Trump administration sued over Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool

A nonprofit is suing the Trump administration, claiming that the refurbishment of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool violates federal law.

The Cultural Landscape Foundation filed the lawsuit against the U.S. Department of the Interior on May 11, specifically targeting the application of blue paint on the Reflecting Pool. The pool, measuring about 2,000 feet in length and 160 feet in width, sits along the central axis of the National Mall between the Lincoln Memorial to the west and the Washington Monument to the east.

The landmark and its surrounding landscape are listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the National Mall Historic District.

What is the nonprofit seeking?

The organization is seeking a temporary stay of agency action, effectively halting the work, which began in mid-April. The Reflecting Pool and the National Mall are both managed by the National Park Service.

"Changing the Reflecting Pool’s color, a key character-defining feature of the site, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, should be subject to reviews pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and other laws," a news release announcing the lawsuit states.

The law requires agencies to consult before making changes to historic properties.

In an emailed statement, the Department of the Interior said it is "proud of the work being carried out by our Park Service to ensure this magical spot can be enjoyed for not only our 250th, but for many generations to come."

What are the renovations being done?

In April, President Donald Trump revealed a plan to revamp the pool, which he said had been the subject of complaints because of its filthiness and leaking foundation. He said contractors would sandblast, caulk, and resurface the bottom like an industrial-grade pool for $1.5 million, according to previous USA TODAY reporting.

According to the lawsuit, the project was awarded through a $6.9 million no-bid contract to Atlantic Industrial Coatings, which had performed work at Trump's Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia. The revelation was first reported by The New York Times.

A big part of the proposed project involved painting the bottom "American Flag Blue" as part of Trump's beautification plan for the city ahead of the nation's 250th anniversary. The Reflecting Pool basin had previously been painted achromatic and gray.

The Interior Department said the dark color will improve the pool's reflectivity over the existing gray concrete, which "collects algae and turns a slimy green."

The department said that before the concrete bottom, the pool was black asphalt and that the water had been dyed black to improve reflection. The pool leaks 16 million gallons of water annually, the agency said.

According to The Cultural Landscape Foundation, the original color has been a signature feature of the landmark since it opened in 1924.

The color created the illusion of greater depth and a more profound reflection, according to the nonprofit, which cited a National Park Service Cultural Landscape Report published in August 1999. The original basin consisted of an asphalt-coated membrane, slate, and concrete tile.

"The grey, achromatic basin is not a utilitarian feature of the Reflecting Pool but a deliberate design choice integral to the pool’s historic character and function," the lawsuit states.

Work on the Reflecting Pool and other features of the Lincoln Memorial had previously been subject to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, which requires federal agencies to evaluate the effects of their projects on historic properties.

Charles A. Birnbaum, the foundation's president and CEO, said the blue-tinted basin is "more appropriate to a resort or theme park." The company carrying out the work is a swimming pool contractor, according to the complaint.

In a surprise appearance, Trump and his presidential motorcade drove across the drained pool on May 7.

Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected].