News Release

National Park Service seeks public comment on Environmental Assessment for Fallen Journalists Memorial

News Release Date: September 12, 2025

Contact: Mike Litterst, 202-306-4166

WASHINGTON — The National Park Service (NPS), in cooperation with the Fallen Journalists Memorial Foundation, is seeking public comment on the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed Fallen Journalists Memorial. The EA evaluates potential impacts for a new commemorative work honoring journalists who have lost their lives in service to a free press. The public is invited to review the EA and share comments through October 12 at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/fjm.

The proposed memorial would be located on a 0.3-acre site at the intersection of Independence Avenue, Maryland Avenue and 3rd Street SW in Washington, D.C. The preferred alternative would feature a tree-lined stone plaza and a circular Remembrance Hall formed by cast glass beams. The design includes three entrances and calls for the planting of 28 new trees to replace the 11 currently on site.

Under the no action alternative, the Fallen Journalists Memorial would not be established, and the site would remain in its current condition.

The Environmental Assessment is available for public review and comment for 30 days, from September 12, 2025, through October 12, 2025. The NPS encourages members of the public and interested organizations to review the EA and share feedback.

How to Comment
The preferred manner for providing comments is via an online form through the National Park Service Planning, Environment, and Public Comment website, used by the agency to manage official correspondence and analyze public comment in the planning process. 

From the project website (https://parkplanning.nps.gov/fjm) navigate the menu on the left-hand side of the page to “Open for Comment,” then open the “Fallen Journalists Memorial EA” folder. Background materials are at the site, and the green “Comment Now” button links to the online form.

Comments may also be submitted in writing to:
 

National Mall and Memorial Parks
ATTN: Fallen Journalists Memorial
1100 Ohio Drive, SW
Washington, DC 20242

Comments must be entered into the website or postmarked by October 12, 2025, to receive consideration.

Please be aware that the entire comment submitted – including personal identifying information such as address, phone number, and email address – may be made publicly available. Requests to withhold such personal identifying information from public release will be considered, but there is no guarantee that they will be withheld.
 

NPS