[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 32, Number 30 (Monday, July 29, 1996)]
[Pages 1298-1299]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

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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:
    <bullet>
            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.
    <bullet>
            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 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.
    <bullet>
            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: This item was not received in time for publication in the 
appropriate issue.

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