WRNMMC BRAC
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Why is Bethesda expanding and Walter Reed closing?

The proposed changes are the result of the BRAC recommendations, which became law on November 8, 2005. Specifically, the Medical Joint Cross-Service Group (JCSG) was chartered to review Department of Defense health care functions and to provide base closure and realignment (BRAC) recommendations based on that review. After review, their recommendation was to realign Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC, by relocating all tertiary (sub-specialty and complex care) medical services to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center , Bethesda, MD, establishing it as the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC), Bethesda, MD

Military health care services in the National Capital Area will no longer operate in an independent fashion in order to maximize efficiency and support the war fighter. The vision for the future is an integrated health care delivery system acting as a network of health care providers and component facilities that provide and arrange coordinated ambulatory and inpatient services to the area's beneficiary population. In addition, the way ahead includes a strong component of joint Graduate Medical Education. Facilities included in this regionalized military medical system also include Malcolm Grow Medical Center, DeWitt Army Community Hospital, and the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.

Q2. Why does the military need its own hospitals?

Military medicine plays a critical role in supporting the United States Armed Forces. Our primary job is to support the war fighter no matter what the environment. In order to support our service members wherever they deploy, it is critical for our medical providers to have the full complement of skills to treat illness and injury, both here and abroad, including in the deployed environment. Military treatment facilities allow them to hone their skills and abilities to meet the unique needs of the military services. These skills are not readily obtainable at civilian institutions.

Q3. What operations will be supported at the new WRNMMC?

The WRNMMC is slated to be an approximately 345-bed Medical Center with the full range of intensive and complex specialty and subspecialty medical services, including specialized facilities for the most seriously war injured. This facility will serve as the U. S. military’s worldwide tertiary referral center for casualty and beneficiary care.

Q4. What will the project look like?

The final project design is still being developed at this time to meet the needs of the mission in the future. The aesthetic look of the enhanced WRNMMC facility will respect the WRNMMC Tower’s current status on the National Register of Historic Places.

In order to identify the space and equipment requirements for the future WRNMMC, functional teams of staff members have been collaborating with contractors over the past year to ensure the architectural and engineering designs will create an efficient clinical layout and work environment. The current estimate calls for approximately 2,400,000 square feet of new or renovated space at the WRNMMC campus to support BRAC-mandated actions.

Q5. How will the design be selected?

A decision will be made by the Department of the Defense based on cost, expected performance, and environmental and other impacts as disclosed in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process. There will be substantial opportunity for public input to the EIS.

Q6. Where is the project located?

The project is located on the grounds of the current Walter Reed National Military Medical Center campus in Bethesda, MD. This site is currently comprised of 243 acres and 88 buildings.

Q7. Isn’t there any other location to support this enhanced mission, like Malcolm Grow on Andrews Air Force base?

The military medical system throughout the NCA will be realigned based upon the BRAC recommendations. We anticipate this realigned system of military medical facilities will bring some additional traffic and visitors to Bethesda; however, it will also disperse visits by our beneficiaries throughout the region.

In addition to the integration of WRAMC and WRNMMC, the medical capabilities at DeWitt Army Community Hospital at Fort Belvoir, VA will also be enhanced. DeWitt is slated to grow in both physical size and capabilities, which will result in a more balanced military health system in the NCA. This expansion will allow our beneficiaries who currently come to WRNMMC or WRAMC for care to stay closer to home in Northern Virginia.

Q8. Who currently owns the Bethesda campus?

The Bethesda campus is currently owned by the Department of the Navy.

Q9. How long will it take to build?

All BRAC-related construction is mandated to be completed by September 15, 2011 in accordance with BRAC law. Major construction cannot begin prior to the completion of the EIS. Once the EIS is finalized and designs are completed, construction can begin. Additional construction of facilities not directed by BRAC may continue beyond 2011.

Q10. Will the project mean more staff and visitors at the Bethesda campus?

Yes, though the exact number has yet to be determined. The outcome of the EIS process will help determine final structure of both buildings and personnel at the Bethesda campus.

The EIS is considering two action alternatives for construction of BRAC-mandated facilities, as well as support facilities not funded through BRAC. The EIS alternatives currently assume the addition of approximately 2,200 new employees at WRNMMC by 2011. However, to remain within the limits as published in the Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an EIS, the greatest number of additional personnel that could be added to the Bethesda campus would be approximately 2,500.

Since the mission of WRNMMC will grow, we also expect to see a proportional increase in patients and visitors to the Bethesda campus.

Q11. What is the proposed WRNMMC project cost?

Estimates for the total cost of construction and renovation are still being refined but current estimates indicate the military construction and renovation portion of the project will be approximately $900,000,000. Additionally the Fisher Foundation will be funding the construction of two new Fishers Houses to support wounded veterans and their families.

Q12. How many jobs will be created by this project?

Approximately 2,200 staff will be added to the Bethesda campus. Most of the new personnel added to the future WRNMMC facility will transfer from other DoD locations. Some short-term jobs may be created in the construction industry once we begin physical building and renovations.

Q13. Will the project create any additional long-term jobs in Bethesda?

Most of the jobs added to the realigned WRNMMC facility will come through transfers. For example, a large number of new staff will come to WRNMMC from WRAMC and some will be Air Force staff from across the country. Some new jobs may be created in the process but the percentage will be small in comparison to the overall number of new staff.

Q14. What is the purpose of an EIS?

An EIS is a systematic, interdisciplinary evaluation of the consequences of a proposed Federal action. The purpose of an EIS is to inform the decision-maker of the impacts of the proposed action on the human and natural environments, and to “ensure that environmental information is available to public officials and citizens before decisions are made and before actions are taken” (Council on Environmental Quality Regulations 1500.1).

