disagree and believe that the survey is not indicative of
    the true sentiment of Ward 8 residents. Some maintain that a stadium
    has community support and could transform Anacostia in a way that
    retail amenities could not, by bringing in citizens who would not
    otherwise travel to and spend money in the area. As a result of these
    varying views, incorporating community input such that development at
    Poplar Point meets the needs and concerns of much of the community in
    an equitable and timely manner will be a challenge as the District
    develops the largest unimproved property currently remaining in the
    District.

    Agency Comments and Our Evaluation:

    We provided a draft of this report to the District of Columbia, DOI,
    GSA, and the AOC for review and comment. DOI and GSA agreed with our
    major findings and provided technical comments and clarifications,
    which we incorporated as appropriate. DOI's comments are contained in
    appendix III. The District and AOC did not comment on our overall
    findings, but provided technical comments and clarifications via e-mail
    which we incorporated as appropriate. AOC officials also expressed
    concern that even though all transfers of administrative jurisdiction
    occurred on December 15, 2006, the AOC has not received supporting
    instruments (deeds) of transfer, including surveys and legal
    descriptions, from the District.

    We are sending copies of this report to the congressional committees
    identified in the mandate, the Administrator of General Services, the
    Architect of the Capitol, the Secretary of the Interior, and the Mayor
    of the District of Columbia. We will also make copies available to
    others upon request. In addition, the report will be available at no
    charge on GAO's Web site at [hyperlink, http://www.gao.gov].

    If you or your staffs have any questions about this report, please
    contact me at (202) 512-6923 or dornt@gao.gov. Contact points for our
    Offices of Congressional Relations and Public Affairs may be found on
    the last page of this report. GAO staff who made key contributions to
    this report are listed in appendix IV.

    Terrell Dorn Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues:

    List of Congressional Committees:

    The Honorable Joseph I. Lieberman:
    Chairman:
    The Honorable Susan M. Collins:
    Ranking Member:
    Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs:
    United States Senate:

    The Honorable Henry A. Waxman:
    Chairman:
    The Honorable Tom Davis:
    Ranking Member:
    Committee on Oversight and Government Reform:
    House of Representatives:

    The Honorable John D. Dingell:
    Chairman:
    The Honorable Joe Barton:
    Ranking Member:
    Committee on Energy and Commerce:
    House of Representatives:

    The Honorable Nick Rahall:
    Chairman:
    The Honorable Don Young:
    Ranking Member:
    Committee on Natural Resources:
    House of Representatives:

    The Honorable James L. Oberstar:
    Chairman:
    The Honorable John L. Mica:
    Ranking Member:
    Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure:
    House of Representatives:

    [End of section]

    Appendix I: The Federal Government and the District of Columbia
    Property Conveyances and Transfers in Public Law 109-396:

    Conveyances from the General Services Administration (GSA) to the
    District of Columbia (District) (Section 101(a)(1)):

    1. U.S. Reservation 13:

    2. Old Naval Hospital:

    Conveyance from the District to GSA (Section 101(c)):

    1. Building Numbers 16, 37, 38, 118, and 118A (and underlying real
    property) on the West Campus of St. Elizabeths:

    Transfers of Administrative Jurisdiction from the District to the
    Secretary of the Interior (Section 201(a)(1)):

    1. An unimproved portion of Audubon Terrace, NW (within U.S.
    Reservation 402):

    2. An unimproved portion of Barnaby Street, NW (abuts U.S. Reservation
    545):

    3. A portion of Canal Street, SW, and V St., SW (abuts U.S. Reservation
    467):

    4. Unimproved streets and Alleys at Fort Circle Park (within U.S.
    Reservation 497):

    5. An unimproved portion of Western Avenue, NW (abuts U.S. Reservation
    339):

    6. An unimproved portion of 17th Street, NW (abuts U.S. Reservation
    339):

    7. An unimproved portion of 30th Street, NW (within U.S. Reservation
    515):

    8. Land over I-395 bounded by Washington Avenue, SW, 2nd Street, SW,
    and the C Street, SW, ramps to I-295 (for Memorial to Disabled
    Veterans):

    9. A portion of U.S. Reservation 357 at Whitehaven Parkway, NW:

    Transfer of Administrative Jurisdiction from the District to the
    Architect of the Capitol (AOC) (Section 201(a)(3)(A)):

    1. Additional land over I-395 (see #8 above) a. Northernmost 0.249
    acres to NPS with approval of the AOC (for special needs parking) b.
    Remaining portion to the AOC:

    Transfers of Administrative Jurisdiction from the Secretary of the
    Interior to the District (Section 201(b)):

    1. A portion of U.S. Reservation 451:

    2. A portion of U.S. Reservation 404:

    3. U.S. Reservations 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, and 49:

    4. U.S. Reservation 251:

    5. U.S. Reservation 8:

    6. U.S. Reservations 277A and 277C:

    7. Portions of U.S. Reservation 470:

    Conveyances from the District to the Secretary of the Interior (Section
    202(b)):

    1. Lovers Lane, NW (abuts U.S. Reservation 324):

    2. Needwood, Niagara, and Pitt Sts., NW (within C&O Canal National
    Historic Park):

    Conveyances from the Secretary of the Interior to the District (Section
    202(c)(1-6), 203, and 301)):

    1. U.S. Reservation 17A:

    2. U.S. Reservation 484:

    3. U.S. Reservations 243, 244, 245, 247, and 248:

    4. U.S. Reservations 128, 129, 130, 298, and 299:

    5. Portions of U.S. Reservations 343D and 343E:

    6. U.S. Reservations 721, 722, and 723:

    7. U.S. Reservation 174 (former Convention Center Site):

    8. Poplar Point (The District must find new sites for NPS facilities or
    those facilities stay):

    Conveyance from the District to the AOC (Section 204):

    1. Not more than 12 acres of property chosen by the District and
    approved by the AOC; if selected property is held by the Department of
    the Interior, the Secretary of the Interior must approve:

    [End of section]

    Appendix II: Description of Properties to Be Conveyed and Transferred
    between the District of Columbia and Federal Government:

    Property Name: Poplar Point:

    Type of Exchange: Conveyance of title:

    Entity Receiving Property: District of Columbia Government:

    Entity Conveying Property: National Park Service (NPS):

    Property Acreage: Approximately 110 acres:

    Property Location: East side of the Anacostia River across from the
    Washington Naval Yard and the site of the new baseball stadium. The
    property is bounded on the north by the Anacostia River, on the
    northeast by and inclusive of the southeast approaches of the 11th
    Street bridges, on the southeast by and inclusive of I-295, and on the
    northwest by and inclusive of the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge
    approaches to Suitland Parkway.

