1. United States
2. Mo.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my outrage over the reports that a baby duck was found dead in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool following the troubled renovation project that has already been plagued by algae blooms, chemical treatments, peeling surfaces, and repeated repair efforts. Whether the duckling’s death was caused by the conditions in the pool, the chemical treatments, or some other factor, the fact remains that a taxpayer-funded project costing millions of dollars has become a national embarrassment. Americans should not be seeing wildlife placed at risk while government officials scramble to fix problems that appeared almost immediately after the project was completed. The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is not just a tourist attraction. It is a habitat used by ducks and other wildlife. Any renovation should have included careful planning to protect animals and prevent environmental harm. I urge you to demand answers from the agencies responsible for this project: Was a wildlife impact assessment conducted? What chemicals were introduced into the water and in what quantities? What protections were put in place for ducks and other animals? Is there an investigation into the duckling’s death? How much additional taxpayer money will be required to address the ongoing problems? The public deserves transparency and accountability. It is unacceptable that a project intended to beautify one of America’s most iconic landmarks has instead generated controversy, environmental concerns, and now the image of a dead baby duck floating in the water. Please support a full investigation and ensure that those responsible are held accountable if mistakes were made.