us281eis

Since 1984, there have been 11 separate environmental studies on US 281, north of Loop 1604, ranging from the lowest level study, a categorical exclusion, to the detailed environmental assessment, which was the subject of a 2008 lawsuit. Today, US 281 has no environmental clearance for any improvements to add new lanes, or any new capacity, according to the Federal Highway Administration.

So what can we do then? How can we get relief from the traffic on US 281 north of Loop 1604? What type of study has to be done? How long will it take?

These are all questions we ask ourselves daily. We all want relief today, and we all want the congestion which keeps us stuck in gridlock to go away sooner rather than later.

When it comes to protecting our environment, protecting the environment for our children and grandchildren, and for ensuring the long-term relief needed for our community, no one wants to cut corners or rush a decision of such a magnitude.

In this decade, we have seen two studies completed, challenged, and clearances withdrawn for various reasons. In 2005, when the first project to start building improvements on US 281 was started, a lawsuit was filled by the Aquifer Guardians in Urban Areas (San Antonio) and People for Efficient Transportation, (Austin), saying the piecemeal study done before, a combination of categorical exclusions and limited environmental study, was not comprehensive and didn't look at the entire corridor for impact. This lawsuit resulted in the clearance being withdrawn by the Federal Highway Administration and the Texas Department of Transportation and a new environmental assessment started.

Two years and two million dollars later, clearance for US 281 was received once again, and in February 2008, another lawsuit was filed, by the Aquifer Guardians in Urban Areas (San Antonio), Texas Uniting for Reform and Freedom (San Antonio) and the Save Our Springs Alliance (Austin), saying the environmental assessment wasn't detailed enough and requesting an environmental impact statement be conducted on US 281 and Loop 1604. With the lawsuit moving forward, a conflict of interest was uncovered between a TxDOT employee, who has been terminated because of the conflict, and an individual working for a company engaged in a part of the scientific study as part of the last environmental document, resulting in the withdrawal of the environmental clearance once more.

Today, there is no clearance for any improvements, toll or non-toll, on US 281. Much needed additional capacity can't be added without environmental clearance.

So today, we all sit in traffic on 281. We all want something done. But how do we move forward?

According to the Federal Highway Administration, any new lanes or new capacity will require an Environmental Impact Statement to be completed, the most detailed and comprehensive environmental document as established by the National Environmental Policy Act and other federal laws and rules. Rumors abound that we can get environmental clearance without having to complete an Environmental Impact Statement, but the Federal Highway Administration has been clear that they will require this detailed study before any new capacity could be considered to be added to this roadway. A copy of the letter saying this is on the 411 website if you want to download a copy and see it for yourself.

We have a duty and obligation to ensure our natural environment is protected, and if any road expansion will cause an impact to our water supply, the endangered species in this area, or the people who live and work in our community, we want to know how we can help address that impact and still provide the relief needed to keep vehicles from clogging the air by idling in traffic. We are going to do all we can to have this normally 60 month environmental study done as soon as possible, without cutting corners, by working with our partner agencies and community during each step of the process.

And contrary to statements made in public by some, there is not a separate "non-toll" environmental clearance on US 281. As of today, there is no environmental clearance on US 281 allowing for any long-term improvements, again, according to the Federal Highway Administration. We all suffer in the traffic on this corridor. And we all suffer with conflicting statements and rumors about whether or not clearance exists today or not.

If you want to see the letters from the Federal Highway Administration, the ultimate decision makers on the environmental clearance for this roadway, check out our resource section and download a copy of the letters for yourself.