Use this template to prepare a notice affording an opportunity for a public hearing. This notice can be distributed by many methods, such as being included in a letter, posted on a website, etc.The template can be used for state projects and for federal projects assigned to Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) by the Federal Highway Administration.
There is no required format for public notices because they are distributed by different methods. The Environmental Affairs Division recommends including the TxDOT logo, but it’s not required. Whatever format is used, regardless of whether a logo is included, must meet the TxDOT publication standards as outlined in the TxDOT Brand Guidelines: Advancing the Standard.
To prepare the content required to be included in anotice, enter project-specific information in the prompts of the template.Prompts are highlighted in grey and set off by brackets, <as shown here>.When all prompts have been addressed, ensure no prompts remain, and copy the content into another document to format the notice. Do not copy these instructions, the title of the template or the headers and footers.
Notice
Opportunity for a Public Hearing
Enter the Roadway Name and/or Number
From Enter the Starting Project Limit> to Enter the Ending Project Limit>
CSJs: <0000-00-000>
Enter the County Name County, Texas
In Sentence form,Include Any Applicable Joint Lead Agencies, Cooperating Agencies, and Cooperating and/or Sponsoring Local Governments, and insert “in conjunction with” The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is the <Enter Either Lead Agency or Joint Lead Agency>proposing to Enter the Action,such asWiden, Reconstruct, Improve, etc.>Enter the Roadway Name and/or Number from Enter theStarting Project Limit to Enter theEnding Project Limit in Enter theCounty Name County, Texas. The total distance of the project is approximately Enter theDistance in Miles miles.Pursuant to Texas Administrative Code, Title 43,§2.106 this notice is affording an opportunity for a public hearing on the proposed project.If the project is assigned to TxDOT by FHWA, retain the following sentence; if not, delete itThe environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried-out by TxDOT pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated December 16, 2014, and executed by FHWA and TxDOT.
Enter the Information Outlined in the TxDOT Environmental Handbook: Public Involvement, Section 5.3>
<In Simple And Easy-to-Understand Language and in Three to Five Sentences, Describe the Proposed Project, Including the Highway Number(s) and Local Names, Project Termini, Type of Facility, Purpose, Number of Lanes, and Counties, Cities, and/or Communities Affected>
Describe the Existing and Proposed ROW Widths, Including Anticipated Residential and/or Non-Residential Displacements<If There are Displacements, Modify the Following Three Sentences; If Not, Delete Them> The proposed project would displace <Enter the Number of Displacements and Ensure Residence/Residences Agrees with the Number, or Delete the prompt and the Words between this and the next Prompt residences and <Enter the Number of Displacements and Ensure Structure/Structures Agrees with the Number,or Delete the Word and Before the Promptand the Remainder of the Sentencecommercial structure. Information about the TxDOT Relocation Assistance Program, benefits and services for displacees, as well as information about the tentative schedules for ROW acquisition and construction can be obtained from the TxDOTdistrict office at the address listed below. Relocation assistance is available for displaced persons and businesses.<If Relocations are Not Involved but Additional ROW is Required, Retain the Following Two Sentences; If Not, Delete Them.Although additional right-of-way is required, no residential or non-residential structures would be displaced. Information concerning services and benefits available to affected property owners and information about the tentative schedule for right-of-way acquisition may be obtained from the district office at the address listed below.
<If the Proposed Project Encroaches on a Floodplain, Wetland, and/or Sole-Source Aquifer Recharge Zone, Enter a Sentence or Two a Describing the Typesof Resources Impacted
Anyenvironmental documentation or studies, maps showing the project location and design, tentative construction schedules, and other information regarding the project are on file and available for inspection Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. at Enter the TxDOT District or Local Government Project Sponsor Office Name, Address, and Phone Number and If the Project Materials are Available Online,Enter theWeb Address.
Any interested personmay submit comments or request a public hearing covering the social, economic and environmental effects of the proposed location and design for this project. Comments and requestsfor a public hearing must be submitted in writing on or before Enter the Date30 Days after the First Publication Date, to the TxDOT Enter the District Name District Office, Enter the Contact Person’s Name, Title, and Address.
Appendix A: Revision History
The following table shows the revision history for this document.
Revision HistoryEffective Date
Month, Year / Reason for and Description of Change
June 2017 / Version 3 was released
Removed the reference to citizen in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.Replaced “citizen” with “person”.
Added clauses indicating that comments from the public regarding the project would be accepted.
March 2017 / Version 2 was released
Updated to remove unnecessary regulatory citations in order to slightly shorten overall length of the notice
August 2016 / Version 1 was released.
TemplateVersion 3
TxDOT Environmental Affairs Division 760.10.TEM
Effective Date: June 2017Page 1 of 3