BergerWorld: 4th Quarter 2007

The balancing act between resource protection and visitor use and enjoyment is one that the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) must perform on a daily basis. Increasingly, national parks are developing plans to address potential conflicts between the two, and the Berger Group has assisted NPS in a number of such planning efforts.

One of earth's most powerful and inspiring landscapes, the Grand Canyon National Park overwhelms our senses. Unique combinations of geologic color and dazzling erosional forms decorate the 277-mile-long, 18-mile-wide, one-mile-deep canyon. Located in Arizona, the canyon was created by the Colorado River over six million years ago, cutting through layer after layer of rock to expose nearly two billion years of the earth's history.

The South Rim is the canyon's most famous area, as well as its busiest. In fact, 90 percent of the canyon's visitors see only the South Rim, due to its easy accessibility. However, given the site's popularity, there is usually a shortage of parking and accommodations. To enhance visitation and park accommodations, the Berger Group was selected by NPS to manage the preparation of an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the South Rim Visitor Transportation Plan to address the park's most pressing transportation issues through the year 2020. Berger, in cooperation with David Evans and Associates, will develop an EA that evaluates impacts on more than 13 concerns, including threatened and endangered species, wildlife, vegetation, visual and scenic resources, soundscapes, transportation, visitor use, experience, etc. The Team will also analyze alternatives to enhance visitor accessibility and recommend improvements to transport visitors into and along the South Rim from vehicle parking areas.

The Great Smoky Mountains straddle the border between Tennessee and North Carolina. Established as a national park in the 1930s, it attracts more than nine million visitors annually, making it the most-visited national park in the United States. The 33-mile Newfound Gap Road is the only route that completely traverses the park. The drive offers a unique opportunity to enjoy an abbreviated experience of everything the park has to offer, including quiet walkways; unforgettable views of Smoky's peaks; a vast variety of trees, flowers and wildlife; and camp and picnic grounds. NPS awarded the Berger Group the Newfound Gap Road Environmental and Cultural Landscape Assessment in collaboration with the park and Denver Service Center staff. Berger experts are designing a road rehabilitation program that addresses visitor and employee safety while maintaining the historic landscape. The Team will be responsible for providing designs, assessing the site's cultural landscape and preparing the EA.

Deer populations in the United States' national parks have been increasing for the past century. As a result of low deer mortality rates resulting from a lack of predators and increased availability of food and habitat, deer populations in the country's eastern parks are now higher than at any other time in known history.

For the past three years, Berger has assisted NPS in their efforts to manage white-tailed deer at four national parks: Catoctin Mountain Park, in Maryland; Rock Creek Park, in Washington, DC; Cuyahoga Valley National Park, in Ohio; and Valley Forge National Historic Park, in Pennsylvania. Berger first consulted with leading researchers in white-tailed deer management, gaining knowledge on deer behavior, habitat preferences, etc., to develop a number of management alternatives. The Team then initiated internal scoping meetings with park officials and state and local agencies to frame the objectives and issues that would guide the management plans. Berger also coordinated public scoping meetings and assisted in the preparation of outreach materials. Next, Berger worked with park officials to develop a range of management alternatives, varying from no action, to reproductive control, to direct reduction or other methods, and will soon be analyzing the impact of each alternative in Environmental Impact Statements (EISs). The completed white-tailed deer management plans will guide the management of these species for the next 15 years and serve as models for other parks.

Technology related to wireless telecommunications is changing by the day and creating increased demands for siting cell towers, antennas and microcells on park lands. The Berger Group is currently providing support to NPS in the analysis of environmental impacts from wireless telecommunications facilities and creating management plans to reduce conflicts between these facilities and the park's natural and cultural resources.

Following an EA, two monopole cellular towers were permitted in Washington, DC's 1,754-acre Rock Creek Park. However, the Audubon Society filed a suit challenging NPS's decision to grant permits for these facilities, claiming NPS violated National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance. One issue of contention was the impact on migratory birds, as one tower is located in a migratory bird fly-way. As a result, Berger was retained by NPS to analyze potential migratory bird impacts and develop a revised EA. The Team's analysis included the impacts of wireless telecommunications facility towers on migratory birds and the potential for species mortality from collision with the towers. The courts found the revised analysis legally sufficient and a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) document was issued, allowing for the continued operation of the facilities following recommended mitigation measures.

