TITLE in-addition

Texas Department of Agriculture

Request for Proposals

Notice of Request for Proposals: The Texas Department of Agriculture is soliciting proposals for a grant to develop an economic adjustment strategy for the sheep and goat industries. The grantee will work with the Texas Department of Agriculture to develop the strategy. This grant is authorized by § 12.002 of the Texas Agriculture Code.

Eligible Applicants: Eligible to apply are universities or non-profit research associations. Joint projects are welcome, but the application must clearly identify the applicant agency. The applicant must be able to document experience with strategic planning. Additionally, the applicant must be able to document that it has adequate personnel resources to conduct the strategy development.

Availability of Funds: The Texas Department of Agriculture will award a grant in the amount of up to $120,000 for a grant period of April 1, 2000 through May 31, 2001.

Grant Requirements: The grantee will be expected to undertake and complete the following work plan:

1. Hold "town meetings" and create "industry focus groups" to survey the needs, desires and challenges facing communities and sheep and goat food and fiber industries. Engage producers and businesses in these industries, as well as community members in the affected areas of the state. 2. Based on the results of the survey, initiate further studies in initiatives showing the most promise and support from the community and industry. 3. If feasible, seek new and innovative methods to support the existing livestock production industry through alternative production methods, new product development, vertical integration, marketing and other means to increase profitability. 4. Research the continued viability of the sheep and goat industry in Texas, and identify specific strategies to improve that industry. 5. If research indicates that the affected communities should consider diversification beyond the livestock industry, assist in identifying opportunities for new and expanded business development in that area. Create surveys to help affected communities assess and analyze workforce, natural resources, cost of energy and other subjects necessary to understand resources that attract businesses. 6. Develop specific strategies to improve the economy of communities affected by the decline in the sheep and goat industry including the creation of a Community Economic Development Plan based on the results of the aforementioned surveys. 7. Identify potential sources of funding for implementation and follow up. 8. Deliver a quarterly status report of project activities and accomplishments. 9. Deliver a completed Economic Adjustment Strategy subject to TDA specifications.

Funding Restrictions: No more than thirty percent (30%) and no less than twenty percent (20%) of the funding may be used to complete activities associated with non-ag diversification. Additionally, expenditures related to "town meetings" or "industry focus groups" may not exceed five percent (5%) of the total funding award.

Proposals: The budget and narrative of the proposals may be no longer than 10 pages. Applicants may, however, attach appendices that support the budget or narrative. Proposals will be judged according to point levels provided in each of the following components required in the proposals. Proposals must be submitted using the following outline:

Budget Summary (10 points). Proposals must be based on a budget of no more than $120,000. It must include a summary of budget estimations for travel, supplies, and personnel costs that demonstrate cost effectiveness and an ability to meet the requirements of this request for proposals within the allowed budget.

Statement of Experience (60 points). Proposals must document the experience of the applicant with strategic planning and a list of references.

Strategy Development (30 points). Based on the requirement of this request for proposals, applicants must outline a timeline, describe the methodology to be used, and describe an evaluation and implementation plan that includes information pertaining to the creation of jobs or businesses, business expansion, etc.

Contact: Interested parties requiring additional information should contact Anna Sieperda-Welch, Intergovernmental Affairs, Texas Department of Agriculture, Post Office Box 12847, Austin, Texas 78711, (512) 463-4331.

Closing Date: Proposals may be mailed to Carol Funderburgh, Intergovernmental Affairs, Texas Department of Agriculture, Post Office Box 12847, Austin, Texas 78711. Deliveries and overnight mail may be sent to 1700 North Congress, 9th Floor. All applications must be postmarked by or received no later than February 28, 2000.

Award Procedure: To be compliant, proposals must meet the minimum requirements of this request for proposals. All compliant proposals will be subject to evaluation by a committee appointed by the Agriculture Commissioner, which will assign a point score to each component of the proposal based on the criteria listed above. Points will be assigned based on the documented ability to carry out this project in an effective, timely, and cost effective manner. The committee will make a recommendation to the Commissioner and her decision is final. At any time during this process, an applicant may be asked to clarify their proposal, which may include telephone inquiries, revisions to the proposal, or a verbal presentation at the Texas Department of Agriculture.

The Texas Department of Agriculture reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals submitted. The Texas Department of Agriculture is not under any legal or other obligation to execute a grant on the basis of this notice or the distribution of any other information. Additionally, the Texas Department of Agriculture is not obligated to and will not pay for any costs incurred prior to the execution of a grant.

TRD-200000364

Dolores Alvarado Hibbs

Deputy General Counsel

Texas Department of Agriculture

Filed: January 19, 2000


Texas Board of Architectural Examiners

Fee Schedule

The Texas Board of Architectural Examiners furnishes this Fee Schedule. These fees became effective October 15, 1999 and are subject to change as prescribed by the Board. A printed copy may be obtained from the Board by calling Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

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TRD-200000303

Cathy L. Hendricks, ASID/IIDA

Executive Director

Texas Board of Architectural Examiners

Filed: January 14, 2000


Texas Commission for the Blind

Notice of Town Meeting

The Texas Commission for the Blind will hold a Town Meeting on Saturday, February 19, 2000, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the El Paso Regional Office of the Texas Commission for the Blind, 1314 Lomaland Drive, El Paso, Texas. The purpose of this Town Meeting is to provide people the opportunity to comment on current agency services. These recommendations and suggestions will be used in agency planning, updating our State Plan, and in improving our services.

Individuals who are unable to attend are invited to send written comments by February 18, 2000, to Glenda Embree, Texas Commission for the Blind, 4800 North Lamar, Suite 220, Austin, Texas 78756. Comments by fax (512-377-0592) and e-mail (glendae@tcb.state.tx.us) are also welcome.

Persons who plan to attend the meeting and will require an interpreter for the deaf or hearing impaired should call 1-800-687-7020 at least three days prior to the meeting so that arrangements may be made.

Additional information about the meeting may be obtained from Glenda Embree, (512) 377-0583.

TRD-200000330

Terrell I. Murphy

Executive Director

Texas Commission for the Blind

Filed: January 19, 2000


Coastal Coordination Council

Notice and Opportunity to Comment on Requests for Consistency Agreement/Concurrence under the Texas Coastal Management Program

On January 10, 1997, the State of Texas received federal approval of the Coastal Management Program (CMP) (62 Federal Register pp. 1439-1440). Under federal law, federal agency activities and actions affecting the Texas coastal zone must be consistent with the CMP goals and policies identified in 31 TAC Chapter 501. Requests for federal consistency review were received for the following projects(s) during the period of January 6, 2000, through January 13, 2000:

FEDERAL AGENCY ACTIONS:

Applicant: Lower Neches Valley Authority; Location: The project is located at specific locations within Pine Island Bayou and the Neches River near the City of Beaumont in Jefferson County, Texas. CCC Project No.: 00-0014-F1; Description of Proposed Action: The applicant requests authorization for a 5-year extension to install temporary saltwater barriers. Type of Application: U.S.A.C.E. permit application #19611(02) under §10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 (33 U.S.C.A. 403).

Applicant: Davis Petroleum Company; Location: The project is located in Galveston Bay in state Tract 251, Well No. 2, with the surface platform located at Latitude 29°33'38.834" and Longitude 94°55'45.147" in Chambers County, Texas. CCC Project No.: 00-0015-F1; Description of Proposed Action: The applicant proposes to place 2,667 cubic yards of shell, gravel, or crushed rock to construct a 100- by 240-foot pad and to drill Well No. 2 in State Tract 251 for the exploration of oil and gas in Galveston Bay under Permit 21364. The applicant proposes to construct a 7- by 17-foot well platform, a 27- by 20-foot production platform, and a 7- by 77-foot walkway connecting the two. The applicant also proposes to install approximately 190 linear feet of pipeline to connect the new rig with the existing 8 inch Vintage Petroleum Pipeline. Type of Application: U.S.A.C.E. permit application #21364(00)/004 under §10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 (33 U.S.C.A. 403) and §404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C.A. §§125-1387).

Applicant: Jack Strange, Jr. Location: The project is located at wetlands adjacent to Moses Lake and Lot No. 2 of Lake Pointe Estates Subdivision, 2810 Lake Pointe Drive, Texas City, Galveston County, Texas. CCC Project No.: 00-0016-F1; Description of Proposed Action: The applicant proposes to fill approximately 0.20 acres of adjacent freshwater wetland immediately adjacent to an existing house pad. Type of Application: U.S.A.C.E. permit application #21775 under §404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C.A. §§125-1387).

Pursuant to §306(d)(14) of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C.A. §§1451-1464), as amended, interested parties are invited to submit comments on whether a proposed action is or is not consistent with the Texas Coastal Management Program goals and policies and whether the action should be referred to the Coastal Coordination Council for review. Further information for the applications listed above may be obtained from Ms. Janet Fatheree, Council Secretary, Coastal Coordination Council, 1700 North Congress Avenue, Room 617, Austin, Texas 78701-1495, or janet.fatheree@glo.state.tx.us. Persons are encouraged to submit written comments as soon as possible within 30 days of publication of this notice. Comments should be sent to Ms. Fatheree at the above address or by fax at 512/475-0680.

TRD-200000336

Larry R. Soward

Chief Clerk, General Land Office

Coastal Coordination Council

Filed: January 19, 2000


Comptroller of Public Accounts

Notice of Consultant Contract Award

In accordance with Chapter 2254, Subchapter B, Texas Government Code, the Comptroller of Public Accounts (Comptroller) announces this notice of consultant contract award.

The notice of issuance of the request for proposals from qualified consultants request was published in the November 5, 1999, issue of the Texas Register (24 TexReg 6341).

The consultant will provide Activity Based Costing (ABC) services to the Comptroller, Five Pilot Agencies, the Texas Department of Transportation and the ABC Management Team. The Five Pilot Agencies are: General Services Commission; Texas Water Development Board; Texas Workforce Commission; Texas Department of Economic Development; and Texas Cosmetology Commission. The ABC Management Team is comprised of representative's from the Comptroller; the State Auditor; the Legislative Budget Board; and the Governor's Office of Budget and Planning. The consultant will report findings and recommendations.

The contract is awarded to Mevatec Corporation, 231 East Main Street, Suite 210, Round Rock, Texas 78664, and 1525 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 500, Huntsville, Alabama 35806. The total amount of the contract is $388,500. The term of the contract is January 10, 2000 through August 31, 2001.

TRD-200000314

Pamela Ponder

Senior Legal Counsel

Comptroller of Public Accounts

Filed: January 18, 2000


Notices of Requests for Proposals

Notice of Request for Proposals: Pursuant to Chapter 2254, Subchapter B, Texas Government Code, the Comptroller of Public Accounts (Comptroller) announces the issuance of its Request for Proposals (RFP) from qualified, independent firms to provide consulting services to the Comptroller. The successful respondent will assist the Comptroller in a countywide management and performance review of the following independent school districts in Bastrop County: Bastrop, Elgin, McDade, and Smithville. The services sought under this RFP will culminate in a final report, which report shall contain findings, recommendations, implementation timelines, plans, and be a component part of the review. The successful respondent will be expected to begin performance of the contract on or about March 21, 2000.

Contact: Parties interested in submitting a proposal should contact Clay Harris, Legal Counsel, Comptroller of Public Accounts, 111 E. 17th St., Room G-24, Austin, Texas, 78744, telephone number: (512) 305-8673, to obtain a copy of the RFP. The Comptroller will mail copies of the RFP only to those specifically requesting a copy. The RFP will be available for pick-up at the above-referenced address on Friday, January 28, 2000, between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., Central Zone Time (CZT), and during normal business hours thereafter. The Comptroller also plans to make the complete RFP available electronically on the Texas Marketplace after Friday, January 28, 2000, 2 p.m. (CZT). All written inquiries, questions, and mandatory Letters of Intent to propose must be received at the above-referenced address prior to 2 p.m. (CZT) on Tuesday, February 15, 2000. The Letter of Intent must be addressed to Clay Harris, Legal Counsel and must contain the information as stated in the corresponding section of the RFP and be signed by an official of that entity. All responses to questions and other information pertaining to this procurement will only be sent to potential respondents who have submitted a timely Letter of Intent. The mandatory Letters of Intent and Questions received after this time and date will not be considered. Prospective respondents are encouraged to fax Letters of Intent and Questions to (512) 475-0973 to ensure timely receipt. Prospective respondents that have faxed a Letter of Intent by the deadline are not required to submit an original Letter of Intent.

Closing Date: Proposals must be received in Legal Counsel's Office at the address specified above no later than 2 p.m. (CZT), on Monday, February 28, 2000 . Proposals received after this time and date will not be considered.

Evaluation and Award Procedure: All proposals will be subject to evaluation by a committee based on the evaluation criteria and procedures set forth in the RFP. The Comptroller will make the final decision.

The Comptroller reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals submitted. The Comptroller of Public Accounts is under no legal or other obligation to execute a contract on the basis of this notice or the distribution of any RFP. The Comptroller shall pay for no costs incurred by any entity in responding to this Notice or the RFP.

The anticipated schedule of events is as follows: Issuance of RFP - January 28, 2000, 2 p.m. CZT; Mandatory Notice of Intent Form and Questions Due - February 15, 2000, 2 p.m. CZT; Proposals Due - February 28, 2000, 2 p.m. CZT; Contract Execution - March 16, 2000, or as soon thereafter as practical; Commencement of Project Activities - March 21, 2000.

TRD-200000344

Pamela Ponder

Senior Legal Counsel

Comptroller of Public Accounts

Filed: January 19, 2000


Notice of Request for Proposals: Pursuant to Chapter 2254, Subchapter B, Texas Government Code, the Comptroller of Public Accounts (Comptroller) announces the issuance of its Request for Proposals (RFP) from qualified, independent firms to provide consulting services to the Comptroller. The successful respondent will assist the Comptroller in a countywide management and performance review of the following independent school districts in Kleberg County: Kingsville, Ricardo, Riviera, and Santa Gertrudis. The services sought under this RFP will culminate in a final report, which report shall contain findings, recommendations, implementation timelines, plans, and be a component part of the review. The successful respondent will be expected to begin performance of the contract on or about March 21, 2000.

Contact: Parties interested in submitting a proposal should contact Clay Harris, Legal Counsel, Comptroller of Public Accounts, 111 E. 17th St., Room G-24, Austin, Texas, 78744, telephone number: (512) 305-8673, to obtain a copy of the RFP. The Comptroller will mail copies of the RFP only to those specifically requesting a copy. The RFP will be available for pick-up at the above-referenced address on Friday, January 28, 2000, between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., Central Zone Time (CZT), and during normal business hours thereafter. The Comptroller also plans to make the complete RFP available electronically on the Texas Marketplace after Friday, January 28, 2000, 2 p.m. (CZT). All written inquiries, questions, and mandatory Letters of Intent to propose must be received at the above-referenced address prior to 2 p.m. (CZT) on Tuesday, February 15, 2000. The Letter of Intent must be addressed to Clay Harris, Legal Counsel and must contain the information as stated in the correspon! ding Section of the RFP and be signed by an official of that entity. All responses to questions and other information pertaining to this procurement will only be sent to potential respondents who have submitted a timely Letter of Intent. The mandatory Letters of Intent and Questions received after this time and date will not be considered. Prospective respondents are encouraged to fax Letters of Intent and Questions to (512) 475-0973 to ensure timely receipt. Prospective respondents that have faxed a Letter of Intent by the deadline are not required to submit an original Letter of Intent.

Closing Date: Proposals must be received in Legal Counsel's Office at the address specified above no later than 2 p.m. (CZT), on Monday, February 28, 2000. Proposals received after this time and date will not be considered.

