Public Participation Plan 2007: Having Your Say
IV. Participation Plan:
Having Your Say: Public Review and Comment
Having Your Say: Public Review and Comment
The BRTB encourages public comments and provides the public with a variety of ways of voicing their opinions and sharing their ideas. Comments are welcome at any time.
In addition, the BRTB holds specific public review and comment periods for items such as the long-range transportation plan and short range transportation improvement program. At times the BRTB also holds special public comment periods for review of items such as the travel demand model. Details about these public comment periods and guidelines are listed below:
General Comments
Comments may be provided at any time in the following ways: in writing (mail, e-mail, and fax), online using the public comment form on the BMC web site, and verbally during the public participation opportunity of a regularly scheduled BRTB meeting.
Comments Related to Documents Posted for Public Review
Public comments on any documents posted for public review and comment may be provided in the following ways: in writing (mail, e-mail, and fax), online using the public comment form on the BMC web site, verbally at a public meeting (if applicable), and during the public participation opportunity of a regularly scheduled BRTB meeting occurring within the review and comment period.
Consideration and Response to Public Input
The BRTB recognizes and values public input and, therefore, will review each comment submitted. Members of the public are encouraged and welcome to share their thoughts on any topic at every BRTB meeting, as well as to send their comments in writing at any time for BRTB review and consideration.
For comments submitted during a public review and comment period, a response will be sent to the author prior to a final vote on the document. All comments received using the methods detailed above will also be documented as part of the public record.
| Public Comment Periods A key opportunity for the public to share their innovative thoughts and ideas is during public review and comment periods. A review and comment period of at least 45 days for the Participation Plan will be held. A review and comment period of at least 30 days will be held for the long-range plan, short-range transportation improvement program, and other documents open for public review. In addition, if any significant changes are made to either of these documents, an additional 30-day review and comment period will be held.
Public comments will be accepted no later than three working days after the public review and comment period ends.
|
|
Notification of Public Review and Comment Period
- Announcements - All public review and comment periods will be announced to the public in a variety of methods. For all public review periods, announcements are posted on the BMC web site, placed in the B’More Involved e-newsletter, and sent to interested parties on the BRTB mailing list. The mailing list includes the interested parties listed on page 4. When possible, announcements are also placed in BRTB Notes newsletter if timely.
- Press releases are sent to area newspapers and interested parties about public comment and review opportunities. The BRTB may also at times post announcements in additional area newspapers. In addition, advertisements are placed in The Baltimore Sun (the primary print/online news outlet in the region) for public review periods related to major activities such as the long and short-range transportation plans (draft documents and major amendments) and any major changes to the Public Participation Plan.
- BMC web site – All documents released for public review are made available for download on the BMC web site. Notification is included on the BMC home page as well as in the "What’s New" section.
-
Print Documents - All documents posted for public review are made available in print at the Regional Information Center. For public review periods related to major activities such as the long and short-range transportation plans (draft documents and major amendments) and any major changes to the Public Participation Plan, the BRTB will expand availability of print documents to a number of area libraries and planning offices in each jurisdiction in the region.
|
Public Comment: Plans and Programs
The following outlines specific procedures for public involvement related to plans and programs created by the BRTB. In addition to seeking public review and comment, the BRTB coordinates with statewide transportation planning public involvement and consultation processes. Primary coordination occurs through the work of the BRTB and its committees. Additionally, BRTB members and BMC staff work on an ongoing basis to promote public involvement in appropriate local planning processes.
Notice for each of these public review and comment periods is given according to standard procedure as outlined under the "Notification of Public Review and Comment Period" section on page 11. For all public review periods, comments can be submitted by e-mail, mail, fax, or online using the public comment form on the BMC web site.
|
|
Planning for the long-term: Baltimore Regional Transportation Plan
The BRTB is responsible for developing and updating a long-range transportation plan that defines the transportation policies and investments to be implemented over a minimum of twenty-years. This plan, the Baltimore Regional Transportation Plan (BRTP), is updated at least every four years, as required by federal law.
The process of developing the BRTP requires early and continuing public involvement. Prior to initiating the long-range planning process, the BRTB develops a specific program for public involvement during the plan process. This program is developed in consultation with key stakeholders and members of the public, particularly persons representing low-income, minority, disabled, and other targeted populations as appropriate.
Typically the program includes a wide array of opportunities to become informed about and involved in the plan development process, such as a kick-off open house or interactive public meetings held at major milestones of the planning process. In addition, the program may combine a wide range of additional tools for public education on transportation issues, and involvement and consultation during the planning process.
Public Review and Comment
A 30-day public review and comment period will be held on the draft BRTP. During this time public meetings will be held in each jurisdiction in the region.
Notice will be given according to standard procedure, however, additional activities or methods of disseminating the draft BRTP may be implemented. A plan and/or schedule of these additional activities will be posted on the BMC web site.
