The Texas Transportation Commission (commission) and the Texas Department of Transportation (department) will protect, preserve, and, when practicable, enhance the environment. The focus will be on the human environment including the earth's systems, consisting of water, air, land, plants, people, and animals and the interrelationships that exist among these, including ecological, socio-economic, and archeological/cultural resources. Particular emphasis will be placed on avoidance, minimization, and compensation for adverse environmental impacts. Social and environmental concerns will be balanced with economic growth. The commission and the department will fully integrate environmental and public participation considerations into department policies, procedures, and decision-making practices, and will do so in a systematic, interdisciplinary manner.

Source Note:The provisions of this §2.2 adopted to be effective April 16, 2012, 37 TexReg 1727.