An EIS is required for Federal actions that meet certain criteria, which in general are those with potential for significant impacts on the environment. Significance is determined by the relative geographical extent of the proposed action’s effects, their duration, the risks posed, and the value or scarcity of the resources affected (human health and safety, historical resources, or endangered species for example).

Q15. How can I voice my opinion about the project?

The EIS process is inherently a public process. There will be three opportunities for the public to share concerns and participate: 1.) During the scoping process where the public is encouraged to identify potential impacts of particular concern. 2.) After publication of the Draft EIS, comments on the adequacy and scope of coverage of the draft are solicited. 3.) After publication of the Final EIS. Even though the document says “Final” the comments will be useful in preparing the record of decision, so it will not be too late to have an impact on the decision making process.

Public Notices alert interested citizens about the specific times as follows:

Scoping - During scoping, which for the WRNMMC project took place in Fall 2006, interested parties submitted comments on the scope of issues that should be studied in detail in the EIS.

During scoping, the Navy coordinated with other government agencies, and held six public meetings to inform people of the proposed project. Public comments were submitted in writing during the public meetings as well as via email and mail.

Draft EIS Public Review Period - Following scoping, a Draft EIS (DEIS) was prepared. The DEIS evaluates the significance of potential impacts of the proposed action, and compares the impacts of various project alternatives, which must include a “No Action” alternative. This document has been made public, and the public has 45 days, known as the DEIS Comment Period, to comment on the adequacy of the DEIS, or the merits of the various alternatives, or both. Every substantive comment must receive a response, either by changing factual material in the EIS, revising or adding analysis, modifying or adding alternatives, or explaining why such changes are not warranted.

For the WRNMMC project, the DEIS Public Review period was initiated on December 14, 2007 with the publication of the Notice of Availability (NOA) and the Notice of Public Hearings (NOPH) in the Federal Register. January 28, 2008 marks the end of the 45-day public review and comment period. During the Draft EIS public review period, the Navy held two public hearings, where it received oral as well as written comments from the public.

Until January 28, 2008, the Navy is accepting comments by E-Mail at WRNMMCEIS@med.navy.mil, by Fax at: (301) 295-5020 or by Mail at:

Officer in Charge – BRAC
DEIS Comments
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center 8901 Wisconsin Avenue
Bethesda, Maryland 20889

Final EIS Public Review - The Final EIS (FEIS) is a revised version of the DEIS, and must include responses to public comments received on the DEIS. Following its publication, for which notice is made in the Federal Register and in local newspapers, there is a final 30- day Wait Period (no action period) before a Record of Decision (ROD) is published.

Q16. When will the comment period for the Draft EIS end?

Midnight January 28, 2008 marks the end of the 45-day public review and comment period for the Draft EIS for the WRNMMC project.

Q17. How and when we can expect a response to my comments on the Draft EIS?

Responses to comments received on the Draft EIS are required to be included in the Final EIS, which is currently scheduled for publication in April 2008.

Q18. Why does an EIS take so long?

The EIS process for the WRNMMC project is expected to take 12-18 months, from Notice of Intent to Prepare the EIS in Fall 2006 to Record of Decision in early to mid 2008. This time is spent in several ways. First, investigations of the physical environment are conducted and environmental studies are addressed in areas that may be affected. Then, for the public input process, the draft EIS is compiled and circulated for comment, followed by further revisions in the FEIS and further comment. This all takes time.

Coordination with Federal, State, and Local regulators occurs during this entire period. Coordination of studies and review of results also occurs during this period. All parties depend on information that others collect and analyze, and then transfer. Ensuring that this information is available and of acceptable quality requires considerable time and effort. After results are developed, possible ways to mitigate the impacts are analyzed. Some mitigation may be undertaken by the DoD, while some mitigation measures would have to be undertaken by the Federal, State, or local agencies. A lot of effort is expended in identifying mitigation measures and ensuring that one fix does not create another unaddressed problem.

Q19. Will the construction or operations of the new WRNMMC facility impact the surrounding community?

Our goal throughout the BRAC process is to minimize the disruption for visitors, staff, and our neighbors in the community. Some level of disruption is likely due to road projects, infrastructure improvements and physical construction of new space necessary to support a project of this size and scope. We hope that local community groups can help to identify potential problems and solutions. Once construction is completed by the BRAC-mandated 2011 date, our hope is that all stakeholders will experience minimal changes to the neighborhood and physical environment.

Q20. How can I voice my concerns about increased traffic on local roads?

The WRNMMC BRAC team is working closely with a number of local, county and state government officials throughout the construction and expansion process. The Draft EIS identifies roadways in the vicinity that would be affected by the project and presents potential improvement measures. However, specific questions related to traffic around the Bethesda campus should be directed to Montgomery County and Maryland Department of Transportation officials since they have jurisdiction over local roads.

Q21. How can I stay informed about the project as it moves forward?

The BRAC team at WRNMMC plans to make a continuing, concerted effort to keep visitors, staff and the local community informed as we make progress on the upcoming changes to our campus. The recommended means of tracking the status is currently the NCA Medical BRAC and Integration Web site. In addition, we will publicize information of interest to the community through local newspapers, television stations and radio stations.

Q22. Will the amount of helicopter landings increase once BRAC is complete?

As of today, the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center receives an average of approximately twelve helicopter flights per month. Almost all of our patients arrive via ambulance, medical evacuation bus or personally-owned vehicles. Based on data for Walter Reed Army Medical Center, we expect an increase of only 1-2 flights per month.

Some residents have expressed their frustrations over helicopter traffic in this area. The area around Bethesda frequently sees helicopter overflights by governmental, State Police, and news helicopters; however, the vast majority of helicopter overflights in this area are not tied to the National Naval MedicalCenter.