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ENVISION Division A newsletter from TxDOT's Environmental Affairs ENVISION Division Volume 2, Issue 4 Winter 1996 8 Pages Lavaca Bay Causeway project faces challenge of Superfund cleanup site By JIM DOBBINS hurricane, the most powerful on record, made a direct hit on the Environmental Affairs Division bridge, with maximum winds estimated at 175 miles per hour. A plan to replace the Lavaca Bay Causeway is overcoming a Following extensive repairs, the structure has been plagued by an major obstacle a Superfund hazardous materials clean-up site. excessive rate of deterioration. Major repairs were carried out on The Lavaca Bay Causeway connects the cities of Port Lavaca the bridge in 1984, 1987 and 1994. and Point Comfort via State Highway 35 across a 2-1/4-mile Beginning in 1992, several interested parties, including the stretch of Lavaca Bay. The original four-lane Calhoun County span was completed in 1961, and was severely Commissioners Court, Port damaged in September of that year by Lavaca City Council, Point wave action from hurricane Carla. The Comfort City Council, Port Lavaca-Calhoun County See BRIDGE, Page 6 Rules to change on air quality, wetlands In this issue EPA raising ozone, particulate standards By BILL KNOWLES Environmental Affairs Division Lubbock uses The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed new tougher standards for Ozone and Particulate Matter, which are two criteria pollutants listed in the Clean tree plantings Air Act Amendments of 1990. After reviewing more than 200 medical studies on the effects of ozone and particulate matter on human health, the EPA concluded that the to curb snow, current standards do not adequately protect public health. The proposal may change the Page 4 National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) to provide enhanced protection to nearly 133 million Americans, including 40 million children. Health experts say both pollutants harm children more than adults because their developing bodies take in 50 Dallas proactive See AIR, Page 8 in seeking opinions USACE phasing out nationwide permit #26 on Trinity Parkway, By TOM BRUECHERT modified in order to reduce impacts to Environmental Affairs Division wetland resources. Originally, NWP #26 Page 5 The news is sad, but we have time to could be used for impacts of up to 10 grieve and prepare. One of our most acres with USACE coordination. After useful nationwide permits (NWP) for USACE makes the announced ENV acquires transportation projects, NWP #26 Above modification, NWP #26 will have a headwaters and isolated discharges, has reduced maximum of three acres. (The Sanborn maps, received a pink slip from the U.S. Army effective date for this had not been Page 7 Corps of Engineers (USACE). announced as of this writing.) Luckily, NWP #26 wont head into retirement just yet. First it will be See WETLANDS, Page 2 Page 2 ENVision Winter 1996 Ramsey makes a difference in El Paso By RICHARD GOLDSMITH meetings, coordination with the Texas Environmental Affairs Division Historical Commission and by working When youre the environmental with the Allen family, the issues were coordinator for the El Paso District it resolved in late 1995. means not only the usual diversity you get Ramseys section has also explored with coordination issues, it means working new territory in preparing a joint with another state, New Mexico, even environmental document with another another country, Mexico shoot, youre state, New Mexico, on Artcraft Road (SH even in another time zone from the rest of 178). The new highway will connect a the state. new port of entry in New Mexico to Judy Ramsey heads the El Paso Interstate 10 in El Paso. The project Districts six-member Advance includes historical issues, a bike and Transportation Planning Division, a pedestrian path and even a sound barrier position she has held since 1987, though along one stretch. The first phase of the the name of the group has changed project in Texas is scheduled for letting in through the years. July. The responsibilities have pretty much It was challenging figuring out how to remained the same, she said. Those do something that hadnt been done duties include environmental Judy Ramsey (left) and Mary before. We processed the environmental coordination, public involvement, Telles-Goins, also of the El Paso document as a joint document, working transportation planning, public Distrist, look over the Allen House. out who would do what and pay for transportation, transportation enhancement what, she said. projects and reports to the Transportation its beautification program and for starting The El Paso District must also work Commission. the states first public motor oil and filter closely with Mexican transportation We have so many things going on in recycling stations. officials and the city of Juarez. our section we jump around from one Ramsey says the fragile desert ecology