Evaluation and Award Procedure: All proposals will be subject to evaluation by a committee based on the evaluation criteria and procedures set forth in the RFP. The Comptroller will make the final decision.

The Comptroller reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals submitted. The Comptroller of Public Accounts is under no legal or other obligation to execute a contract on the basis of this notice or the distribution of any RFP. The Comptroller shall pay for no costs incurred by any entity in responding to this Notice or the RFP.

The anticipated schedule of events is as follows: Issuance of RFP - January 28, 2000, 2 p.m. CZT; Mandatory Notice of Intent Form and Questions Due - February 15, 2000, 2 p.m. CZT; Proposals Due - February 28, 2000, 2 p.m. CZT; Contract Execution - March 16, 2000, or as soon thereafter as practical; Commencement of Project Activities - March 21, 2000.

TRD-200000345

Pamela Ponder

Senior Legal Counsel

Comptroller of Public Accounts

Filed: January 19, 2000


Notice of Request for Proposals: Pursuant to Chapter 2254, Subchapter A, Texas Government Code, the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) of the Comptroller of Public Accounts (Comptroller) announces the issuance of its Request for Proposals (RFP) from qualified, independent firms to provide a variety of energy engineering services to administer the LoanSTAR Revolving Loan Program for the Comptroller and SECO. The successful respondent will assist SECO and the Comptroller in a providing a variety of energy engineering services, including the performance of design specification review for all new and existing LoanSTAR Loan recipients. Comptroller also plans to award contracts for construction monitoring for the LoanSTAR program and program monitoring for all contracts awarded through SECO. The successful respondent will be expected to begin performance of the contract on or about March 1, 2000 for a term extending through August 31, 2001.

Contact: Parties interested in submitting a proposal should contact Clay Harris, Legal Counsel, Comptroller of Public Accounts, 111 E. 17th St., Room G-24, Austin, Texas, 78744, telephone number: (512) 305-8673, to obtain a copy of the RFP. The Comptroller will mail copies of the RFP only to those specifically requesting a copy. The RFP will be available for pick-up at the above-referenced address on Friday, January 28, 2000, between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., Central Zone Time (CZT), and during normal business hours thereafter. The Comptroller also plans to make the complete RFP available electronically on the Texas Marketplace after Friday, January 28, 2000, 2 p.m. (CZT). All Mandatory Letters of Intent to file a proposal and written inquiries must be received at the above-referenced address prior to 2 p.m. (CZT) on February 15, 2000. The Mandatory Letter of Intent and questions must be in writing and must be addressed to Clay Harris, Legal Counsel. Potential respondents are encouraged to fax Letters of Intent and Questions to (512) 475-0973 to ensure timely receipt. All responses to questions and other information pertaining to this procurement will only be sent to potential respondents who have submitted a timely Letter of Intent. All potential respondents are invited to attend a voluntary, non-mandatory pre-proposal conference from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 2, 2000, in the Comptroller's State Energy Conservation Office, located in the LBJ State Office Building, 111 East 17th Street, Room 1113, Austin, Texas 78774.

Closing Date: Proposals must be received in Legal Counsel's Office at the address specified above no later than 2 p.m. (CZT), on Monday, February 28, 2000 . Proposals received after this time and date will not be considered.

Evaluation and Award Procedure: All proposals will be subject to evaluation by a committee based on the evaluation criteria and procedures set forth in the RFP. The Comptroller will make the final decision.

The Comptroller reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals submitted. The Comptroller of Public Accounts is under no legal or other obligation to execute a contract on the basis of this notice or the distribution of any RFP. The Comptroller reserves the right to award one or multiple contracts based on this RFP. The Comptroller shall pay for no costs incurred by any entity in responding to this Notice or the RFP.

The anticipated schedule of events is as follows: Issuance of RFP - January 28, 2000, 2 p.m. CZT; Mandatory Letters of Intent and Questions Due - February 15, 2000, 2 p.m. CZT; Proposals Due - February 28, 2000, 2 p.m. CZT; Contract Execution - March 1, 2000, (or as soon thereafter as practical); Commencement of Project Activities - March 1, 2000.

TRD-200000372

Pamela Ponder

Senior Legal Counsel

Comptroller of Public Accounts

Filed: January 19, 2000


Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner

Notice of Rate Ceilings

The Consumer Credit Commissioner of Texas has ascertained the following rate ceilings by use of the formulas and methods described in §§303.003, 303.009, and 304.003, Texas Finance Code.

The weekly ceiling as prescribed by §303.003 and §303.009 for the period of 01/24/00 - 1/30/00 is 18% for Consumer 1 /Agricultural/Commercial 2 /credit thru $250,000.

The weekly ceiling as prescribed by §303.003 and §303.009 for the period of 01/24/00 - 1/30/00 is 18% for Commercial over $250,000.

The judgment ceiling as prescribed by §304.003 for the period of 02/01/00 - 02/29/00 is 10% for Consumer/Agricultural/Commercial/credit thru $250,000.

The judgment ceiling as prescribed by §304.003 for the period of 02/01/00 - 02/29/00 is 10% for Commercial over $250,000.

1 Credit for personal, family or household use.

2 Credit for business, commercial, investment or other similar purpose.

TRD-200000367

Leslie L. Pettijohn

Commissioner

Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner

Filed: January 19, 2000


Texas Credit Union Department

Application(s) for a Merger or Consolidation

Notice is given that the following application has been filed with the Texas Credit Union Department and is under consideration:

An application was received from NGT Credit Union (Amarillo) seeking approval to merge with Access Credit Union (Amarillo) with the latter being the surviving credit union.

An application was received from Service 1st Credit Union (Greenville) seeking approval to merge with Texans Credit Union (Richardson) with the latter being the surviving credit union.

An application was received from Trinity Credit Union (Ennis) seeking approval to merge with City Employees Credit Union (Dallas) with the latter being the surviving credit union.

An application was received from Dixie Bell Credit Union (Fort Worth) seeking approval to merge with Kro-Dal Federal Credit Union (Dallas) with the latter being the surviving credit union.

Comments or a request for a meeting by any interested party relating to an application must be submitted in writing within 30 days from the date of this publication. Any written comments must provide all information that the interested party wishes the Department to consider in evaluating the application. All information received will be weighed during consideration of the merits of an application. Comments or a request for a meeting should be addressed to the Texas Credit Union Department, 914 East Anderson Lane, Austin, Texas 78752-1699.

TRD-200000339

Lynette Pool

Deputy Commissioner

Texas Credit Union Department

Filed: January 19, 2000


Application(s) to Expand Field of Membership

Notice is given that the following applications have been filed with the Texas Credit Union Department and are under consideration:

An application was received from Employees Credit Union, Dallas, Texas to expand its field of membership. The proposal would permit the members of the Stemmons Corridor Business Association and their employees who work in Dallas, Texas to be eligible for membership in the credit union.

An application was received from Capitol Credit Union, Austin, Texas to expand its field of membership. The proposal would permit the employees of Janov Millworks and Manufacturing to be eligible for membership in the credit union.

An application was received from Galveston Government Employees Credit Union, Galveston, Texas to expand its field of membership. The proposal would permit the employees of the Tremont House, Harbor House, and Hotel Galvez and members of the family of such persons to be eligible for membership in the credit union.

An application was received from Dallas Teachers Credit Union, Dallas, Texas to expand its field of membership. The proposal would permit the employees of Arthur Andersen LLP who are working or paid from office in Dallas County to be eligible for membership in the credit union.

An application was received from Telco Plus Credit Union, Longview, Texas to expand its field of membership. The proposal would permit persons who live in or work in Smith County, Texas, excluding any person that is a member of any credit union in Smith County with 5,000 or less members, with the exception: if they are eligible for membership through a family member or work for a sponsoring company of Telco Plus Credit Union, to be eligible for membership in the credit union.

Comments or a request for a meeting by any interested party relating to an application must be submitted in writing within 30 days from the date of this publication. Credit unions that wish to comment on any application must also complete a Notice of Protest form. The form may be obtained by contacting the Department at (512) 837-9236. Any written comments must provide all information that the interested party wishes the Department to consider in evaluating the application. All information received will be weighed during consideration of the merits of an application. Comments or a request for a meeting should be addressed to the Texas Credit Union Department, 914 East Anderson Lane, Austin, Texas 78752-1699.

TRD-200000340

Lynette Pool

Deputy Commissioner

Texas Credit Union Department

Filed: January 19, 2000


Notice of Final Action Taken

In accordance with the provisions of 7 TAC Section 91.103, the Texas Credit Union Department provides notice of the final action taken on the following application(s):

Application(s) to Expand Field of Membership

Community Credit Union, Plano, Texas - See Texas Register issue dated 11-26-99

Application(s) to Amend Articles of Incorporation

Presbyterian Healthcare System Credit Union, Dallas, Texas - See Texas Register issue dated 11-26-99

Application(s) for a Merger or Consolidation

Martin Marietta Southwest Employees Credit Union and San Antonio Federal Credit Union - See Texas Register issue dated 11-26-99

South Texas Area Resources Credit Union and MECCA Federal Credit Union - See Texas Register issue dated 11-26-99

Application(s) for a Foreign Branch Office

Premier America Credit Union, Houston, Texas - Approved pursuant to Texas Finance Code §122.005(b), which grants the Commissioner the authority to waive or delay public notice of an action

Premier America Credit Union, Plano, Texas - Approved pursuant to Texas Finance Code §122.005(b), which grants the Commissioner the authority to waive or delay public notice of an action

TRD-200000338

Lynette Pool

Deputy Commissioner

Texas Credit Union Department

Filed: January 19, 2000


Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

BEI Board Vacancies

The Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is seeking applicants for the Board for Evaluation of Interpreters (BEI). At least one of the vacant positions must be filled by a person who is deaf.

To qualify applicants must be a Level III, IV, or V certified interpreter; be a resident of the State of Texas; be an interpreter who has engaged in the profession of interpreting for people who are deaf for at least three years out of the past five years, or must be actively engaged in the profession of providing interpreting services to people who are deaf at the time of appointment. For persons who are deaf, experience as a consumer of interpreter services and knowledge of the field of interpreting and linguistics will be considered.

Applicants should be involved or willing to be involved with the interpreter certification program of the Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and be willing to attend regularly scheduled meetings of the Board for Evaluation of Interpreters. Board meetings are held approximately every two months. Travel expenses are paid by the Commission.

Interested individuals should submit a letter of intent and resume to David W. Myers, Executive Director, Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, P.O. Box 12904, Austin, Texas 78711.

This posting will remain open until February 29, 2000 or until all positions are filled.

TRD-200000218

David W. Myers

Executive Director

Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Filed: January 13, 2000


Deep East Texas Workforce Development Board, Inc.

Request for Proposal

The Deep East Texas Local Workforce Development Board, Inc. is seeking a qualified entity to provide professional, financial and compliance audit services of Federal funds received in the 12-county Deep East Texas region. The workforce area is composed of Angelina, Houston, Jasper, Nacogdoches, Newton, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Trinity, and Tyler counties.

RFP release date: 8:00 a.m., Friday, January 14, 2000

Deadline for submission of proposals: 10:00 a.m. CST, Monday, February 14, 2000

Requests for copies of the RFP can be made to:

Chris Gaston, Staff Services Officer

Deep East Texas Local Workforce Development Board, Inc.

1318 S. John Redditt Drive, Suite C

Lufkin, Texas 75904

(409) 639-8898

FAX: (409) 633-7491

Email: chris.gaston@twc.state.tx.us

TRD-200000298

Harry Green

Executive Director

Deep East Texas Workforce Development Board, Inc.

Filed: January 14, 2000


Texas Department of Health

Extension of Public Comment Period and Reschedule of Public Hearing for Rules on Newborn Hearing Screening

The Office of General Counsel is extending the public comment period for the proposed amendments to 25 Texas Administrative Code, §§37.501 - 37.512 rules and rescheduling the public hearing that was originally set for January 20, 2000. The previous announcement and rules were published in the December 3, 1999, issue of the Texas Register (24 TexReg 10715). The new deadline for submission of comments is through February 25, 2000. The new hearing date is scheduled for February 22, 2000, to be held at the Texas Department of Health, Room K-100, 1100 West 49th Street, Austin, Texas. Comments may be submitted to Joy O'Neal, M.F.A., Director, Audiology Services, Bureau of Children's Health, Texas Department of Health, 1100 West 49th Street, Austin, Texas 78756, (512) 458-7724.

TRD-200000369

Susan K. Steeg

General Counsel

Texas Department of Health

Filed: January 19, 2000


Notice of Agreed Order on Sharon Holden and Linda Teresso dba The Elysium Spa and Salon

On December 29, 1999, the Associate Commissioner for Environmental and Consumer Health Protection, Texas Department of Health (department), approved the settlement agreement between the department's Bureau of Food and Drug Safety and Bureau of Radiation Control, and Sharon Holden and Linda Teresso, doing business as The Elysium Spa and Salon of Arlington. A total administrative penalty in the amount of $20,000 was assessed the company for violations of Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapters 401 and 431, and 25 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 289. Of the total administrative penalty, $17,000 was probated, subject to the company's compliance with additional settlement agreement requirements.

A copy of all relevant material is available for public inspection Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (except holidays). Contact Chrissie Toungate, Custodian of Records, Bureau of Radiation Control, Texas Department of Health, 1100 W. 49th Street, Austin, Texas 78756-3189, by calling (512) 834-6688, or by visiting the Exchange Building, 8407 Wall Street, Austin, Texas.

TRD-200000348

Susan K. Steeg

General Counsel

Texas Department of Health

Filed: January 19, 2000


Notice of Revocation of Certificates of Registration

The Texas Department of Health, having duly filed complaints pursuant to 25 Texas Administrative Code §289.205, has revoked the following certificates of registration: Medic Equipment Company, Inc., Houston, R08517, December 30, 1999; Valley Medical Clinic, El Paso, R11905, December 30, 1999; Bethsaida Medical Services, Inc., Houston, R22529, December 30, 1999; Healthtronix Medical Equipment, Inc., Plano, R23259, December 30, 1999; Chiropractic Family Health Center, Arlington, R18181, December 30, 1999.

A copy of all relevant material is available for public inspection at the Bureau of Radiation Control, Texas Department of Health, Exchange Building, 8407 Wall Street, Austin, Texas, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (except holidays).

TRD-200000346

Susan K. Steeg

General Counsel

Texas Department of Health

Filed: January 19, 2000


Notice of Revocation of Radioactive Material Licenses

The Texas Department of Health, having duly filed complaints pursuant to 25 Texas Administrative Code §289.205, has revoked the following radioactive material licenses: Stewart & Stevenson Services, Inc., Houston, G02080, December 30, 1999; Fluor Daniel NDE Services, Deer Park, L05034, December 30, 1999.

A copy of all relevant material is available for public inspection at the Bureau of Radiation Control, Texas Department of Health, Exchange Building, 8407 Wall Street, Austin, Texas, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (except holidays).

