PUBLIC NOTICE

RONALD REAGAN WASHINGTON NATIONAL AIRPORT

TERMINAL 1 REDEVELOPMENT 

DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 

AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW AND COMMENT

Notice of Potential Impacts to Historic Properties in Accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act of 1966.

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (Airports Authority) has prepared a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) to evaluate the Terminal 1 Redevelopment project at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA or the Airport). The Proposed Action includes the landside and airside project components, such as renovating existing buildings, demolishing the existing Banjo Gates (Gates A1-A9), and constructing terminal roadway and airside apron improvements. 

As evaluated in the Draft EA, the purpose of the Proposed Action is to redevelop Terminal 1 to accommodate current and future airline activity at the Airport in a manner that provides passengers, airlines, and tenants with an adequate level of service, which includes providing sufficient modern space for passenger facilities, concessions, ticketing areas, security screening, terminal hold rooms, passenger circulation, airline and airport support areas, baggage conveyance, claim, and stripping, and other related facility improvements such as apron pavement, stormwater infrastructure, airfield infrastructure, and supporting infrastructure. Additionally, the terminal landside roadway would be reconfigured to improve the traffic flow and curbside ingress and egress. The Proposed Action would also provide a safe, secure, predictable, and enjoyable terminal experience.

The Proposed Action is needed to address the three broad needs listed below:

• Improve the passenger experience, efficiency, and convenience

• Enhance gate capabilities

• Improve safety and security

   

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the lead federal agency to ensure compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) for airport development actions. The Draft EA has been prepared pursuant to the requirements of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Order 1050.1G, FAA National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures, FAA Order 5050.4B, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Implementing Instructions for Airport Actions, and Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Order 5610.1D, DOT’s Procedures for Considering Environmental Impacts. 

This public review and comment period is also being conducted pursuant to the 1987 Programmatic Memorandum of Agreement among the FAA, the Virginia State Historic Preservation Officer (VASHPO) and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (as regards Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 – 36 CFR Part 800) and Section 4(f) of the DOT Act of 1966. The Virginia Department of Historic Resources (VDHR)/VASHPO has determined that a project specific Programmatic Agreement is appropriate for this project. The Programmatic Agreement outlines processes for continued design review and includes mitigation measures to address any future adverse effects to historic properties. 

The Terminal 1 Redevelopment Area is in the 500-year (0.2 percent annual chance) floodplain and the staging area is in the 100-year (0.1 percent annual chance) floodplain. Elements of the Proposed Action within the 500-year floodplain would be designed in a manner consistent with other Airport elements and would have no impact on the floodplain. There would be no new development or demolition within the staging area as this portion of the Project Area would solely serve to store/stage construction-related materials, equipment, and vehicles. As such, the Proposed Action would have no impact on the floodplain The Proposed Action would not adversely impact the existing floodplain. 

Beginning July 23, 2026, the Draft EA will be available for public review under the Environmental Information section of the Airports Authority website: https://www.mwaa.com/about/environmental-information.

The Airports Authority will hold a public workshop in the historic lobby of DCA Terminal 1 on July 30, 2026 from 6:00-7:00 PM EST. 

A physical copy of the Draft EA is available at the Aurora Hills Branch of the Arlington County Library: 

Arlington County Library, 

Aurora Hills Branch, 

735 South 18th Street 

Arlington, Virginia 22202

Written comments on the information disclosed in the Draft EA may be submitted by email (preferred) or mailed to:

Colleen Regotti, Planning Department

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority

45045 Aviation Drive, 3^rd Floor

Dulles, VA  20166

[email protected]

All comments must be received no later than 5:00 PM, August 7, 2026. Please ensure adequate time for mailing. Comments can only be accepted with the full name and address of the individual commenting. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, be advised that your entire comment – including your personal identifying information – may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask in your comment to withhold from public review your personal identifying information, it cannot be guaranteed that it will be withheld. Comments received on the Draft EA and responses to those comments will be disclosed in the Final EA.

Members of the public unable to attend the public workshop or who have special communication or accommodation needs are encouraged to contact Colleen Regotti with the Airports Authority to receive a copy of presentation materials. Public workshop materials will be made available under the Environmental Information section of the Airports Authority website.

DCA Terminal 1 - Draft EA - 260721 - 508.pdf

Pages from DCA Terminal 1 - Draft EA - Volume 2 Appendices.pdf