Working to make BRAC succeed

Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007

Working to make BRAC succeed

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Thank you for publishing County Executive Isiah Leggett’s commentary about the Base Realignment and Closure actions at National Naval Medical Center and the potential impacts the expanded Walter Reed National Military Medical Center will have on Bethesda and Montgomery County (‘‘Leggett: County taking steps to prepare for BRAC,” Dec. 5).

With the changes ahead, it is critical that we are all informed and can contribute during the public comment period of the Navy’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

In the 2005 round of BRAC, Maryland is seen as a winner because of the economic development coming to our state. But this facility is unique among BRAC actions, in its mission and its location in the middle of an already congested urban area. Any expansion on the base has repercussions outside the fence, especially with regard to traffic as many intersections are at or approaching failing levels.

As surrounding communities, we support improvements to the facility, its critical mission and the people it serves.

We also know that it will take more than an environmental impact statement with a list of mitigation measures to turn this project into a workable reality.

All key stakeholders, from local communities, to the county executive and County Council, to the state delegation and governor and the congressional delegation representing our interests must do their part to make sure that this BRAC in Bethesda works. That means striving for bold solutions and allocating funding for the necessary infrastructure improvements.

The BRAC Implementation Task Force created by County Executive Leggett is a step in the right direction. But everyone — not just those on the committee — needs to be informed about what lies ahead. To this end, concerned communities have come together to form the Coalition of Military Medical Center Neighbors to disseminate information and guarantee that the community’s critical perspective is a part of the discussion.

Those who live, work, attend school and do business in and around Bethesda are proud to have this world-renowned institution as a neighbor. By all doing our part, we can work together to make this BRAC successful.

Ilaya Rome Hopkins, Bethesda

The writer submitted the letter on behalf of CMMCN, an umbrella organization that includes the Bethesda Parkview Citizens Association, Chevy Chase View, East Bethesda Citizens Association, Glenbrook Village Homeowners Association, Locust Hill Estates Citizens Association, Maplewood Citizens Association and Stone Ridge School.