NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Cotton Belt Trail
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration
(FHWA) , in conjunction with the City of Waco, will conduct a public hearing on December 4,
2008 to discuss the proposed construction of a hike and bike trail from the east entrance of
the Waco Landfill to the Harris Creek Subdivision. The purpose of this hearing is to present
to the public the preferred trail alignment.
The proposed trail would be constructed on the existing un-maintained railroad corridor
between the east entrance of the Waco Landfill and the Harris Creek Subdivision. The trail
would be approximately 14 ft wide and two miles in length. A parking lot would be
constructed on either end of the project for traveling pedestrians. Amenities including
lighting, benches, and waste receptacles would be placed at various locations along the trail.
The project would construct a pedestrian bridge over the South Bosque River and its
tributary. The proposed project would require an easement from the United States Army
Corps of Engineers (USACE) as the project encroaches upon a designated wildlife
management area.
The hearing will be held in the worship center of the Harris Creek Baptist Church located at
401 Stageline Dr. McGregor, TX 76657. TxDOT will conduct a formal presentation at 6:00
p.m. Following the formal presentation an intermission will provide interested citizens an
opportunity to meet individually with TxDOT staff to address specific comments and
questions. TxDOT will provide the public an opportunity to make verbal and written
comments after the intermission.
Maps and other drawings showing the proposed location and design will be displayed at the
hearing. The environmental document for the project will also be available for inspection at
the hearing. Other information about the proposed project is on file and available for
inspection at the TxDOT Waco District Office located at 100 South Loop Drive, Waco, Texas
76704.
As part of this project, the FHWA is considering a 4 (f) de minimis determination for impacts
to the wildlife management area operated by the USACE. A 4 (f) de minimis finding means
that this project will have an impact on the resource and the FHWA, in consultation with
TxDOT and the officials with jurisdiction over the resource, have made a preliminary
determination that the impacts are minor and will not affect the resource’s character,
activities, or attributes. A mitigation plan has been developed by the City of Waco for impacts
on this wildlife management area. Information on this resource, the impacts, and the
mitigation plan can also be found at the TxDOT Waco District Office. The FHWA will
consider comments received during this public hearing before making its final determination.
All interested citizens are invited to attend and express their comments. Verbal and written
comments may be presented at the hearing. Written statements and other exhibits may also
be submitted to Albin A. Petter, P.E., Interim Director of Transportation Planning and
Development, at the Waco District Office (100 South Loop Dr. Waco, TX 76704-2858), but
must be postmarked no later than 5:00 pm, Monday December 15, 2008.
Persons with disabilities who have special communication or accommodation needs and who
plan to attend the hearing may contact Ms. Liv Reiners, District Environmental Specialist, at
(254) 867- 2757 as soon as possible so that arrangements can be made. Every effort will be
made to accommodate these needs.
After December 2, 2008 information about this project including maps and drawings will be
available on the TxDOT website at www.txdot.gov. At the top of the page click, “About Us”
then click “Public Hearings and Meetings” and click on “Waco District.” From this page
you can view the proposed Cotton Belt Trail and submit written comments by clicking “e-mail
us.”