Studies & Reports
- 7-19-13 Bethesda Now: Navy Releases Final Study Of New Parking, Construction At Walter Reed
- 8-13-13 County Executive Leggett Comments on Final EIS
- 9-14-12 Federal Register: Notice of Public Hearings for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Medical Facilities Development and University Expansion, Naval Support Activity Bethesda, Maryland -- Public Hearings on Oct. 4 & 11, 2012. Deadline for Public Comment is Oct. 29, 2012
- 9-14-12 Washington Post: Legal Notices -- Notice of Public Hearings for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Medical Facilities Development and University Expansion, Naval Support Activity Bethesda, Montgomery County, Maryland
- 9-14-12 Naval Support Activity Bethesda: DRAFT Environmental Impact Statement for Medical Facilities Development & University Expansion at NSA Bethesda (502 pp)
- 9-14-12 DRAFT EIS -- Appendices (including Traffic Study) (571 pp)
- 9-14-12 NSA Bethesda 2012 Transportation Management Program Update (71 pp)
- 9-14-12 Naval District Washington, Naval Facilities Engineering Command: NSA Bethesda Installation Master Plan -- DRAFT Final, May 2012 (172 pp)
- 10-4-12 DRAFT EIS - Public Presentation: Summaries (24 pp)
- 8-19-11 Federal Register (Vol. 76, No. 161): Department of the Navy -- Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Medical Facilities Development and University Expansion at Naval Support Activity Bethesda, Bethesda, Maryland and To Announce Public Scoping Meetings
- 8-17-11 Naval Support Activity-Bethesda notification of the EIS to County Executive Leggett
- Details from Naval Support Activity-Bethesda on EIS process and Scoping Meetings
- 8-23-11 NSAB Presentation to BRAC Implementation Committee
- 9-7-11 NSAB EIS Public Scoping Meeting Presentation (17 pp)
- 9-7-11 NSAB EIS Scoping Meeting presentation -- Printable Handout (4 pp)
- 9-7-11 NSAB EIS Scoping Comments mail-in form (must be postmarked by 10-3-11)
- 10-11-11 NSAB Letter to Community regarding Traffic Data Collection (4 pp)
1-22-10 Correspondence from House Armed Services Committee
12-2-09 House Armed Services Committee: The New Walter Reed: Are We on the Right Track? -- Joint Hearing of the Readiness and Military Personnel Subcommittees:
- 12-3-09 Federal News Radio 1500 AM: (INCLUDES AUDIO) Who is in charge at the new Walter Reed? - - The House Armed Services Committee found that the road to the new Walter Reed is currently paved with a lot of uncertainty.
- 12-3-09 U.S. Department of Defense News Release: 'New Walter Reed' Effort On Track, Officials Say
- 12-2-09 Committee Summary Memo (10 pp)
- 12-2-09 Opening Statement of Readiness Subcommittee Chairman Solomon Ortiz
- 12-2-09 Opening Statement of Military Personnel Subcommittee Chairwoman Susan Davis
- 12-2-09 Statement of Congressman Chris Van Hollen on related traffic congestion issues
- 12-2-09 Testimony of Mr. Al Middleton, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, Health Affairs
- 12-2-09 Testimony of Dr. Dorothy Robyn, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense, Installations and Environment
- 12-2-09 Testimony of Vice Admiral John M. Mateczun, USN, Commander, Joint Task Force National Capital Region Medical
- 12-2-09 Testimony of Dr. Ken Kizer, Chairman, Defense Health Board National Capital Region Base Realignment and Closure Health Systems Advisory Subcommittee
- 12-16-09 Language from FY2010 Defense Appropriations bill detailing the $300 million designated for transportation mitigation projects at NNMC Bethesda and Fort Belvoir
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.
