<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The National Park Service (NPS) sent a memorandum of agreement to historic preservation groups that includes measures to lessen the impact of President Donald Trump’s planned 250-foot arch after determining that the structure would have unavoidable "adverse effects" on historic sites around the nation’s capital.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The proposed memorandum of agreement, obtained by the Washington Post, outlines steps that federal officials say could mitigate the project’s effects as the Trump administration seeks to complete a required historic preservation review and move the arch toward final approval.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">NPS is requesting the National Capital Planning Commission, District of Columbia State Historic Preservation Office, Virginia Historic Preservation Office, and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation to sign the agreement by Monday, according to the outlet.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The park service acknowledged in the agreement that placing the arch at Memorial Circle, between Arlington Memorial Bridge and Arlington National Cemetery, would affect historic properties by changing their setting, design, spatial organization, and views. The agency stated that these effects "cannot be fully avoided" while keeping the arch at its proposed location, which is considered "central" to the project.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="Memorial Circle." class="wp-image-4578452" height="682" src="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP26139614917734.jpg?w=696" width="1024" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Memorial Circle, where President Donald Trump has proposed building an arch to commemorate the United States’s 250th anniversary, is seen, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)</figcaption></figure>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">To reduce the impact, NPS proposed restrictions on construction noise, lighting, vibration, and work hours, including coordination with Arlington National Cemetery to avoid disruptions during funerals and major commemorative events. The plan would also maintain pedestrian access during construction.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Other proposed measures include rehabilitating the Memorial Avenue landscape, mitigating dust from transporting materials, and documenting existing views before construction. The park service also suggested creating exhibits, signs, and webpages explaining the history of the corridor and triumphal arches.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, federal agencies are required to review adverse effects on historic sites. An adverse effect occurs when a federal project alters any characteristic of a historic property. This can include physical damage or destruction, as well as introducing incompatible visual, atmospheric, or audible elements that intrude on the property’s historical integrity.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The arch has faced opposition from preservationists, veterans, and others who argue its size and placement would disrupt the historic sightline connecting the Lincoln Memorial, Arlington Bridge, and Arlington National Cemetery.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The project is also facing a federal lawsuit from three military veterans who argue that the project requires congressional approval and an extensive review process and would dishonor service members buried at Arlington National Cemetery. A federal judge has required the administration to provide notice before beginning the construction process while the case proceeds.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Trump has stated that the arch should stand 250 feet tall to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary. The Interior Department previously indicated that the arch will "enhance the visitor experience at Arlington National Cemetery for veterans, the families of the fallen, and all Americans alike, serving as a visual reminder of the noble sacrifices borne by so many American heroes throughout our 250-year history so we can enjoy our freedoms today."</p>