A National Park Service official said damage at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool included sealant cut with a sharp knife or razor, according to a June 24 court filing.
Frank Lands, deputy director of operations for the park service, said U.S. Park Police responded June 9 to an NPS report of damage after the rehabilitation project was substantially complete.
The report described caulk over foam sealant that was “cut with a sharp knife or razor” and destruction of delaminating surface material, Lands said. Lands said about 70 fence post tops also ended up in the pool.
The report described caulk over foam sealant that was “cut with a sharp knife or razor.” — Court filing
The filing did not say exactly when the damage occurred, describe the incident as vandalism or identify anyone involved.
Lands said the National Park Service completed more than two months of renovations at the Reflecting Pool in early June. The work included draining the 2,000-foot basin, installing a tinted liner to waterproof and protect the concrete surface, and refilling the pool.
Lands said the park service plans to begin draining the pool after Independence Day celebrations to assess and repair any damage to the lining.
The statement came in a lawsuit brought by The Cultural Landscape Foundation, which sued the Department of the Interior on May 11 to halt the work. The group claims the project violates federal law and should have gone through review under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and other laws.
A June 24 letter from House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Democrats said the Reflecting Pool repainting contract was valued at more than $14 million and followed a $1.7 million contract for algae removal.
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