TRD-200000347

Susan K. Steeg

General Counsel

Texas Department of Health

Filed: January 19, 2000


Texas Health and Human Services Commission

Joint Public Hearing-Proposed Payment Rates for Medicaid Programs Operated by Texas Department of Human Services (Nursing Facilities, Swing Beds, Hospice-nursing Facilities, and Bienvivir Waiver)

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and the Texas Department of Human Services (TDHS) will conduct a joint public hearing to receive public comment on proposed payment rates for the following Medicaid programs and services operated by TDHS: nursing facilities, swing beds, hospice-nursing facilities, and Bienvivir Waiver. The joint hearing will be held in compliance with Title 1 of the Texas Administrative Code, §355.105(g), which requires public hearings on proposed payment rates for medical assistance programs. The public hearing will be held on February 4, 2000, at 9:30 a.m. in the Public Hearing Room (Room 125E) of the John H. Winters Human Services Building at 701 West 51st Street, Austin, Texas (First floor, East Tower). Written comments regarding payment rates set by the HHSC may be submitted in lieu of testimony until 5:00 p.m. the day of the hearing. Written comments may be sent by U.S. mail to the attention of Pam McDonald, TDHS, MC W-425, P.O. Box 149030, Austin, Texas 78714-9030. Express mail can be sent to Ms. McDonald at TDHS, MC W-425, 701 West 51st Street, Austin, Texas 78751-2312. Hand deliveries addressed to Ms. McDonald will be accepted by the receptionist in the lobby of the John H. Winters Human Services Building at 701 West 51st Street, Austin, Texas. Alternatively, written comments may be sent via facsimile to Ms. McDonald at (512) 438-3014. Interested parties may request to have mailed to them or may pick up a briefing package concerning the proposed payment rates by contacting Debbie Price, TDHS, MC W-425, P.O. Box 149030, Austin, Texas 78714-9030, (512) 438-4817.

Persons with disabilities who wish to attend the hearing and require auxiliary aids or services should contact Ms. Price, TDHS, MC W-425, P.O. Box 149030, Austin, Texas 78714-9030, telephone number (512) 438-4817, by January 28, 2000, so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

TRD-200000337

Steve Aragón

Agency Liaison

Texas Health and Human Services Commission

Filed: January 19, 2000


Texas Department of Insurance

Insurer Services

The following applications have been filed with the Texas Department of Insurance and are under consideration:

Application to change the name of JOHN HANCOCK MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY to JOHN HANCOCK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, a foreign prepaid legal company. The home office is in Boston, Massachusetts.

Application to change the name of JOHN HANCOCK PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY to AXA RE PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY, a foreign fire and casualty company. The home office is in New York, New York.

Any objections must be filed with the Texas Department of Insurance, addressed to the attention of Godwin Ohaechesi, 333 Guadalupe Street, M/C 305-2C, Austin, Texas 78701.

TRD-200000371

Bernice Ross

Deputy Chief Clerk

Texas Department of Insurance

Filed: January 19, 2000


Notice of Filing

The following petition has been filed with the Texas Department of Insurance, and is under consideration:

The adoption of amendments to the Plan of Operation for Texas Automobile Insurance Plan Association (TAIPA), pursuant to Article 21.81.

One proposal is to amend the TAIPA Plan of Operation, Section 5.C., "NOTE" to make the current installment payment plan available to a commercial auto risk as well as continuing to be available to a risk written on the Personal Auto Policy. As currently provided, the installment payment plan is not available to persons requesting an SR-22A or to persons financing their payments through a premium finance company. TAIPA requests an effective date of January 1, 2001 for this proposal, as ample lead-time will be needed.

The other proposal is to amend the TAIPA Plan of Operation, Section 13.B. by adding a new subsection 10, setting forth a miscellaneous category for complaints. This amendment to Section 13, "Performance Standards for Insurers," would allow complaints that are not necessarily related to timelines of the insurers' actions.

This filing is subject to Department approval without a hearing unless an objection is filed with David Durden, Associate Commissioner, Property & Casualty Group, Texas Department of Insurance, Mail Code 104-5A, P.O. Box 149104, Austin, Texas 78714-9104, within 15 days after publication of this notice.

For further information or to request a copy of the proposed amendments, please contact Sylvia Gutierrez at (512) 463-6327 (reference number A-1099-16).

TRD-200000370

Bernice Ross

Deputy Chief Clerk

Texas Department of Insurance

Filed: January 19, 2000


Third Party Administrator Applications

The following third party administrator (TPA) applications have been filed with the Texas Department of Insurance and are under consideration.

Application for admission to Texas of LifeMark Corporation, (doing business under the assumed name of HMO Blue Star+Plus), a foreign third party administrator. The home office is Wilmington, Delaware.

Application for incorporation in Texas of RetireDirect, Inc., a domestic third party administrator. The home office is Dallas, Texas.

Any objections must be filed within 20 days after this notice was filed with the Secretary of State, addressed to the attention of Charles M. Waits, MC 107-5A, 333 Guadalupe, Austin, Texas 78714-9104.

TRD-200000319

Bernice Ross

Deputy Chief Clerk

Texas Department of Insurance

Filed: January 18, 2000


Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission

Notice of Corrected Water Rights Application

Notice is given that NEWLAND ROUND ROCK ASSOCIATES, L.P., A Texas Limited Partnership, 1717 N. Mayes, Suite 300-B, Round Rock, Texas 78664, applicant, seeks a permit pursuant to §11.121, Texas water Code, and Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission Rules 30 TAC §§295.1, et seq . Newland Round Rock Associates, L.P., a Texas Limited Partnership submitted Application Number 5667 to appropriate state water on November 4, 1999.

The application was declared administratively complete on December 13, 1999. The Executive Director recommends that public notice of the application be given pursuant to 30 TAC §295.152. Notice should be mailed pursuant to 30 TAC §295.153(a) and (b) to the water right holders in the Brazos River Basin. The applicant seeks authorization to construct two (2) dams and reservoirs with a total capacity of 12.67 acre-feet on an unnamed tributary of Chandler Branch, tributary of Brushy Creek, tributary of the San Gabriel River, tributary of Little River, tributary of the Brazos River, Brazos River Basin, and to construct two (2) dams and reservoirs with a total capacity of 7.56 acre-feet and to maintain eight (8) existing dams and reservoirs with a total capacity of 70.41 acre-feet on un-named tributaries of McNutt Branch, tributary of Brushy Creek. Combined impoundment of the twelve reservoirs will be 90.64 acre-feet of water for recreational uses in a residential subdivision in Williamson County, Texas. The center point of each dam is located approximately 5 miles south of Georgetown, Texas as follows: Station 3+00 on the dam of 1(C2): Bearing N 13.42øE, 1560 feet from the southwest corner of Barney C. Low Survey, Abstract A-385, Williamson County, also being Latitude 33.57øN and Longitude 97.68øW (proposed structure). Station 300 on the dam of 2(S1): Bearing S 78.0øE, 1200 feet from the northwest corner of N. B. Anderson Survey, Abstract A-29, Williamson County, also being Latitude 33.56øN and Longitude 97.68øW (proposed structure). Station 500 on the dam of 3(M2): Bearing S 72.0øE, 9684 feet from the southwest corner of Barney C. Low Survey, Abstract A-385, Williamson County, also being Latitude 34.5775 øN and Longitude 97.6475øW (existing structure). Station 500 on the dam of 4(M3): Bearing N 69.0øE, 9966 feet from the southwest corner of Barney C. Low Survey, Abstract A-385, Williamson County, also being Latitude 34.5792øN and Longitude97.6481øW (existiing structure). Station 500 on the dam of 5(M4): Bearing N 70.0øE, 8737 feet from the southwest corner of Barney C. Low Survey, Abstract A-385, Williamson County, also being Latitude 34.5767øN and Longitude 97.6500øW (existing structure). Station 500 on the dam of 6(M5): Bearing N 65.0øE, 8250 feet from the southwest corner of Barney C. Low Survey, Abstract A-385, Williamson County, also being Latitude 34.5775øN and Longitude 97.6528øW (existing structure). Station 500 on the dam of 7(M6): Bearing N 78.5øE, 7144 feet from the southwest corner of Barney C. Low Survey, Abstract A-385, Williamson County, also being Latitude 34.5714øN and Longitude 97.6531øW (existing structure). Station 500 on the dam of 8(M7): Bearing N 73.0øE, 6525 feet from the southwest corner of Barney C. Low Survey, Abstract A-385, Williamson County, also being Latitude 34.5828øN and Longitude 97.6542øW (existing structure). Station 500 on the dam of 9(M9): Bearing N 83.5øE, 7059 feet from the southwest corner of Barney C. Low Survey, Abstract A-385, Williamson County, also being Latitude 34.5703øN and Longitude 97.6511øW (existing structure). Station 500 on the dam of 10(M12): Bearing N 86.0øE, 6946 feet from the southwest corner of Barney C. Low Survey, Abstract A-385, Williamson County, also being Latitude 34.5697øN and Longitude 97.6519øW (existing structure). Station 500 on the dam of 11(M1A): Bearing N 82.0øE, 9525 feet from the southwest corner of Barney C. Low Survey, Abstract A-385, Williamson County, also being Latitude 34.5730øN and Longitude 97.6456øW (proposed structure). Station 500 on the dam of 12(M1B): Bearing N 82.0øE, 9375 feet from the southwest corner of Barney C. Low Survey, Abstract A-385, Williamson County, also being Latitude 34.5739øN and Longitude 97.6464øW (proposed structure).

The TNRCC may grant a contested case hearing on this application if a written hearing request is filed within 30 days from the date of newspaper publication of this notice. The Executive Director may approve the application unless a written request for a contested case hearing is filed within 30 days after newspaper publication of this notice.

To request a contested case hearing, you must submit the following: (1) your name (or for a group or association, an official representative), mailing address, daytime phone number, and fax number, if any; (2) applicant's name and permit number; (3) the statement "[I/we] request a contested case hearing;" (4) a brief and specific description of how you would be affected by the application in a way not common to the general public; and (5) the location and distance of your property relative to the proposed activity. You may also submit any proposed conditions to the requested amendment which would satisfy your concerns. Requests for a contested case hearing must be submitted in writing to the TNRCC Office of the Chief Clerk at the address provided in the information section below. If a hearing request is filed, the Executive Director will not issue the requested amendment and may forward the application and hearing request to the TNRCC Commissioners for their consideration at a scheduled Commission meeting.

Written hearing requests, public comments or requests for a public meeting should be submitted to the Office of the Chief Clerk, MC 105, TNRCC, P.O. Box 13087, Austin, TX 78711-3087. For information concerning the hearing process, please contact the Public Interest Counsel, MC 103 at the same address. For additional information, individual members of the general public may contact the Office of Public Assistance at 1-800-687-4040. General information regarding the TNRCC can be found at our web site at www.tnrcc.state.tx.us

TRD-200000343

LaDonna Castañuela

Chief Clerk

Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission

Filed: January 19, 2000


Notice of Public Hearing (Chapter 101)

The Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (commission) will conduct a public hearing to receive testimony concerning revisions to 30 TAC Chapter 101 and to the State Implementation Plan (SIP) under the requirements of Texas Health and Safety Code, §382.017; Texas Government Code, Subchapter B, Chapter 2001; and 40 Code of Federal Regulations, §51.102 of the United States Environmental Protection Agency regulations concerning SIPs. The revisions to Chapter 101 constitute a revision to the SIP.

The pamendments to Chapter 101, concerning General Rules, would specify a reporting threshold for certain compounds, would require the submission of certain records concerning unauthorized emissions of air contaminants, would state under what conditions release of these contaminants may be exempted from state rules, and would correct typographical errors.

A public hearing on this proposal will be held in Austin on February 22, 2000, at 10:00 a.m. at the TNRCC Complex in Building E, Room 201S, located at 12100 Park 35 Circle. The hearing will be structured for the receipt of oral or written comments by interested persons. Individuals may present oral statements when called upon in order of registration. There will be no open discussion during the hearing; however, an agency staff member will be available to discuss the proposal 30 minutes prior to the hearing and will answer questions before and after the hearing.

Persons with disabilities who have special communication or other accommodation needs who are planning to attend the hearing should contact the Office of Environmental Policy, Analysis, and Assessment at (512) 239-4900. Requests should be made as far in advance as possible.

Comments may be submitted to Lisa Martin, MC 205, Office of Environmental Policy, Analysis, and Assessment, Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, P.O. Box 13087, Austin, Texas 78711-3087, or by fax to (512) 239-4808. All comments should reference Rule Log Number 99050-101-AI. Comments must be received by 5:00 p.m., February 28, 2000. For further information, please contact Beecher Cameron, Policy and Regulations Division, (512) 239-1495.

TRD-200000227

Margaret Hoffman

Director, Environmental Law Division

Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission

Filed: January 14, 2000


Notice of Public Hearing (Chapter 114)

Notice is hereby given that pursuant to the requirements of the Texas Health and Safety Code, §382.017; Texas Government Code, Subchapter B, Chapter 2001; and 40 Code of Federal Regulations, §51.102, of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations concerning State Implementation Plans (SIP), the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (commission) will conduct a public hearing to receive testimony regarding revisions to 30 TAC Chapter 114, Subchapter B, §114.21 and the SIP, concerning Motor Vehicle Anti-tampering Requirements, Exclusions and Exceptions.

The proposed amendment aligns the statewide anti-tampering provisions and exemptions for motor vehicle air pollution control systems with the federal requirements outlined in §7522 of the Federal Clean Air Act.

A public hearing on the proposal will be held February 22, 2000, at 2:00 p.m. in Room 3202A of Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission Building F, located at 12100 Park 35 Circle, Austin. The hearing is structured for the receipt of oral or written comments by interested persons. Individuals may present oral statements when called upon in order of registration. Open discussion will not occur during the hearing; however, an agency staff member will be available to discuss the proposal 30 minutes prior to the hearing and answer questions before and after the hearing.

Comments may be submitted to Angela Slupe, Office of Environmental Policy, Analysis, and Assessment, MC 205, P.O. Box 13087, Austin, Texas 78711-3087 or faxed to (512) 239-4808. Comments must be received by 5:00 p.m., February 28, 2000, and should reference Rule Log Number 99066-114-AI. For further information, please contact Alan Henderson, (512) 239-1510 or Bob Reese, (512) 239-1439.

Persons with disabilities who have special communication or other accommodation needs who are planning to attend the hearing should contact the agency at (512) 239-4900. Requests should be made as far in advance as possible.

TRD-200000229

Margaret Hoffman

Director, Environmental Law Division

Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission

Filed: January 14, 2000


Notice of Public Hearing (Chapter 331)

The Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC or commission) will conduct a public hearing to receive testimony concerning proposed amendments to 30 TAC Chapter 331, relating to underground Injection Control, Subchapter A, General Provisions, and Subchapter H, Standards for Class V Wells. This notice is given under the requirements of Texas Government Code, Subchapter B, Chapter 2001.

The proposed revisions to Subchapter A and Subchapter H are intended to clarify authorization-by-rule requirements related to Class V injection wells, and clarify that a closed-loop injection well is a Class V well. The proposed amendment to Subchapter H, Standards for Class V Wells, will update construction and closure standards to those standards and practices currently accepted as being more protective of groundwater.

A public hearing on the proposal will be held February 23, 2000 at 10:00 a.m. in Room 2210 of TNRCC Building F, located at 12100 Park 35 Circle, Austin. The hearing is structured for the receipt of oral or written comments by interested persons. Individuals may present oral statements when called upon in order of registration. Open discussion will not occur during the hearing; however, an agency staff member will be available to discuss the proposal 30 minutes prior to the hearing and answer questions before and after the hearing.

Comments may be submitted to Lisa Martin, Office of Environmental Policy, Analysis, and Assessment, MC 205, P.O. Box 13087, Austin, Texas 78711-3087 or faxed to (512) 239-4808. Comments must be received by 5:00 p.m., February 28, 2000, and should reference Rule Log Number 99009-331-WT. For further information, please contact Mary Ambrose, Policy and Regulations Division, (512) 239-4813.

Persons with disabilities who have special communication or other accommodation needs who are planning to attend the hearing should contact the agency at (512) 239-4900. Requests should be made as far in advance as possible.

