Opportunities for Public Participation at NCPC

The National Capital Planning Commission invites members of the public to provide feedback and comments on all projects it reviews and undertakes. Information on NCPC projects can be found throughout the agency's website, in the Tentative Agenda mailings, in Quarterly newsletters, via special notices, and in the annual report. If you wish to be added to the agency's mailing list, please contact info@ncpc.gov.

NCPC's opportunities for public participation are many and include: commenting on proposed development and plans; Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Statements; the historic preservation review process under Section 106; development of the Federal Elements of the Comprehensive Plan and review of the District Elements of the Comprehensive Plan, the annual Federal Capital Improvements Program, and special planning initiatives.

NCPC frequently solicits comments from the public on documents before the Commission. Check the Public Notices and Comments page for a list of documents recently open for public comment.

The Commission also encourages public participation during its regularly scheduled monthly meetings and during special public meetings. Speakers must adhere to publicized deadlines for all agency meetings and can provide written and oral comments. Please be sure to review the agency's public participation guidelines if you plan to provide comments at a monthly Commission meeting. These guidelines include deadlines that speakers are required to meet.

Urban Design and Plan Review
The procedures for public participation in Urban Design and Plan Review are set forth in NCPC’s Revised Procedures for Public Participation and in a subsequent amendment to the procedures. In addition, NCPC’s Submission Guidelines also reference opportunities for public participation in its Project Plans Submission Requirements – Section 5. I. and in its Master Plan Submission Requirements – Section 5. I and 5. J.

Federal Capital Improvements Program
NCPC provides a 45-day public comment period for the annual draft Federal Capital Improvements Program (FCIP). This public comment period usually begins immediately after the June Commission meeting.

Federal agencies submit information to the FCIP and have review opportunities as noted in the Instructions for the Submission of Federal Capital Improvement Programs, FYs 2009-2014 in Section III. B, Schedule for Submission of Capital Programs.

Environmental and Historic Preservation
NCPC's "Environmental and Historic Preservation Policies and Procedures" provide a number of opportunities for public participation when NCPC develops an Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or for historic preservation matters. In implementing Environmental Review procedures, NCPC may rely on an EA or EIS developed by a submitting agency. In such instances, NCPC will post the submitting agency’s EA or draft EIS on the NCPC website.

For Historic Preservation matters, NCPC’s policies recognize the importance of public participation. See this Policy at Section 7. C. NCPC consults with applicant agencies to ensure that likely affected individuals and groups are included in consultation. Any member of the public interested in a particular project, or in receiving notification about the Section 106 process for a project may ask to be included on the NCPC mailing list by contacting info@ncpc.gov. NCPC is guided in its approach to public participation by the Public Participation regulations of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, 36 CFR 800.2.

Special Projects and Planning Initiatives
NCPC undertakes a number of important planning initiatives such as the National Capital Framework Plan and CapitalSpace, a parks initiative. NCPC provides opportunities for public consultation and input as such plans develop. Opportunities for public participation in these planning initiatives are posted on this website. NCPC also includes notice of such opportunities in its monthly Tentative Agenda mailing, in its Quarterly newsletters, and via special mailings.