Community Engagement — DCA-P56

8/14/20 Project Update:

On July 31, 2020, the FAA signed a Categorical Exclusion/Record of Decision approving a number of amendments to north-flow departure procedures at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). The Categorical Exclusion/Record of Decision can be viewed via the link below. A description of the procedure changes, their purpose and need, and documentation of the FAA's environmental review are contained in the documentation. The FAA ultimately concluded the actions will not significantly affect the quality of human environment pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act and were appropriate for approval under a categorical exclusion. Implementation of these actions will not result in any extraordinary circumstances in accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, "Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures." Documentation of the FAA's compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act is also included in the documentation supporting the Categorical Exclusion/Record of Decision. The FAA appreciates all of the public comments submitted on the proposed actions. Topical responses to those comments are also included in the documentation supporting the Categorical Exclusion/Record of Decision.

Supplemental Section 106 Consultation

On April 27, 2020, the FAA submitted a supplemental consultation letter pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. The letter includes proposed findings for a procedure change to north-flow westerly departures at DCA, which the FAA intends to make at the same time as it publishes the amended waypoint to reduce incursions into P-56 described in the Background section below. Specifically, the FAA is proposing to remove waypoint FERGI and replace it with a new waypoint, RGIII, which will keep aircraft closer to the Potomac River, consistent with longstanding goals of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. The proposed change was also unanimously endorsed by the DCA Community Noise Working Group, a group comprised of representatives from surrounding communities that is focused on noise-related concerns from DCA. The FAA is also proposing adding a high altitude transition route called SCOOB. This change will occur over 18,000 Above Ground Level and is not expected to change the existing flight corridor. The FAA submitted a proposed finding of no historic properties affected for Virginia, and a proposed finding of no historic properties affected (SCOOB) and no adverse effect on historic properties (RGIII) for Maryland. Both states concurred with the FAA findings, and the letters are available for review on this website, and additional information about the proposed changes can be found within.

These proposed changes will also be subject to environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act prior to implementation. Any additional comments from the public concerning these proposed changes can be submitted to 9-ATO-DCA-HOLTB-SID-Comments@faa.gov by June 15, 2020.

Background

On January 31, 2020, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented a temporary Air Traffic procedure change at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in response to requests from the United States Secret Service. The temporary procedure, known as HOLTB, moved one waypoint 784 feet southwest to move north-flow departing aircraft away from protected airspace above the National Mall and the White House (P-56), while still keeping aircraft over the Potomac River. The temporary procedure is intended to determine the effectiveness of the amended waypoint in reducing the number of incursions into P-56. The FAA is inviting comments from the public on environmental concerns about the temporary procedure.

Based on the initial results of the temporary procedure, the FAA is tentatively planning to permanently implement the amended waypoint for all north-flow departures at DCA. The permanent implementation would amend the following procedures: HORTO4 CLTCH3, JDUBB4, SOOKI5, DOCTR5, REBLL5, WYNGS5, SCRAM6, the AMEEE1 will be published and replace the HOLTB1 and BOOCK3 which will be canceled. The BWI CONLE4 and IAD JCOBY4 are being amended for the new AMEEE1, but changes consist of a waypoint name change and a transition above 18,000 AGL. The FAA is also inviting comments from the public on environmental concerns they believe the FAA should consider as part of its environmental review of the proposed permanent amended waypoint pursuant to FAA Orders 1050.1F, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures and other applicable authorities.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) briefed the "National Security Request – Amended Waypoint for DCA North-flow SIDS / P56" project at the February 27, 2020 DCA Roundtable meeting.

Comments

The FAA initially accepted comments between February 27, 2020 and March 30, 2020 from the public on environmental concerns they believe the FAA should consider as part of its environmental review of the proposed action pursuant to FAA Orders 1050.1F, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures and other applicable authorities.

The FAA is now accepting additional comments on the project update described above until June 15, 2020 using the Submit comment form or directly using the comment mailbox 9-ATO-DCA-HOLTB-SID-Comments@faa.gov.

Submit Your Comments

Last updated: Thursday, September 1, 2022