WRAMC/NNMC BRAC update
Janet M November 9th, 2007
As of this writing, the draft EIS relating to the move of Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) to National Naval Medical Center (NNMC) by 2011, and possibly as early as 2010, is now anticipated to be released by the Navy in early December 2007. There will be a limited time period (45 days) from the actual date of release to allow public comment on this merger.
MCA is a member of the BRAC Implementation Committee (BIC), which includes other neighborhoods adjacent to NNMC, Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce, Suburban Hospital, NIH, Navy, and county, state and federal government representatives among others.
At the October 16 BIC meeting, a newly formed Coalition of Navy Med Neighbors presented a letter to the BIC outlining the coalition’s concern that the BIC was not adequately incorporating the neighborhoods’ perspective in its process. The coalition is following this issue very closely to ensure the necessary actions be taken to insure a successful WRAMC/NNMC merger without traffic gridlock. High on the list of priorities from the coalition perspective is studying the feasibility of a MD-495 ramp directly into the NNMC base.
The next BIC meeting, which is always open to the public, will be held on Tuesday, November 20 at the B-CC Regional Service Center (near Bethesda Metro) at 4805 Edgemoor Lane at 7:30 p.m.
For everything you wanted to know about BRAC and were afraid to ask, please go to the Mongomery County BRAC web site.
Interested in BRAC? Maplewood’s committee of residents to provide community input and advice in the BRAC process welcomes additional members. This committee will play a significant role in organizing Maplewood’s response to the draft EIS and helping to identify actions that ensure the impact of neighborhood perspective in this issue. If interested, please email Janet Maaloof.