TRD-200000224

Margaret Hoffman

Director, Environmental Law Division

Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission

Filed: January 14, 2000


Public Notice

The Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC or Commission) is required under the Texas Solid Waste Disposal Act, Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 361, as amended (the "Act"), to annually publish a state registry that identifies facilities that may constitute an imminent and substantial endangerment to public health and safety or the environment due to a release or threatened release of hazardous substances into the environment. The most recent registry listing of these facilities was published in the November 26, 1999, issue of the Texas Register (24 TexReg 10608-10610).

Pursuant to the Act, §361.184(a), the Commission must publish a notice of intent to list a facility on the state registry of state Superfund sites in the Texas Register and in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the facility is located. With this publication, the TNRCC hereby gives notice of a facility or area that the executive director has determined eligible for listing, and which the executive director proposes to list on the state registry. By this publication, the TNRCC also gives notice pursuant to the Act, §361.1855, that it proposes a land use other than residential as appropriate for the facility identified below. The TNRCC proposes a commercial/industrial land use designation. Determination of future land use will impact the remedial investigation and remedial action for the site.

This publication also specifies the general nature of the potential endangerment to public health and safety or the environment as determined by information currently available to the executive director. This notice of intent to list this facility was also published in the Palacios Beacon and Bay City Tribune on January 26, 2000.

The facility proposed for listing is the Hu-Mar Chemical site, located north of Palacios, Matagorda County, Texas on McGlothlin Road between 4th and 12th Streets. The approximate geographic coordinates of the site are 28 degrees, 43 minutes, 45 seconds, North Latitude and 96 degrees, 13 minutes, 15 seconds, West Longitude.

In 1976, Consolidated Chemical Company began pesticide/herbicide production at this 20-acre facility. In 1978, Hu-Mar Chemical Corporation bought the facility and all permits were transferred to Hu-Mar Chemical Corporation. Pesticide/herbicide production continued at this facility until it closed due to nuisance odors in December 1979.

In 1980, Hu-Mar Chemical Corporation performed a removal action. The removal was conducted in two phases: first, 190 drums containing chemicals were removed to an approved disposal site; second, soil from the area where spillage from the drums had occurred was excavated and moved to an approved disposal site. After the drums were removed, the kiln was demolished and all contaminated soil/bricks in and near the kiln site were removed. On-site surface impoundments were closed in 1985. During the closure activities, the surface impoundments were de-watered by pumping the wastewater onto a diked area adjacent to the surface impoundments. Contaminated sludges were left in the impoundments and were consolidated with other on-site soils. The impoundments were then capped and vegetated. On-site tanks were dismantled and sold.

Releases of hazardous substances to the groundwater pathway are the major concern for this site. Hazardous substances have been documented in the subsurface soils and shallow groundwater beneath the site. The Chicot Aquifer is the aquifer for the groundwater pathway.

A public meeting will be held Thursday, March 2, 2000, at 7:00 p.m., in council chambers of Palacios City Hall, located at 205 Fourth Street in Palacios, Texas. The purpose of this meeting is to obtain additional information regarding the site relative to its eligibility for listing on the state registry, identify potentially responsible parties, and obtain public input and information regarding the appropriate use of land on which the facility subject of this notice is located. The public meeting will be legislative in nature and not a contested case hearing under the Texas Administrative Procedure Act (Texas Government Code, Chapter 2001).

Written comments may also be submitted to the attention of Michael A. Bame, Superfund Cleanup Section, Remediation Division, MC-143, P.O. Box 13087, Austin, Texas 78711-3087, telephone number (512) 239-5658. All comments must be submitted to the Commission by 5:00 p.m. on March 2, 2000.

The executive director of the TNRCC prepared a brief summary of the Commission's records regarding this site. This summary and a portion of the records for this site, including documents pertinent to the executive director's determination of eligibility, are available for review at Palacios Library, 326 Main Street in Palacios, Texas, telephone number (361) 972-3234, during regular business hours. Copies of the complete public record files may be obtained during regular business hours at the TNRCC Records Management Center, Building D, Room 190, 12100 Park 35 Circle, Austin, Texas 78753, telephone numbers (800) 633-9363 (within Texas only) or (512) 239-2920. Photocopying of file information is subject to payment of a fee.

TRD-200000228

Margaret Hoffman

Director, Environmental Law Division

Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission

Filed: January 14, 2000


Notice of Water Quality Applications

The following notices were issued during the period of October 21, 1999 - January 14, 2000.

The following require the applicants to publish notice in the newspaper. The public comment period, requests for public meetings, or requests for a contested case hearing may be submitted to the Office of the Chief Clerk, Mail Code 105, P.O. Box 13087, Austin Texas 78711-3087, WITHIN 30 DAYS OF THE DATE OF NEWSPAPER PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ADVANCED AROMATICS, L.P. has applied for a renewal of TNRCC Permit Number 01914, which authorizes the discharge of treated process, domestic, utility wastewater and stormwater at a daily average flow not to exceed 60,000 gallons per day via Outfall 001, and stormwater on an intermittent and flow variable basis via Outfall 002. Issuance of this Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) permit will replace the existing NPDES Permit Number TX0059285 issued on June 20, 1997, and TNRCC Permit Number 01914 issued January 28, 1994. The applicant operates a petrochemical and industrial organic chemicals manufacturing plant. The plant site is located at 5501 Baker Road, midway between Decker Drive and Bayway Drive in the City of Baytown, Harris County, Texas.

CITY OF COAHOMA has applied for a renewal of Permit Number 10723-001, which authorizes the disposal of treated domestic wastewater at a daily average flow not to exceed 86,800 gallons per day via surface irrigation of 6 acres of cemetery land, 95 acres of farmland on R. L. Powell Farm and 100 acres of farmland on the J. L. Metcalf Farm. This permit will not authorize a discharge of pollutants into waters in the State. The wastewater treatment facilities and disposal site are located adjacent to the west side of Farm-to-Market Road 820, approximately 1.2 miles south of the intersection of Interstate Highway 20 and Farm-to-Market Road 820 in Howard County, Texas.

CITY OF CUERO has applied for a renewal of TNRCC Permit Number 10403-002, which authorizes the discharge of treated domestic wastewater at a daily average flow not to exceed 1,500,000 gallons per day. The draft permit authorizes the discharge of treated domestic wastewater at an annual average flow not to exceed 1,500,000 gallons per day The plant site is located at the south end of Stockdale Road, approximately 1.5 miles south of the intersection of Stockdale Road and Morgan Street in DeWitt County, Texas.

CITY OF EDNA has applied for a renewal of TNRCC Permit Number 10164-001, which authorizes the discharge of treated domestic wastewater at a daily average flow not to exceed 1,800,000 gallons per day. The draft permit authorizes the discharge of treated domestic wastewater at an annual average flow not to exceed 1,800,000 gallons per day. The plant site is located approximately 1.0 mile southeast of the intersection of State Highway Loop 521 and State Highway 111, adjacent to south bank of Post Oak Branch, southeast of the City of Edna in Jackson County, Texas.

EQUISTAR CHEMICALS, L.P. has applied for a major amendment to TNRCC Permit Number 00765 to authorize reduced monitoring frequencies for biochemical oxygen demand (5-day), chemical oxygen demand and total suspended solids at Outfall 001. The current permit authorizes the discharge of treated process water, domestic, utility wastewaters and storm water at a daily average flow not to exceed 1,500,000 gallons per day via Outfall 001 which will remain the same, and treated process, domestic, utility wastewaters, and storm water on an intermittent and flow variable basis via Outfall 002, which will remain the same. Issuance of this Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) permit will replace the existing NPDES Permit Number TX0006297 issued on December 20, 1996, and TNRCC Permit Number 00765 issued on February 18, 1994. The applicant operates a plant manufacturing polyethylene. The plant site is located on the north side of Taylor Bayou and approximately one mile south of the intersection of Farm to Market Road 823 with State Highway 73 near the City of Port Arthur, Jefferson County, Texas.

CITY OF GOLDSMITH has applied for a renewal of Permit Number 11482-001, which authorizes the disposal of treated domestic wastewater at a daily average flow not to exceed 31,000 gallons per day via surface irrigation of 7 acres of landscape area at the plant site. This permit will not authorize a discharge of pollutants into waters in the State. The wastewater treatment facilities and disposal area are located immediately west of Farm-to-Market Road 866, approximately 3,500 feet south of State Highway 158 and south of the City of Goldsmith in Ector County, Texas.

HARRIS COUNTY MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 367 has applied for a major amendment to TNRCC Permit Number 13875-002 to authorize an increase in the discharge of treated domestic wastewater from a daily average flow not to exceed 350,000 gallons per day to a daily average flow not to exceed 980,000 gallons per day. The plant site is located approximately 2.3 miles northeast of the intersection of State Highway 249 and Spring Cypress Road, 1.8 miles west of the intersection of Stuebner-Airline Road and Spring Cypress Road in Harris County, Texas.

ITEQ STORAGE SYSTEMS, INC. has applied for a renewal of TNRCC Permit Number 02725, which authorizes the discharge of hydrostatic test water at a daily maximum flow not to exceed 30,000 gallons per day via Outfall 001. Issuance of this Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) permit will replace the existing TNRCC Permit Number 02725, issued on October 11, 1996. The applicant operates a facility that manufactures pressure vessels for industrial use. The plant site is located at 2828 Clinton Drive, which is approximately 2,000 feet south of the intersection of U.S. Highway 59 and Interstate Highway 10, in the City of Houston, Harris County, Texas.

LAMAR POWER PARTNERS, LP has applied for a new permit, proposed Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) Permit Number 04127, to authorize the discharge of cooling tower blowdown, filter backwash and low volume waste (including boiler blowdown, floor drain waste, reverse osmosis reject water, and evaporator cooler blowdown) at a daily average flow not to exceed 1,200,000 gallons per day via Outfall 001. The applicant proposes to operate the Lamar Power Project, a combined cycle power plant. The plant site is located on the east side of Farm-to-Market Road 137, approximately 1/2 mile south of the intersection of Farm-to-Market Road 137 and 286 Loop Road, southeast of the City of Paris, Lamar County, Texas.

LOUISIANA PACIFIC CORPORATION has applied for a new permit, proposed Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) Permit Number 04014, to authorize the discharge of log wet deck water, once through cooling water, log transport water, vehicle wash water, compressor condensate, and storm water runoff on an intermittent and flow variable basis via Outfall 001, and storm water on an intermittent and flow variable basis via Outfall 002. The applicant proposes to operate the Cleveland Chipmill Plant, a wood chipping facility. The plant site is located on the east side of the intersection of U.S. Highway 59 and Washington Avenue, north of the City of Cleveland, Liberty County, Texas.

MARINE FUELING SERVICE, INC. has applied for a new permit, proposed Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) Permit Number 04025, to authorize the discharge of treated barge wash water at a daily average flow not to exceed 35,000 gallons per day via Outfall 001. The applicant operates a barge cleaning facility. The plant site is located approximately one mile southeast of Veterans Memorial Bridge and approximately 0.5 miles west from the nearest point of Stewts Island in the City of Port Arthur, Jefferson County, Texas.

STRUCTURAL METALS, INC. has applied for a renewal of TNRCC Permit Number 01712, which authorizes the discharge of treated process and other wastewaters at a daily average flow not to exceed 120,000 gallons per day via Outfall 001; storm water runoff on an intermittent and flow variable basis via Outfalls 002, 003 and 004; and disposal of treated process and other wastewaters via irrigation at a daily average flow not to exceed 40,000 gallons per day. Issuance of this Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) permit will replace the existing NPDES Permit Number TX0083178 issued on October 15, 1980, and TNRCC Permit Number 01712 issued on March 12, 1993. The applicant operates a steel products manufacturing facility. The plant site is located approximately one mile west of the intersection of Interstate Highway 10 and Farm-to-Market Road 464, west of the City of Seguin, Guadalupe County, Texas.

TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT has applied for a renewal of Permit Number 11704-001, which authorizes the disposal of treated domestic wastewater at a daily average flow not to exceed 5,000 gallons per day via surface irrigation. This permit will not authorize a discharge of pollutants into waters in the State. The wastewater treatment facilities and disposal site are located adjacent to Park Road 33 and about 0.5 mile due south of the boat ramps which are at the east terminus of Park Road 33 in Possum Kingdom State Park in Palo Pinto County, Texas.

TEXAS-SHM, INC. has applied for a new permit, Proposed Permit Number 14009-001, to authorize the disposal of treated domestic wastewater at a daily average flow not to exceed 10,000 gallons per day via subsurface drainfields with a total minimum area of 74,000 square feet. This permit will not authorize a discharge of pollutants into waters in the State. The wastewater treatment facilities and disposal area are located at 2600 North Main Street, on the east side of North Main Street, approximately 2,100 feet south of the intersection of North Main Street (Business Highway 287) and Turner Warnell (County Road 2026) in the community of Mansfield in Tarrant County, Texas.

US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS has applied for a renewal of Permit Number 12254-001, which authorizes the disposal of treated domestic wastewater at a daily average flow not to exceed 3,600 gallons per day via evaporation in a 1.73 acre evaporation pond. This permit will not authorize a discharge of pollutants into waters in the State. The wastewater treatment facilities and disposal site are located in Friendship Park on the north side of Granger Lake, approximately 1 mile due southeast of the eastbound extension of Farm-to-Market Road 971 in Williamson County, Texas.

Written comments or requests for a public meeting may be submitted to the Office of the Chief Clerk, at the address provided in the information section above, WITHIN 30 DAYS OF THE ISSUED DATE OF THIS NOTICE

AIR PRODUCTS, INCORPORATED has applied for a renewal of TNRCC Permit Number 01280, which authorizes the discharge of process wastewater commingled with utility wastewater and treated sewage effluent at a daily average flow not to exceed 500,000 gallons per day via Outfall 001; and stormwater runoff on an intermittent and flow variable basis via Outfalls 002, 003, and 004. Issuance of this Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) permit will replace the existing NPDES Permit Number TX0004944 issued on February 10, 1989, and TNRCC Permit Number 01280 issued on June 11, 1994. The applicant operates the LaPorte Plant which produces industrial gases. The plant site is located at 10202 Strang Road, approximately 1,500 feet northwest of the intersection of State Highway 225 and Miller Cutoff Road, bordered on the north by Strang Road, on the east by Miller Cutoff Road, on the south by Union Pacific railroad tracks, and on the west by Houston Light and Power right of way power lines, northwest of the City of LaPorte, Harris County, Texas.

CONCENTRATED ANIMAL FEEDING OPERATION

Written comments and requests for a public meeting may be submitted to the Office of the Chief Clerk, WITHIN 30 DAYS OF THE DATE OF NEWSPAPER PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

JIM HOODENPYLE has applied to the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC) for new TPDES Registration Number WQ0004185-000 to authorize the applicant to operate a dairy facility at a maximum capacity of 3,000 milking head and a total of 5,000 head in Reeves County, Texas. The application was received by TNRCC on November 5, 1999. No discharge of pollutants into the waters in the state is authorized by this Registration except under chronic or catastrophic rainfall conditions. All waste and wastewater will be beneficially used on agricultural land.The facility is located on Reeves County Road 210 approximately one-half mile north of the intersection of Reeves County Roads 210 and 209, this intersection is approximately one mile west of the intersection of Reeves County Road 210 and Farm-to-Market Road 869 in Reeves County, Texas. The facility is located in the drainage area of the Upper Pecos River in Segment Number 2231 of the Rio Grande River Basin.

