ASLA Endorses Federal Legislation to Protect the Historic Views of Arlington National Cemetery

ASLA has endorsed H.R. 9047 to protect Arlington National Cemetery's historic viewsheds and urges members to ask Congress to cosponsor the bill.

ASLA has endorsed federal legislation to protect the historic views of Arlington National Cemetery. The action builds on the ASLA's broader efforts to preserve one of the nation's most significant cultural landscapes.

The Arlington National Cemetery Viewshed Protection Act (H.R. 9047), introduced by U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (VA) and Dina Titus (NV), would prohibit construction of the proposed 250-foot Triumphal Arch in Lady Bird Johnson Park, prohibit the use of federal funds for its construction, and require congressional approval for any monumental arch taller than 50 feet within National Capital Region parkland.

The proposed monument would permanently alter the historic Memorial Avenue corridor and disrupt the carefully designed visual and spatial relationships between Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington Memorial Bridge, the Lincoln Memorial, and other nationally significant historic resources. These landscapes were intentionally designed to honor our nation's history and serve as enduring symbols of remembrance, sacrifice, and democracy.

For landscape architects, viewsheds are not simply scenic vistas-they are essential design elements that shape the experience, meaning, and historic integrity of cultural landscapes. Preserving these visual relationships helps ensure future generations can experience these places as they were intended and honors the design legacy that has guided the monumental core of the nation's capital for more than a century.

In addition to endorsing H.R. 9047, ASLA submitted formal comments to the National Park Service as part of the Section 106 review process under the National Historic Preservation Act. ASLA's comments expressed concerns about the proposed monument's adverse effects on nationally significant historic properties, cultural landscapes, and historic viewsheds.

ASLA's comments highlighted that the proposed monument would adversely affect the Memorial Avenue Corridor Cultural Landscape, Arlington Memorial Bridge, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington House, the Lincoln Memorial Cultural Landscape, and the National Mall Historic District. ASLA also expressed concern that the project would diminish the historic viewsheds and carefully planned landscape composition that have defined these nationally significant places for generations.

ASLA remains committed to protecting America's cultural landscapes through thoughtful planning, sound preservation practices, and engagement in the federal decision-making process.

Take Action

ASLA members are encouraged to participate through the ASLA iAdvocate Network by contacting their Representative and urging them to cosponsor the Arlington National Cemetery Viewshed Protection Act (H.R. 9047). Your voice can help protect one of our nation's most important cultural landscapes for future generations.