    Ward: 8:

    Anacostia Waterfront Framework Plan Area: Yes:

    Section of Public Law 109-396: 301:

    Property Status: Conveyance awaits completion:

    Property Description: NPS currently manages this property as part of
    Anacostia Park. In addition to 60 acres of managed meadow and several
    sports fields, the site also includes the U.S .Park Police Aviation
    Section Facility, the U.S. Park Police Anacostia Operations Facility,
    and the National Capital Parks-East Headquarters. Poplar Point also
    contains an area formerly occupied from 1927 to1993 by two nurseries,
    the D.C. Lanham Tree Nursery and the Architect of the Capitol Nursery,
    which left behind pesticides and other pollutants. Lastly,
    infrastructure for the 11th Street and Frederick Douglass bridges
    covers portions of the site on the perimeter of Poplar Point. The
    District has a long-range plan to move the Frederick Douglass Bridge,
    freeing-up additional land on Poplar Point, by about 2015. Conveyance
    of title to the District will permit redevelopment of the property by
    the District consistent with the November 2003 Anacostia Waterfront
    Framework Plan. The conveyance is subject to a number of terms,
    including those related to a deed restriction that 70 acres be used for
    park purposes, the completion of a land-use plan, the setting aside of
    sites for potential memorials, and the relocation of existing NPS and
    USPP facilities.

    Estimated Conveyance Completion: Fall 2009 (excluding NPS and USPP
    facilities):

    Proposed Use: Parks, Recreation, and Open Space; Local Public
    Facilities; High Density Residential and Commercial:

    Estimated Development Completion: Yet to be determined, but likely up
    to a decade:

    Figure 11: Aerial View of the Poplar Point Property:

    This figure is a picture of the aerial view of the Poplar Point
    property.

    [See PDF for image]

    Source: National Park Service.

    [End of figure]

    Property Name: U.S. Reservation 13 (Hill East Waterfront):

    Type of Exchange: Conveyance of title:

    Entity Receiving Property: District of Columbia Government:

    Entity Conveying Property: General Services Administration (GSA):

    Property Acreage: Approximately 67 acres:

    Property Location: Along western shore of Anacostia River, south of RFK
    stadium. This property is bounded by Independence Avenue, SE, to the
    north; 19th Street, SE, to the west; G Street, SE, to the south; and
    U.S. Reservation 343 to the east.

    Ward: 6:

    Anacostia Waterfront Framework Plan Area: Yes:

    Section of Public Law 109-396: 101(a)(1)(A):

    Property Status: Conveyance awaits completion:

    Property Description: Reservation 13 has been occupied by District of
    Columbia institutional uses since the 1850s and currently includes the
    D.C. Jail, the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA),
    the remains of D.C. General Hospital, and several active health-care
    agency functions. GSA transferred administrative jurisdiction to the
    District in 2002 with a number of conditions, including reserving the
    right-of-way to continue Massachusetts Avenue to the waterfront;
    maintaining the presence of CSOSA; and stipulating that if the District
    wanted to lease a portion of land for 15 years or longer, the city must
    verify the lease with GSA. Conveyance of title will give the District
    flexibility that it does not presently have, in land use and multi-use
    development, as well as private development. Over the last few months,
    the District has begun construction on an interim plaza adjacent to the
    southern Stadium/Armory Metrorail Station and planning for the
    extension of Massachusetts Avenue. The District has also remediated and
    selected a contractor to demolish Building 25; however, the other
    buildings will be remediated and demolished by the Master Developer.
    The District expects to issue a request for expressions of interest for
    a Master Developer in May 2008 and select one by the end of 2008. While
    initial construction on Reservation 13 may begin by the end of 2008,
    construction may not be completed until 2018. The conveyance is
    included in the exchange agreement signed by the District and GSA on
    January 17, 2008, and awaits resolution of the AOC conveyance for the
    deal to be complete.

    Estimated Conveyance Completion: Uncertain:

    Proposed Use: Medium Density Commercial; Local Public Facilities; Road
    Extension:

    Estimated Development Completion: Approximately 2018:

    Figure 12: Aerial View of the U.S. Reservation 13 Property (Hill East
    Waterfront):

    This figure is a picture of an aerial view of the U.S. Reservation 13
    property (Hill East Waterfront).

    [See PDF for image]

    Source: General Services Administration.

    [End of figure]

    Property Name: Old Naval Hospital (Lot 802, Square 948):

    Type of Exchange: Conveyance of title:

    Entity Receiving Property: District of Columbia Government:

    Entity Conveying Property: General Services Administration:

    Property Acreage: 0.705 acres:

    Property Location: 921 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE:

    Ward: 6:

    Anacostia Waterfront Framework Plan Area: No:

    Section of Public Law 109-396: 101(a)(1)(B):

    Property Status: Uncertain:

    Property Description: Built in 1864, this site, known as Old Naval
    Hospital served as a Navy hospital until 1911, then a boarding house
    for veterans pursuing pension claims. GSA transferred administrative
    jurisdiction of the property, together with the 15,187 square foot
    antebellum brick house and 2,200 square foot carriage house to the
    District in 1962. The District neglected the building to the point of
    decay. Conveyance of title will allow the District to obtain capital
    investment to renovate the property for adaptive reuse. In August 2007,
    the District selected the Old Naval Hospital Foundation's plan for the
    Hill Center, a community center that will offer a variety of lifelong
    learning opportunities, as well as providing meeting and performance
    space for community groups and office space for neighborhood
    nonprofits. The D.C. Office of Property Management is currently
    negotiating a long-term ground lease with the Hill Center/Old Naval
    Hospital Foundation, and the center is scheduled to open in early 2010.
    Community groups have expressed support for the project. The conveyance
    is included in the exchange agreement signed by the District and GSA on
    January 17, 2008, and awaits resolution of the AOC conveyance for the
    deal to be complete.

    Estimated Conveyance Completion: Uncertain date in 2008:

    Proposed Use: Community Center:

    Estimated Development Completion: 2010 - Hill Center opens:

    Figure 13: Aerial View of the Old Naval Hospital Property (Lot 802,
    Square 948):

    This figure is a picture of an aerial view of the Old Navy Hospital
    property (Lot 802, Square 948).

    [See PDF for image]

    Source: General Services Administration.

    [End of figure]

    Property Name: St. Elizabeths West Campus: Buildings Numbers 16, 37,
    38, 118, and 118A:

    Type of Exchange: Conveyance of title:

    Entity Receiving Property: General Services Administration:

    Entity Conveying Property: District of Columbia Government:

    Property Acreage: 6.55 acres:

    Property Location: Buildings are scattered throughout the site. St.
    Elizabeths is bounded by Martin Luther King Avenue on the east, South
    Capitol Street and I-295 on the west, the Barry Farm residential
    community on the north, and National Park Service Shepherd Parkway land
    and the Congress Heights residential community on the south.

