Public Participation and Title VI

Public Participation

The purpose of the HRMPO Public Participation Plan (PPP) is to provide a meaningful process that allows citizens, affected public agencies, representatives of public transportation employees, freight shippers, providers of freight transportation services, private providers of transportation, representatives of users of public transportation, representatives of users of pedestrian walkways and bicycle transportation facilities, representatives of the disabled, low and moderate income persons, minority groups and other interested parties with reasonable opportunities to be involved in the metropolitan transportation planning process. The HRMPO values and welcomes public participation in its transportation planning and program efforts, initiatives and decision making process.

All MPOs are required to have a formal PPP that provides citizens with complete information, timely public notice, and full access to key decisions and opportunities for early and continuing involvement in the transportation planning process. The Plan is updated as needed to stay relevant with Federal regulations.

Title VI

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 states: “No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color or national origin be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.” Subsequent laws and Presidential Executive Orders added handicap, sex, age or income status to the criteria for which discrimination is prohibited. The HRMPO Title VI Plan was developed to ensure the HRMPO is in compliance with nondiscrimination requirements as outlined in Title 23 CFR and 49 CFR and related laws and provides specific information on how to file a nondiscrimination complaint.

This Plan also provides an overview of Environmental Justice (EJ) and Limited English Proficiency (LEP) concepts, definitions of the Title VI and associated nondiscrimination acts, and how Title VI, EJ and LEP are incorporated into the metropolitan transportation planning process. EJ guidelines and outreach strategies for minority, low-income and LEP populations are included within the HRMPO Public Participation Plan, adopted on July 19, 2007.