Berger is also assisting to create a wireless telecommunications facilities plan to identify park locations where telecommunications facilities would potentially impact natural resources and preparing an EA to evaluate any adverse impacts. Although many national parks are facing a similar dilemma, management plans of this nature do not currently exist. Once completed, the Rock Creek Park Wireless Telecommunications Facilities Plan/ EA will serve as a model for other parks.

In a separate project, Berger recently completed the third year of a four-year program of archaeological survey and testing in Rock Creek Park. To date, more than 900 acres have been surveyed. One of the most important achievements was the recovery of bullets and shell fragments fired during the Battle of Fort Stevens, the only Civil War action fought within the District of Columbia. Prior to Berger's survey, it had been believed that all traces of the battle had been lost to urban development.

President's Park, which includes the park lands surrounding the White House in Washington, DC, is composed of 82 acres and comprises many significant statues, memorials and structures commemorating the nation's history. The Berger Group has helped plan and maintain the park since 2001, and recently completed geoarchaeological investigations to evaluate the affect of the proposed Ellipse Rehabilitation. The Ellipse is a formal landscape initially intended as the White House's back yard, but currently serving as a public park offering views of the Washington Monument and the Jefferson Memorial. The study included manual augering and backhoe testing at locations where a new water main will be built. Berger's initial testing demonstrated that the surface and near-surface soils consisted of fill deposits. Between depths of five and eight feet, Berger experts recovered massive deposits of household refuse and construction debris. The study also identified the original bank along Tiber Creek, which was believed to have potential for Native American archaeological resources.

In 2006, NPS began work on the Georgetown Waterfront Park, a 10-acre green space along the Potomac River in Washington, DC, providing cyclists, skaters and pedestrians with car-free pathways; safe, well-lighted river access; a promenade; and an amphitheatre. NPS retained the Berger Group to determine whether the proposed development would have any impact on archaeological remains. Because of extensive filling along the waterfront, archaeological deposits were expected to depths of up to 10 feet below current grade, and the use of a mechanical drilling and coring rig allowed testing to reach this depth with negligible impact to the pavement surface. Berger archaeologists evaluated extracted soil cores and found that most surface and near-surface soils were highly disturbed and had little archaeological significance.

Shenandoah National Park, located in Virginia, 75 miles from the nation's capital, offers challenging hikes and exceptional views, as well as horseback riding, camping, bicycling and unique wildlife observation. However, the park is perhaps best known for Skyline Drive, a 105-mile road that runs the entire length of Shenandoah along the Blue Ridge Mountains. As the only public road through the park, Skyline Drive provides park visitors with a dramatic and relaxing drive, with 75 overlooks offering stunning views of the valley. Shenandoah National Park recently proposed to rehabilitate the road, as well as 49 historic overlooks. Primary objectives were the preservation of the historic character of the road and overlooks by retaining and repairing significant features, including stone curbing, paved drainage structures, headwalls, walkways, and retaining and guard walls. Berger was commissioned by NPS to assess the potential impacts associated with the proposed rehabilitation. The Team coordinated with park officials, the Denver Service Center and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to ensure that all work was done in compliance with NEPA and the National Historic Preservation Act. Following Berger's EA, the Team prepared a FONSI document.

The North Carolina Coast, which includes Cape Hatteras and Cape Lookout National Seashores, provides habitat for a number of resident, migrating and wintering bird species, as well as five species of federally threatened sea turtles and the seabeach amaranth. In addition, the beaches serve as a popular destination for tourists. In recent years, while the number of people using these beaches for recreation, including the use of Off-Road Vehicles (ORVs), has increased, a number of sensitive species have witnessed population declines. This trend is causing concern for park managers who must find a balance between resource protection and recreational use. Berger assisted NPS develop ORV management plans and EISs to assess a range of alternatives for allowing recreational access while protecting federally threatened species. The Team also prepared interim protected species management strategies/EAs, relying heavily on public participation.

