La Brea Tar Pits Master Plan Environmental Impact Report

SWCA is preparing an EIR addressing the environmental impacts of significant improvements to this iconic site in central Los Angeles. Significant development has occurred in the project vicinity in recent years (e.g., at the adjacent Los Angeles County Museum of Art and with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority), and the EIR and approach to construction phasing will be highly scrutinized. The residents surrounding the project site are particularly concerned about construction-period impacts and how approval of the project could affect and/or disrupt their enjoyment of the existing grounds of the 13-acre Hancock Park. In addition to leading the EIR process, SWCA is assisting with the public engagement process, including providing Spanish and Korean interpretation services in a “real-time” format at the project’s virtual scoping meeting. The conceptual master plan by the Natural History Museum envisions the future development and enhancement of the La Brea Tar Pits site. The master plan includes the existing museum and Hancock Park and seeks to unify the critical research sites, buildings, exhibition space, and the park with an inspiring new identity. SWCA is performing all the technical studies required for the master plan EIR, including a biological resources study, historic architectural resources assessment for modifications to the George C. Page Museum and other site features, archaeological resources assessment including a field-testing program, paleontological resources analysis, air quality and greenhouse gas assessment, and noise assessment. In addition, SWCA is assisting Los Angeles County with tribal consultation efforts required under Assembly Bill (AB) 52.