    Ward: 8:

    Anacostia Waterfront Framework Plan Area: No:

    Section of Public Law 109-396: 101(c):

    Property Status: Conveyance pending:

    Property Description: Building numbers 16, 37, 38, 118, and 118A,
    located on the 176-acre, 61 building, St. Elizabeths West Campus in
    Anacostia are to be conveyed from the District to the Administrator of
    GSA. Ownership of the five buildings will give GSA the ability to
    comprehensively reuse and develop the site for the planned Department
    of Homeland Security (DHS) headquarters consolidation. The District
    vacated the buildings in 2004. Building 16, the Pumping Station, will
    be needed until the water service is upgraded, after which it will
    likely be demolished to fit the needs of the site master plan. Building
    37, Hitchcock Hall, will be renovated and used as a DHS conference
    center. Building 38, Hagen Hall, will also be renovated for campus-wide
    use, likely related to the conference and training center at
    neighboring Building 37. Buildings 118 and 118a, known as the
    Warehouse, are to be demolished as part of the site for a new Coast
    Guard Headquarters building. The conveyance of title is included in the
    exchange agreement signed by the District and GSA on January 17, 2008,
    and awaits resolution of the Architect of the Capitol conveyance for
    the deal to be complete.

    Estimated Conveyance Completion: Uncertain:

    Proposed Use: Part of proposed Department of Homeland Security
    Headquarters:

    Estimated Development Completion: 2015:

    Figure 14: Aerial View of the St. Elizabeths West Campus: Building
    Numbers 16, 37, 38, 118, and 118A:

    This figure is a picture of an aerial view of the St. Elizabeths West
    Campus: Building Numbers 16, 37, 38, 118, and 118A.

    [See PDF for image]

    Source: General Services Administration.

    [End of figure]

    Property Name: U.S. Reservation 17A (Trash Transfer Station):

    Type of Exchange: Conveyance of title:

    Entity Receiving Property: District of Columbia Government:

    Entity Conveying Property: National Park Service:

    Property Acreage: 1.273 acres:

    Property Location: This property is bounded by New Jersey Avenue, Canal
    Street and 2nd Street SE:

    Ward: 6:

    Anacostia Waterfront Framework Plan Area: Yes:

    Section of Public Law 109-396: 202(c)(1):

    Property Status: Conveyance awaits completion:

    Property Description: The site was transferred to the District for
    trash disposal purposes in 1947. Conveyance of title will permit the
    District to implement redevelopment plans for a high density commercial
    and residential use, as well as reinstitute the street grid of I
    Street. This development would complement the neighboring redevelopment
    of the former Capper/Carrollsburg public housing project. The District
    plans to complete all underground storm drainage and utilities work
    within 12 months after conveyance and commence construction of
    residential and office space within 24 months after conveyance.

    Estimated Conveyance Completion: End of summer 2008:

    Proposed Use: High Density Commercial; Road Realignment:

    Estimated Development Completion: Yet to be determined:

    Figure 15: Aerial View of the U.S. Reservation 17A Property (Trash
    Transfer Station):

    This figure is a picture of an aerial view of the U.S. Reservation 17A
    property (Trash Transfer Station).

    [See PDF for image]

    National Park Service.

    [End of figure]

    Property Name: U.S. Reservation 484 (Randall Recreation Center):

    Type of Exchange: Conveyance of title:

    Entity Receiving Property: District of Columbia Government:

    Entity Conveying Property: National Park Service:

    Property Acreage: 8.508 acres:

    Property Location: 65 I Street, SW:

    Ward: 6:

    Anacostia Waterfront Framework Plan Area: Yes:

    Section of Public Law 109-396: 202(c)(2):

    Property Status: Conveyance awaits completion:

    Property Description: This property at Randall Recreation Center and
    park was transferred to the District for recreation purposes in 1973.
    The District intends to use the land for park, recreation, and open
    space uses. The property adjoins the Randall School purchased by the
    Corcoran Gallery of Art for development of art studios, classrooms, and
    residential units.

    Estimated Conveyance Completion: End of summer 2008:

    Proposed Use: Parks, Recreation, and Open Space:

    Estimated Development Completion: Yet to be determined:

    Figure 16: Aerial View of the U.S. Reservation 484 Property (Randall
    Recreation Center):

    This figure is a picture of an aerial view of the U.S. Reservation 484
    property (Randall Recreation Center).

    [See PDF for image]

    Source: National Park Service.

    [End of figure]

    Property Name: U.S. Reservations 243, 244, 245, 247, and 248 (Potomac
    Avenue Triangles):

    Type of Exchange: Conveyance of title:

    Entity Receiving Property: District of Columbia Government:

    Entity Conveying Property: National Park Service:

    Property Acreage: 2.69 acres (243 - 0.47; 244 - 0.48; 245 - 0.55; 247 -
    0.51; 248 - 0.68):

    Property Location: Along Potomac Avenue, SW and SE, between 2nd Street,
    SW, and 2nd Street, SE:

    Ward: 6:

    Anacostia Waterfront Framework Plan Area: Yes:

    Section of Public Law 109-396: 202(c)(3):

    Property Status: Conveyance awaits completion:

    Property Description: These five triangles along Potomac Avenue were
    transferred to the District for highway purposes in 1944. Reservations
    243 and 245 are currently open space. A salt dome currently occupies
    Reservation 244. A WASA storage facility occupies Reservation 248.
    Reservation 247 is under the new baseball stadium and, thus, has
    already been redeveloped. According to D.C. government plans, the rest
    of the triangles will be part of the commercial and residential
    redevelopment around the baseball stadium. Reservation 248 will include
    part of the Anacostia Riverwalk.

    Estimated Conveyance Completion: End of summer 2008:

    Proposed Use: High and Medium Density Commercial and Residential; Local
    Public Facilities (Baseball Stadium):

    Estimated Development Estimated Development Completion: In March 2008,
    Nationals' Baseball Stadium, partly located on Reservation 247, opened.
    Development completion dates on the other reservations are yet to be
    determined.

    Figure 17: Aerial View of U.S. Reservations 243, 244, 245, 247, and 248
    (Potomac Avenue Triangles):

    This figure is a picture of an aerial view of the U.S. Reservations
    243, 244, 245, 247, and 248 (Potomac Avenue Triangles).

    [See PDF for image]

    Source: National Park Service.

    [End of figure]

    Property Name: U.S. Reservations 128, 129, 130, 298, and 299 (Virginia
    Avenue Triangles):

    Type of Exchange: Conveyance of title:

    Entity Receiving Property: District of Columbia Government:

    Entity Conveying Property: National Park Service:

    Property Acreage: 0.96 acre (128 - 0.21; 129 - 0.35; 130 - 0.12; 298 -
    0.10; 299 - 0.18):

    Property Location: Along M Street and Water Street, SE, where Virginia
    Avenue would extend:

    Ward: 6:

    Anacostia Waterfront Framework Plan Area: Yes:

    Section of Public Law 109-396: 202(c)(4):

    Property Status: Conveyance awaits completion:

    Property Description: Conveyance of title will allow the District to
    reconfigure these small triangles into useable open space in
    conjunction with the redevelopment of adjacent private property in
    accordance with the Anacostia Waterfront Framework Plan. Reservation
    298 contains contamination from a neighboring property formerly
    occupied by a coal to liquid facility operated by Washington Gas.
    Because the District desires a future recreational use requiring a more
    stringent clean-up, the District and NPS recently agreed on the process
    of how to come to a cleanup agreement with Washington Gas to modify the
    previous environmental remediation efforts.