Berger was also commissioned by NPS to complete the initial phases of ORV Management Plans/EISs at the Lake Meredith National Recreation Area in Texas and the Curecanti National Recreation Area (CURE) in Colorado.

Independence National Historical Park, spanning over 55 acres on 20 city blocks within the historic area of Philadelphia, includes Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the Independence Visitor

Center and the National Constitution Center. NPS retained the Berger Group to improve the current security and screening facilities at the Liberty Bell Center and Independence Square. Following extensive analysis and public comments, Berger developed a number of alternatives addressing the public's concern regarding potential impacts of security fencing at the historic sites. Once an alternative was selected, Independence National Historical Park opened an unobtrusive security screening facility in Old City Hall for all visitors to Independence Hall and other sites on Independence Square. A separate security screening facility for the Liberty Bell Center was also introduced.

The 2,357-square-mile Everglades National Park is the largest U.S. national park east of the Rocky Mountains. While the park receives more than a million visitors annually and contributes $120

million each year to the local economy, the Berger Group was commissioned by NPS to develop a Commercial Services Plan (CSP) and EA for the Flamingo area, a former fishing community located along the west coast of the park. The current conditions at Flamingo (no lodging and deteriorating facilities and infrastructure) limit commercial opportunities. To enhance the area's attractions, Berger organized meetings with park and regional NPS staff; local business and tourism leaders; conservation and recreation organizations; park visitors; and the general public to determine their opinions on the necessary and appropriate commercial services. Berger then developed a draft CSP/EA document, analyzing visitor experiences, impacts to the park environment and operations and the need to provide concessionaires a reasonable opportunity for profit. The draft CSP/EA, as well as three alternative scenarios, will undergo a rigorous review/ comment period. Upon approval, Berger will prepare a final deliverable incorporating the many stakeholders' interests into a concise plan, serving as the blueprint for reestablishing commercial services at Flamingo.

Personal watercraft, such as jet skis and waverunners, is the fastest growing segment of the boating industry, and can be found in nearly half of the United States' national parks that allow motorized boating. However, after finding that personal watercraft use resulted in damage to vegetation and adverse impacts to wildlife, NPS prohibited personal watercraft use at a number of parks. The Berger Group was retained by NPS to draft EAs to analyze alternatives for personal watercraft use at Assateague Island National Seashore in Maryland and Virginia; Fire Island National Seashore in New York; Gateway National Recreation Area in New York and New Jersey; Gulf Islands National Seashore in Florida and Mississippi; and Cape Lookout National Seashore in North Carolina. Berger's EAs evaluated four alternatives at each park, including three alternatives to continue personal watercraft use under improved environmental conditions and a no-action alternative, which would discontinue all personal watercraft use. Berger assisted three of the parks to develop a policy which would allow restricted personal watercraft use, while the remaining sites are currently undergoing a public involvement process to establish appropriate personal watercraft recreation procedures.

The famed Delaware Water Gap is perhaps most notable for the hiking opportunities it offers, where visitors can ascend Mt. Minsi and Mt. Tammany to emerge atop the Kittatinny Ridge, as well as trek 27 miles of the Appalachian Trail. River Road, located on the Pennsylvania side of the Gap, is also one of the park's most important historical and cultural landscapes. However, in poor condition and out of compliance with modern highway design and safety standards, NPS commissioned the Berger Group to assist with the rehabilitation of the roadway. The Team's services included an extensive public involvement program in collaboration with NPS and FHWA; field surveys to evaluate wetlands and endangered species; and an EA, which evaluated four alternatives: no action, a full roadway upgrade, a one-way road and a partial one-way road.

Steamtown National Historic Site (NHS) is a railway museum located on 62 acres in downtown Scranton, Pennsylvania, offering visitors a variety of demonstrations, tours and excursions that show how railroads functioned in the age of steam. The Berger Group has been serving Steamtown NHS since 1993. In the fall of 2006, NPS's Denver Service Center, in cooperation with the United States Public Health Service, retained Berger to conduct an asbestos assessment of the park's historic railroad equipment. The Team identified the quantity and location of asbestos-containing material within the site's locomotive steam engines, passenger cars and rolling stock; prepared cost estimates and detailed plans for removal; and recommended contractors to assist with the removal work.