JOCHEM JONGSMA has applied to the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC) for a new Registration Number WQ0004100-000 to authorize the applicant to operate an existing dairy at a maximum capacity of 350 head in Wood County, Texas. The application for registration was received by TNRCC on December 22, 1999. No discharge of pollutants into the waters in the state is authorized by this registration except under chronic or catastrophic rainfall conditions. All waste and wastewater will be beneficially used on agricultural land.The existing facility is located on the west side of County Road 4200, 500 feet south of the intersection of County Road 4200 and Farm-to-Market Road 852, said intersection being 1.2 miles west of Winnsboro, Wood County, Texas. The facility is located in the drainage area of Big Sandy Creek in Segment Number 0514 of the Sabine River Basin

JOHN HEAVYSIDE has applied to the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC) for renewal of TPDES Permit Number WQ0003146-000 to authorize the applicant to operate an existing dairy at a maximum capacity of 750 head in Erath County, Texas. No discharge of pollutants into the waters in the state is authorized by this permit. All waste and wastewater will be beneficially used on agricultural land.The existing facility is located at the end of County Road 492, which is only accessible from its intersection with County Road 182, approximately 1.5 miles northeast of the intersection of County Road 182 and U. S. Highway 67, said intersection being four miles east of Stephenville, Texas.. The facility is located in the drainage area of Paluxy River in Segment Number 1229 of the Brazos River Basin.

TRD-200000342

LaDonna Castañuela

Chief Clerk

Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission

Filed: January 19, 2000


North Central Texas Council of Governments

Request for Proposals

This request by the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) for consultant services is filed under the provisions of Government Code, Chapter 2254.

NCTCOG intends to select a consultant firm to provide technical services to the Dallas County Department of Public Works for the scoring and ranking of candidate thoroughfare system improvements submitted as part of a County-issued Major Capital Improvement Program Call for Projects. The purpose of this request is to procure the services of a consulting firm to conduct the evaluation, scoring, and ranking of roadway projects submitted for possible funding under a Dallas County-issued Call for Projects. The consulting firm chosen will review each project submittal for completeness, spot-check various projects for quality control purposes, assist the County in developing cost estimates and project scopes for candidate projects, evaluate pavement condition for several projects, apply a pre-established set of evaluation criteria to all the projects submitted under this Call for Projects, develop project rankings, and provide a final report documenting the results of this analysis.

Due Date

Proposals must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. Central Time on Tuesday, February 15, 2000, to Michael Burbank, Principal Transportation Planner, North Central Texas Council of Governments, 616 Six Flags Drive, Arlington, Texas 76011 or P.O. Box 5888, Arlington, Texas 76005-5888. For more information and copies of the Request for Proposals, contact Michael Burbank, (817) 695-9251. NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS PAGE 2 OF 2

Contract Award Procedures

The firm selected to perform this study will be recommended by a Project Review Committee. The PRC will use evaluation criteria and methodology consistent with the scope of services contained in the Request for Proposals. The NCTCOG Executive Board will review the PRC's recommendations and, if found acceptable, will issue a contract award.

Regulations

NCTCOG, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 78 Statute 252, 41 United States Code 2000d to 2000d-4; and Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation, Subtitle A, Office of the Secretary, Part 1, Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs of the Department of Transportation issued pursuant to such act, hereby notifies all proposers that it will affirmatively assure that in regard to any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises will be afforded full opportunity to submit proposals in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability in consideration of an award.

TRD-200000366

R. Michael Eastland

Executive Director

North Central Texas Council of Governments

Filed: January 19, 2000


Public Utility Commission of Texas

Notices of Application for Approval of a Business Separation

Notice is given to the public of the filing with the Public Utility Commission of Texas of an application for approval of a business separation plan by an electric utility. A summary of the application follows.

Docket Title and Number: Docket Number 21950, Application of TXU Electric Company For Approval of Its Plan To Implement Business Separation As Required Under §39.051 of the Public Utility Regulatory Act; and Docket Number 21987, Competitive Energy Services Issues Severed from Application of TXU Electric Company for Approval of its Plan to Implement Business Separation as Required Under §39.051 of the Public Utility Regulatory Act.

The application was filed pursuant to the Public Utility Regulatory Act (PURA) §39.051, which requires electric utilities to (1) separate its business activities from one another into a power generation company, a retail electric provider, and a transmission and distribution utility; and (2) separate from its regulated utility activities its customer services business activities that are otherwise already widely available in the competitive market. TXU Electric Company petitions the commission for approval of its business separation plan filed pursuant to PURA §39.051(e), identifying competitive energy services, and petitioning to provide certain competitive energy service(s).

Persons who wish to comment upon, or who wish to intervene or otherwise participate in the action sought should contact the Public Utility Commission of Texas, at P.O. Box 13326, Austin, Texas 78711-3326, or call the commission's Office of Customer Protection at (512)936-7120 no later than February 11, 2000. Hearing and speech-impaired individuals with text telephone (TTY) may contact the commission at (512) 936-7136.

TRD-200000356

Rhonda Dempsey

Rules Coordinator

Public Utility Commission of Texas

Filed: January 19, 2000


Notice is given to the public of the filing with the Public Utility Commission of Texas of an application for approval of a business separation plan by an electric utility. A summary of the application follows.

Docket Title and Number: Docket Number 21952, Application of Southwestern Public Service Company Regarding Proposed Business Separation Plan before the Public Utility Commission of Texas; and Docket Number 21990, Competitive Energy Services Issues Severed from Application of Southwestern Public Service Company Regarding Proposed Business Separation Plan.

The application was filed pursuant to the Public Utility Regulatory Act (PURA) §39.051, which requires electric utilities to (1) separate its business activities from one another into a power generation company, a retail electric provider, and a transmission and distribution utility; and (2) separate from its regulated utility activities its customer services business activities that are otherwise already widely available in the competitive market. Southwestern Public Service Company petitions the commission for approval of its business separation plan filed pursuant to PURA §39.051(e), identifying competitive energy services, and petitioning to provide certain competitive energy service(s).

Persons who wish to comment upon, or who wish to intervene or otherwise participate in the action sought should contact the Public Utility Commission of Texas, at P.O. Box 13326, Austin, Texas 78711-3326, or call the commission's Office of Customer Protection at (512)936-7120 no later than February 11, 2000. Hearing and speech-impaired individuals with text telephone (TTY) may contact the commission at (512) 936-7136.

TRD-200000357

Rhonda Dempsey

Rules Coordinator

Public Utility Commission of Texas

Filed: January 19, 2000


Notice is given to the public of the filing with the Public Utility Commission of Texas of an application for approval of a business separation plan by an electric utility. A summary of the application follows.

Docket Title and Number: Docket Number 21953, Application of Central Power & Light Company, Southwestern Electric Power Company and West Texas Utilities Company for Approval of Proposed Business Separation Plan Pursuant to §25.342; and Docket Number 21989, Competitive Energy Services Issues Severed from Application of Central Power & Light Company, Southwestern Electric Power Company and West Texas Utilities Company for Approval of Proposed Business Separation Plan Pursuant to §25.342.

The application was filed pursuant to the Public Utility Regulatory Act (PURA) §39.051, which requires electric utilities to (1) separate its business activities from one another into a power generation company, a retail electric provider, and a transmission and distribution utility; and (2) separate from its regulated utility activities its customer services business activities that are otherwise already widely available in the competitive market. Central Power & Light Company, Southwestern Electric Power Company and West Texas Utilities Company petitions the commission for approval of its business separation plan filed pursuant to PURA §39.051(e), identifying competitive energy services, and petitioning to provide certain competitive energy service(s).

Persons who wish to comment upon, or who wish to intervene or otherwise participate in the action sought should contact the Public Utility Commission of Texas, at P.O. Box 13326, Austin, Texas 78711-3326, or call the commission's Office of Customer Protection at (512) 936-7120 no later than February 11, 2000. Hearing and speech-impaired individuals with text telephone (TTY) may contact the commission at (512) 936-7136.

TRD-200000358

Rhonda Dempsey

Rules Coordinator

Public Utility Commission of Texas

Filed: January 19, 2000


Notice is given to the public of the filing with the Public Utility Commission of Texas of an application for approval of a business separation plan by an electric utility. A summary of the application follows.

Docket Title and Number: Docket Number 21954, Application of Sharyland Utilities, L.P. For Approval of Its Plan To Implement Business Separation As Required Under §39.051 of The Public Utility Regulatory Act; and Docket Number 21988, Competitive Energy Services Issues Severed from Application of Sharyland Utilities, L.P. for Approval of Business Separation Plan Pursuant to PURA §39.051, Docket Number 21954.

The application was filed pursuant to the Public Utility Regulatory Act (PURA) §39.051, which requires electric utilities to (1) separate its business activities from one another into a power generation company, a retail electric provider, and a transmission and distribution utility; and (2) separate from its regulated utility activities its customer services business activities that are otherwise already widely available in the competitive market. Sharyland Utilities, L.P. petitions the commission for approval of its business separation plan filed pursuant to PURA §39.051(e), identifying competitive energy services, and petitioning to provide certain competitive energy service(s).

Persons who wish to comment upon, or who wish to intervene or otherwise participate in the action sought should contact the Public Utility Commission of Texas, at P.O. Box 13326, Austin, Texas 78711-3326, or call the commission's Office of Customer Protection at (512)936-7120 no later than February 11, 2000. Hearing and speech-impaired individuals with text telephone (TTY) may contact the commission at (512) 936-7136.

TRD-200000359

Rhonda Dempsey

Rules Coordinator

Public Utility Commission of Texas

Filed: January 19, 2000


Notice is given to the public of the filing with the Public Utility Commission of Texas of an application for approval of a business separation plan by an electric utility. A summary of the application follows.

Docket Title and Number: Docket Number 21955, Application of Texas-New Mexico Power Company for Approval of a Business Separation Plan; and Docket Number 21986, Competitive Energy Services Issues Severed Application of Texas-New Mexico Power Company for Approval of a Business Separation Plan, Docket Number 21955.

The application was filed pursuant to the Public Utility Regulatory Act (PURA) §39.051, which requires electric utilities to (1) separate its business activities from one another into a power generation company, a retail electric provider, and a transmission and distribution utility; and (2) separate from its regulated utility activities its customer services business activities that are otherwise already widely available in the competitive market. Texas-New Mexico Power Company petitions the commission for approval of its business separation plan filed pursuant to PURA §39.051(e), identifying competitive energy services, and petitioning to provide certain competitive energy service(s).

Persons who wish to comment upon, or who wish to intervene or otherwise participate in the action sought should contact the Public Utility Commission of Texas, at P.O. Box 13326, Austin, Texas 78711-3326, or call the commission's Office of Customer Protection at (512) 936-7120 no later than February 11, 2000. Hearing and speech-impaired individuals with text telephone (TTY) may contact the commission at (512) 936-7136.

TRD-200000360

Rhonda Dempsey

Rules Coordinator

Public Utility Commission of Texas

Filed: January 19, 2000


Notice is given to the public of the filing with the Public Utility Commission of Texas of an application for approval of a business separation plan by an electric utility. A summary of the application follows.

Docket Title and Number: Docket Number 21956, Reliant Energy, Inc. Business Separation Plan Filing Package; and Docket Number 21985, Competitive Energy Services Issues Severed from Reliant Energy, Inc. Business Separation Plan Filing Package, Docket Number 21956.

The application was filed pursuant to the Public Utility Regulatory Act (PURA) §39.051, which requires electric utilities to (1) separate its business activities from one another into a power generation company, a retail electric provider, and a transmission and distribution utility; and (2) separate from its regulated utility activities its customer services business activities that are otherwise already widely available in the competitive market. Reliant Energy, Inc. petitions the commission for approval of its business separation plan filed pursuant to PURA §39.051(e), identifying competitive energy services, and petitioning to provide certain competitive energy service(s).

Persons who wish to comment upon, or who wish to intervene or otherwise participate in the action sought should contact the Public Utility Commission of Texas, at P.O. Box 13326, Austin, Texas 78711-3326, or call the commission's Office of Customer Protection at (512)936-7120 no later than February 11, 2000. Hearing and speech-impaired individuals with text telephone (TTY) may contact the commission at (512) 936-7136.

TRD-200000361

Rhonda Dempsey

Rules Coordinator

Public Utility Commission of Texas

Filed: January 19, 2000


Notice is given to the public of the filing with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (commission) of an application for approval of a business separation plan by an electric utility. A summary of the application follows.

Docket Title and Number: Docket Number 21957, Application of Entergy Gulf States, Inc. for Approval of Business Plan Separation Plan; and Docket Number 21984, Competitive Energy Services Issues Severed from Application of Entergy Gulf States, Inc. for Approval of Business Plan Separation Plan, Docket Number 21957.

The application was filed pursuant to the Public Utility Regulatory Act (PURA) §39.051, which requires electric utilities to (1) separate its business activities from one another into a power generation company, a retail electric provider, and a transmission and distribution utility; and (2) separate from its regulated utility activities its customer services business activities that are otherwise already widely available in the competitive market. Entergy Gulf States, Inc. petitions the commission for approval of its business separation plan filed pursuant to PURA §39.051(e), identifying competitive energy services, and petitioning to provide certain competitive energy service(s).

Persons who wish to comment upon or who wish to intervene or otherwise participate in the action sought should contact the Public Utility Commission of Texas at P.O. Box 13326, Austin, Texas 78711- 3326, or call the commission's Office of Customer Protection at (512) 936-7120 no later than February 11, 2000. Hearing and speech-impaired individuals with text telephone (TTY) may contact the commission at (512) 936-7136.

TRD-200000362

Rhonda Dempsey

Rules Coordinator

Public Utility Commission of Texas

Filed: January 19, 2000


Notice of Application for Approval of Internal Code of Conduct

Notice is given to the public of the filing with the Public Utility Commission of Texas of an application for approval of an internal code of conduct by an electric utility. A summary of the application follows.

Docket Title and Number: Docket Number 21958, Application of El Paso Electric Company for Approval of Internal Code of Conduct Pursuant to PURA §39.157(d) and Substantive Rule §25.272.

El Paso Electric Company petitions the commission for approval of its internal code of conduct filed pursuant to the Public Utility Regulatory Act §39.157(d) and Public Utility Commission Substantive Rule §25.272.

Persons who wish to comment upon, or who wish to intervene or otherwise participate in the action sought should contact the Public Utility Commission of Texas, at P.O. Box 13326, Austin, Texas 78711-3326, or call the commission's Office of Customer Protection at (512)936-7120 no later than February 11, 2000. Hearing and speech-impaired individuals with text telephone (TTY) may contact the commission at (512) 936-7136.

TRD-200000363

Rhonda Dempsey

Rules Coordinator

Public Utility Commission of Texas

Filed: January 19, 2000


Notice of Application for Approval of Special Depreciation Rates

Notice is given to the public of the filing with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (commission) of an application on January 12, 2000, for approval of special depreciation rates pursuant to §§52.002, 52.252, and 53.056, of the Public Utility Regulatory Act, Texas Utilities Code Annotated (Vernon 1998 & Supp. 2000) (PURA). A summary of the application follows.

Docket Title and Number: Application of Taylor Telephone Cooperative, Inc. for Approval of Depreciation Rate Pursuant to P.U.C. Substantive Rule §26.206(h). Docket Number 21960.

The Application: Taylor Telephone Cooperative, Inc. (Taylor) requests approval of a depreciation rate for new fiber optic circuit equipment. Taylor is proposing an annual rate of 9.09% which is derived from the useful life of 11 years and net salvage rate of 0.0%. Taylor proposes an effective date of January 1, 1999.

Persons who wish to intervene in the proceeding or comment upon the action sought should contact the Public Utility Commission of Texas, P.O. Box 13326, Austin, Texas 78711-3326, or call the commission's Office of Customer Protection at (512) 936-7120 or (888) 782-8477. Hearing- and speech-impaired individuals with text telephones (TTY) may contact the commission at (512) 936-7136 or use Relay Texas (toll-free) 1-800-735-2989.

