Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
Washington Post
December 4, 2007
Pg. B5
The Navy has rejected a request from Montgomery County to extend the 45-day public comment period for a planned expansion of the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, saying it would delay plans for rapid construction.
The Navy postponed the release of a draft environmental impact statement from July until sometime this month while it completes plans to expand the facility to accommodate the closure of Walter Reed Army Medical Center in the District. But it said an additional delay to allow the county and the public to review the plans could interfere with a goal of beginning construction in June.
"Given the magnitude of the renovation and construction here at NNMC Bethesda, every day we delay in starting construction puts the entire project at risk for late completion and could negatively impact our ability to provide world-class care for our wounded veterans and their families at Bethesda when needed," said a Nov. 30 letter from Rear Adm. Richard R. Jeffries, the medical center's commander.
County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) and the County Council's president, Marilyn J. Praisner (D-Eastern County), had said that 45 days would not be sufficient to review the plans, particularly with the holidays coming.
-- Steve Vogel
December 4, 2007
Pg. B5
The Navy has rejected a request from Montgomery County to extend the 45-day public comment period for a planned expansion of the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, saying it would delay plans for rapid construction.
The Navy postponed the release of a draft environmental impact statement from July until sometime this month while it completes plans to expand the facility to accommodate the closure of Walter Reed Army Medical Center in the District. But it said an additional delay to allow the county and the public to review the plans could interfere with a goal of beginning construction in June.
"Given the magnitude of the renovation and construction here at NNMC Bethesda, every day we delay in starting construction puts the entire project at risk for late completion and could negatively impact our ability to provide world-class care for our wounded veterans and their families at Bethesda when needed," said a Nov. 30 letter from Rear Adm. Richard R. Jeffries, the medical center's commander.
County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) and the County Council's president, Marilyn J. Praisner (D-Eastern County), had said that 45 days would not be sufficient to review the plans, particularly with the holidays coming.
-- Steve Vogel