Chaco Culture National Historical Park is located in northwestern New Mexico. Comprised of a number of ancient ruins, the park preserves one of America's most fascinating cultural and historic areas. As the 34,000-acre site begins planning for its future, it is imperative that park management, staff and stakeholders have a shared understanding of the park's purpose, significance, fundamental resources and values. The Berger Group recently assisted Chaco develop a foundation planning document to identify these characteristics. The Team first held interactive workshops with park staff and stakeholders, including Indian tribes, the Bureau of Land Management, the Farmington Chamber of Commerce, local county government and affiliated universities, to ensure that planning and management focused on the park's mission and resources. Berger then organized the workshop results into a usable planning document for park staff, making Chaco one of only a handful of parks within the National Park System to possess a stand-alone foundation planning document.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park comprises the earth's most massive volcano, Mauna Loa, as well as its most active, Kilauea. A true geological hot spot, the park offers scientists insights on the birth of the Hawaiian Islands and visitors views of dramatic volcanic landscapes. The park also provides unique hiking and camping opportunities; scenic drives; and a myriad of wildlife observation. However, because certain non-native ungulates, such as mouflon sheep, pigs, goats, feral sheep and cattle, harm native wildlife ecosystems, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park sought an EIS to analyze alternatives for exotic ungulate management strategies. Berger first assisted NPS by facilitating internal scoping on park purpose, including significance, enabling legislation and resources; pertinent laws, regulations, executive orders and policies related to management of non-native species; impact thresholds and methodologies; public participation; and administrative record guidance. During the meetings, Berger staff was responsible for facilitating discussions on the purpose, need and objectives of a plan/EIS; preliminary alternatives; issues and impact topics; and public participation. Following the meetings, Berger was tasked by NPS to assist with public scoping efforts for the project's EIS.

Floyd Lamb Park is a 2,040-acre site in Las Vegas, Nevada, centered around Tule Springs, a series of small lakes forming an oasis in the Mojave Desert. Once known as Tule Springs Ranch, the area was used for cattle and dude ranching, but in recent years developed into an urban park, providing hiking trails, picnic areas, and opportunities for bird watching and fishing. Berger was commissioned by the city of Las Vegas to plan and design the Brent Lane and Tule Springs Detention Basin Project, which will include two flood control detention basins and pedestrian, bicycle and equestrian trails.

The 2,900-acre Clark County Wetlands Park, located on the eastern edge of the Las Vegas Valley in Nevada, comprises an extensive trail system offering views of the site's natural wonders. The park jewel, a 130-acre nature

preserve, demonstrates the wetlands' ecology, rich in both animal and plant life. The preserve also exhibits nature's unmatched water filtering and cleansing system, offering the unique opportunity to study how a desert wetland transforms polluted urban runoff into clean, potable water.

The Berger Group was retained by the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) to prepare designs for an upper diversion weir at the park. The project will include a 500-foot grade control weir and 3,800-foot channel designed to control erosion at the nearby Las Vegas Wash. A primary feature of the project will be a 500-foot pedestrian/ equestrian/light-weight vehicle bridge spanning the wash. Upon construction, the county will connect the bridge to the park's trail system, and SNWA will follow up with wetlands and riparian vegetation planting.

Berger Devine Yaeger (BDY) is providing master planning and design for the $749 million Schlitterbahn Vacation Village in Kansas City, Kansas. Expected to attract more than three million visitors annually, the resort's main attraction is a 30-acre waterpark. Both the waterpark and adjacent log cabins will include a number of innovative features. The waterpark will include a completely "landless" system, eliminating long

lines and replacing them with an "endless waterslide," while log cabin guests will be connected to the park's rides via a canal system, allowing visitors to exit their cabins, jump into inner tubes, and float in and out of the park's numerous slides.

