Template
Draft EA Notice of Availability and a Public Hearing
Use this template to prepare a notice advertising to the public that a draft environmental assessment (EA)
is ready for review and that the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will be conducting a public
hearing. The template can be used for state projects and for federal projects assigned to TxDOT by the
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Notices created with this template can be distributed by many
methods, such as being included in a letter or posted on a website.
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 is not required. Whatever
format is used, regardless of whether a logo is included, the notice must meet the TxDOT publication
standards as outlined in the TxDOT Brand Guidelines: Advancing the Standard, which addresses the font
and formatting requirements.
To prepare the content required to be included in a notice, enter project-specific information in the
prompts of the template. Do not change the text, unless prompted by 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 the desired format for the notice. Do not copy these
instructions, the title of the template, or the headers and footers.
Notice
Draft Environmental Assessment Available for Public Review
and
Public Hearing
<Enter Roadway Name and/or Number>
From <Enter Starting Project Limit> to <Enter Ending Project Limit>
CSJs: <0000-00-000>
<Enter County> County, Texas
The <List any applicable joint lead agencies, cooperating agencies, and any cooperating and/or
sponsoring local governments; if there are no such agencies or governments, change the verb of the
sentence from are to is, and delete the words in conjunction with the, after the prompt> in conjunction with
the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), as the <Enter either lead agency or joint lead agency>,
are proposing to <Enter the action, such as widen, reconstruct, improve, etc.> <Enter the roadway name
and/or number> from <Enter the starting project limit> to <Enter the ending project limit> in <Enter the
county name> County, Texas. Pursuant to Texas Administrative Code, Title 43, Part 1, Chapter 2,
Subchapter E, §2.107 and §2.108 and Code of Federal Regulations, Title 23, Chapter I, Subchapter H,
§771.111 and Title 40, Chapter V, §1506, this notice advises the public that a draft environmental
assessment (EA) is available for public review and that TxDOT will be conducting a public hearing on the
proposed project. The hearing will be held on <Enter a date at least 30 days after the publication of this
notice> at <Enter the address>. Displays will be available for viewing at <Enter the time> with the formal
hearing starting at <Enter the time>. The purpose of the hearing is to present the planned improvements
and to receive public comment on the proposed project.
Template
TxDOT Environmental Affairs Division
Effective Date: May 2016
Version 1
760.02.TEM
Page 1 of 4
Template for Draft EA Notice of Availability and a Public Hearing
<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, total distance in miles, 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 prompt, and the remainder of the sentence>
commercial structures. 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 TxDOT district 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 or
involves the use or taking of property protected by Section 4(f) De Minimis, PWC Chapter 26 or NRC
Chapter 183, enter a sentence or two a describing the types of resources impacted. For projects that
involve PWC Chapter 26 properties, refer to public involvement requirements in the TxDOT
Environmental Handbook: Public Involvement and/or the TxDOT Environmental Handbook: Parks and
Wildlife Code Chapter 26. >
The draft EA, 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 district or local government project sponsor office,
address, and phone number> and <If the project materials are available online, enter the web address; if
not, delete the word and, before the prompt>. This information also will be available for inspection at the
hearing. Verbal and written comments from the public regarding the project are requested and may be
presented at the hearing, or submitted in person or by mail to the TxDOT <Enter the district name>
District Office. Comments must be received on or before <Enter the date 10 calendar days after the
hearing> to be part of the official hearing record.
The hearing will be conducted in English. Persons interested in attending the hearing who have special
communication or accommodation needs, such the need for an interpreter, are encouraged to contact
<Enter the contact person’s name, title, and phone number and/or email address>. Requests should be
made at least two days prior to the hearing. Every reasonable effort will be made to accommodate these
needs.
If you have any general questions or concerns regarding the proposed project or the hearing, please
contact <Enter the contact person’s name, title, and phone number and/or email address>.
Template
TxDOT Environmental Affairs Division
Effective Date: May 2016
Version 1
760.02.TEM
Page 2 of 4
Template for Draft EA Notice of Availability and a Public Hearing
<If the project is assigned to TxDOT by FHWA, retain the following sentence; if not, delete it.>
The 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.
Template
TxDOT Environmental Affairs Division
Effective Date: May 2016
Version 1
760.02.TEM
Page 3 of 4
Template for Draft EA Notice of Availability and a Public Hearing
Appendix A: Revision History
The following table shows the revision history for this document.
Revision History
Effective Date
Month, Year
May 2016
Reason for and Description of Change
Version 1 was released.
Template
TxDOT Environmental Affairs Division
Effective Date: May 2016
Version 1
760.02.TEM
Page 4 of 4