- 12-16-08 Montgomery County preliminary comments (2 pp)
- 1-5-09 M-NCPPC Planning Staff Recommendations (6 pp)
- 1-12-09 BIC letter to County Executive Leggett regarding the Revised NNMC Master Plan Update/Transportation Management Plan (6 pp)
- 1-15-09 BIC Chairman John Carman's comments before the M-NCPPC County Planning Board on the NNMC Master Plan Update
- 1-15-09 M-NCPPC Planning Board Recommendations to NCPC (2 pp)
- DOD Mimimum Antiterrorism Standards for Buildings -- Unifierd Facilities Criteria (UFC 4-010-01, dated 8 Oct. 2003, including changes of 22 Jan. 2007) (71 pp)
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.
- File One (70 pp.)
- Table of Contents
- Section 1. Executive Summary
- Section 2. Overview and Program Requirements
- Section 3. Community Context of the Bethesda Campus
- File Two (41 pp.)
- Section 4 (part). Existing Conditions -- Bethesda Campus
- File Three (41 pp.)
- Section 4 (part). Existing Conditions -- Bethesda Campus
- File Four, including the Master Plan Update (74 pp.)
- Section 5. The Master Plan Update for the NNMC Bethesda Campus
- Section 6. Development Guidelines
- File Five, including Transportation Managemrent Plan (65 pp.)
- References
- Transportation Management Plan (TMP)
- List of Figures
- List of Tables
- Attachments
- Section 1. Introduction
- Section 2. Existing Conditions
- Section 3. Existing Employee Travel Characteristics
- Section 4. Build-out Conditions
- Section 5. TMP Goals and Objectives
- Figures
- Tables
- Attachments
- March 2007 DOD Regulations on Shuttle Buses and other vehicle management issues (105 pp.) (Bus Transportation Services: Chapter 5, pp. 39-48)
- File Six, Appendix-- Existing Building Assessments (240 pp.)
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.
- ROD posted in the Federal Register, May 14, 2008.
- May 5, 2008: Admiral Jeffries Response to letter from County Executive Leggett and Council President Knapp on the Final EIS
- 5-9-08 Washington Post: Naval Hospital Expansion Starts Soon -- Steps Being Taken to Minimize Traffic Disruption in Bethesda
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.
Copies of the Final 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. Copies can also be reviewed at: Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center, 4805 Edgemoor Lane, Bethesda MD 20814; Bethesda Urban Partnership, Inc., 7700 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda MD 20814; and Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce, 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 1204, Bethesda MD 20814.
Final Environmental Impact Statement -- Notice of Availability, April 3, 2008
Volume I -- Main Report (284 pp pdf) -- includes:
Volume II -- Cover Page and Table of Contents (4 pp)
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- Cover Sheet
- Executive Summary
- Table of Contents
- 1.0 Purpose and Need
- 2.0 Proposed Action and Alternatives
- 3.0 Existing Environment
- 4.0 Environmental Consequences
- 4.1 Geology, Topography and Soils
- 4.2 Water Resources
- 4.3 Biological Resources
- 4.4 Air Quality
- 4.5 Noise
- 4.6 Utility Infrastructure
- 4.7 Transportation
- 4.8 Cultural Resources
- 4.9 Land Use and Zoning
- 4.10 Socioeconomics
- 4.11 Human Health and Safety
- 4.12 Cumulative Impacts
- 4,13 Short-Term Use of the Environment Versus Long-Term Productivity
- 4.14 Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitment of Resources
- 5.0 References
- 6.0 List of Preparers
- 7.0 Distribution List
- 8.0 Acronyms
- 9.0 Index
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- Appendix A. Part I -- Draft EIS Correspondence, Comments and Response (108 pp)
- Appendix A, Part II -- Correspondence and Public Involvement During Scoping (140 pp)
- Appendix B -- Air Quality Analysis (44 pp)
- Appendix C -- Transportation Study -- includes potential road and transit improvements (98 pp)
- Appendix (A) - TPD Scoping Process (7 pp)
- Appendix (B) - Traffic Count (29pp)
- Appendix (C) - Existing Capacity Analysis WSs and LOS Figs (54 pp)
- Appendix (D) - Travel Time Survey Results (8 pp)
- Appendix (E) - Pedestran Statement (17 pp)
- Appendix (F) - CTP Projects (9 pp)
- Appendix (G) - Projected Trip Gen of No Action Developments (3 pp)
- Appendix (H) - Future No Action Capacity Analysis WSs and LOS figs (54 pp)
- Appendix (I) - References from WMATA 2005 Transit Ridership Report and ITE Manual (7 pp)
- Appendix (J) - Total Future Alt One and Two Capacity Analysis WSs and LOS Figs (54 pp)
- Appendix (K) - Total Future Alt One and Two Mitigation Capacity Analysis WSs (54 pp)
- Appendix D -- Socioeconomics (8 pp)
- Appendix E -- Wetland Investigation Report (30 pp)
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RESPONSES TO THE FINAL E.I.S.
- Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett and Council President Mike Knapp letter to NNMC Admiral Jeffries, 5-1-08
- Letter from BRAC Implementation Committee, 4-16-08
- Memo from Art Holmes, Director, Dept. of Public Works and Transportation, 4-18-08
- Memo from Tom Carr, Fire Chief, County Fire and Rescue Service, 4-17-08
- Memo from Transportation Planning Staff, Montgomery County Planning Board, 4-25-08
- Broadcast of Planning Board Hearing on the Final EIS, 5-1-08 (FEIS hearing begins in middle of Part 3 and continues into Part 4)
- Letter from Royce Hanson, Chairman, Montgomery County Planning Board, 5-2-08
- Additional Comments on the Final EIS:
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase MD, 4-29-08
- East Bethesda Citizens Association, 5-2-08
- Greater Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce, 5-5-08
March 3, 2008 -- Dept. of Navy Awards Contract for Initial Phase of New Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Project. Info on this and other business opportunities relating to BRAC are on the Resources Page
February 26, 2008 -- This DOD information paper describes a general plan for BRAC construction in Bethesda.
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.
NNMC "Notice of Availability and Notice of Public Hearings" (1-page pdf)
- Main Report (264-page pdf) -- includes:
- Cover Sheet and Executive Summary (23-page pdf)
- Table of Contents
- 1. Purpose, and Need
- 2. Proposed Action and Alternatives
- 3. Existing Environment
- 4. Environmental Consequences
- 4.1 Geology, Topography, and Soils
- 4.2 Water Resources
- 4.3 Biological Resources
- 4.4 Air Quality
- 4.5 Noise
- 4.6 Utility Infrastructure
- 4.7 Transportation
- 4.8 Cultural Resources
- 4.9 Land Use and Zoning
- 4.10 Socioeconomics
- 4.11 Human Health and Safety
- 4.12 Cumulative Impacts
- 5. References
- 6. List of Preparers and Reviewers
- 7. Distribution List
- 8. Acronyms
- List of Figures
- List of Tables
- Appendix A - Correspondence and Public Involvement (136-page pdf)
- Appendix B - Air Quality Analysis (44-page pdf)
- Appendix C - Transportation Study -- includes potential long-term improvements (96-page pdf) -- IMPORTANT NOTE: If any of these links do not work, go directly to the NNMC web site.
- Appendix (A) - TPD Scoping Process (7-page pdf)
- Appendix (B) - Traffic Count (29-page pdf)
- Appendix (C) - Existing Capacity Analysis WSs and LOS Figs (57-page pdf)
- Appendix (D) - Travel Time Survey Results (34 page pdf)
- Appendix (E) - Pedestran Statement (16-page pdf)
- Appendix (F) - CTP Projects (9-page pdf)
- Appendix (G) - Projected Trip Gen of No Action Developments (3-page pdf)
- Appendix (H) - Future No Action Capacity Analysis WSs and LOS figs (57-page pdf)
- Appendix (I) - References from WMATA 2005 Transit Ridership Report and ITE Manual (7-page pdf)
- Appendix (J) - Total Future Alt One and Two Capacity Analysis WSs and LOS Figs (57-page pdf)
- Appendix (K) - Total Future Alt One and Two Mitigation Capacity Analysis WSs (20-page pdf)
- Appendix D - Socioeconomics (8-page pdf)
- APPROXIMATE TIMELINE FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STUDY:
- Navy released Draft EIS December 6, 2007.
