Public Participation and Title VI

Public Participation Plan Update

The HRMPO Public Participation Plan (PPP) is the document that describes how the MPO informs the public of regional transportation planning activities that affect local roads, transit, pedestrian and bike networks, and other transportation needs in the Harrisonburg, Bridgewater, Dayton, Mount Crawford, and Rockingham County urbanized area, and how the public can participate in MPO planning and provide input on MPO activities. Federal law requires metropolitan areas to have a formal process for involving residents in transportation planning, and MPO staff update the PPP as needed to stay current with federal requirements and public participation best practices. 

The HRMPOis updating the MPO’s PPP, and the Draft 2026 PPP updates procedures related to public comment periods and the methods used to inform the public. The HRMPO released the draft 2026 PPP for a 45-day public comment period on January 29, 2026, and the public can submit comments through March 15, 2026. Written comments may be submitted to the HRMPO Administrator, 112 MacTanley Court, Staunton, VA 24403, or by submitting comments to staff at hrvampo.org/contact-us/. Comments may also be made in person at the HRMPO Policy Board meeting on March 19, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the CSPDC Office. To request a public hearing, contact the HRMPO no later than March 12, 2026.

Below are the draft 2026 PPP, a summary table that documents the key changes between the draft 2026 PPP and the current PPP, and also the current PPP, which was last updated in 2019.

 

Current Public Participation Plan

The current HRMPO Public Participation Plan (PPP) was last updated on May 17, 2026.  The document is currently undergoing an update. 

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.