PUBLIC NOTICE
RONALD REAGAN WASHINGTON NATIONAL AIRPORT
ROADWAY NETWORK IMPROVEMENTS AND ASSOCIATED DEVELOPMENT
DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW AND COMMENT
Notice of Impacts to Floodplains in Accordance with
Section 2(a)(4) of Executive Order (E.O.) 11988, Floodplain Management; and
Section 7 DOT Order 5650.2, Floodplain Management and Protection
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (Airports Authority) has prepared a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) to evaluate the proposed Roadway Network Improvements and Associated Development (Proposed Action) at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA or the Airport). The Airports Authority is proposing to improve the on-Airport Roadway Network by constructing a new multi-use facility that would include a Consolidated Rental Car Center, public parking and corporate Airports Authority office space; providing additional on-Airport public and employee parking; and implementing ground transportation improvements to enhance access to the Airport and provide access to these new facilities.
The Airports Authority’s purpose and need for the Proposed Action being evaluated in this Draft EA is to provide for adequate landside facilities that reduces traffic congestion and enhances safety on the airport roadway network and meets existing and future demand for parking, rental car, and administrative facilities in a manner that enhances the overall airport customer experience. The proposed improvements are needed to address congestion along the Airport roadway network that affects safety, while also addressing space constraints for employee and public parking, rental car facilities, and the Airports Authority administrative offices.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the lead federal agency to ensure compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) for airport development actions. The Draft EA has been prepared pursuant to the requirements of Section 102(2)(c) of NEPA, and Section 509(b)(5) of the Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982, as amended, as well as Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Order 1050.1F, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures, FAA Order 5050.4B, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Implementing Instructions for Airport Actions, and FAA Order 1050.1F Desk Reference.
This Notice also serves to notify the public that this EA process will satisfy the public notice and comment requirements of Executive Order 11988, Floodplain Management, and US Department of Transportation Order 5650.2, Floodplain Management and Protection. Portions of the Proposed Action are located within the 100-year floodplain. Impacts to the floodplain associated with the Proposed Action are expected to be less than significant and the floodplain encroachment would not adversely affect the natural and beneficial values of the floodplain, result in a high probability of loss of human life or result in damages that could be substantial in cost or extent, including the interruption of service or loss of a vital transportation facility.
This public review and comment period is also being conducted pursuant to the 1987 Programmatic Memorandum of Agreement among the FAA, the Virginia State Historic Preservation Officer (VASHPO) and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (as regards Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 – 36 CFR 800). The Proposed Undertaking would result in new construction and the demolition of Abingdon Research Station/Department of Transportation Laboratory Buildings which are eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. To resolve the adverse effect to Abingdon Research Station/Department of Transportation Laboratory Buildings, consultation with the VASHPO and other consulting parties resulted in a project-specific Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that includes proposed mitigation measures. A draft of the MOA is included in the draft EA.
Beginning July 28, 2023, the Draft EA will be available for public review under the Environmental Information section of the Airports Authority website: https://www.mwaa.com/about/environmental-information. A physical copy of the Draft EA is available at the Aurora Hills branch of the Arlington County Library:
Arlington County Library, Aurora Hills Branch, 735 South 18th Street Arlington, Virginia 22202
Written comments on the information disclosed in the Draft EA may be submitted by email (preferred) or mailed to:
Colleen Regotti, Planning Department
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority
1 Aviation Circle
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
Washington, DC 20001-6000
All comments must be received by the Airports Authority no later than 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time, August 28, 2023. Please ensure adequate time for mailing. Comments can only be accepted with the full name and address of the individual commenting. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, please be advised that your entire comment – including your personal identifying information – may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information, it cannot be guaranteed that it will be withheld. Comments received on the Draft EA and responses to those comments will be incorporated into the Final EA.
The Airports Authority will host a public workshop at the Historic Main Terminal adjacent to Terminal 1 at DCA from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time on August 15, 2023, to provide information on the Draft EA, and to solicit comments from the public.
A virtual public workshop can be attended from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm Eastern Daylight Time on August 15, 2023, via the following link:
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An opportunity to submit written comments will be provided during and after the public workshop. Members of the public unable to attend the public workshop or who have special communication or accommodation needs are encouraged to contact Colleen Regotti with the Airports Authority to receive a copy of the presentation materials. Public workshop materials will be made available under the Environmental Information section of the Airports Authority website.
