Local TTC/I-69 opposition group gains momentum

BY ROSEMARY SMITH, Examiner editor

“We could've talked for another hour. People were really getting into it,” said Reuben Grassl, who organized a Feb. 14 community meeting in Shiro to discuss the proposed I-69 corridor route through Grimes County.

The meeting was led by Grassl, Charles Wendt, and Edna Keasling and was attended by a cross section of 65 people from as far as Madisonville and Iola, who showed up with both questions and suggestions for opposition plans. “We gave them the latest information we received from the four recent meetings in the area, because a lot of information TxDoT and TTC put out would almost take a lawyer to help figure out,” said Grassl.

Grassl added that one of the group's goals is to help residents fully understand the purpose of the upcoming public hearing on the I-69/Trans-Texas Corridor Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) that will take place at the Grimes County Expo Center in Navasota on February 28.

“When people hear environmental impact, they think of how the corridor will affect the animals and the land, but it's not just about protecting the natural environment. It also includes how it will affect our economics; such as our businesses, transportation for school districts, our homes and tax rolls.”

Grassl explained that real estate would be affected; as sellers must produce a disclosure form that explains that the property may be in the path of the proposed corridor. “People are either going to have to take their property off the market or sell it at a lower price. That's happening now, long before anything has been built (for the proposed corridor). When property values go down, our tax rolls go down too!” declared Grassl.

According to Mr. Grassl, the group discussed joining forces with another opposition group, but hasn't decided which one. Options may include joining nearby Walker County or the statewide group called “Texans Uniting for Reform and Freedom” (TURF).

The TURF website states the fundamental flaw of the draft TTC/I-69 study is, “The TxDoT eight step approach does not address cumulative effects at Tier One level of analysis.” (Information obtained from DEIS Study pp. 5-13)

TURF further explains, “The DEIS claims the corridor may influence future population settlement patterns as people choose to either live near or avoid the I-69/TTC corridor and that the location of the I-69/TTC corridor may be perceived as a future barrier between communities/neighborhoods and affect the quality of life prior to actual facility construction, yet they do no study of these potential impacts before they can take your land or even tell the public the route of the TTC-69 corridor.”

The TURF website advises, “TxDoT has made it clear ONLY comments specific to the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) will become part of the official legal record. So knowing the areas appropriate for public comment are VITAL!”

For more information on pointers for public comment guidelines, visit www.TexasTURF.org. Copies of the DEIS study are available for viewing at public libraries.

TxDot Representative, Bob Colwell says the Draft Environmental Impact Statement is merely a draft that TxDOT is publicizing so if people find fault with it, they can make comments on items they disagree with, and TxDOT can either correct the issue or do a better job of explaining it.

“This particular document is fairly unique in that there are two tiers to the study of the environmental impacts. Tier I narrows the study area significantly, but does not narrow it to the point of selecting an actual detailed location for the transportation facility. Tier II, will do just that. There will be no final decisions made until the regulatory agencies that govern this process are satisfied that TxDOT has done all they can to determine the environmental effects that this proposed project causes and done their best to avoid or mitigate those effects,” Colwell told The Examiner.

“TxDOT is very concerned with how long it takes to conduct environmental studies and receive the resource agency review. We have expressed this concern to our state and federal legislators in hopes that some of the laws and regulations that govern the process might be streamlined. TxDOT is working diligently to reach the milestones that are necessary to decide whether a property is truly affected by a proposed project or not so that citizens can move on with their lives one way or the other,” said Colwell.

Grassl is asking that concerned citizens attend another meeting that was simultaneously planned by another group of concerned citizens for Feb. 26, in which a TURF representative may be available for questions. Roans Prairie Community Center President, Ronnie Floyd, cancelled the regular monthly meeting on the 26th, in order to open the center to all Grimes County citizens that want more information on the possible corridor project. The Community Center is located on Railroad Ave. behind the local post office.

“We will also have the proper forms available for everyone that wants to be counted as being opposed,” said Mary Lois Boatman, who is helping organize the Roans Prairie meeting.  

The group advises opponents of the corridor to submit a response by March 19 stating, “NO ACTION” alternative. To voice your opinion in opposition to this TTC/I69 Corridor submit your response to www.keeptexasmoving.com/comments_questions/comments/I69.aspx or via US Mail at I-69/TTC, P.O. Box 14428 Austin, TX 78761 before March 19.