    Estimated Conveyance Completion: End of summer 2008:

    Proposed Use: Parks, Recreation, and Open Space (in conjunction with
    adjacent development):

    Estimated Development Completion: Yet to be determined:

    Figure 18: Aerial View of U.S. Reservations 128, 129, 130, 298, and 299
    (Virginia Avenue Triangles):

    This figure is a picture of an aerial view of the U.S. Reservations
    128, 129, 130, 298, and 299 (Virginia Avenue Triangles).

    [See PDF for image]

    Source: National Park Service.

    [End of figure]

    Property Name: Portions of U.S. Reservations 343D and 343E (Boathouse
    Row):

    Type of Exchange: Conveyance of title:

    Entity Receiving Property: District of Columbia Government:

    Entity Conveying Property: National Park Service:

    Property Acreage: Approximately 19 acres (343D - 13 acres; 343E - 6.34
    acres):

    Property Location: This property is bordered by the Anacostia River on
    the east; Water Street, SE, and M Street, SE, to the west; 11th Street,
    SE, and 11th Street Bridges to the south; and the Anacostia River and
    CSX Railroad Bridge to the north.

    Ward: 6:

    Anacostia Waterfront Framework Plan Area: Yes:

    Section of Public Law 109-396: 202(c)(5):

    Property Status: Conveyance awaits completion:

    Property Description: A narrow stretch of Anacostia Park along the
    western shore of the Anacostia River, these properties are currently
    occupied by District Public Works facilities; U.S. Army Corps of
    Engineers (Corps) facilities; District Water and Sewer facilities;
    Anacostia Community Boathouse Association, Inc; Washington Yacht Club;
    District Yacht Club; Eastern Power Boat Club; Seafarers Boat Club; and
    the Anacostia Marina. The District plans to enhance the park qualities
    of the properties to become a "Boathouse Row," which would accommodate
    various waterfront recreation activities, including boating, and a
    portion of the Anacostia Riverwalk trail. Conveyance of title to the
    District will provide the opportunity for the District to redevelop and
    enhance the marina, which cannot be achieved under NPS authorities.
    Portions of both parcels contain environmental contamination, 343D from
    a neighboring property formerly occupied by a coal-to-liquid facility
    operated by Washington Gas and Reservation 343E as a result of the
    prior operations of the Anacostia Marina. Because the District wants a
    future recreational use requiring a more stringent cleanup, recent
    District and NPS agreements for Reservations 298 and 343D outline how
    the Washington Gas remediation plan for Reservations 343D and 298 will
    be modified to meet the requirements of applicable law and take into
    account the District's proposed changes in land use. The inclusion in
    the conveyance of a small notch within Reservation 343D, occupied by
    the Corps facilities is the subject of disagreement between the
    District, NPS, and the Corps.

    Estimated Conveyance Completion: End of summer 2008:

    Proposed Use: Parks, Recreation, and Open Space:

    Estimated Development Completion: 2011:

    Figure 19: Aerial View of Portions of U.S. Reservations 343D and 343E
    (Boathouse Row):

    This figure is a picture of an aerial view of portions of the U.S.
    Reservations 343D and 343E (Boathouse Row).

    [See PDF for image]

    Source: National Park Service.

    [End of figure]

    Property Name: U.S. Reservations 721, 722, and 723 (Waterside Mall):

    Type of Exchange: Conveyance of title:

    Entity Receiving Property: District of Columbia Government:

    Entity Conveying Property: National Park Service:

    Property Acreage: 3.248 acres (721 - 1.132; 722 - 1.490; 723 - 0.626):

    Property Location: This property is bordered by I Street, SW, to the
    north; 3rd Street, SW, to the east: K Street, SW, to the south; and 6th
    Street, SW, to the west.

    Ward: 6:

    Anacostia Waterfront Framework Plan Area: Yes:

    Section of Public Law 109-396: 202(c)(6):

    Property Status: Conveyance awaits completion:

    Property Description: Three reservations at Waterside Mall were created
    as urban parks as part of the southwest urban renewal in the 1970s.
    Conveyance of title will provide the District with an opportunity to
    reconfigure the property in association with the private redevelopment
    of Waterside Mall. Reservations 721 and 723 will be used as parks,
    while Reservation 722 will include the extension of 4th Street, SW.

    Estimated Conveyance Completion: End of summer 2008:

    Proposed Use: Parks, Recreation, and Open Space; Road Realignment:

    Estimated Development Completion: Yet to be determined:

    Figure 20: Aerial View of U.S. Reservations 721, 722, and 723
    (Waterside Mall):

    This figure is a picture of an aerial view of the U.S. Reservations
    721, 722, and 723 (Waterside Mall).

    [See PDF for image]

    Source National Park Service.

    [End of figure]

    Property Name: U.S. Reservation 174 (Old Convention Center; Lot 849,
    Square 374):

    Type of Exchange: Conveyance of title:

    Entity Receiving Property: District of Columbia Government:

    Entity Conveying Property: National Park Service:

    Property Acreage: 0.31 acre:

    Property Location: Northwest corner of the Old Convention Center site.
    This property is bordered by New York Avenue, NW, to the north; 10th
    St., NW, (to be built) to the east; I Street, NW, (to be built) to the
    south; and 11th St., NW, to the west.

    Ward: 2:

    Anacostia Waterfront Framework Plan Area: No:

    Section of Public Law 109-396: 203:

    Property Status: Conveyance awaits completion:

    Property Description: A 13,500 square foot reservation at New York
    Avenue and 11th Street, NW, NPS transferred Reservation 174 to the
    District in the 1970s as part of the site for the Old Convention
    Center, with the condition that it was to remain as open space adjacent
    to the structure. The law conditions conveyance of title to the
    District upon completion of a final plan for the Old Convention Center
    site through a public planning process, the consideration of an
    alternative that maintains Reservation 174 as open space, and the final
    plans inclusion of 1.25 acres of open space. In compliance with these
    conditions, the District proposed a triangular-shaped park on
    Reservation 174. This new park will be created in conjunction with the
    reopening of 10th and I Streets which border the property. In May 2007,
    the National Capital Planning Commission commented favorably on the
    concept design for the new park. The District expects conveyance of
    this property to occur shortly and separately, as permitted under the
    law, from the other conveyances between the District and DOI.

    Estimated Conveyance Completion: June 2008:

    Proposed Use: Parks, Recreation, and Open Space (part of High Density
    Development):

    Estimated Development Completion: Yet to be determined:

    Figure 21: Aerial View of the U.S. Reservation 174 Property (Old
    Convention Center; Lot 849, Square 374):

    This figure is a picture of an aerial view of the U.S. U.S. Reservation
    174 Property (Old Convention Center; Lot 849, Square 374).

    [See PDF for image]

    Source: National Park Service.

