Our MPO policy committee took a position supporting the concept of the multiple urbanized areas within our region being agglomerated and were encouraged by the August 24, 2010 Federal Register notice indicating that the Census 2000 UAs (Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, Denton-Lewisville, and McKinney) would potentially be combined.  Therefore, we are disappointed and a bit confused by the August 4-5 listserv statements indicating that new criteria may have since been developed.  Our policy officials have seen these discussions and are asking us to respond.  Can you let us know what is going on with regard to these criteria and perhaps provide the rationale behind keeping the urbanized areas from 2000 (when the other criteria indicate that they should be combined)?  Thanks.