TITLE VI - CIVIL RIGHTS & ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

NEPA, as the PennDOT designated Rural Planning Organization (RPO) for Carbon, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill, and Wayne counties, is contracted with PennDOT through annual work plan to coordinate rural transportation planning initiatives in the RPO region. Through the annual work plan, known as the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), NEPA incorporates Title VI and Environmental Justice values and practices to assure compliance with federal statues.

What is Title VI?

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a non-discrimination statute.  Specifically, Title VI, as amended, provides that:

No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. 

What is Environmental Justice?

Environmental Justice (EJ) is a component of Title VI which includes three fundamental principals:

• To avoid, minimize, or mitigate disproportionately high or and adverse human health or environmental effects, including social and economic, on minority populations and low-income populations. 
• To ensure the full and fair participation by all potentially affected communities in the transportation decision-making process.