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By: CorridorWatch.org
TxDOT Recommends the ”No Build Alternative” For Their TTC-35 FEIS
You might have seen the headline,
but what exactly does that mean
Is the Trans-Texas Corridor dead?
Criticism of the TTC has recently developed into a high profile campaign issue (again) making the timing of this “No Build Alternative” announcement highly suspect as being politically motivated. The problem is the TTC can’t die soon enough. Highways developed using federal funds are required to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Because of the extensive legal process involved, the final decision called the Record of Decision, can’t be issued until sometime in 2010 at the earliest. In any case it just can’t happen before the March primaries next year, and maybe not even before November general election. Running for reelection in 2010, the Governor who devised, championed, and made every effort to force the construction of the TTC now needs voters to forget about it. Has the contract with Cintra-Zachry been cancelled? No, it has not been cancelled. It won’t be cancelled until a “No Build Alternative” Record of Decision is issued. The “No Build Alternative” recommendation – forced, not volunteered. Overwhelming public and legislative opposition to the TTC has forced TxDOT to act. [letter] It is a common misconception that the required environmental impact study (EIS) is limited to endangered species and pollution. It is not. NEPA requires an examination of the project to include economic, social and community impact as well. Public opposition is a specific element of the EIS. The number of negative comments received on the TTC created a tremendous obstacle to overcome. Add to that a dramatic lack of support in the legislature and a pending Sunset review. Also consider the long list of issues related to TxDOT’s handling of the NEPA process. CorridorWatch and other organizations have filed numerous comments and complaints that are yet unresolved. Several of those issues would likely lead to legal action if the TTC move forward. And, there may be even more significant problems hidden from public scrutiny. Apparently TxDOT still does not believe honesty is the best policy. TxDOT would have us believe that they are being genuinely responsive to public comment. New information now contradicts that and indicates that the Federal Highway Administration itself motivated the “No Build Alternative” recommendation.
In a notice filed yesterday (10/8/2009) by Cintra Concesiones de Infraestructuras de Transporte, S.A. (Cintra) with the Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores (market regulator) in Spain, Cintra reported that TxDOT’s “No Build Alternative” recommendation is the result of comments received from the Federal Highway Administration. That was omitted from what TxDOT said at their press conference. Either Cintra has it wrong or they know something that TxDOT has avoided disclosing to the public.
Commissioner Houghton just doesn’t get it! Transportation Commissioner Ted Houghton participated in Wednesday’s “No Build Alternative” press conference. At the podium he introduced himself as “the most arrogant commissioner of the most arrogant state agency in the history of the state of Texas.” [video clip] Anyone seriously concerned about the public perception of TxDOT would never had stood in front of an assembly and uttered those words, joking or not.
The more Houghton spoke the more he demonstrated the vast disconnect between the Transportation Commission and the message TxDOT management was trying to present.
Houghton continues to build the case for dismantling the Commission and adopting some other form of accountable leadership. Saenz said citizens performed their civic duty by participating in hearings and voicing their concerns. Houghton divided citizens objecting to the TTC into four broad groups and proclaimed that only those in the landowners group had any valid concerns. TxDOT executive director Amadeo Saenz said their announcement shows that the process works. Houghton said it was the result of TxDOTs failure to market the project. No it is not dead. But it is mortally wounded and expected to die. David & Linda Stall, Co-founders
CorridorWatch.org
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CorridorWatch’s mission remains unchanged In 2002 Linda Stall became concerned about the Trans Texas Corridor and began speaking to legislators, local leaders, and community groups in Colorado and Fayette counties. Two years later she founded CorridorWatch. Since 2004 it has been CorridorWatch’s mission to increase public awareness and understanding of the Trans Texas Corridor and its impact on Texas; provide a statewide network of communication for citizens and local government officials with shared concerns; and, provide resources to assist the public and local government officials to identify and address potential negative impacts (economic, social, political and ecological). For five years CorridorWatch has worked to encourage open and responsive government; full public participation in the decision making process of transportation planning and finance; accountability; improved transportation systems, including the expansion of highways and new highway construction; focusing transportation resources on traffic generators; responsible growth, development and economic expansion; full public disclosure of all state transportation projects; local government participation in transportation planning; and, reducing air pollution. CorridorWatch has never opposed toll roads; rail; growth or economic development; or, the Texas Department of Transportation.
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Related Articles:
- http://austin.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/2009/10/05/daily22.html
- http://www.keeptexasmoving.com/
- Crossroads of The Americas, Trans Texas Corridor Plan (.pdf file)
- The NAFTA Superhighway (Article: The Nation, Aug 2007)
- TxDOT Responds to Citizen Comments on TTC-35