    [End of figure]

    Property Name: Lovers Lane, NW:

    Type of Exchange: Conveyance of title:

    Entity Receiving Property: National Park Service:

    Entity Conveying Property: District of Columbia Government:

    Property Acreage: 0.52 acre:

    Property Location: North of R Street, NW; between Dumbarton Oaks and
    Reservation 324 (Montrose Park):

    Ward: 2:

    Anacostia Waterfront Framework Plan Area: No:

    Section of Public Law 109-396: 202(b)(1):

    Property Status: Conveyance awaits completion:

    Property Description: This property is a one-block-long former roadway
    located adjacent to Montrose Park and Dumbarton Oaks, owned by Harvard
    University. The conveyance will facilitate elimination of the unused
    roadbed and would provide NPS and Dumbarton Oaks with sufficient
    interests to perform maintenance along walls and other park facilities
    adjacent to the roadway.

    Estimated Conveyance Completion: End of summer 2008:

    Proposed Use: Parks, Recreation, and Open Space:

    Estimated Development Completion: No development planned:

    Figure 22: Aerial View of the Lovers Lane, NW, Property:

    This figure is a picture of an aerial view of the Lovers Lane, NW,
    property.

    [See PDF for image]

    Source: National Park Service.

    [End of figure]

    Property Name: Needwood, Niagara, and Pitt Streets, NW (C&O Canal
    National Historic Park):

    Type of Exchange: Conveyance of title:

    Entity Receiving Property: National Park Service:

    Entity Conveying Property: District of Columbia Government:

    Property Acreage: 1.350 acres (Needwood - 0.670; Niagara - 0.449; Pitt
    - 0.231):

    Property Location: North side of the C&O Canal in Georgetown; Needwood
    is at 29th Street, NW; Niagara is between 31st and Wisconsin Avenue,
    NW; and Pitt is at 33rd Street, NW:

    Ward: 2:

    Anacostia Waterfront Framework Plan Area: No:

    Section of Public Law 109-396: 202(b)(2):

    Property Status: Conveyance awaits completion:

    Property Description: These properties include three former street
    rights-of-way and have been occupied by the C&O Canal since the 19th
    century. The conveyance will provide NPS with sufficient interests to
    manage these heretofore District-owned portions of the C&O Canal
    National Historical Park in Georgetown.

    Estimated Conveyance Completion: End of summer 2008:

    Proposed Use: Parks, Recreation, and Open Space:

    Estimated Development Completion: No development planned:

    Figure 23: Aerial View of Needwood, Niagara, and Pitt Streets, NW (C&O
    Canal National Historic Park):

    This figure is a picture of an aerial view of Needwood, Niagra, and
    Pitt Streets, NW (C&O Canal National Historic Park).

    [See PDF for image]

    Source: National Park Service.

    [End of figure]

    Property Name: A portion of U.S. Reservation 451:

    Type of Exchange: Transfer of administrative jurisdiction:

    Entity Receiving Property: District of Columbia Government:

    Entity Transferring Property: National Park Service:

    Property Acreage: 0.475 acre:

    Property Location: Along the north edge of Gallatin Street, NE, west of
    South Dakota Avenue:

    Ward: 5:

    Anacostia Waterfront Framework Plan Area: No:

    Section of Public Law 109-396: 201(b)(1):

    Property Status: Transfer completed December 15, 2006:

    Property Description: This parkland was encumbered with a one-block
    section of Gallatin Street, NW, which provides access to an existing
    District public works facility.

    Proposed Use: Road/Access to local public facilities:

    Estimated Development Completion: No development planned:

    Figure 24: Aerial View of a Portion of the U.S. Reservation 451
    Property:

    This figure is a picture of an aerial view of a portion of the U.S.
    Reservation 451 property.

    [See PDF for image]

    Source: National Park Service.

    [End of figure]

    Property Name: A portion of U.S. Reservation 404 (Canal Road, NW):

    Type of Exchange: Transfer of administrative jurisdiction:

    Entity Receiving Property: District of Columbia Government:

    Entity Transferring Property: National Park Service:

    Property Acreage: Survey pending:

    Property Location: Canal Road, NW, from Foxhall Road to the Chain
    Bridge (North Glebe Road):

    Ward: 3:

    Anacostia Waterfront Framework Plan Area: No:

    Section of Public Law 109-396: 201(b)(2):

    Property Status: Transfer completed December 15, 2006:

    Property Description: This property is beneath Canal Road, NW, and was
    the subject of a right-of-way permit to the District. This transfer
    provides the District with the requisite interest to adequately operate
    and maintain the existing roadway.

    Proposed Use: Parks, Recreation, and Open Space:

    Estimated Development Completion: No development planned:

    Figure 25: Aerial View of a Portion of the U.S. Reservation 404
    Property (Canal Road, NW):

    This figure is a picture of an aerial view of a portion of the U.S.
    Reservation 404 property (Canal Road, NW).

    [See PDF for image]

    Source: National Park Service.

    [End of figure]

    Property Name: U.S. Reservations 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, and 49 (Eastern
    Market):

    Type of Exchange: Transfer of administrative jurisdiction:

    Entity Receiving Property: District of Columbia Government:

    Entity Transferring Property: National Park Service:

    Property Acreage: 1.114 acres (44: 0.243; 45: 0.186; 46: 0.032; 47:
    0.020; 48: 0.261; 49: 0.372):

    Property Location: Along Pennsylvania Avenue between 7th and 9th
    Streets, SE:

    Ward: 6:

    Anacostia Waterfront Framework Plan Area: No:

    Section of Public Law 109-396: 201(b)(3):

    Property Status: Transfer completed December 15, 2006:

    Property Description: This transfer includes six reservations of
    parkland around the Eastern Market Metro stop. Community leaders, led
    by Barracks Row Main Street (BRMS) and backed by local businesses, want
    to redesign the parks into a town center square for Capitol Hill.
    According to a member of Barracks Row Main Street's Board of Directors,
    the plans have the support of District officials and the financial
    backing of BRMS and the local businesses. These redesigned parks would
    link the revitalized areas of 8th Street, SE; "Barracks Row"; and 7th
    Street, SE, "Market Row," and would serve as a gateway to the community
    with unique neighborhood markers and kiosks around the Metro. A
    complementary gateway park will also be created at the southern end of
    8th Street, SE, on Reservation 251. The transfer of administrative
    jurisdiction was needed to allow the kiosks, since commercial
    transactions are not allowed on NPS land, as well as to facilitate the
    redesign of the parks. BRMS has commissioned a design study, which
    should be completed by August or September 2008, and will provide
    design alternatives for community input. BRMS anticipates that
    construction could begin by the end of 2008.

    Proposed Use: Parks, Recreation, and Open Space:

    Estimated Development Completion: 2009 - 2010:

    Figure 26: Aerial View of U.S. Reservations 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, and 49
    (Eastern Market):

    This figure is a picture of an aerial view of the U.S. Reservations 44,
    45, 46, 47, 48, and 49 (Eastern Market).