- Draft EIS Published in Federal Register December 14, 2007, initiating 45 day public comment period that ended January 28, 2008. County Executive and Council President request for additional time was rejected by Navy.
- Mandatory referrals to County (through BRAC Coordinator), MNCPPC and NCPC.
- Navy held public hearings January 9-10, 2008.
- MNCPPC staff reports to Planning Board, December 20, 2007.
- MNCPPC staff reports to BIC, ~week of Jan. 3
- MNCPPC public hearings, January 10, 2008. (25-page pdf)
- MNCPPC staff briefs County Council, Jan. 15, 2008.
- 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.
- Construction commences ~late Spring 2008.
- Project completion by Sept. 15, 2011.
- 7-19-07 Gazette.net: Navy Med to release reports by September
- NNMC EIS Page
- NNMC Notice of Intent to Prepare an EIS
- NNMC BRAC Scoping Meetings: Overview of the EIS Process, Dec.19, 2006
- 11-30-07 Letter from NNMC -- details BRAC schedule from EIS through completion.
- NNMC Public Presentation on the Draft EIS, Jan. 9-10, 2008.
COMMENTS ON THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIS), 1-28-08
- County Planning Board (MNCPPC) Staff Report, 1-10-08
- Planning Board Letter to County Council, 1-11-08
- Planning Board Briefing to County Council, 1-15-08
- Audio, Park & Planning Commission Hearings, (parts 6-8) 1-10-08
- Dept. of Public Works & Transportation (DPWT): Summary and Comments, 1-10-08
- Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP) Comments, 1-10-08
- Fire and Rescue Service (FRS): FRS Memo and Comments, 1-10-08
- Dept. of Permitting Services (DPS) Comments, 1-15-08
- BRAC Implementation Committee (BIC) Comments, 1-15-08
- Detailed BIC Comments (36-page pdf)
- Statement of Councilmember Roger Berliner, 1-15-08
- View Council Hearing on BRAC DEIS, 1-15-08
- Defense Access Road (DAR) program: Congressional Research Service Memorandum, Jan. 11, 2008: "There are no hard-and-fast traffic-related benchmarks that trigger the initiation of a DAR project."
- The following comments on the Draft E.I.S. were submitted by Maryland State agencies:
- Maryland Department of Planning Clearinghouse, 1-28-08 This summarizes comments from Maryland state government agencies, including:
- Maryland Dept. of Transportation (MDOT), 1-25-08
- Maryland Historical Trust
- 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
- Maryland Department of Planning Clearinghouse, 1-28-08 This summarizes comments from Maryland state government agencies, including:
- 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:
- National Institutes of Health (NIH), 1-24-08
- Greater Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce, 1-28-08
- Congressman Chris Van Hollen, 1-28-08
- Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad, Inc., 1-28-08
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase MD, 1-18-08
- Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB), Bethesda MD, 1-24-08
- East Bethesda Citizens Association, 1-28-08
- Locust Hill Citizens Association, Bethesda MD, 1-28-08
- Maplewood Citizens Association, Bethesda MD, 1-25-08
- Parkwood Residents Association, Kensington MD, 1-6-08
- Town of Chevy Chase, 1-24-08
- Comments Submitted by Individual BIC Members (40-page pdf)
- NEPA (NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT):
- Council on Environmental Quality: Citizens' Guide to NEPA (55-page pdf)
- White House Council on Environmental Quality guidelines for federal agency NEPA collaboration
- "NEPA 101": Introduction to the National Environmental Policy Act (121-page PowerPoint)
- NEPA Basic Information
- Environmental Impact Statement (EIS): Basic Information
- EPA Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, Federal Facilities Enforcement Office
- EPA: Compliance and Enforcement at Federal Facilities
- EPA: Compliance and Enforcement at Federal Facilities: Federal Facilities Compliance
- EPA: Compliance and Enforcement at Federal Facilities: Federal Facilities Enforcement
- EPA: Compliance and Enforcement at Federal Facilities: Federal Facilities Program Managers
- ·
Working with the NEPA & EIS Process: Lessons Learned
Pax River Warfare Center Aircraft Division
BRAC IN BETHESDA:
- BRAC Impacts on Bethesda:
- February 26, 2008 -- Dept. of Defense Information Paper: Background information and Dept. of the Navy's Plan of Action for implementing BRAC law affecting realignment of Walter Reed Army Medical Center to Bethesda.
