The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) released its Draft 2019 Public Participation Plan for public comment today. The plan, prepared by the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments (AMBAG) in collaboration with the RTC, the Council of San Benito County Governments, and the Transportation Agency for Monterey County, is federally required to be updated and approved every four years.
The plan, which will serve as the official public participation plan for the RTC for 2019-2023, establishes a process for the public to participate in transportation planning, programming and project implementation.
It incorporates strategies to ensure that, to the greatest extent possible, interagency consultation and public participation are an integral part of the regional transportation planning decision-making process.
The Draft 2019 Public Participation Plan complies with applicable federal and state legislation, including the current federal transportation act, Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST ACT), which was enacted in 2015.
The requirements for the public participation plan under FAST include increased involvement and collaboration with members of the public, decision makers and staff from the local jurisdictions and partner agencies within the region.
Once approved by the RTC, the 2019 Public Participation Plan will play a key role in the public outreach strategy for the development of the 2045 Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Plan.
The RTC is seeking public input on the Draft 2019 Public Participation Plan on ways the agency can better reach the community through its outreach efforts. The RTC will hold a public hearing on the plan on Aug. 1 at 9:30 a.m. at the Scotts Valley City Council Chambers, 1 Civic Center Dr., Scotts Valley.
Comments on the Draft 2019 Public Participation Plan can also be submitted via mail at P.O. Box 2453, Seaside, CA 93955, via email [email protected], or via fax at (831) 883-3755.
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All comments must be received by Aug. 28.