    [See PDF for image]

    Source: National Park Service.

    [End of figure]

    Property Name: U.S. Reservation 251:

    Type of Exchange: Transfer of administrative jurisdiction:

    Entity Receiving Property: District of Columbia Government:

    Entity Transferring Property: National Park Service:

    Property Acreage: 0.151 acre:

    Property Location: M Street, SE, between 8th and 9th Streets, SE:

    Ward: 6:

    Anacostia Waterfront Framework Plan Area: Yes:

    Section of Public Law 109-396: 201(b)(4):

    Property Status: Transfer completed December 15, 2006:

    Property Description: This property is a triangle at the southern end
    of the Barracks Row commercial strip. Community leaders and local
    businesses want to redevelop it as an urban park to serve as a gateway
    to the commercial strip known as Barracks Row and to complement similar
    development at the northern end around the Eastern Market Metro. The
    park will likely feature a sculpture.

    Proposed Use: Parks, Recreation, and Open Space:

    Estimated Development Completion: 2009 - 2010:

    Figure 27: Aerial View of the U.S. Reservation 251 Property:

    This figure is a picture of an aerial view of the U.S. Reservation
    property.

    [See PDF for image]

    Source: National Park Service.

    [End of figure]

    Property Name: U.S. Reservation 8 (Mount Vernon Square):

    Type of Exchange: Transfer of administrative jurisdiction:

    Entity Receiving Property: District of Columbia Government:

    Entity Transferring Property: National Park Service:

    Property Acreage: 2.748 acres:

    Property Location: Mount Vernon Square; between 7th and 9th Streets,
    NW:

    Ward: 2:

    Anacostia Waterfront Framework Plan Area: No:

    Section of Public Law 109-396: 201(b)(5):

    Property Status: Transfer completed December 15, 2006:

    Property Description: This park property at Mount Vernon Square
    surrounds the City Museum (Carnegie Library), which is owned by the
    District. The transfer provides uniform administration and more
    efficient management of the entire square by the District.

    Proposed Use: Parks, Recreation, and Open Space:

    Estimated Development Completion: No development planned:

    Figure 28: Aerial View of the U.S. Reservation 8 Property (Mount Vernon
    Square):

    This figure is an aerial view of the U.S. Reservation 8 property (Mount
    Vernon Square).

    [See PDF for image]

    Source: National Park Service.

    [End of figure]

    Property Name: U.S. Reservations 277A and 277C:

    Type of Exchange: Transfer of administrative jurisdiction:

    Entity Receiving Property: District of Columbia Government:

    Entity Transferring Property: National Park Service:

    Property Acreage: 0.131 acre:

    Property Location: Reservation 277A at North Capitol Street and Florida
    Avenue, NW; and Reservation 277C at North Capitol Street and Lincoln
    Road, NE:

    Ward: 5:

    Anacostia Waterfront Framework Plan Area: No:

    Section of Public Law 109-396: 201(b)(6):

    Property Status: Transfer completed December 15, 2006:

    Property Description: These two properties are located along North
    Capitol Street. Through a misunderstanding, the District issued permits
    to local community groups authorizing the landscaping of these
    properties. The transfer provides continuity of management for the
    District.

    Proposed Use: Parks, Recreation, and Open Space:

    Estimated Development Completion: No development planned:

    Figure 29: Aerial View of U.S. Reservations 277A and 277C:

    This figure is an aerial view of the U.S. Reservations 277A and 277C.

    [See PDF for image]

    Source: National Park Service.

    [End of figure]

    Property Name: Portions of U.S. Reservation 470 (Fort Reno Park):

    Type of Exchange: Transfer of administrative jurisdiction:

    Entity Receiving Property: District of Columbia Government:

    Entity Transferring Property: National Park Service:

    Property Acreage: 1.556 acres:

    Property Location: In Fort Reno Park along Donaldson Place, NW:

    Ward: 3:

    Anacostia Waterfront Framework Plan Area: No:

    Section of Public Law 109-396: 201(b)(7):

    Property Status: Transfer completed December 15, 2006:

    Property Description: This property contains a salt dome and leaf
    collection and storage operation that the District has operated under
    permits from NPS for many years. The transfer provides the District
    with the proper interest in the property to administer and maintain new
    facilities at this location.

    Proposed Use: Parks, Recreation, and Open Space:

    Estimated Development Completion: No development planned:

    Figure 30: Aerial View of Portions of U.S. Reservation 470 (Fort Reno
    Park):

    This figure is an aerial view of portions of U.S. Reservation 470 (Fort
    Reno Park).

    [See PDF for image]

    Source: National Park Service.

    [End of figure]

    Property Name: Audubon Terrace, NW:

    Type of Exchange: Transfer of administrative jurisdiction:

    Entity Receiving Property: National Park Service:

    Entity Transferring Property: District of Columbia Government:

    Property Acreage: 0.381 acre:

    Property Location: East of Linnean Avenue, NW, within Reservation 402:

    Ward: 3:

    Anacostia Waterfront Framework Plan Area: No:

    Section of Public Law 109-396: 201(a)(1)(A):

    Property Status: Transfer completed December 15, 2006:

    Property Description: This unimproved wooded property was encumbered by
    an unbuilt street right-of-way surrounded by NPS parkland. The transfer
    provides continuity of management by NPS. The property will remain
    parkland.

    Proposed Use: Parks, Recreation, and Open Space:

    Estimated Development Completion: No development planned:

    Figure 31: Aerial View of the Audubon Terrace, NW, Property:

    This figure is a picture of an aerial view of the Audobon Terrace, NW,
    property.

    [See PDF for image]

    Source: National Park Service.

    [End of figure]

    Property Name: Barnaby Street, NW:

    Type of Exchange: Transfer of administrative jurisdiction:

    Entity Receiving Property: National Park Service:

    Entity Transferring Property: District of Columbia Government:

    Property Acreage: 0.436 acre:

    Property Location: North of Aberfoyle Place, NW; abuts Reservation 545:

    Ward: 4:

    Anacostia Waterfront Framework Plan Area: No:

    Section of Public Law 109-396: 201(a)(1)(B):

    Property Status: Transfer completed December 15, 2006:

    Property Description: This unimproved wooded property was encumbered by
    an unbuilt street right-of-way surrounded by NPS parkland. The transfer
    provides continuity of management by NPS. The property will remain
    parkland.

    Proposed Use: Parks, Recreation, and Open Space:

    Estimated Development Completion: No development planned:

    Figure 32: Aerial View of the Barnaby Street, NW, Property:

    This figure is a picture of an aerial view of the Barnaby Street, NW,
    property.

    [See PDF for image]

    Source: National Park Service.

