Removal of the Confederate Memorial
As required by Congress and implemented by the Secretary of Defense, Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) is required to remove the Confederate Memorial at ANC and has initiated a process to prepare for the careful removal and relocation of the memorial, located in Section 16 of the cemetery.
As part of this process, the Department of the Army intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and to conduct the Section 106 public consultation process under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) to address potential environmental effects associated with the congressionally-mandated removal of the Confederate Memorial from Arlington National Cemetery.
On Aug. 4, 2023, a Notice of Intent (NOI) was published in the Federal Register initiating a 30-day public scoping period, during which the Army will solicit comments on the proposed action. The 30-day public scoping period included a virtual public meeting covering both the NEPA and NHPA processes, held on Aug. 23, 2023. The meeting time and instructions on how to access the meeting were publicly announced, including on this page.
Federal, Tribal, state, and local agencies, along with members of the public, are invited to participate in the NEPA and NHPA processes. The NEPA scoping process will identify factors that will influence the NEPA analysis, including alternatives and mitigation. The EIS will address input provided during the August 23, 2023, meeting and the 30-day public scoping period, along with other information and analyses relevant to the proposed action.
The Aug. 23, 2023 meeting initiated the public consultation process required by the NHPA. The Army will seek input regarding alternatives that will avoid, minimize or mitigate adverse effects of the monument’s removal. In terms of the NHPA, the scoping process will provide the public with information about the undertaking and its effects on historic properties, and will seek public comment and input.
The
public comment period has closed as of Sept. 2, 2023. Thank you to all those
who submitted feedback.
► To learn more about the NEPA and NHPA process, including opportunities for public comment, click here or on the graphic below.
Virtual Public Meeting: Aug. 23, 2023
Arlington National Cemetery hosted a virtual public scoping meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023 at 7 p.m. EST to solicit comments from the public on the congressionally mandated removal and relocation of the statue and bronze elements associated with the Confederate Memorial, as required by the Section 106 process of the National Historic Preservation Act and the National Environmental Policy Act.
The
public comment period has closed as of Sept. 2, 2023. Thank you to all those
who submitted feedback.
Background
Congress directed the establishment of the Commission on the Naming of Items of the DoD that Commemorate the Confederate States of America or Any Person Who Served Voluntarily with the Confederate States of America (the Naming Commission) in section 370 of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21 NDAA).
The FY21 NDAA, section 370(a), requires that “[n]ot later than three years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall implement the plan submitted by [the Naming Commission] and remove all names, symbols, displays, monuments, and paraphernalia that honor or commemorate the Confederate States of America…or any person who served voluntarily with the Confederate States of America from all assets of the Department of Defense.”
The purpose of the proposed action is to remove from ANC a monument that commemorates the Confederate States of America. The need for the proposed action is to comply with non-discretionary congressional direction. The removal of the Confederate Memorial must be conducted in a manner that ensures the safety of the people who work at and visit ANC and that protects surrounding graves and monuments. The entire process, including disposition, must occur according to applicable laws, policies, and regulations.
• History of the Confederate Memorial
• Official Army Photos
• Official Army Video (B-roll)
• The Naming Commission Final Report to Congress, Part III: Remaining Department of Defense Assets
Announcements
• Arlington National Cemetery to Host Virtual Public Scoping Meeting Aug. 23 on Confederate Memorial Removal (Aug. 16, 2023)
• Arlington National Cemetery Starts Interagency and Public Consultation Process for Removal of the Confederate Memorial (Mar. 21, 2023)