TRD-200000214

Rhonda Dempsey

Rules Coordinator

Public Utility Commission of Texas

Filed: January 13, 2000


Notices of Application for Service Provider Certificate of Operating Authority

Notice is given to the public of the filing with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (commission) of an application on January 11, 2000, for a service provider certificate of operating authority (SPCOA), pursuant to §§54.151 - 54.156 of the Public Utility Regulatory Act (PURA). A summary of the application follows.

Docket Title and Number: Application of Plex-Net, Ltd. for a Service Provider Certificate of Operating Authority, Docket Number 21968 before the Public Utility Commission of Texas.

Applicant intends to provide plain old telephone service, Digital Subscriber Line, ISDN, T1-Private Line, long distance and metro services.

Applicant's requested SPCOA geographic area includes the entire state of Texas.

Persons who wish to comment upon the action sought should contact the Public Utility Commission of Texas at P.O. Box 13326, Austin, Texas 78711-3326 or call the commission's Office of Customer Protection at (512) 936-7120 no later than February 2, 2000. Hearing and speech-impaired individuals with text telephone (TTY) may contact the commission at (512) 936-7136.

TRD-200000209

Rhonda Dempsey

Rules Coordinator

Public Utility Commission of Texas

Filed: January 13, 2000


Notice is given to the public of the filing with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (commission) of an application on January 14, 2000, for a service provider certificate of operating authority (SPCOA), pursuant to §§54.151 - 54.156 of the Public Utility Regulatory Act (PURA). A summary of the application follows.

Docket Title and Number: Application of Hamilton Telephone Company, doing business as Hamilton Telecommunications for a Service Provider Certificate of Operating Authority, Docket Number 21995 before the Public Utility Commission of Texas.

Applicant intends to provide plain old telephone service (relay only), long distance services (relay only), and telecommunication relay services.

Applicant's requested SPCOA geographic area includes the entire state of Texas.

Persons who wish to comment upon the action sought should contact the Public Utility Commission of Texas at P.O. Box 13326, Austin, Texas 78711-3326, or call the commission's Office of Customer Protection at (512) 936-7120 no later than February 2, 2000. Hearing and speech-impaired individuals with text telephone (TTY) may contact the commission at (512) 936-7136.

TRD-200000317

Rhonda Dempsey

Rules Coordinator

Public Utility Commission of Texas

Filed: January 18, 2000


Notice of Application Pursuant to Public Utility Commission Substantive Rule §26.208

Notice is given to the public of the filing with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (commission) an application on January 7, 2000, pursuant to P.U.C. Substantive Rule §26.208 for approval of a tariff change.

Tariff Title and Number: Application of Southwestern Bell Telephone Company To Simplify Transfer of Customer Contracts Pursuant to P.U.C. Substantive Rule §26.208. Tariff Number 21941.

The Application: Southwestern Bell Telephone Company (SWBT) seeks to eliminate the requirement for a written request by a customer to transfer their service contracts to another party at the same location.

Persons who wish to intervene in the proceeding or comment upon the action sought should contact the Public Utility Commission of Texas, P.O. Box 13326, Austin, Texas 78711-3326, or call the commission's Office of Customer Protection at (512) 936-7120 or (888) 782-8477. Hearing- and speech-impaired individuals with text telephones (TTY) may contact the commission at (512) 936-7136 or use Relay Texas (toll-free) 1-800-735-2989. Please reference Tariff Number 21941.

TRD-200000208

Rhonda Dempsey

Rules Coordinator

Public Utility Commission of Texas

Filed: January 13, 2000


Notice of Application to Amend Certificate of Convenience and Necessity

Notice is given to the public of the filing with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (commission) of an application on January 14, 2000, to amend a certificated service area boundary in Frio County pursuant to §§14.001, 37.051, and 37.054, 37.056, 37.057 of the Public Utility Regulatory Act, Texas Utilities Code Annotated (Vernon 1998 & Supp. 1999) (PURA). A summary of the application follows.

Docket Style and Number: Joint Application of Medina Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Medina) and Central Power & Light Company (CPL) to Amend Certificated Service Area Boundaries Within Frio County. Docket Number 21993.

The Application: Medina and CPL request the boundary change based on proximity of Medina and CPL facilities to a new irrigation system design. This system will improve efficiency by converting from flood irrigation to center pivot irrigation. Copies of the joint application and additional associated maps are available for review at the Medina office, 2308 18th Street, Hondo, Texas or the CPL office, 1519 Calton Road, Laredo, Texas. Persons with questions about this project should contact Larry Oefinger at (830) 741-4384, Charles Brower at (956) 721-3010 or Allen H. King at (512) 474-1901.

Persons who wish to comment upon the action sought should contact the Public Utility Commission of Texas at P. O. Box 13326, Austin, Texas 78711-3326, or call the commission's Office of Customer Protection at (512) 936-7120 or (888) 782-8477. Hearing and speech-impaired individuals with text telephone (TTY) may contact the commission at (512) 936-7136 or use Relay Texas (toll-free) 1-800- 735-2989. The deadline for intervention in the proceeding will be established. The commission should receive a letter requesting intervention.

TRD-200000332

Rhonda Dempsey

Rules Coordinator

Public Utility Commission of Texas

Filed: January 19, 2000


Notice of Petition for a Good Cause Exemption to Public Utility Commission Substantive Rule §25.221

Notice is given to the public of the filing with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (commission) of an application on December 30, 1999 for good cause exemption to P.U.C. Substantive Rule §25.221.

Docket Title and Number: Application of the Lower Colorado River Authority for a Good Cause Exemption to P.U.C. Substantive Rule §25.221. Docket Number 21914.

The Application: The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) requests exemption to the requirements of P.U.C. Substantive Rule §25.221 regarding the filing of a cost separation report. The commission regulates LCRA's retail and transmission rates. LCRA requests an exemption because it has only three retail customers and believes the cost of preparing a cost separation report to reflect such an insignificant amount of service is unwarranted. LCRA affirms that its cost accounting system is in compliance with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission chart of accounts system ensuring that the costs associated with generation service, transmission service, distribution service, and customer service are accurately and separately identified as required by P.U.C. Substantive Rule §25.221(d).

Persons who wish to comment upon the action sought should contact the Public Utility Commission of Texas by mail at P.O. Box 13326, Austin, Texas, 78711-3326, or call the Public Utility Commission Office of Customer Protection at (512) 936-7120 on or before February 10, 2000. Hearing and speech-impaired individuals with text telephones (TTY) may contact the commission at (512) 936-7136. All comments should reference Project Number 21914.

TRD-200000315

Rhonda Dempsey

Rules Coordinator

Public Utility Commission of Texas

Filed: January 18, 2000


Notice of Public Hearing on Amendments to §25.4 and §26.4; and Notice Of Workshop and Request For Comments On Mechanisms To Implement and Enforce The Prohibitions on Discrimination Found in Substantive Rules §25.4 and §26.4

The Public Utility Commission of Texas (commission) will hold a public hearing on proposed amendments to Substantive Rules §25.4 relating to Statement of Nondiscrimination and §26.4 relating to Statement of Nondiscrimination as published in the Texas Register on November 5, 1999 (24 TexReg 9733, 9734) under Project Number 21418, Amendments to §25.4 and §26.4 Regarding Prohibited Discrimination (SB 86, PURA §17.004(a)(4)) . This public hearing will take place on Monday, February 28, 2000, at 10:00 a.m. in Hearing Room Gee, located on the 7th floor of the William B. Travis Building, 1701 North Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas, 78701 and will encompass only the proposed changes to the policy statements in §25.4 and §26.4 as they implement the Public Utility Regulatory Act §17.004(a)(4). At the same location, immediately following adjournment of the public hearing, staff will conduct a workshop regarding the mechanisms to implement and enforce the prohibitions on discrimination found in proposed §25.4 and §26.4. Comments filed in Project Number 21418, which revised the commission's policy enunciated in Substantive Rules §25.4 and §26.4 to incorporate prohibitions on discrimination based on income, source of income or geographic location, raised a number of issues that pointed out a need for an additional rulemaking to implement and enforce those provisions. Project Number 21932, Rulemaking to Implement Provisions Contained in §25.4 and §26.4 Regarding Discrimination has been established for this proceeding. The commission requests interested persons file comments in Project Number 21932 prior to the workshop on the following questions:

1. Should the changes to Substantive Rule §25.4 and §26.4, adding income, source of income and geographic location as protected categories under the current Statement of Nondiscrimination, be further implemented through:

a) a codification of a single implementation-related anti-discrimination rule, or;

b) changes currently being examined in each of the rulemaking projects related to customer protection, certification and other rules as appropriate?

Please explain your rationale.

2. The 76th Legislature added prohibitions on discrimination, based on income and source of income as well as a prohibition on unreasonable discrimination based on geographic location, to PURA §17.004(a)(4) and §64.004(a)(4).

a) What standards should the commission use to determine whether a Certificated Telecommunications Utility (CTU) is in compliance with these sections?

b) How, if at all, should the addition of these prohibitions alter providers' marketing and/or deployment practices?

3. What reports or records, if any, should the commission require CTUs to file or retain to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of PURA §17.004(a)(4) and §64.004(a)(4)? (e.g., the Texas Department of Insurance requires quarterly reporting on the geographic location of providers' customers)?

4. Finally, the commission requests that interested parties describe "best practice" examples of regulatory policies and their rationale that have been proposed and/or implemented in other states regarding any parallel prohibitions on discrimination based on income, source of income or geographic location.

Responses may be filed by submitting 16 copies to the commission's Filing Clerk, Public Utility Commission of Texas, 1701 North Congress Avenue, P.O. Box 13326, Austin, Texas, 78711-3326 within 30 days of the date of publication of this notice. All responses should reference Project Number 21932. This notice is not a formal notice of proposed rulemaking; however, the parties' responses to the questions and comments at the workshop will assist the commission in developing a commission policy or determining the necessity for a related rulemaking.

Ten days prior to the public hearing and workshop the commission shall make available in Central Records an agenda for the format of the public hearing under Project Number 21418 and for the workshop under Project Number 21932.

Questions concerning the public hearing and workshop or this notice should be referred to Ms. Shari Hill, Enforcement Attorney, Office of Customer Protection, (512) 936-7048. Hearing and speech-impaired individuals with text telephones (TTY) may contact the commission at (512) 936-7136.

TRD-200000207

Rhonda Dempsey

Rules Coordinator

Public Utility Commission of Texas

Filed: January 13, 2000


Public Notices of Amendments to Interconnection Agreements

On January 7, 2000, Southwestern Bell Telephone Company and Max-Tel Communications, Inc., collectively referred to as applicants, filed a joint application for approval of amendment to an existing interconnection agreement under §252(i) of the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996, Public Law Number 104-104, 110 Statute 56, (codified as amended in scattered sections of 15 and 47 United States Code) (FTA) and the Public Utility Regulatory Act, Texas Utilities Code Annotated, Chapters 52 and 60 (Vernon 1998) (PURA). The joint application has been designated Docket Number 21940. The joint application and the underlying interconnection agreement are available for public inspection at the commission's offices in Austin, Texas.

The commission must act to approve the interconnection agreement within 35 days after it is submitted by the parties.

The commission finds that additional public comment should be allowed before the commission issues a final decision approving or rejecting the amendment to the interconnection agreement. Any interested person may file written comments on the joint application by filing ten copies of the comments with the commission's filing clerk. Additionally, a copy of the comments should be served on each of the applicants. The comments should specifically refer to Docket Number 21940. As a part of the comments, an interested person may request that a public hearing be conducted. The comments, including any request for public hearing, shall be filed by February 7, 2000, and shall include:

1) a detailed statement of the person's interests in the agreement, including a description of how approval of the agreement may adversely affect those interests;

2) specific allegations that the agreement, or some portion thereof:

a) discriminates against a telecommunications carrier that is not a party to the agreement; or

b) is not consistent with the public interest, convenience, and necessity; or

c) is not consistent with other requirements of state law; and

3) the specific facts upon which the allegations are based.

After reviewing any comments, the commission will issue a notice of approval, denial, or determine whether to conduct further proceedings concerning the joint application. The commission shall have the authority given to a presiding officer pursuant to P.U.C. Procedural Rule §22.202. The commission may identify issues raised by the joint application and comments and establish a schedule for addressing those issues, including the submission of evidence by the applicants, if necessary, and briefing and oral argument. The commission may conduct a public hearing. Interested persons who file comments are not entitled to participate as intervenors in the public hearing.

Persons with questions about this project or who wish to comment on the joint application should contact the Public Utility Commission of Texas, 1701 North Congress Avenue, P.O. Box 13326, Austin, Texas, 78711-3326. You may call the Public Utility Commission Office of Customer Protection at (512) 936-7120. Hearing and speech-impaired individuals with text telephones (TTY) may contact the commission at (512) 936-7136. All correspondence should refer to Docket Number 21940

TRD-200000197

Rhonda Dempsey

Rules Coordinator

Public Utility Commission of Texas

Filed: January 12, 2000


On January 11, 2000, Southwestern Bell Telephone Company and Fort Bend Long Distance doing business as Fort Bend Communications, collectively referred to as applicants, filed a joint application for approval of amendment to an existing interconnection agreement under §252(i) of the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996, Public Law Number 104-104, 110 Statute 56, (codified as amended in scattered sections of 15 and 47 United States Code) (FTA) and the Public Utility Regulatory Act, Texas Utilities Code Annotated, Chapters 52 and 60 (Vernon 1998) (PURA). The joint application has been designated Docket Number 21969. The joint application and the underlying interconnection agreement are available for public inspection at the commission's offices in Austin, Texas.

The commission must act to approve the interconnection agreement within 35 days after it is submitted by the parties.

The commission finds that additional public comment should be allowed before the commission issues a final decision approving or rejecting the amendment to the interconnection agreement. Any interested person may file written comments on the joint application by filing ten copies of the comments with the commission's filing clerk. Additionally, a copy of the comments should be served on each of the applicants. The comments should specifically refer to Docket Number 21969. As a part of the comments, an interested person may request that a public hearing be conducted. The comments, including any request for public hearing, shall be filed by February 8, 2000, and shall include:

1) a detailed statement of the person's interests in the agreement, including a description of how approval of the agreement may adversely affect those interests;

2) specific allegations that the agreement, or some portion thereof:

a) discriminates against a telecommunications carrier that is not a party to the agreement; or

b) is not consistent with the public interest, convenience, and necessity; or

c) is not consistent with other requirements of state law; and

3) the specific facts upon which the allegations are based.

After reviewing any comments, the commission will issue a notice of approval, denial, or determine whether to conduct further proceedings concerning the joint application. The commission shall have the authority given to a presiding officer pursuant to P.U.C. Procedural Rule §22.202. The commission may identify issues raised by the joint application and comments and establish a schedule for addressing those issues, including the submission of evidence by the applicants, if necessary, and briefing and oral argument. The commission may conduct a public hearing. Interested persons who file comments are not entitled to participate as intervenors in the public hearing.

Persons with questions about this project or who wish to comment on the joint application should contact the Public Utility Commission of Texas, 1701 North Congress Avenue, P.O. Box 13326, Austin, Texas, 78711-3326. You may call the Public Utility Commission Office of Customer Protection at (512) 936-7120. Hearing and speech-impaired individuals with text telephones (TTY) may contact the commission at (512) 936-7136. All correspondence should refer to Docket Number 21969.

TRD-200000198

Rhonda Dempsey

Rules Coordinator

Public Utility Commission of Texas

Filed: January 12, 2000


On January 14, 2000, Southwestern Bell Telephone Company and United States Cellular Corporation, collectively referred to as applicants, filed a joint application for approval of amendment to an existing interconnection agreement under §252(i) of the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996, Public Law Number 104-104, 110 Statute 56, (codified as amended in scattered sections of 15 and 47 United States Code) (FTA) and the Public Utility Regulatory Act, Texas Utilities Code Annotated, Chapters 52 and 60 (Vernon 1998) (PURA). The joint application has been designated Docket Number 21996. The joint application and the underlying interconnection agreement are available for public inspection at the commission's offices in Austin, Texas.