    [End of figure]

    Property Name: Canal Street, SW, and V Street, SW:

    Type of Exchange: Transfer of administrative jurisdiction:

    Entity Receiving Property: National Park Service:

    Entity Transferring Property: District of Columbia Government:

    Property Acreage: 3.732 acres:

    Property Location: Portions of Canal Street, SW and V Street, SW, each
    of which abuts Reservation 467 along the Anacostia River:

    Ward: 6:

    Anacostia Waterfront Framework Plan Area: Yes:

    Section of Public Law 109-396: 201(a)(1)(C):

    Property Status: Transfer completed December 15, 2006:

    Property Description: This unimproved property is comprised of portions
    of unbuilt street rights-of-way that abut NPS parkland. The transfer
    facilitates implementation of an approved plan to enhance an existing
    NPS concession-operated marina.

    Proposed Use: Parks, Recreation, and Open Space:

    Estimated Development Completion: Yet to be determined:

    Figure 33: Aerial View of the Canal Street, SW, and V Street, SW,
    Property:

    This figure is a picture of an aerial view of the Canal Street, SW, and
    V Street, SW, property.

    [See PDF for image]

    Source: National Park Service.

    [End of figure]

    Property Name: Streets and Alleys at Fort Circle Park:

    Type of Exchange: Transfer of administrative jurisdiction:

    Entity Receiving Property: National Park Service:

    Entity Transferring Property: District of Columbia Government:

    Property Acreage: 4.35 acres:

    Property Location: Within Fort Circle Park/Reservation 497:

    Ward: 4:

    Anacostia Waterfront Framework Plan Area: No:

    Section of Public Law 109-396: 201(a)(1)(D):

    Property Status: Transfer completed December 15, 2006:

    Property Description: This unimproved wooded property was encumbered by
    several contiguous unbuilt street rights-of-way within NPS parkland.
    The transfer provides continuity of management by NPS. The property
    will remain parkland.

    Proposed Use: Parks, Recreation, and Open Space:

    Estimated Development Completion: No development planned:

    Figure 34: Aerial View of the Streets and Alleys at the Fort Circle
    Park Property:

    This figure is picture of an aerial view of the streets and alleys at
    the Fort Circle Park property.

    [See PDF for image]

    Source: National Park Service.

    [End of figure]

    Property Name: Western Avenue, NW:

    Type of Exchange: Transfer of administrative jurisdiction:

    Entity Receiving Property: National Park Service:

    Entity Transferring Property: District of Columbia Government:

    Property Acreage: 1.081 acres:

    Property Location: Western Avenue, NW, north of Oregon Avenue, NW,
    abuts Reservation 339:

    Ward: 4:

    Anacostia Waterfront Framework Plan Area: No:

    Section of Public Law 109-396: 201(a)(1)(E):

    Property Status: Transfer completed December 15, 2006:

    Property Description: This unimproved property was encumbered by an
    unbuilt street right-of-way surrounded by NPS parkland. The transfer
    provides continuity of management by NPS. The property will remain
    parkland.

    Proposed Use: Parks, Recreation, and Open Space:

    Estimated Development Completion: No development planned:

    Figure 35: Aerial View of the Western Avenue, NW, Property:

    This figure is an aerial view of the Western Avenue, NW, property.

    [See PDF for image]

    Source: National Park Service.

    [End of figure]

    Property Name: 17th Street, NW:

    Type of Exchange: Transfer of administrative jurisdiction:

    Entity Receiving Property: National Park Service:

    Entity Transferring Property: District of Columbia Government:

    Property Acreage: 0.268 acre:

    Property Location: 17th Street, NW, south of Shepherd Street, NW, abuts
    Reservation 339:

    Ward: 4:

    Anacostia Waterfront Framework Plan Area: No:

    Section of Public Law 109-396: 201(a)(1)(F):

    Property Status: Transfer completed December 15, 2006:

    Property Description: This unimproved wooded property was encumbered by
    an unbuilt street right-of-way abutting NPS parkland. The transfer
    provides continuity of management by NPS. The property will remain
    parkland.

    Proposed Use: Parks, Recreation, and Open Space:

    Estimated Development Completion: No development planned:

    Figure 36: Aerial View of the 17th Street, NW, Property:

    This figure is a picture of an aerial view of the 17th Street, NW,
    property.

    [See PDF for image]

    Source: National Park Service.

    [End of figure]

    Property Name: 30th Street, NW:

    Type of Exchange: Transfer of administrative jurisdiction:

    Entity Receiving Property: National Park Service:

    Entity Transferring Property: District of Columbia Government:

    Property Acreage: 0.343 acre:

    Property Location: 30th Street, NW, north of Broad Branch Road, NW,
    within Reservation 515:

    Ward: 4:

    Anacostia Waterfront Framework Plan Area: No:

    Section of Public Law 109-396: 201(a)(1)(G):

    Property Status: Transfer completed December 15, 2006:

    Property Description: This unimproved wooded property was encumbered by
    an unbuilt street right-of-way surrounded by NPS parkland. The transfer
    provides continuity of management by NPS. The property will remain
    parkland.

    Proposed Use: Parks, Recreation, and Open Space:

    Estimated Development Completion: No development planned:

    Figure 37: Aerial View of the 30th Street, NW, Property:

    This figure is a picture of an aerial view of the 30th Street, NW,
    property.

    [See PDF for image]

    Source: National Park Service.

    [End of figure]

    Property Name: Land over I-395 (Including additional land along/above I-
    395):

    Type of Exchange: Transfer of administrative jurisdiction:

    Entity Receiving Property: National Park Service:

    Entity Transferring Property: District of Columbia Government:

    Property Acreage: 1.69 acres:

    Property Location: This property is bounded by Washington Avenue, SW,
    2nd Street, SW; and the C Street, SW, ramps to I-295.

    Ward: 2:

    Anacostia Waterfront Framework Plan Area: No:

    Section of Public Law 109-396: 201(a)(1)(H):

    Property Status: Transfer completed December 15, 2006:

    Property Description: This property includes landscaped traffic islands
    and ramps above I-395 in the vicinity of the Rayburn House Office
    Building. The transfer provides for the establishment of the Memorial
    to American Veterans Disabled for Life, which will be managed by NPS.
    The District retains jurisdiction of the subsurface area beneath the
    memorial for the tunnel, walls, footings and related facilities. An
    additional 0.249 acre of an adjoining parcel was transferred to NPS
    and, subject to AOC approval, will be landscaped or used for special-
    needs parking associated with the proposed memorial. The Disabled
    Veterans Life Memorial Foundation, which is responsible for developing
    and fund-raising and constructing the memorial, hopes to seek
    preliminary design approval from the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts and
    the National Capital Planning Commission this summer, with final
    approval following in early 2009. Some street realignments and
    utilities relocation will be involved. The street realignment will take
    about 12 months and the Memorial construction will take 18 months.
    Currently, the memorial foundation anticipates a possible dedication on
    Memorial Day 2011.

    Proposed Use: Memorial for Disabled Veterans; Parking for Memorial:

    Estimated Development Completion: May 2011:

    Figure 38: Aerial View of Land over I-395 (Including additional land
    along/above I-395):

    This figure is a picture of an aerial view of land over I-395
    (including additional land along/above I-395).

