Our Story
In 2023, residents of McKinney voted down a $200M bond that would pay for the construction of a commercial passenger terminal at the city-owned airport. The bond measure was rejected by 59% of McKinney voters.
Despite this resounding defeat, the City Council continued to search for other sources of funding to pay for the expansion including the FAA and TxDot. In order to secure governmental funding of this kind, the law requires applicants to submit an Environmental Assessment (AE) showing that the planned project will have no adverse effect on the local environment.
In March of 2025, the FAA and TxDot approved the City’s AE. This came as a surprise to many McKinney residents who could not believe that an enlarged airport would not create more noise, pollution, and harm the surrounding environment that included the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary that was less than a mile from the south end of the airport.
Dr. Paul Chabot, who was among those residents skeptical of the AE’s findings, formed a team of citizens to review the documents that the City submitted to these agencies. The team subsequently organized as the non-profit North Texas Conservation Association (NTCA). Following its review of the City’s AE, it filed a petition on May 26, 2025 that contends that the EA approved by TxDOT and the FAA failed to meet the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The NTCA is asking the Court to vacate the FAA’s Finding of No Significant Impact and to remand the EA back to TXDOT for a thorough and legally compliant environmental review.
Why We Formed
While civic leaders attempt to deal with urban growth, we must be vigilant.
The NTCA is dedicated to fostering stewardship of the natural environment while protecting it from unwise urban growth. We seek to inform, influence, and inspire citizens to engage in protecting the environment and creating cities that are in harmony with nature.
Our Goal
Our goal is to create a community that appreciates and supports preserving and enhancing the natural environment of North Texas so that current and future generations can enjoy, explore, and experience the beauty and wonder it provides.
What We Believe
Community: We believe that conservation of the natural environment ensures the long-term health of our communities and our human environment.
Stewardship: Preserving natural beauty and ecological health is everyone’s responsibility.
Private Property: People can enjoy their property while respecting the rights of others.
Education and Awareness: We recognize the importance of educating people and fostering a sense of appreciation about the natural environment and the need for conservation.
Collaboration: We desire to work in partnership with local organizations, governments, volunteers, and donors to achieve our goals.
Accountability: We seek to operate with transparency and responsibility in all our actions, ensuring that resources are used effectively.
Integrity and Justice: We honor the rule of law and seek to ensure that it is applied to its fullest extent when protecting the natural environment.
What We Do
- Monitor development proposals that could impact land use, public welfare, air and water quality, wildlife, natural resources, and the environment.
- Increase public awareness and understanding of environmental and public welfare issues through media and other educational programs.
- Participate in administrative, common law, and statutory-based litigation designed to further these activities.
- Review and comment upon existing and planned practices which impact these activities.
Board & Officers
Dr. Paul Chabot, President & Director
Jack DeSimone, Director
Tom Michero, Director
Dar Kurtz CPA, Treasurer
Steve Ross, Secretary & General Counsel
North Texas Conservation Assoication
3066 Winding Oaks Circle
Kaufman, TX 75142
Help us fight to protect North Texas.
Your membership helps preserve our natural heritage for generations to come.