Major Amendments
Several actions can prompt a major amendment, such as the addition or deletion of a capacity project. When this occurs, an additional 30-day review and comment period, as well as a public meeting, will take place. This meeting will be held in the jurisdiction that is impacted or at BMC if regional in nature.
Planning Transportation Improvements: Transportation Improvement Program
The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) identifies state and local transportation projects that will receive federal money for one or more phases of the project over the next five years. Opportunities to comment on the proposed TIP document and amendments to the TIP are as follows:
First Draft TIP
Prior to the release of the entire draft document, a database that details all TIP projects is made available on the BMC web site for a 30-day public review period.
Final Draft TIP
The final draft TIP will be made available in hard copy at various libraries, local government planning offices, the BMC offices, and on the BMC web site for a 30-day period. A public meeting to accept comments on the final draft TIP will take place at BMC prior to the end of this comment period.
Major Amendments
Both the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration identify a number of actions (i.e., the addition of a new capacity project, major change in funding, etc) that would prompt a major amendment. A full list of these actions is listed in the TIP document, available on the BMC web site. A major TIP amendment will prompt an additional 30-day review and comment period, as well as a public meeting. This meeting will be held in the jurisdiction that is impacted or at BMC if the amendment is regional in nature.
Air Quality Conformity Determination
As the MPO for a region that is not currently reaching federal air quality standards, the BRTB is required to go through the process of transportation conformity every time there is a new transportation plan, program or federally-funded project. This analysis, called a Conformity Determination, accompanies any new TIP and BRTP. A 30-day public review and comment period on the conformity document, as well as a public meeting, coincides with approval of each TIP and BRTP.
Unified Planning Work Program
The Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) articulates a set of planning activities and studies to be conducted by BRTB over a given year. The BRTB provides the public with the opportunity to review and comment on a draft UPWP. Notice will be given that the draft UPWP is available on the BMC web site and in print at the BMC offices for a 30-day period.
Participation Plan
The Citizens Advisory Committee will take responsibility for annually reviewing and drafting proposed changes if needed. All proposed changes will be reviewed and formally voted on by the CAC and then submitted to the BRTB for consideration.
Upon completion of the draft plan, the BRTB will make the draft available on the BMC web site for a 45-day public review and comment period. Print copies will be also made available at a number of area libraries in each jurisdiction in the region, as well as the planning offices in each jurisdiction. Additionally, the federally identified list of "interested parties" (page 7) will also have an opportunity for input and comment.
Access for All
The BRTB recognizes and values the diversity within the region. It also recognizes the importance of including those individuals and groups who have been traditionally underserved. As such, the BRTB has outlined the following guidelines for engaging people with disabilities and individuals with limited English proficiency.
Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) is landmark civil rights legislation ensuring equal opportunity for people with disabilities in employment, public accommodations, transportation, state and local government services and telecommunications. The BRTB and its Subcommittees are fully committed to the spirit and intent of the ADA legislation. In order to facilitate participation by people with disabilities, the following guidelines and activities apply:
-
All public meetings and formal events of the BRTB will be held in facilities that are accessible to persons with disabilities. Additional accommodations will be provided on an as-needed basis.
-
All public notices of BRTB events will state that accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities will be provided upon request. One-week notice is required for provisions of appropriate auxiliary aids and services.
-
All documents available to the public will be provided in alternative formats for qualified individuals with disabilities, upon request.
-
The web site will be accessible to and usable by individuals with vision impairments.
-
The telephone number of the Maryland Relay Service will be included on all agendas and materials for public review of the BRTB.
-
A list of resources for auxiliary aids and services will be developed and maintained.
Involving Persons with Limited English Proficiency
The Baltimore region is a diverse community that includes a wide array of ethnic communities and people, many with limited skill with the English language. The BRTB is currently developing a plan for outreach and involvement with persons with limited English skills. This plan includes an analysis to determine language needs of the targeted population. It also includes strategies for announcing meetings, document translation, oral communication, and other communication needs during the regional transportation planning process.
In addition to the development of a LEP plan, the BRTB currently is making information on its web site available in 12 additional languages. The free service, powered by AltaVista's Babelfish program, allows users to choose from Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, Korean, Japanese, Italian, Greek, German, French, Dutch, and two Chinese translations. The translation service is available by clicking the link at the bottom left on each page of the BMC web site.
|
Questions? Manager of Plan & Policy |
Links within this web site: 2007 Public Participation Plan (pdf, 1.11 MB)
Other Parts of the Public Participation Plan
Letter
I. Introduction
II. About the BRTB
III. Guiding Principles
IV. Participation Plan
V. Toolbox
Appendix A: Federal Requirements
Appendix B: CFR Excerpts
Appendix C: Lingo
Appendix D: Guide to Making Comments
Links to other web sites:
Last Updated on Monday, 20 December 2010 18:39