This DC Landmark Is One Of USA's Most Endangered Historic Places

WASHINGTON, DC -- What would D.C. be without the Tidal Basin? It certainly wouldn't be as beautiful, with the body of water framed in pink during peak bloom of the cherry blossoms and providing a gorgeous backdrop to the Jefferson Memorial. But unfortunately, it is one of the most endangered historic places in the United States, according to a new report.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation released its list of the 11 most endangered historic places for 2019, and the Tidal Basin is on it. The report estimates that hundreds of millions of dollars are needed to restore some of the damage done to it.

Obviously, the Tidal Basin itself is not in risk of disappearing, but easy access for tourists, the cherry blossom trees, and just its general appearance are under threat.

"This iconic cultural landscape comprises some of our nation’s most renowned monuments and famed cherry blossom trees," it states. "It’s estimated that as much as $500 million is needed to upgrade and maintain one of the most popular and visited sites in the National Park System."

Specifically, the area faces frequent flooding due to rising sea levels and other factors. As Patch wrote earlier this year, the cherry blossom trees are greatly threatened and time is running out.

A 2017 piece published in the Washingtonian was one of a few reports to spell out the unfortunate fate facing the 3,800 Yoshino cherry trees that surround the Tidal Basin and usher in the spring each year in our area.

The trees are threatened by the "continued decay of the seawall designed to keep the area from flooding," the report notes. Not only that, but the 1.5 million people visiting D.C. to see the cherry blossoms are packing and ruining the soil. Visitors also walk on roots and hang on branches, stressing the trees out.

All of these factors combine to damage the root structures of the trees. Already, the National Park Service is replacing 90 trees per year, according to the report.

The seawall is the more pressing problem, as it is in desperate need of repairs. Congress has declined year after year to provide funding to fix it. Pew Charitable Trusts estimates it would cost $512.3 million to repair them, and there appears to be little appetite to do so on Capitol Hill.

If the seawall does collapse -- which will happen eventually if nothing is done -- it will ruin perhaps thousands of trees.

"If Congress takes action, the Park Service can fix these problems and save Washington's cherry trees, which arrived in 1912 as a gift to the U.S. from the people of Japan," Pew wrote. "Otherwise the blossoms could become another casualty of the Park Service's wait for adequate funding for infrastructure repairs. Our famous cherry trees: another reason to #FixOurParks."