Little Falls Parkway Improvements

The Montgomery County Council approved a plan to reconfigure a 0.4-mile section of Little Falls Parkway between north of Arlington Road and Dorset Avenue in Bethesda, Maryland, reducing the parkway from a four-lane, median-divided configuration to a two-lane, median-divided configuration (with northbound and southbound general traffic lanes). Other proposed changes would include a new buffered bike lane, new median, intersection safety improvements, lane markings, signal timing changes, new lane separators, new turn lanes, and new signage. The Montgomery County Parks Department referred the project to NCPC for review and approval per the Capper-Crampton Act.

FAQs Project Plans

NCPC Authority of Capper-Cramton Lands
The Capper-Cramton Act (CCA) of 1930 (46 Stat. 482) was enacted to acquire, establish, and develop the George Washington Memorial Parkway and multiple stream valley parks in Maryland (and Virginia) to create a comprehensive park, parkway, and playground system in the National Capital Region. In addition to funding, the act granted the National Capital Park and Planning Commission, now the National Capital Planning Commission, approval authority over Capper-Cramton park development and management plans to protect and preserve the region’s watersheds and adjacent parkland. Using Capper-Cramton funds, the State of Maryland has acquired multiple stream valleys that include Cabin John Creek, Paint Branch, Northwest Branch, Sligo Creek, and Little Falls through the Act. The land is part of more than 2,200 acres of stream valley parks in the region.

Capper-Cramton

NEPA Process
NCPC is the lead agency for purposes of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance due to the Commission’s approval authority. NCPC intends to prepare an Environmental Assessment, (EA), with a 30-day scoping period (February 29-March 29, 2024) to allow an opportunity for the public to provide comments on potential study topics and alternatives that should be included in the EA. NCPC will also hold an on-line public scoping meeting.

NEPA Document

Public Scoping Meeting
On Tuesday, March 12, 2024 NCPC held a two-hour online public scoping meeting to explain the Commission’s review role and process regarding the Little Falls Parkway Improvements Project. The public submitted written questions during the meeting that were answered live by NCPC and Montgomery Parks staff.

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