National Harbor

Prince George's County, Maryland
Owner:  The Peterson Companies

National Harbor spans more than 500 acres along the Potomac River shoreline adjacent to the Woodrow Wilson Bridge/I-495 and boasts a wealth of mixed-use and public gathering space, including the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, an MGM casino, shops, and a marina.  For nearly 25 years, WSSI has provided permitting expertise and guidance, compliance services, natural resource studies, and surveys to support a dynamic land and shoreline development process for the mixed-use site, including unique projects such as the installation of the 180’-tall Capital Wheel and “The Awakening,” a 72’-long sculpture of a giant emerging from the shoreline.

WSSI began work at National Harbor in 1997, obtaining a permit extension from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) and new permits from the Maryland Department of Environmental Quality (MDE) and the Maryland Board of Public Works (BPW) for work on the original 443 acres of land.  WSSI then delineated wetlands on an additional 90 acres and secured permit authorization for impacts on those as well.  We also provided assistance for the County zoning approval and conceptual site plan consideration.  We became an integral part of the development team and since then have been involved in all details associated with wetlands and other natural resources for the project. 

 WSSI’s permit extensions and modifications have shepherded National Harbor through project expansions and growth over nearly 25 years.  WSSI has worked with the developer and the regulatory agencies to find fresh solutions that tailor this mixed-use development for the user experience. For example, WSSI worked with the MDE, the COE, and BPW to modify permits to include then-new land planning concepts like the creation of beach habitat in lieu of bulkheads, and integration of more than 100 linear feet of tidal marsh into the site plan as compensatory mitigation. 

As the project progressed WSSI obtained permit modifications for marina re-design, and conducted submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) surveys to provide regulatory agencies with more information about the project area.  SAV surveys and bathymetric surveys were also important for other special projects: installation of “The Awakening” and the Capital Wheel.

When the developer acquired “The Awakening,” a 72’ long cast aluminum sculpture that was previously installed at Gravelly Point Park across the Potomac, WSSI worked with the regulatory agencies to modify the permits to allow for its installation at National Harbor’s beach.  WSSI’s monthly erosion and sediment control inspections were an important component to demonstrate permit compliance.

WSSI obtained additional permit modifications to allow for the installation of the landmark Capital Wheel along the Potomac shoreline, a popular visitor attraction that provides expansive views of the capital area.

WSSI continues to provide a range of services as the development unfolds, performing bathymetric surveys to assess water depths, conducting SAV surveys to map plant communities in the Potomac, and studying tidal wetlands on the site.  WSSI also supported the planning and installation of “reef ball” habitats in the Potomac River to provide protection for juvenile fish and support the local aquatic community.  

Most recently WSSI has provided compliance monitoring and submitted required permit notifications for activities under the current Individual Permit.  WSSI also is processing changes to address the need for fire and rescue boats on the site and will continue to navigate the project through permit modifications and re-issuances to stay in compliance with natural resource protection regulations.