- 12-10-07 Washington Post: Naval Hospital Patients to Double -- Move From Walter Reed to Bethesda Could Worsen Traffic, Add $70 Million in Road Work
- Map of impacted communities and intersections near Bethesda Naval Hospital
- 12-12-07 Baltimore Sun: Base-move costs climb -- Escalation put at 50% in GAO report, with likely savings down
- 12-11-07 GAO Report: Military Base Realignments and Closures: Cost Estimates Have Increased and Are Likely to Continue to Evolve (GAO-08-159, December 11, 2007, 69-page pdf)
- Profile of Bethesda BRAC by DoD Office of Economic Adjustment
- 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.
- MD Dept. of Planning about BRAC -- detailed report on the impacts of BRAC on the State and each County
- Maryland Dept. of Business and Economic Development (DBED) Office of Military Affairs – brief overview of state and county BRAC impacts
- Maryland Dept. of the Environment: Selected Environmental Information for MD Military Base Communities: National Naval Medical Center
- NIH Master Plan and EIS, 2003 (published 2005): Useful facts and figures to compare with NNMC EIS:
- Section 1: Summary (13 page pdf)
- Section 5: Affected Environment/Environmental Consequences (197 page pdf)
- Appendix G: Traffic Data (15 page pdf)
- Employee Distribution figures:
- NNMC (2007): Map Employee Survey
- WRAMC (2007)
- NIH (2003)
- Historic Preservation at NNMC
- Historic Tower: A Chronology
- National Register of Historic Places: Bethesda Naval Hospital Tower ("Building #1")
- National Register Nomination and FDR Sketches: one acre is historic, page 8
- "Historic Viewshed" vs. Actual Designation or Eligibility for National Register of Historic Places
- Maryland Historical Trust 1998 Nomination of NNMC Campus to be added to National Register of Historic Places
BRAC CONSTRUCTION AT NNMC
- 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):
BRAC FAQ AT BETHESDA NAVAL HOSPITAL (includes FAQ on impact on community)
- Additional Community FAQ about BRAC at NNMC Bethesda:
- What about building a Beltway exit ramp directly to the NNMC Campus?
- SHA Technical Discussion Paper on Proposed Beltway Slip Ramp: Why this project is not feasible
- 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.
- Safety Improvements to FedEx Field interchange -- CD lanes to be constructed at three Beltway interchanges in Prince George's County at MD 202, Arena Drive, and MD 214.
- Safety Improvements to FedEx Field interchange -- CD lanes to be constructed at three Beltway interchanges in Prince George's County at MD 202, Arena Drive, and MD 214.
- What about building a Beltway exit ramp directly to the NNMC Campus?
Will the Purple Line or the Corridor Cities Transitway serve NNMC? Tell me more about the Purple Line and the Corridor Cities Transitway.
- What about the Purple Line "Loop?"
- How will BRAC impact the Purple Line? Detailed Analysis Summary
- What about running the Purple Line along Jones Bridge Road?
- What about a MARC shuttle from Silver Spring to Rockville?
- Where can I get information about residential parking permits?
- What do we do if cars park illegally in our neighborhood?
- Can I tour the campus? Where can I get more information about NNMC?
- If there is an emergency at the base, will surrounding communities be notified?
REGIONAL BRAC IMPACTS:
BRAC IMPACT ON SCHOOLS: April 3, 2008 Letter from Jerry Weast, Superintendent of Schools, Montgomery County Public Schools, regarding BRAC Impacts on MCPS.
TDM -- TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT: Presentations to County BRAC Implementation Committee, Sept. 18, 2007