The commission must act to approve the interconnection agreement within 35 days after it is submitted by the parties.

The commission finds that additional public comment should be allowed before the commission issues a final decision approving or rejecting the amendment to the interconnection agreement. Any interested person may file written comments on the joint application by filing ten copies of the comments with the commission's filing clerk. Additionally, a copy of the comments should be served on each of the applicants. The comments should specifically refer to Docket Number 21996. As a part of the comments, an interested person may request that a public hearing be conducted. The comments, including any request for public hearing, shall be filed by February 9, 2000, and shall include:

1) a detailed statement of the person's interests in the agreement, including a description of how approval of the agreement may adversely affect those interests;

2) specific allegations that the agreement, or some portion thereof:

a) discriminates against a telecommunications carrier that is not a party to the agreement; or

b) is not consistent with the public interest, convenience, and necessity; or

c) is not consistent with other requirements of state law; and

3) the specific facts upon which the allegations are based.

After reviewing any comments, the commission will issue a notice of approval, denial, or determine whether to conduct further proceedings concerning the joint application. The commission shall have the authority given to a presiding officer pursuant to P.U.C. Procedural Rule §22.202. The commission may identify issues raised by the joint application and comments and establish a schedule for addressing those issues, including the submission of evidence by the applicants, if necessary, and briefing and oral argument. The commission may conduct a public hearing. Interested persons who file comments are not entitled to participate as intervenors in the public hearing.

Persons with questions about this project or who wish to comment on the joint application should contact the Public Utility Commission of Texas, 1701 North Congress Avenue, P.O. Box 13326, Austin, Texas, 78711-3326. You may call the Public Utility Commission Office of Customer Protection at (512) 936-7120. Hearing and speech-impaired individuals with text telephones (TTY) may contact the commission at (512) 936-7136. All correspondence should refer to Docket Number 21996.

TRD-200000331

Rhonda Dempsey

Rules Coordinator

Public Utility Commission of Texas

Filed: January 19, 2000


Public Notice of Intent to Use Negotiated Rulemaking, Request for Comment, and Notice of Team Meeting

The Public Utility Commission of Texas (commission) proposes to use formal negotiated rulemaking procedures pursuant to Texas Government Code, Chapter 2008, to develop rules relating to Retail Competition Pilot Projects. The Public Utility Regulatory Act (PURA) §39.104 and §39.405 mandate that electric utilities offer customer choice to 5.0% of the utility's combined load of all customer classes within the state beginning June 1, 2001. The purpose of this rulemaking is to establish requirements for the pilot projects. Project Number 21407, Retail Competition Pilot Projects , has been established for this proceeding.

Issues to be considered in developing the rules. Commission staff has identified the following potential issues that may be considered in the rulemaking: (1) goals of the programs; (2) scope of the programs; (3) amount of uniformity among programs statewide; (4) determination of the size of the programs; (5) reporting necessary to evaluate the programs; (6) distribution of participants among customer classes and geographic areas; (7) addressing requirements for load aggregation; (8) selection and registration of customers to participate; (9) method for customer withdrawal from the programs; (10) eligibility requirements for industry stakeholders; (11) accommodations for certain non-Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) utilities participating in the pilot programs; (12) rates and tariffs; (13) settlement and customer billing; (14) application of customer protection rules.

Affected interests. The Convening Report for this rulemaking, developed pursuant to Texas Government Code §2008.052(d), identified the following stakeholder groups who could be significantly affected by the proposed rules: (1) aggregators; (2) industrial customers; (3) the Office of Public Utility Counsel; (4) general residential customers; (5) special needs residential customers (e.g., low income customers and customers with disabilities); (6) commercial customers; (7) renewable energy representatives; (8) the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT); (9) Energy Services Companies; (10) Investor Owned Utility (IOU) affiliated generation companies (within ERCOT); (11) IOU transmission and distribution companies (within ERCOT); (12) IOU affiliated Retail Electrical Providers (REPs) (within ERCOT); (13) IOU affiliated generation companies (non-ERCOT); (14) IOU transmission and distribution companies (Non-ERCOT); (15) IOU affiliated REPs (Non-ERCOT); (16) Independent Power Producers; (17) large municipal electric utility systems; (18) small municipal electric utility systems; (19) the General Land Office; (20) certain state agencies; (21) cities (in capacities other than as municipal electric utility systems); (22) non-affiliated REPs; and (23) the commission staff.

Proposed negotiating committee. The commission proposes that the negotiating committee be made up of one representative for each of the above-mentioned stakeholder groups, with the following exceptions: two representatives for non-affiliated REPs and two representatives for independent power producers.

Request for comment. The commission requests comment on its proposal to engage in negotiated rulemaking for this rule. To aid parties in developing their comments, a copy of the Convening Report has been filed in the commission's Central Records Division under Project Number 21407. The Report also is available on the commission's Internet site at http://www.puc.state.tx.us/electric/projects/21407/21407.cfm. The commission also requests comment on the proposed negotiating committee structure and the membership of the negotiating committee. This comment process will serve as the procedure for applying for membership to the negotiating committee. Parties who will be significantly affected by the proposed rule are requested to align themselves with stakeholders having similar interests, and to nominate a representative to negotiate on behalf of the stakeholder group. The commission will make the final selection of members of the negotiating committee. Comments may be filed by submitting 16 copies to the commission's Filing Clerk, Public Utility Commission of Texas, 1701 North Congress Avenue, P.O. Box 13326, Austin, Texas, 78711-3326 within 15 days of the date of publication of this notice. All responses should reference Project Number 21407.

Notice of Team Meeting. The commission staff project team will host a meeting with interested parties at the commission's offices on Monday, February 7, 2000, at 9:00 a.m. to discuss the negotiated rulemaking process and makeup of the negotiating committee.

Questions concerning this notice should be referred to Suzanne L. Bertin, Director, Office of Policy Development, (512) 936-7244. Hearing and speech-impaired individuals with text telephones (TTY) may contact the commission at (512) 936-7136.

TRD-200000213

Rhonda Dempsey

Rules Coordinator

Public Utility Commission of Texas

Filed: January 13, 2000


Public Notices of Interconnection Agreements

On January 12, 2000, A-CBT System, Inc. and GTE Southwest, Inc., collectively referred to as applicants, filed a joint application for approval of interconnection agreement under §252(i) of the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996, Public Law Number 104-104, 110 Statute 56, (codified as amended in scattered sections of 15 and 47 United States Code) (FTA) and the Public Utility Regulatory Act, Texas Utilities Code Annotated, Chapters 52 and 60 (Vernon 1998) (PURA). The joint application has been designated Docket Number 21976. The joint application and the underlying interconnection agreement are available for public inspection at the commission's offices in Austin, Texas.

The commission must act to approve the interconnection agreement within 35 days after it is submitted by the parties.

The commission finds that additional public comment should be allowed before the commission issues a final decision approving or rejecting the interconnection agreement. Any interested person may file written comments on the joint application by filing ten copies of the comments with the commission's filing clerk. Additionally, a copy of the comments should be served on each of the applicants. The comments should specifically refer to Docket Number 21976. As a part of the comments, an interested person may request that a public hearing be conducted. The comments, including any request for public hearing, shall be filed by February 10, 2000, and shall include:

1) a detailed statement of the person's interests in the agreement, including a description of how approval of the agreement may adversely affect those interests;

2) specific allegations that the agreement, or some portion thereof:

a) discriminates against a telecommunications carrier that is not a party to the agreement; or

b) is not consistent with the public interest, convenience, and necessity; or

c) is not consistent with other requirements of state law; and

3) the specific facts upon which the allegations are based.

After reviewing any comments, the commission will issue a notice of approval, denial, or determine whether to conduct further proceedings concerning the joint application. The commission shall have the authority given to a presiding officer pursuant to P.U.C. Procedural Rule §22.202. The commission may identify issues raised by the joint application and comments and establish a schedule for addressing those issues, including the submission of evidence by the applicants, if necessary, and briefing and oral argument. The commission may conduct a public hearing. Interested persons who file comments are not entitled to participate as intervenors in the public hearing.

Persons with questions about this project or who wish to comment on the joint application should contact the Public Utility Commission of Texas, 1701 North Congress Avenue, P.O. Box 13326, Austin, Texas, 78711-3326. You may call the Public Utility Commission Office of Customer Protection at (512) 936-7120. Hearing and speech-impaired individuals with text telephones (TTY) may contact the commission at (512) 936-7136. All correspondence should refer to Docket Number 21976.

TRD-200000231

Rhonda Dempsey

Rules Coordinator

Public Utility Commission of Texas

Filed: January 14, 2000


On January 12, 2000, Southwestern Bell Telephone Company and Starway Communications, Inc., collectively referred to as applicants, filed a joint application for approval of interconnection agreement under §252(i) of the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996, Public Law Number 104-104, 110 Statute 56, (codified as amended in scattered sections of 15 and 47 United States Code) (FTA) and the Public Utility Regulatory Act, Texas Utilities Code Annotated, Chapters 52 and 60 (Vernon 1998) (PURA). The joint application has been designated Docket Number 21977. The joint application and the underlying interconnection agreement are available for public inspection at the commission's offices in Austin, Texas.

The commission must act to approve the interconnection agreement within 35 days after it is submitted by the parties.

The commission finds that additional public comment should be allowed before the commission issues a final decision approving or rejecting the interconnection agreement. Any interested person may file written comments on the joint application by filing ten copies of the comments with the commission's filing clerk. Additionally, a copy of the comments should be served on each of the applicants. The comments should specifically refer to Docket Number 21977. As a part of the comments, an interested person may request that a public hearing be conducted. The comments, including any request for public hearing, shall be filed by February 10, 2000, and shall include:

1) a detailed statement of the person's interests in the agreement, including a description of how approval of the agreement may adversely affect those interests;

2) specific allegations that the agreement, or some portion thereof:

a) discriminates against a telecommunications carrier that is not a party to the agreement; or

b) is not consistent with the public interest, convenience, and necessity; or

c) is not consistent with other requirements of state law; and

3) the specific facts upon which the allegations are based.

After reviewing any comments, the commission will issue a notice of approval, denial, or determine whether to conduct further proceedings concerning the joint application. The commission shall have the authority given to a presiding officer pursuant to P.U.C. Procedural Rule §22.202. The commission may identify issues raised by the joint application and comments and establish a schedule for addressing those issues, including the submission of evidence by the applicants, if necessary, and briefing and oral argument. The commission may conduct a public hearing. Interested persons who file comments are not entitled to participate as intervenors in the public hearing.

Persons with questions about this project or who wish to comment on the joint application should contact the Public Utility Commission of Texas, 1701 North Congress Avenue, P.O. Box 13326, Austin, Texas 78711-3326. You may call the Public Utility Commission Office of Customer Protection at (512) 936-7120. Hearing and speech-impaired individuals with text telephones (TTY) may contact the commission at (512) 936-7136. All correspondence should refer to Docket Number 21977.

TRD-200000232

Rhonda Dempsey

Rules Coordinator

Public Utility Commission of Texas

Filed: January 14, 2000


On January 12, 2000, Digi Comm Communications, Inc. and GTE Southwest, Inc., collectively referred to as applicants, filed a joint application for approval of interconnection agreement under §252(i) of the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996, Public Law Number 104-104, 110 Statute 56, (codified as amended in scattered sections of 15 and 47 United States Code) (FTA) and the Public Utility Regulatory Act, Texas Utilities Code Annotated, Chapters 52 and 60 (Vernon 1998) (PURA). The joint application has been designated Docket Number 21978. The joint application and the underlying interconnection agreement are available for public inspection at the commission's offices in Austin, Texas.

The commission must act to approve the interconnection agreement within 35 days after it is submitted by the parties.

The commission finds that additional public comment should be allowed before the commission issues a final decision approving or rejecting the interconnection agreement. Any interested person may file written comments on the joint application by filing ten copies of the comments with the commission's filing clerk. Additionally, a copy of the comments should be served on each of the applicants. The comments should specifically refer to Docket Number 21978. As a part of the comments, an interested person may request that a public hearing be conducted. The comments, including any request for public hearing, shall be filed by February 10, 2000, and shall include:

1) a detailed statement of the person's interests in the agreement, including a description of how approval of the agreement may adversely affect those interests;

2) specific allegations that the agreement, or some portion thereof:

a) discriminates against a telecommunications carrier that is not a party to the agreement; or

b) is not consistent with the public interest, convenience, and necessity; or

c) is not consistent with other requirements of state law; and

3) the specific facts upon which the allegations are based.

After reviewing any comments, the commission will issue a notice of approval, denial, or determine whether to conduct further proceedings concerning the joint application. The commission shall have the authority given to a presiding officer pursuant to P.U.C. Procedural Rule §22.202. The commission may identify issues raised by the joint application and comments and establish a schedule for addressing those issues, including the submission of evidence by the applicants, if necessary, and briefing and oral argument. The commission may conduct a public hearing. Interested persons who file comments are not entitled to participate as intervenors in the public hearing.

Persons with questions about this project or who wish to comment on the joint application should contact the Public Utility Commission of Texas, 1701 North Congress Avenue, P.O. Box 13326, Austin, Texas, 78711-3326. You may call the Public Utility Commission Office of Customer Protection at (512) 936-7120. Hearing and speech-impaired individuals with text telephones (TTY) may contact the commission at (512) 936-7136. All correspondence should refer to Docket Number 21978.

TRD-200000233

Rhonda Dempsey

Rules Coordinator

Public Utility Commission of Texas

Filed: January 14, 2000


On January 13, 2000, MFS Communications Company, Inc. and GTE Southwest, Inc., collectively referred to as applicants, filed a joint application for approval of interconnection agreement under §252(i) of the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996, Public Law Number 104-104, 110 Statute 56, (codified as amended in scattered sections of 15 and 47 United States Code) (FTA) and the Public Utility Regulatory Act, Texas Utilities Code Annotated, Chapters 52 and 60 (Vernon 1998) (PURA). The joint application has been designated Docket Number 21980. The joint application and the underlying interconnection agreement are available for public inspection at the commission's offices in Austin, Texas.

The commission must act to approve the interconnection agreement within 35 days after it is submitted by the parties.

The commission finds that additional public comment should be allowed before the commission issues a final decision approving or rejecting the interconnection agreement. Any interested person may file written comments on the joint application by filing ten copies of the comments with the commission's filing clerk. Additionally, a copy of the comments should be served on each of the applicants. The comments should specifically refer to Docket Number 21980. As a part of the comments, an interested person may request that a public hearing be conducted. The comments, including any request for public hearing, shall be filed by February 9, 2000, and shall include:

1) a detailed statement of the person's interests in the agreement, including a description of how approval of the agreement may adversely affect those interests;

2) specific allegations that the agreement, or some portion thereof:

a) discriminates against a telecommunications carrier that is not a party to the agreement; or

b) is not consistent with the public interest, convenience, and necessity; or

c) is not consistent with other requirements of state law; and

3) the specific facts upon which the allegations are based.

After reviewing any comments, the commission will issue a notice of approval, denial, or determine whether to conduct further proceedings concerning the joint application. The commission shall have the authority given to a presiding officer pursuant to P.U.C. Procedural Rule §22.202. The commission may identify issues raised by the joint application and comments and establish a schedule for addressing those issues, including the submission of evidence by the applicants, if necessary, and briefing and oral argument. The commission may conduct a public hearing. Interested persons who file comments are not entitled to participate as intervenors in the public hearing.

