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February 04, 2008

PUBLIC HEARINGS BEGIN

Round of public hearings begins

A dozen public hearings will be held this week in the first 12 Texas communities to weigh in with comments about the proposed Interstate 69/TTC corridor and its DEIS. The public hearings will continue through March 3, ending in Bryan.

Tonight's public hearings are in Huntsville, Center and Brownsville. Tuesday's hearings are in Cleveland, Carthage and Harlingen. Hearings on Wednesday are in Livingston, Longview and McAllen. On Thursday, the hearings will be in Trinity, Marshall and Falfurrias.

Usually pronounced as individual letters, DEIS is shorthand for "draft environmental impact statement." A key word here is "draft," meaning it's subject to change in no small part owing to the comments to be received from citizens as part of the official record.

The study area for I-69/TTC was recently narrowed, although it is still miles wide. No final route has been determined.

At the hearings, TxDOT staff will be available to answer questions about the project during an open house from 5-6:30 p.m. The formal presentation about the environmental study begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by comments from the public.

Comments on the project can be presented at the public hearing. Comments ALSO can be submitted in writing online or by mail [ addressed to I-69/TTC, P.O. Box 14428, Austin, TX 78761 ].

All comments must be received by March 19, 2008, to be included in the official record.

Format of the public hearings differs from the "town halls" TxDOT has sponsored in recent weeks in communities along the proposed corridor. The public hearings have been set up to receive comments for the official record of the environmental-review process, but not so much to establish a dialogue between citizens and officials.

It's likely the public hearings will be as well attended as the recent town-hall meetings. Veterans of such gatherings advise it's best to arrive early to get a good seat.