United States Marine Corps, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Quantico VA; Restricted Area

The Corps of Engineers (Corps) is proposing to amend its regulations to establish a permanent restricted area in the waters of the Potomac River in the vicinity of Marine Corps Base (MCB) Quantico, located in Quantico, Virginia. The establishment of a permanent restricted area is necessary to reflect the current security and safety needs at MCB Quantico, including protection of military assets at the Marine Corps Air Facility (MCAF) Quantico, which include the Presidential Helicopter Squadron. The assets located on MCAF Quantico are considered national assets of strategic value and require the increased protection obtained by restricting all public access to within 500 meters of the MCAF shoreline. The proposed restricted area provides standoff from most small arms weapons, acts as a security buffer, and assists USMC security forces in determining intent amongst heavy boat traffic. Additionally, there is an extreme hazard to small craft and vessels operating in close proximity to the MCAF due to jet and prop wash from heavy jet and rotary wing aircraft operating at low altitudes while conducting takeoff and landing operations. The proposed restricted area protects public safety by denying vessels access to this danger. The restricted area is also required to protect public health by preventing vessels from disturbing a planned environmental remediation area located in the vicinity of MCAF. The restricted area will extend approximately 500 meters from the shoreline of MCB/MCAF Quantico and will include the Chopawamsic Creek channel.

Agency Contact: Mr. David Olson, Headquarters, Operations and Regulatory Community of Practice, Washington, DC at 202- 761-4922, or Mr. Steve Elinsky, Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, Regulatory Branch, at 410-962-4503.