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How to Comment

NCPC welcomes public comment. This is a guide on how to provide comments orally or in writing on items under consideration at a Commission meeting. This includes important deadlines, how to provide comments orally and in writing, and guidelines for speaking at a meeting.

Monthly Commission meetings are open to the public. No registration is required to either watch the meeting online or attend in person, but you must sign up in advance to provide testimony on a project. Your written comments, testimony, and any images provided are part of the public record. Meetings are live-streamed, videotaped, and transcribed and are also part of the public record. Reasonable accommodations are provided upon request. Please make requests at least 48 hours in advance of the event, if possible. For more information email info@ncpc.gov or call 202-482-7200.

On certain occasions, including inclement weather, health, safety, or limited open session items, meetings may be conducted solely online. Notice of this will be provided via the website and tentative and final agendas.

Testifying Online or In Person
Unless otherwise noted in the Tentative Agenda and the Final Agenda meetings will be hybrid, with Commissioners and NCPC staff in person and the public and project applicants can participate online or in person. Please read the procedures on how to participate in or testify at hybrid Commission meetings. Once you are familiar with the process and once the registration period is open, click the "Register to Speak at a Meeting" button below.

Participation Deadlines

Advance registration is required to speak at Commission meetings. When registering you must indicate whether you will testify online or in person. Deadlines vary according to the preliminary classification of items on the Tentative Agenda. Please be aware that the agenda is subject to change.

For the October 9, 2025, Commission meeting:

Registration to speak on Proposed Action Items listed in the Tentative Agenda. If no member of the public signs up to speak on a Proposed Action Item by this deadline, then the project may be moved to the Consent Calendar and acted on by the Commission without presentation or discussion:
October 1, 2025 | 12:00 noon

Registration to speak on Action Items or to submit written comments on Action Items, Consent Calendar Items, and Delegated Action:
October 8, 2025 | 12:00 noon

Registration is Not Open

The speaker registration open period for the October 9, 2025 Commission meeting will start at 12 noon on September 15. Please check back here after the open period begins.

A Tentative Agenda for the upcoming Commission meeting is set approximately three weeks before the meeting. The Tentative Agenda classifies projects as Proposed Action Items, Proposed Delegated Items, and Proposed Exceptions. This classification is preliminary and subject to change prior to the Commission meeting.

  • Action Items include Open Session and Consent Calendar projects. The public is invited to give testimony on these projects. Open Session Action Items are presented and discussed at the Commission meeting. Some projects listed as Proposed Action Items on the Tentative Agenda are moved to the Consent Calendar on the Final Agenda if no speakers have registered by the deadline. The Commission votes on the Consent Calendar Items but does not hear a presentation or public testimony.
  • Delegated Items are projects that the Commission delegates to the the Chair or Executive Director.
  • Exceptions are types of projects where NCPC staff determines that a project is exempt from Commission review, based on certain criteria.

The Final Agenda, Executive Director's Recommendations (EDRs), or staff reports for Action Items and Consent Calendar Items, and the Delegated Actions are posted online the Friday before the Commission Meeting. Action Items are individually considered and voted on by the Commission following a staff presentation. Consent Calendar items are acted on by the Commission without presentation or discussion. The public may sign up to speak only on Action Items.


Sign up to receive agenda notices. Agendas list projects and plans considered for review, and important deadlines to submit comments or speak.

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Attending the Meeting In Person

Commission Meeting 101

  • Arrive early. The meeting begins at 1:00 pm and follows the final agenda, but there is no estimation for when review of each project will begin. 
  • Public seating is available in the Commission Chambers, on the north side closest to the lobby.
  • Public testimony will be provided after the staff presentation of the agenda item.
  • The public speaks from the podium on the north side (closest to the lobby). When you testify, make sure the microphone is on and speak into the microphone. Your comments are part of the official record and will be recorded and videotaped.
  • When the Chair calls your name, please step up to the podium and state your name clearly. Indicate whether you are speaking as an individual citizen or on behalf of an organization. If you are representing an organization, you must submit an official letter in advance stating that your testimony is authorized.
  • Individuals have three minutes to speak. People testifying on behalf of an organization have five minutes. You will be notified when your time is up. Please conclude your remarks as quickly as possible.
  • Practicing (and timing) your testimony before the meeting is helpful.
  • Commissioners may ask questions while you are at the podium.
  • Testimony should be submitted electronically to info@ncpc.gov by noon the day prior to the Commission meeting. Testimony is provided to the Commissioners electronically and posted online. Any images or graphics should be included in your testimony, as you are not able to share them while providing testimony.
  • Laser pointers are not allowed.
  • The Chair has discretion on the order, length of time, and other aspects of public testimony.

Written Statements

You may submit written comments regarding any Action, Consent, Delegated, or Exception Items on the Tentative or Final Agendas. Submit written comments by noon the day before the Commission meeting in order to provide the Commission and agency staff the opportunity to review in advance of the meeting. Comments will be shared electronically with the Commission and posted on NCPC’s website.

Not Yet Available

Submitting written comments for the October 9, 2025 Commission meeting will start at 12 noon on September 15. Please check back here after the open period begins.

Written statements received before the Final Agenda are included as attachments to the Executive Director's Report and posted online. The Final Agenda is usually distributed to the Commission the Friday preceding the Commission meeting. Written comments submitted after the Final Agenda are distributed at least one (1) day before the meeting to the Commission, and are posted online.

Comments must be sent electronically. Include your contact information, and the project name, applicant, and NCPC file number if known. Written comments are often provided:
  • For projects classified as Action Items, Consent Calendar Items, or Delegated Items on the Final Agenda
  • If you prefer to comment in writing versus speaking at the public meeting

Commenting Tips

NCPC often reviews plans and projects several times. The applicant agency and NCPC have more time to consider public comments received early in the review process; for example, when NCPC is considering the concept or preliminary design.

Legislative authorities guide how and what NCPC reviews. Understanding this legal framework can make your public comments more effective.

Public views on non-federal plans and projects should be limited to their effect on federal interests in the National Capital Region.

There are often other opportunities for public comment for plans and projects in addition to formal testimony at Commission meetings. These include:

  • Public meetings on new or updated NCPC plans
  • Public meetings held by other applicant agencies
  • NEPA/Section 106 meetings

Submitting written comments does not mean you are signed up to testify. You must register to speak if you would like to provide comments orally at the Commission meeting, either in person or online.

The National Capital Planning Commission is the federal government's planning agency for the National Capital Region.

The 12-member Commission meets monthly to adopt, approve, or provide advice on plans and projects that impact the nation's capital and surrounding areas.

401 9th Street, NW
Suite 500N
Washington DC 20004
Phone: (202) 482-7200
Email: info@ncpc.gov
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