    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book II)]
    [July 19, 1996]
    [Pages 1159-1160]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Memorandum on National Children's Island
    July 19, 1996

    Memorandum for the Chair of the National Capital Planning Commission

    Subject: National Children's Island

        Today I signed into law H.R. 1508, the National Children's Island
    Act, which authorizes the development of a family-oriented recreation
    park and a children's playground on islands in the Anacostia River in
    the District of Columbia. The creation of this project has had the
    strong support of the District of Columbia government. In addition, the
    National Park Service has worked for many years to improve this area.
    The project will bring much needed development into the area.
        While it is my intent that this opportunity be made available to the
    children of the District of Columbia, I am also strongly committed to
    making sure that any development of these islands is consistent with the
    preservation of the natural and cultural resources on the site and in
    the vicinity. I will be looking to the National Capital Planning
    Commission (NCPC) as the Federal watchdog to achieve these dual goals.
        The Act specifies that any development plan be reviewed and approved
    by the NCPC. I expect the NCPC to be guided by the following principles:

                The project should fully conform to the design, height,
                density, and other environmental and developmental
                safeguards contained in the plat filed in the Office of the
                Surveyor of the District of Columbia under S.O. 92-252.

                The NCPC should fully comply with the requirements of the
                National Environmental Policy Act in reviewing the proposed
                project and associated structures, including transportation
                components. In doing so, the NCPC should ensure that all
                members of the affected community and other interested
                parties have ample opportunity to participate in the
                development of alternatives and to review and comment on the
                analysis of impacts. The NCPC should carefully consider all
                alternatives, including the no action alternative, in its
                review. Its ultimate goal should be to ensure appropriate
                development on the site

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                consistent with protection of the historical and natural
                resources found in the area, protection of the neighborhood,
                and preservation of the integrity of nearby parkland.

                The NCPC should ensure that the design is consistent with
                the principles of environmental justice contained in
                Executive Order No. 12898 of February 11, 1994.
        I have also directed the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of
    Defense, and the Administrator of General Services to assure that the
    NCPC fully complies with the recommendations detailed above. They shall
    seek to assure that all reviews done emphasize children's recreation and
    education, the protection and restoration of the Anacostia watershed,
    and the public interest of the adjacent neighborhoods.
        These endeavors should result in a plan that will serve the economic
    and recreational needs of the District of Columbia in a fashion
    compatible with the preservation of important natural and cultural
    resources.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    Note: H.R. 1508, approved July 19, was assigned Public Law No. 104-163.