Why is Construction of TxDOT’s Plan Delayed?
Army Corp of Engineers:
Rejected TxDOT’s permit application based on excessive modifications of Williamson Creek.
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ):
Water Pollution Abatement Permit (WPAP): TxDOT failed to inform TCEQ of the modification to Williamson Creek. TCEQ will review their approved WPAP permit for the project upon submittal of a new design.
US Fish and Wildlife (USFW) Biological Assessment:
TxDOT failed to inform USFW of the modifications to Williamson Creek. USFW will reconsider their concurrence of no impact on the Barton Springs Salamander upon submittal of a new design.
Environmental Impact Statement Reevaluation (EIS):
TxDOT postponed their release of the EIS reevaluation until September 2007. After the reevaluation is complete, additional design will likely be required.
Delay Time
Army Corp Permit: 1 year for Nationwide Permit, 2 years or more for an individual Clean Water Act 404 Permit.
TCEQ WPAP: 6 months to 1 year.
USFW Biologic Assessment: 6 months to 1 year.
EIS Reevaluation and redesign: 1 year
Done concurrently, the delay is likely to be 2 or more years, just for environmental permitting.
These permits also are dependant on a design that can be approved under the strict environmental issues that occur in and around Williamson Creek and the Edwards Aquifer.
Source: Bruce Melton, P.E., Mesa Engineering