BDY was commissioned by Johnson County Park & Recreation District for master planning and design services at Kill Creek Park, an 850-acre park in western Johnson County, Kansas. BDY planned and designed a 1,200-square-foot marina, comprised of a boat dock, ramp and two boat rental concessions; a 2,000-square-foot beach house; and a 4,000-square-foot welcome center. BDY took a minimalist approach to the park's architecture in order to integrate the structures into the landscape, and established a unifying style to identify all future structures in the park.

BDY provided architectural services to North Kansas City, Missouri, for the renovation of the 60-acre Macken Park. Park amenities include trails; playgrounds; ball fields; and basketball, tennis and racquetball courts. The project included the demolition of the existing concession stand and the construction of a larger concession facility, an administration office and restrooms. BDY provided designs for new landscaped areas, an information kiosk and a 2,400-square-foot park shelter with a barbeque pit for outdoor picnics.

Cottonwood Beach, located along the Columbia River in Washougal, Washington, has been historically significant since the Lewis and Clark Expedition camped there in 1806. In anticipation of the Lewis and Clark bicentennial in 2006, B/A was retained to prepare a master plan for the development of Captain William Clark Park at the site. The Team consulted with local stakeholders to reach a consensus on a plan to improve public shoreline and water access and recreation, as well as opportunities for historical and environmental education and interpretation. B/A also completed site grading and utilities work for the parking lots, walkways and plaza.

Frenchman's Bar Regional Park is a lush 178-acre site located on the Columbia River, three miles west of downtown Vancouver, Washington. Dedicated in 1997, the park connects to nearby Vancouver Lake Park through the 2.5-mile Frenchman's Bar Trail. In keeping with the vision of Frenchman's Bar and Vancouver Lake Regional Park's master plans, B/A worked with Vancouver-Clark Parks & Recreation to permit and implement improvements that would increase recreational and water access opportunities while preserving and enhancing sensitive wildlife habitat and natural resources. B/A's work included delineating wetlands; assessing existing and potential environmental impacts through the NEPA process; and handling local, state and federal permitting.

Meru National Park (MNP) is located along the Tana River in Kenya. Between the mid-1970s and 1990, rampant poaching and civil strife in the area led to the depletion and dispersion of MNP wildlife; the degradation and transformation of natural habitats; infrastructure decay; and a significant decline in tourism. More recently, Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) has reestablished its presence in the area, restoring a measure of order and security and making efforts to rehabilitate the infrastructure. However, constrained by limited resources, progress has been slow, and buildings, roads, plants and machinery remain in poor condition. The French Agency for Development and the French Global Environmental Fund have agreed to provide financial support to KWS to implement the Meru Conservation Area Development Project, and KWS retained Louis Berger SAS to develop a master plan for the preservation of the park's natural resources, as well as a strategy to attract visitors. Berger is currently providing consultancy services to rehabilitate and improve basic infrastructure, including improving access to MNP; the restoration of biodiversity and security; and the development of conservation-related activities to encourage ecotourism and generate economic benefits for the area's neighboring communities. In association with the Kenyan firm Runji & Partners, Berger will also provide project management services, including reviewing designs, awarding construction contracts and supervising the infrastructure and building rehabilitation works.

Panama currently includes 16 national parks, encompassing approximately 3.9 million acres of rainforest, jungles, mountain ranges,

marine areas, beaches and desert landscapes, providing a habitat to nearly 1,000 species of birds, 220 mammals, and 354 reptiles and amphibians. In an effort to enhance visitor access, the Louis Berger Group was commissioned by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to prepare GIS maps for seven national parks in Panama: Camino de Cruces, Soberania, Chagres, Altos de Campana, Area Recreativa Gatun, Metropolitana and San Lorenzo. Berger's work consisted of digitizing existing information from the National Environmental Authority's (ANAM) maps; establishing Global Positioning System coordinates; identifying cultural and historical resources; and incorporating new park boundaries and recently acquired topographical data into the maps. Each map will be used in a series of pamphlets prepared for USAID, ANAM and GreenCOM to assist tourists, and as a reference database for future ANAM work and planning.