Persons with questions about this project or who wish to comment on the joint application should contact the Public Utility Commission of Texas, 1701 North Congress Avenue, P.O. Box 13326, Austin, Texas, 78711-3326. You may call the Public Utility Commission Office of Customer Protection at (512) 936-7120. Hearing and speech-impaired individuals with text telephones (TTY) may contact the commission at (512) 936-7136. All correspondence should refer to Docket Number 21980.

TRD-200000333

Rhonda Dempsey

Rules Coordinator

Public Utility Commission of Texas

Filed: January 19, 2000


Public Notices of Workshops Regarding Building Access Pursuant to PURA §§54.259, 54.260, and 54.261

The Staff of the Public Utility Commission of Texas (commission) will hold a workshop to discuss the rulemaking regarding building access pursuant to PURA §§54.259, 54.260, and 54.261 on Monday, February 7, 2000, at 10:00 a.m. at the Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce, Renaissance Tower, Suite 2000, 1201 Elm Street, Dallas, Texas, 75270. Project Number 21400, Rulemaking Regarding Building Access pursuant to the Public Utility Regulatory Act §§54.259, 54.260, and 54.261, Texas Utilities Code Annotated §§11.001-64.158 (Vernon 1998 & Supp. 1999) (PURA), has been established for this proceeding.

At the December 16, 1999 open meeting the commission directed Staff to conduct additional workshops outside of Austin with interested parties to discuss Staff's draft rule regarding building access. This workshop is designed to facilitate involvement by interested parties that otherwise may have little, if any, participation in this Project.

The above referenced draft rule is available in Central Records and on the commission web site, under Project Number 21400, at http://www.puc.state.tx.us/rules/rulemake/21400/21400.cfm. The draft rules will assist in structuring the workshop discussion. An agenda for the workshop will also be available in Central Records and on the commission web site, under Project Number 21400, no later than January 31, 2000.

Questions concerning the workshop or this notice should be referred to Melanie Malone, Office of Policy Development, (512) 936-7247. Hearing and speech-impaired individuals with text telephones (TTY) may contact the commission at (512) 936-7136.

TRD-200000335

Rhonda Dempsey

Rules Coordinator

Public Utility Commission of Texas

Filed: January 19, 2000


The Staff of the Public Utility Commission of Texas (commission) will hold a workshop to discuss the rulemaking regarding building access pursuant to PURA §§54.259, 54.260, and 54.261 on Friday, February 11, 2000, at 10:00 a.m. at the Greater Houston Partnership, 1200 Smith, Suite 700, Houston, Texas 77002. Project Number 21400, Rulemaking Regarding Building Access , pursuant to the Public Utility Regulatory Act §§54.259, 54.260, and 54.261, Texas Utilities Code Annotated §§11.001-64.158 (Vernon 1998 & Supp. 1999) (PURA), has been established for this proceeding.

At the December 16, 1999 open meeting the commission directed Staff to conduct additional workshops outside of Austin with interested parties to discuss Staff's draft rule regarding building access. This workshop is designed to facilitate involvement by interested parties that otherwise may have little, if any, participation in this Project.

The above referenced draft rule is available in Central Records and on the commission web site, under Project Number 21400, at http://www.puc.state.tx.us/rule/rulemake/21400/21400.cfm. The draft rules will assist in structuring the workshop discussion. An agenda for the workshop will also be available in Central Records and on the commission web site, under Project Number 21400, no later than January 31, 2000.

Questions concerning the workshop or this notice should be referred to Melanie Malone, Office of Policy Development, (512) 936-7247. Hearing and speech-impaired individuals with text telephones (TTY) may contact the commission at (512) 936-7136.

TRD-200000334

Rhonda Dempsey

Rules Coordinator

Public Utility Commission of Texas

Filed: January 19, 2000


Request for Proposals to Conduct an Audit of the Texas Universal Service Fund, for Fiscal Years 1999, 2000 and 2001

The Public Utility Commission of Texas (commission) is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) to conduct an audit of the Texas Universal Service Fund (TUSF), for fiscal years 1999, 2000 and 2001. This audit is being undertaken pursuant to the commission's statutory responsibility to administer the fund. Further information regarding the TUSF may be found in the Texas Utilities Code Chapter 56 and the commission's Substantive Rules §26.401 and §26.420 (16 Texas Administrative Code §26.401 and §26.420). The commission will use the audit to ensure that the TUSF is being managed in compliance with the relevant rules and procedures (see Audit Objectives and Scope, Sections 2.1 and 2.2 of the RFP) by the contracted administrator, the National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA).

The offices of NECA and the records to be audited are located in Whippany, New Jersey. Administrative costs of the program are primarily generated by agencies of the State of Texas, located in Austin, Texas.

To be considered, the proposal must arrive at the commission on or before 3:00 p.m., C.S.T., Monday, February 28, 2000. The due date for the final Audit Report will be approximately three months from the beginning date of the study, which will begin approximately in late April or early May of 2000.

Bidders must provide statements affirming the following: The auditor is properly licensed for public practice as a certified public accountant; the auditor meets the independence requirements of the Standards for Audit of Governmental Organizations, Programs, Activities and Functions, 1981 revision, published by the U.S. General Accounting Office; and the auditor does not have a record of substandard audit work.

Eligible Proposers. The Public Utility Commission is requesting proposals from entities with any relevant audit experience in the telecommunications industry. Entities that meet the definition of a historically underutilized business (HUB), as defined in Chapter 2161, Texas Government Code, §2161.100, are encouraged to submit a proposal.

Project Description. The Public Utility Commission of Texas requests proposals to conduct a financial audit of the Texas Universal Service Fund for each of the fiscal years ending August 31, 1999, 2000 and 2001. The audit shall cover all operations of NECA with respect to its administration of the Texas Universal Service Fund.

Selection Criteria. A proposal will be selected based on the ability of the proposer to provide the best value in carrying out requirements identified in the RFP. Evaluation criteria will include, but is not limited to, evidence of ability to manage project; experience of the organization; qualifications of assigned personnel; evidence of successful projects of similar nature; the clarity of the description of details for carrying out project; the total estimated fee; and whether the proposed project time lines are logical and appropriate. A complete description of selection criteria is set forth in the RFP. Proposers will be notified in writing of the selection.

Requesting the Proposal. A complete copy of the RFP for a financial audit of the Texas Universal Service Fund for the fiscal years 1999, 2000 and 2001, may be obtained by writing Susan K. Durso, General Counsel, Public Utility Commission, William B. Travis Building, 1701 North Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas 78701, or e-mail susan.durso@puc.state.tx.us, or faxing to (512) 936-7003. The RFP will be available Friday, January 28, 2000 and will be mailed on that date to all parties who have requested a copy and to a list of prospective bidders prepared by commission staff. You may also download the RFP from the Texas Department of Economic Development website, www.marketplace.state.tx.us or from the commission website, www.puc.state.tx.us, under "What's New".

Deadline for Receipt of Proposals. Proposals must be received no later than 3:00 p.m. on Monday, February 28, 2000, in Central Records, Room G-113, Public Utility Commission of Texas, William B. Travis Building, 1701 North Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas, 78701. Proposals received in Central Records after 3:00 p.m. on Monday, February 28, 2000 will not be considered. Proposals may be received in Central Records between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Regardless of the method of submission of the proposal, the commission will rely solely on the time/date stamp of Central Records in establishing the time and date of receipt. Proposals should be filed under Project Number 21991.

TRD-200000316

Rhonda Dempsey

Rules Coordinator

Public Utility Commission of Texas

Filed: January 18, 2000


San Antonio-Bexar County Metropolitan Planning Organization

Request for Proposal

The San Antonio-Bexar County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is seeking proposals from qualified Internet Web Page design firms to assist the MPO in creating, implementing and (possibly) maintaining an effective MPO web page site.

A copy of the Request for Proposal (RFP) may be requested by calling Scott Ericksen, the MPO Public Involvement Coordinator, at (210) 227-8651. Anyone wishing to submit a proposal must do so by 12:00 noon (CST), Tuesday, February 22, 2000 to the MPO office at:

VIA Metro Center

1021 San Pedro, Suite 2200

San Antonio, Texas 78212

The contract award will be made by the MPO's Transportation Steering Committee based on the recommendation of the Selection and Oversight Committee (SOC). The SOC will review the proposals based on the evaluation criteria listed in the RFP. Funding for this project in the amount of $25,000 is contingent upon the availability of Federal transportation planning funds.

TRD-200000329

Janet A. Kennison

Administrator

San Antonio-Bexar County Metropolitan Planning Organization

Filed: January 19, 2000


Texas Turnpike Authority Division of the Texas Department of Transportation

Notice of Availability

The Texas Turnpike Authority Division (TTA) of the Texas Department of Transportation hereby issues this notice to advise the public that a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) has been prepared and approved for proposed State Highway 130. State Highway 130 is a proposed controlled access, multimodal transportation facility that would extend from IH 35 north of Georgetown, in Williamson County, through Travis and Caldwell Counties, to IH 10 near Seguin, in Guadalupe County. The proposed facility would be located generally parallel to and east of Interstate 35 and the urban areas of Austin, San Marcos, New Braunfels and San Antonio. The total length of the proposed facility is approximately 91 miles.

The proposed State Highway 130 project is being developed as a toll road candidate. Accordingly, in conjunction with other project development related activities, TTA is conducting a study to evaluate the feasibility of developing the proposed facility as a toll road and financing it, in whole or in part, through the issuance of revenue bonds.

The State Highway 130 DEIS is available for review at the office of the TTA, 125 East 11th Street, Austin, Texas 78701. Copies of the DEIS may be purchased from TTA for the actual cost of reproduction ($117.93).

Copies of the DEIS have also been filed with and are available for public review at the Georgetown Public Library, Round Rock Public Library, Pflugerville Public Library, Austin Public Library/Austin History Center, Lockhart Public Library, and Seguin Public Library. For additional information contact Stacey Benningfield, Environmental Manager, Texas Turnpike Authority Division, at the address listed in this notice or by telephone at (512) 936-0983.

TRD-200000353

Phillip Russell

Director

Texas Turnpike Authority Division of the Texas Department of Transportation

Filed: January 19, 2000


Notice of Intent/#86-RFP5005

Pursuant to the authority granted under the Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 361, the Texas Turnpike Authority Division of the Texas Department of Transportation ("TTA") has promulgated and adopted rules located at 43 Texas Administrative Code, §54.1, et seq., under the caption of "Policy, Rules and Procedures for Private Involvement in Authority Projects" (the "Rules"). These Rules generally address private involvement in TTA projects and the solicitation of proposals for such projects. Section 54.4 of the Rules governs the submission and processing of solicited proposals, and provides for publication of notice that the TTA is seeking proposals for development of a turnpike project with private involvement.

This notice represents the first step in the process of soliciting private involvement in the development of the SH 130 Turnpike Project (the "Project"). Through this notice the TTA is seeking Letters of Request ("LOR") from parties interested in receiving a request for qualifications ("RFQ"). The TTA anticipates issuing the RFQ, receiving and analyzing RFQ responses, developing a short-list of proposing consortia, and issuing a request for proposals ("RFP") to that short-listed group. After review and a best value evaluation of the RFP responses, the TTA may negotiate and enter into an exclusive development agreement for development of the Project.

Description of the Project. The Project is an approximately 91-mile controlled access north-south highway located in Williamson, Travis, Caldwell and Guadalupe Counties, Texas. The Project extends from Interstate Highway 35 at State Highway 195, north of Georgetown in Williamson County, Texas, to Interstate 10, near Seguin, in Guadalupe County, Texas. The Project will be located generally parallel to, and east of, Interstate Highway 35 through Georgetown, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Austin, Lockhart and Seguin, and will provide an additional north-south travel corridor affecting the aforementioned communities as well as San Marcos, New Braunfels and San Antonio.

Release of RFQ and Presubmittal Workshop. The TTA currently anticipates that the RFQ will be available on or about February 17, 2000. Copies of the RFQ will be mailed or provided on or about that date to those parties who have submitted a LOR, and will be mailed or provided to others as LORs are received. The TTA is under no obligation to mail RFQs to parties submitting LORs after the deadline stated in this notice. Appendices and exhibits to the RFQ will be contained in a separate volume which will be available for review at the TTA offices or which can be purchased by a requestor at the TTA's cost of reproduction. Responses to the RFQ will be due on a date to be specified within the RFQ. A presubmittal/workshop will be held on March 9, 2000, which will be prior to the RFQ response deadline. Additional details will be contained in the RFQ.

Deadline for Letters of Request. A LOR notifying the TTA of a party's request for a copy of the RFQ will be accepted by fax at (512) 936-0970 (Attn: Crystal Hansen) or, by mail, hand-delivery or overnight courier at: Texas Turnpike Authority Division of the Texas Department of Transportation, 125 East 11th Street, 5th Floor, Austin, Texas 78701 Attention: Crystal Hansen. LORs must identify a contact person and an address to which the RFQ should be sent. LORs will be received until 5:00 p.m. C.S.T. on February 29, 2000.

TRD-200000365

Phillip Russell

Director

Texas Turnpike Authority Division of the Texas Department of Transportation

Filed: January 19, 2000


Texas Water Development Board

Request for Proposals for Flood Protection Planning

The Texas Water Development Board (Board) requests, pursuant to 31 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §355.3, the submission of proposals leading to the possible award of contracts to develop flood protection plans for areas in Texas from political subdivisions with the legal authority to plan for and abate flooding and which participate in the National Flood Insurance Program.

Flood protection planning applications may be submitted by eligible political subdivisions from any area of the State and will be considered and evaluated. In addition, applicants must supply a map of the geographical planning area to be studied.

Description of Planning Purpose and Objectives. The purpose of the flood protection planning grant program is for the State to assist local governments to develop flood protection plans for entire major or minor watersheds (as opposed to local drainage areas) that provide protection from flooding through structural and non-structural measures as described in 31 TAC §355.2. Planning for flood protection will include studies and analyses to determine and describe problems resulting from or relating to flooding and the views and needs of the affected public relating to flooding problems. Potential solutions to flooding problems will be identified, and the benefits and costs of these solutions will be estimated. From the planning analysis, feasible solutions to flooding problems will be recommended. Solutions for localized drainage problems are not eligible for grant funding.

Description of Funding Consideration. Up to $600,000 has been initially authorized for FY 2000 assistance for flood protection planning from the Board's research and planning fund. Up to 50 percent funding may be provided to individual applicants, with up to 75 percent funding available to areas identified in 31 TAC §355.10(a) as economically disadvantaged. In the event that acceptable proposals are not submitted, the Board retains the right to not award contract funds.

Deadline, Review Criteria, and Contact Person for Additional Information. Ten double-sided copies on recycled paper of a complete flood protection planning grant application including the required attachments must be filed with the Board prior to 5:00 p.m., March 30, 2000. Proposals can be directed either in person to Ms. Phyllis Thomas, Room 445, Texas Water Development Board, Stephen F. Austin Building, 1700 North Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas or by mail to Ms. Phyllis Thomas, Texas Water Development Board, P.O. Box 13231 - Capitol Station, Austin, Texas 78711-3231.

Applications will be evaluated according to 31 TAC §355.5. All potential applicants must contact the Board to obtain these rules and an application instruction sheet. Requests for information, the Board's rules and instruction sheet covering the research and planning fund may be directed to Ms. Phyllis Thomas at the preceding mailing address, or by email at phyllis@TWDB.state.tx.us or by calling (512) 463-7926. This information can also be found on the Internet at the following address: http://www.twdb.state.tx.us.

TRD-200000354

Suzanne Schwartz

General Counsel

Texas Water Development Board

Filed: January 19, 2000