Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations for 1997

Question 9: What will the additional $750,000 be used for? Please be project specific.

Answer: The additional $750,000 will be used to replace failing mechanical and electrical equipment and upgrade fire protection systems at both facilities. FY 1997 Zoo R&R projects include replacing the failing water treatment system at Beaver Valley; increasing electric service to the Bird House and outside exhibits that are insufficient for winter heating loads; replacing the emergency generator at the Bird House, which has exceeded its useful life; replacing failing walls and leaking roofs at the Deer Area; replacing winter storm damage at the Conservation Research Center buildings, including re-building several old structures that collapsed from the excessive snow; renovating the Mane Restaurant's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system and repairing the restaurant's roof, exterior skin, and windows.

Question 10: Over $3 million has been appropriated to date for the new Grasslands exhibits. This budget requests $600,000 to complete Phase I, the Panda Plaza and Bison Grasslands area. What would be the consequence of not completing this phase of the project? Is there any usable space available now as a result of the $3 million?

Answer: The consequence of not funding the $600,000 for completion of Phase I - would be elimination of construction work necessary to bring the Plaza area into compliance with accessibility requirements for wheelchairs and handicapped visitors. Additionally, increasing the Plaza area to accommodate large crowds would not be possible, and the educational component of the Grasslands Map would be eliminated.

There is no usable space as of now, but construction of the Phase I site is scheduled to begin July 1996. During construction, the animals that will fill the Phase I exhibit will continue to be housed in substandard facilities until its completion.

Question 11: What specific projects did the $3 million fund?

Answer: Existing funds are being used as follows:

Design for Phases I-III

Construction for Phase I only

$ 953,000
$2,326,000

Phase I includes the "American Prairies" exhibit with bison, prairie dogs, the garden of medicinal plants, and rest rooms.

Question 12: Is the planning and design work completed for all three grassland

habitats?

Answer: Planning and design are complete for Phase I and design development is complete for Phase II. Further work on Phase III is on hold, pending funding and budget decisions.

Question 13: What are the total construction and operations costs associated with the completed Grassland exhibits?

follows:

Phase

Answer: The total construction and operations costs associated with each phase are as

* If the Farm option is included in the Domestication Area, the additional construction costs of $1.2 million and operating costs will be funded with non-Federal funds.

Question 14: The budget contains $3.4 million for both the Rock Creek and Front Royal facilities. Are all these projects repairs and basic maintenance as opposed to new projects or facilities? Please be project specific.

Answer: All projects included in the $3.4 million are for repair and basic maintenance of the facilities and exhibits, as opposed to new projects or facilities. Projects will be selected from the following list of R&R projects that reflects requirements for FY 1997. Items not funded in FY 1997 will be added to Zoo R&R requirements programmed for future years.

Comments

Roofs are cracked and leak into dens and work areas. Freezing in winter increases the damage

5/3/96

$100,000.00

This needs to be replaced from UBL to Beaver Valley. In winter months storm water cannot run off the walkways at the UBL. This water freezes and creates a severe safety hazard.

All storm drains along Beaver Valley walk does not conform to handicap standards.

The generators are old and deteriorating and in many cases not large enough to carry all the necessary loads.

The deteriorated condensate line from GSPB to the Boiler need replacing. If condensate is not returned this causes the need for additional makeup which in turn decreases the life expectancy of the new boilers.