Save The Trail Petition

National Naval Medical Center

Comments on MTA's Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)

In its comments on MTA's Draft Environmental Impact Statement, the National Naval Medical Center indicated that the MTA has used incorrect data.  The use of this incorrect data has created a bias in favor of light rail along the Capital Crescent Trail.

In the DEIS, on page 1-10, Table 1-3, according to the NNMC Comments, "the Table identifies Existing Employment at Major Centers.  Specifically it outlines Bethesda CBD which accounts for 34,833 jobs. 

"However, the chart fails to mention the center containing the National Naval Medical Center (NNMC), National Institiutes of Health (NIH) and Suburban Hospital. 

"NNMC has roughly 8000 employees today and will have 10,500 employees by 2011.  In addition, NIH conservatively lists 18,000 employees on their website while Suburban Hospital states 3180.  Both NIH and Suburban Hospital are planning on future growth and development.  Therefore, this puts the low end estimate today at 29,180 employees with substantial growth to this figure by 2011. 

In addition, "These figures do not take into account the significant number of visitors that travel to these sites on a daily basis.  As there are alternatives being presented which route through this employment center it would seem important to highlight current populations as reference for review."

The NNMC goes on to further question MTA's data.  Acccording to MTA's DEIS on pages 2-7 of the DEIS,  "the National Naval Medical Center anticipates an increase of approximately 2,200 to 2,500 employees of which an estimated 60 new riders would use the Purple Line."  But this in not logical, continues NNMC.  "Per NNMC's November 2008 Maste Plan submission to NCPC (for February 2009 review), staff parking on the NNMC capus will be very constrained in the future.  Based on staff parking availability, alternative commuting methods such as mass transit will be required.  How was this figure (60) derived as it appear to be very low for new ridership?" asks NNMC.

Many questions have been raised about MTA's data and projections for ridership, but answers have not been forthcoming.