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Navy Signs Record of Decision to Begin Construction at NNMC

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080512-17
Release Date: 5/12/2008 1:17:00 PM

From National Naval Medical Center Public Affairs

BETHESDA, Md. (NNS) -- The Navy issued a Record of Decision May 8 to address actions necessary to create the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on the campus of the National Naval Medical Center.

Assistant Navy Secretary for Installations and Environment B.J. Penn signed the document, officially allowing construction to begin.

Navy officials created three plans: the Preferred Alternative, Alternative Two, and No Action. After reviewing dozens of factors — including traffic; the community; water, wildlife, and other natural resources; air quality; current infrastructure and transportation — officials recommended the Preferred Alternative.

"I believe the greatest improvement to long-term care and support of America's wounded warriors and veterans will come from positioning ourselves to implement the provisions in the Record of Decision," said National Naval Medical Center Commander Rear Adm. Richard Jeffries. "We must stretch the boundaries of progress and challenge complacency to provide world-class support to our warriors and veterans.

"In the meantime, our two medical centers have to focus on their respective core missions and care for our service members and their families," he continued. "It's our greatest desire to care for all the needs of our patients and their families whenever possible. 'Caring Is What We Do Best' is more than just our motto — it's our promise to you."

Patients, staff members and visitors will begin to see changes immediately. During construction, the base will be losing around 900 spaces. Staff members should take advantage of the government subsidy commuter program, Jeffries said last month.

Also, demolition will begin the week of May 12 on Bldg. 12 to make way for the new National Intrepid Center of Excellence for Traumatic Brain Injury.

"Our nation is building two world class medical facilities that will care for our warriors and their families in the National Capital Region. This is a pivotal step in the [Base Realignment and Closure] realignment process," said Joint Task Force National Capital Region — Medical Commander Rear Adm. John Mateczun. "But, more importantly, we are embarking on an exciting journey — to take our existing world-class capabilities and enhance them through synergistic consolidation and integration. When we reach the finish line in 2011, we'll have the nation's premier regional health care system."

The 2005 Base Closure and Realignment Commission (BRAC)recommended relocating certain Walter Reed Army Medical Center activities from Washington, D.C. to Bethesda, and establishing it as the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The medical center will provide tertiary, sub-specialty and complex medical services.

The $970 million project will add or renovate 2.5 million square feet and will add an estimated 2,300 personnel, Jeffries said.

The Base Realignment and Closure law also calls for a new community hospital at Fort Belvoir, providing non-tertiary care services to the Northern Virginia area. The Base Realignment and Closure law requires construction of the two facilities to be completed by Sept. 15, 2011.

The Record of Decision is the final step in the environmental evaluation process the National Environmental Policy Act established in 1969. The act requires federal agencies to consider the impact major federal actions may have on the environment.

A groundbreaking is planned for late June and construction will begin summer 2008.

For more news from the National Naval Medical Center, visit www.navy.mil/local/nnmc/.