The Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda
This page has information about impacts on the region of BRAC expansion at NNMC and follows the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Updates to the NNMC Master Plan and Transportation Management Plan are also on this page.
This Hot Line, which is also posted on the NNMC web site, allows the community to contact NNMC and express concerns about day-to-day issues related to construction, including safety, noise and other factors that might negatively impact the quality of life for those who live and work near the NNMC campus. The phone will be staffed weekdays from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM with an answering machine taking calls at off-hours. The answering machine will give instructions on how to contact NNMC for any emergent issues occurring during the time the phone is not staffed. NNMC wants to ensure that a "real person" is available during the hours the contractor will be doing the bulk fo the work so the hours may be adjusted once construction begins. The individual answering the phone will record information and forward it to the appropriate person for resolution. Return calls will only be made if additional information is needed to resolve the issue.
11-14-08 Navy releases revised Master Plan Update and Transportation Management Plan for NNMC Campus! The Navy has formally submitted its Master Plan Update to the National Capital Planning Commission. Last August the Navy published a preliminary document, but the newest version contains numerous changes. It is linked here.
August 8, 2008 -- NNMC releases Draft Master Plan Update and Transportation Management Plan. The most recent approved NNMC Master Plan was completed in 1990. The purpose of updating the existing Master Plan is to address future anticipated development, including BRAC expansion mandated by law in 2005 establishing the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda. The Draft Master Plan includes a Transportation Management Plan and will be finalized by the Navy later in 2008 after public hearings by the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) and other agencies.
May 6, 2008 -- RECORD OF DECISION (38-page pdf) is signed by B. J. Penn, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Installations & Environment. The ROD is the Navy's action plan to implement BRAC mandates at the NNMC campus in Bethesda, to establish the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center by September 15, 2011. It adopts the "Preferred Alternative" identified in the Final EIS. Traffic and environmental mitigations generally track those identified in the Final EIS. Signing of the ROD signals the imminent ground-breaking for BRAC construction, which is targeted for completion by late 2010 in order to facilitate th transformation of the medical center's facilities by Sept. 15, 2011.
ROD Extract: Traffic Mitigations (6-page pdf) This includes two proposed federally-funded Defense Access Road (DAR) projects outside the campus: an entrance to the Medical Center Metro station from the east side of Wisconsin Avenue (MD 355), and turn lanes and other improvements along MD 355 at North Wood Drive. NOTE: the DAR projects identified in the Final EIS have been altered in the ROD.
April 4, 2008 -- FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR NNMC BRAC -- IMPORTANT NOTE: If any of these links to the Final EIS do not work, go directly here or to the NNMC EIS site. Go to the NNMC web site for more information about the BRAC process on the NNMC campus.
Under the NEPA law, there is no formal public comment period and the Navy is not obligated to respoond to any comments that are submitted. There will be a period no shorter than 30 days in which no action can be taken at NNMC. The Record of Decision (ROD) will be released shortly after the end of the No Action period -- approximately the first week of May, 2008.
December 14, 2007 -- DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR NNMC BRAC -- IMPORTANT NOTE: If any of these links do not work, go directly to the NNMC web site.
The Public Comment Period on the Draft EIS closed on January 28, 2008. For more info on the BRAC process at NNMC, go here. For updates on the EIS process at NNMC, go here.
Hard copies of the Draft EIS can be reviewed at the following libraries: Bethesda Library, 7400 Arlington Rd, Bethesda MD 20814; Chevy Chase Library, 8005 Connecticut Ave, Chevy Chase MD 20815; Davis Library, 6400 Democracy Blvd, Bethesda MD 20817; Kensington Park Library, 4201 Knowles Ave, Kensington MD 20895; Rockville Library, 21 Maryland Ave, Rockville MD 20850.
County agencies submit comments to BRAC Coordinator, who will submit Draft comments to CE/CAO for review; BRAC Coordinator will submit final CE/CAO comments by deadline.
45-day public comment period ends January 28, 2008. County Executive, Council and Agencies submitted comments (scroll down for links).
After end of comment period, Govt/DOD agencies review comments
Permitting process and on-base pre-construction activities commence ~March/April 2008.
Final EIS released April 4, 2008, followed by a No Action period of no less than 30 days.
Record of Decision (ROD) signed and published ~early May, 2008.
MD Dept. of Business & Economic Development, Office of Military and Federal Affairs
MD Dept. of the Environment
MD Dept. of Natural Resources
Maryland State Police
The following comments on the Draft E.I.S. were submitted by organizations in Montgomery County and are not intended to represent the policies of Montgomery County Government:
2-11-08 Washington Post: Medical Center Expansion Proposal -- This artist's rendering shows a plan for the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda. It is subject to revision based on the outcome of an environmental impact study and the construction contract.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: Select "View Only" to bypass Login, or create your own User Name and Password. Then, insert this Solicitation Number: N40080-07-R-0004
Concept Design for new construction at NNMC submitted to National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC):
Maps of I-270/Rockledge and FedEx Field interchanges -- illustrates use of collector-distributor lanes where interchanges are close together; construction of CD lanes would severely impact neighborhoods adjacent to Inner Loop between I-270 and Connecticut Avenue.