Theres a lot to know on the thing to another a lot, Ramsey said. of the El Paso area makes people more international side, she said. International She started with TxDOT in 1979 with sensitive to environmental issues. Bridges involve the U.S. International the El Paso District and has headed her The overall attitude of the district has Boundary and Water Commission and section since 1987. Ramsey earned a math been positive, even proactive in the 17 must also be permitted by the U.S. State degree from UT in 1971, a masters of years Ive been here. I feel very lucky in Department science in community and regional that regard. I havent met a lot of people If you call Ramsey, or anyone in the El planning from UTs School of who didnt want to do things (to preserve Paso District office, remember theyre in a Architecture in 1976 and then took a job the environment), she said. different time zone, an hour earlier. with the city of El Paso. Three years later In the El Paso District, the issues most Its irritating at times. I realize she moved over to TxDOTs district likely to crop up on any given project are sometimes at 4:15 that people in Austin office. in the archeological and historical realms. are gone and I cant call them, she said. She grew up in Marshall and had to get One challenging project, and one that The same situation arises during the used to El Pasos wide open spaces. Once Ramsey feels she has made a difference differing lunch hours, and not just with you get adjusted to it you love the vistas, on, is the ongoing widening of North Austin. Most of the El Paso District all the mountains, the beautiful sky. Loop begun in 1988. Two of seven phases but El Paso and Hudspeth counties are Now she admits to feeling a bit are complete and one is under in the Central Standard time zone. How claustrophobic when visiting her parents construction. One phase involves a pocket would you like to communicate back and back in East Texas, with its canopy of of homes eligible for the National Register forth with maintenance offices that are in trees. of Historic Places. And of special interest a different time zone? The El Paso District won TxDOTs among those is the Allen House. The Because of that problem, Ramsey said, 1995 Environmental Achievement Award unusual and well-preserved home was E-mail has been a boon to us. based on a variety of activities, including occupied by the same family, the Allens, See RAMSEY, Page 4 the use of drought tolerant vegetation in from the early 1930s. Through a series of Wetlands: USACE phases out NPW #26 Continued from Page 1 with USACE (which translates into TxDOT. Individual Section 404 permits The maximum impact presently paperwork and possible delays) and and required mitigation constuction are allowed without USACE coordination is potentially more mitigation could result. imminent. Your Water Resource one acre. That maximum will be reduced After two years, our old friend will Management contact at ENV will forward to one-third acre on the same date. This permanently go into the history books and more details and copies of the federal modification will affect TxDOT projects no longer be a nationwide permit. This register announcing this event when in a noticeable way. More coordination final exit will be much more costly to available. ENVision Winter 1996 Page 3 TxDOT part of multi-agency team to manage Texas coastal areas By JIM DOBBINS also comply with TCMP regulations and objectives. Environmental Affairs Division David Potter, an environmental coordinator with the Corpus A landmark multi-agency effort to preserve the environment Christi District, does not feel that the plan will have a significant on the Texas coast has been launched, with TxDOT as a key impact on district operations. Our environmental impact participant. statements are consistent with the TCMP objectives. Our project The purpose of the Texas Coastal Management Program approval process will change little as we already have (TCMP) is to oversee the environmental big picture on the agreements in place with all of our resource agencies. coast. Legislators and environmental activists had felt that Texas fragmented government structure was not addressing these issues in a comprehensive, coordinated and efficient manner. Issues as diverse as economic development, water quality, erosion and dredging are to be addressed by this program. Nominees sought An outgrowth of the Coastal Coordination Act of 1991, amended in 1995, TCMPs task is to develop a comprehensive coastal program based on existing statutes and regulations. for Environmental Among the goals of TCMP are: Establish the Coastal Coordination Council (CCC) to develop policy and oversee implementation of TCMP. Achievment Award Transportation Chairman David Laney is a member. Establish fundamental legal requirements with which state By SARA BARKER agencies and local governments must comply.
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