Now Here's the Bad News

Now that our first petition has been certified, here’s the bad news:

Representative Silvestre Reyes’ office confirmed that the FHWA had completed the NEPA and sent a FONSI (Finding of No Significant Impact) to TxDOT yesterday. A second source also confirmed this story as well.

As we all know, TxDOT in league with developers completed the designs for the Transmountain project before public vetting. The public meeting was pro forma – mere window dressing. The FHWA has issued a FONSI in spite of the fact that TxDOT’s EA clearly circumvented the public. If City Council passes the ordinance requested by the petition, the connection to Paseo del Norte at Transmountain will be for naught – an overpass to no where. If Council does not pass the ordinance, then petitioners will gather the required signatures for a referendum election. Will TxDOT pursue their plans of clandestine origin without listening to the will of the people?

Remember, petitioners by and large do not oppose widening of Transmountain Road even through the Scenic Corridor. The issue is to preserve about 800 acres known as the Scenic Corridor in its natural state from development or major roadways such as Paseo del Norte as currently schemed. The preservation would not even disallow critical utility structures such as a water tank and any service roads or power lines to service the structure. Opponents have misrepresented this matter.

I have not seen a copy of the FONSI yet. It may be that TxDOT made some changes. I doubt it. Remember, their plans had some major discrepancies among them was a safe way to enter and exit Tom Mays Park and a provision for the protection of motorists from collisions with animals by building a safe animal corridor/crossing.

The final NEPA decision can, of course be sued under the Administrative Procedures Act.

Sign this online petition. Even if you signed the official petition and/or even if you are not a registered voter in the City of El Paso, this petition lets everyone know that you want to preserve and protect the Franklin Mountains. We will promote this publicly in the light of day. We will not do things behind closed doors, huddled with cronies and presuming to know what is best for the people of El Paso.