[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1678]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

MEMORANDUM OF FORT WORTH CITY COUNCIL MEMBER CHUCK SILCOX

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HON. KAY GRANGER

of texas

Thursday, July 28, 2005

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to enter into the Record the
following memorandum from Fort Worth City Council Member Chuck Silcox
to the Mayor of Fort Worth and Council Members dated July 5, 2005. In
the memorandum, Councilman Silcox indicates his desire for the
successful implementation of the Trinity River Vision project in Fort
Worth, Texas.

Memo

July 5, 2005.
To: Mayor & Council Members,
From: Chuck Silcox,
Re: Trip to Washington, DC, June 21-23.
On June 21. I flew to Washington, DC for a series of
meetings regarding the Trinity River and Highway 121
projects. Initially, let me report that the meetings went
quite well. My appreciation to Congresswoman Kay Granger and
her staff for all they did to arrange the schedule for me. I
was accompanied with Reid Rector, Robert Head (Ms. Granger's
Deputy Chief of Staff) and Pete Rose.
Wednesday, June 22, began with a meeting with Congresswoman
Granger to discuss the agenda and key issues relative to the
Trinity River and Highway 121 projects. This meeting went
well, and I left there very comfortable that in the sense
that Congresswoman Granger's office will continue to work
very closely with us in support of our federal legislative
agenda, to include the successful implementation of the
Trinity River Plan and the Highway 121 projects. In addition,
we also discussed, in general terms, the importance of
maintaining the Wright Amendment and the current status of
the B-36 project as affected by a lack of funding to retain
the B-36 in Fort Worth.
Following the above meeting, we met with senior staff at
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps was represented
by Steve Stockton, Deputy Director of Civil Works, Gary Leow,
Director of Civil Works Program Integration Division and John
Meador, Civil Works Deputy, Southwestern Division. Several
key points were discussed during this meeting:
1. The Corps staff stressed that while the key underlying
need for the TRV was and remains flood control and repair of
the levees in the area, this type of project is becoming more
and more common in the Corps' work, i.e., combining economic
development and flood control issues. In the terms of flood
control, Corps staff emphasized that upstream development has
significantly affected downstream drainage and flooding
issues. In addition, the existing levees have ``settled,'' a
condition that also contributes to the flooding potential.
The Trinity River project, with its bypass channel, would
appropriately address these issues.
2. Regarding environmental issues associated with the
Trinity River development, Corps staff indicated that the
initial environmental impact statement is in line and that
their initial review does not reveal any significant
environmental problems. However, they stated that
approximately $25 million has been allocated for dealing with
any issues that might arise.
3. Regarding the location of businesses within the Trinity
River project area, Corps staff stated that the only property
that would be obtained would be that property necessary for
the bypass channel and that no other property would be
sought.
4. Regarding increases in project costs ($360 million to
$435 million), it was explained that this is primarily due to
``contingency'' costs being added to insure that
unanticipated costs are adequately covered.
5. These issues and any other relevant issues will be
addressed at public meetings currently scheduled for July 26
and 27. It is my intent to see that these meetings are
publicized so that the public can attend, learn about this
project and raise any relevant questions they may have.
We then met with staff from the Federal Highway
Administration to discuss the SH-121 project. Attending for
the FHWA were Charles Nottingham, Associate Administrator for
Policy and Government Affairs, Sal Deocampo of the Texas
Division (by telephone), Ruth Rentch of the Office of
Environmental Planning, Jennifer Southwick, a Special
Assistant for Policy and Governmental Affairs and Marc Ott
(by telephone). As in the case of the meeting with the Corps
of Engineers, several key issues were discussed:
1. The plan for groundbreaking in late 2005 was discussed
and it was emphasized that City intended to stay on schedule.
2. With the revised cost estimates, as all parties
investigate opportunities for refinement of the cost
estimates, it is the City's strong intent not to compromise
the quality of the project.
3. It was noted that NTTA should, within 90 days, be able
to better understand the cost increases for the project. In
this regard, it was noted that the City should be in close
contact with the NTTA to urge favorable action relative to
dealing with any cost increases. Marc Ott indicated that a
letter from the Mayor was being forwarded to the NTTA
addressing the cost issue.
4. Relative to these costs issues, FHWA staff indicated
that costs cannot be finalized until the Record of Decision
has been issued as the Record will play a significant role in
final cost determinations. Now that the ROD has been issued,
FHWA staff felt that the cost related issues would be
resolved as design work progresses.
These meetings with Congresswoman Granger, the Corps and
the FHWA were very informative. As a result of attending
these meetings, I am confident that we can successfully
address the relevant issues affecting the Trinity River and
SH-121 projects.

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