    [See PDF for image]

    Source: National Park Service.

    [End of figure]

    Property Name: Whitehaven Parkway, NW:

    Type of Exchange: Transfer of administrative jurisdiction:

    Entity Receiving Property: National Park Service:

    Entity Transferring Property: District of Columbia Government:

    Property Acreage: 1.80 acres:

    Property Location: Portion of Reservation 357 at Whitehaven Parkway,
    NW, and Foxhall Road, NW:

    Ward: 3:

    Anacostia Waterfront Framework Plan Area: No:

    Section of Public Law 109-396: 201(a)(1)(I):

    Property Status: Transfer completed December 15, 2006:

    Property Description: This property was previously transferred to the
    District for a proposed mayoral residence at this location, which was
    never built. The transfer provides continuity of management by NPS. The
    property will remain parkland.

    Proposed Use: Parks, Recreation, and Open Space:

    Estimated Development Completion: No development planned:

    Figure 39: Aerial View of the Whitehaven Parkway, NW, Property:

    This figure is a picture of an aerial view of the Whitehaven Parkway,
    NW, property.

    [See PDF for image]

    Source: National Park Service.

    [End of figure]

    Property Name: Remaining land over I-395 (AOC):

    Type of Exchange: Transfer of administrative jurisdiction:

    Entity Receiving Property: Architect of the Capitol, National Park
    Service:

    Entity Transferring Property: District of Columbia Government:

    Property Acreage: 0.504 acre:

    Property Location: This property is bounded by 2nd Street, SW; C
    Street, SW, ramp to I-295; the D Street, SW ramp to I-395; and I-295.

    Ward: 2:

    Anacostia Waterfront Framework Plan Area: No:

    Section of Public Law 109-396: 201(a)(3)(A):

    Property Status: Transfer completed December 15, 2006:

    Property Description: These additional lands above and along I-395 are
    next to the site for the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial.
    The northernmost 0.249 acre was transferred to NPS and is subject to
    AOC approval as to whether the property is landscaped or used for
    special-needs parking associated with the memorial. The remaining
    portion was transferred to the AOC. (See "Lands over I-395 (for
    Memorial to Disabled Veterans)" to NPS). The District retains
    jurisdiction of the subsurface area beneath the memorial for the
    tunnel, walls, footings, and related facilities.

    Proposed Use: Parking and Open Space:

    Estimated Development Completion: Yet to be determined:

    Figure 40: Aerial View of the Remaining Land over I-395 (AOC):

    This figure is a picture of an aerial view of the remaining land over I-
    395 (AOC).

    [See PDF for image]

    Source: National Park Service.

    [End of figure]

    [End of section]

    Appendix III: Comments from the Department of the Interior:

    United States Department Of The Interior:
    Office Of The Secretary:
    Washington D.C. 20240:

    June 4, 2008:

    Terrell Dorn:
    Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues:
    U.S. Government Accountability Office:
    441 G Street, N.W.:
    Washington, D.C. 20548

    Dear Mr. Dorn:

    Thank you for providing the National Park Service of the Department of
    the Interior the opportunity to review and comment on the draft
    Government Accountability Office Report entitled, "Federal Real
    Property Conveyances between the District of Columbia and Federal
    Government Await Completion and Development Will Take Many Years" (GAO-
    08-684).

    We appreciate the diligent work of the team that prepared the report
    and the large amount of data collected, In general, we believe the GAO
    has produced an informative summation of the complex issues associated
    with the transfers of land and associated projects and we concur with
    the major findings and recommendations included in the report. We are
    also committed to working with the District of Columbia to utilize the
    report to guide and inform our decisions and actions on this joint
    endeavor going forward.

    The enclosure provides comments from the Service. We hope these
    comments will assist you in preparing the final report. If you have any
    questions or need additional information, contact Joe Cook, Realty
    Specialist, at 202-619-7034.

    Sincerely,

    Signed by:

    Mitch Butler:
    Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish. and Wildlife and Parks:

    Enclosure:

    [End of section]

    Appendix IV: GAO Contact and Staff Acknowledgments:

    GAO Contact:

    Terrell Dorn, 202-512-6923 or dornt@gao.gov:

    Staff Acknowledgments:

    In addition to the individual listed above, David Sausville, Assistant
    Director; Colin Fallon; Ryan Gottschall; Kathleen Gilhooly; Kieran
    McCarthy; and Joshua Ormond made significant contributions to this
    report.

    [End of section]

    Footnotes:

    [1] A "conveyance" is defined as the transfer of a property title from
    one party to another. In general, title allows the owner to possess,
    control, and assert all rights over that property. Under a "transfer of
    administrative jurisdiction," the transferor retains ownership of the
    property, while the transferee is given authority to administer and
    maintain the property.

    [2] The law groups some properties together and counts others as
    individual properties, so our total property count includes some
    properties that are grouped together in the statute but are counted as
    one (see App. I.)

    [3] The Federal and District of Columbia Government Real Property Act
    of 2006 (Pub. L. No. 109-396).

    [4] GAO, District of Columbia: Structural Imbalance and Management
    Issues, GAO-03-666 (Washington, D.C.: May 22, 2003).

    If the assumptions underlying this structural imbalance analysis
    change, then estimates of the amount of the structural imbalance could
    change in either direction. It is beyond the scope of this report to
    update our estimate of the District's structural fiscal imbalance.

    [5] In this report, we define "development" as the act of making an
    area of land more useful. This definition is intended to include a
    broad range of activities, including commercial and residential
    development, realignment of roadways, and improvement of a park or open
    space.

    [6] GAO-03-666.

    [7] If the Architect of the Capitol decides to construct a mail
    screening facility on the District property conveyed to them, it must
    complete a study that meets certain requirements in Public Law 109-396
    before construction begins.

    [8] See 42 U.S.C. §9620(h)(3)(C), which allows the transfer of federal
    property to nonfederal users, under certain conditions, before all
    remedial actions are complete. We did not evaluate whether these
    conditions have been met.

    [9] Reservation 13 will be renamed Hill East Waterfront upon its
    conveyance to the District. Reservation 13 consists of 42 acres
    excluding the District jail property, which will remain at its current
    location.

    [10] Anne Archbold Hall is a brick building that housed the Capital
    City School of Nursing until 1972. More recently, the hall housed the
    D.C. Department of Health.

    [11] The extent of environmental cleanup is also unknown at a number of
    other conveyed properties, including Reservation 13, the Randall School
    site, Reservation 248, Reservation 17A, and Reservation 298 (Virginia
    Avenue), and could also potentially delay development of the property.

    [12] According to a senior NPS official, NPS, as the current landowner,
    is also a potentially responsible party for the cleanup of the
    Boathouse Row property beyond Washington Gas who contaminated the site
    and has begun remedial cleanup action.

    [13] It is not the focus of this review to assess whether the
    District's current organizational structure to manage economic
    development is likely to succeed. Our intention is simply to convey the
    views of the stakeholders that we either interviewed or heard express
    their views at public hearings.

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