NEPA, as the PennDOT designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Schuylkill counties, is contracted through a work plan to coordinate transportation planning initiatives in the MPO region. The NEPA MPO is continuously revising and adapting our public participation and community outreach initiatives that fully engage all stakeholders in our planning and decision-making process.
The NEPA MPO has a commitment to engaging the public in a process that is:
Open
a process that is open is accessible, unrestricted, and understandable
Cooperative
a process that is cooperative is accommodating to a wide range of needs and diverse perspectives
Collaborative
a process that is collaborative cultivates opportunities for new partnerships and fosters teamwork
Continuing
a process that is continuing is proactive and responsive to the purpose it is intended to serve
The NEPA MPO adopted its Public Participation Plan, Title VI Plan and Limited English Proficiency Plan in April 2024 following a 45-day public comment period. The Public Participation Plan outlines the policies, procedures and processes for all public involvement activities within the NEPA MPO. The Public Participation Plan acts as a guide for the public involvement in the development of regional projects, plans and programs including the Long Range Transportation Plan and Transportation Improvement Program.
The Title VI Non-Discrimination Plan outlines the NEPA MPO’s efforts to comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and includes the Public Participation Plan and Limited English Proficiency Plan. Together, these plans work to ensure that the projects, programs and processes developed by the NEPA MPO consider the needs of environmental justice populations including minority and low-income persons, and individuals traditionally underserved by the transportation system including those with Limited English Proficiency, seniors and persons with disabilities.
Click on the boxes to the right to view each plan.
NEPA is continuously revising and adapting the MPO’s public participation and community outreach initiatives that fully engage all stakeholders in our planning and decision-making process. NEPA makes every effort to employ initiatives that:
- educate the public,
- encourage participation by individuals and groups, and,
- respond to the stakeholder input and feedback.
The NEPA MPO Public Participation Plan can be found here.
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.
The Limited English Proficiency Plan establishes a clear strategy that ensures meaningful access to the MPO’s planning and decision-making processes by individuals with limited English proficiency.
The Limited English Proficiency Plan can be found here.
Environmental Justice (EJ) is a component of Title VI which includes three fundamental principles:
- 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.
- To prevent the denial of, reduction in, or significant delay in the receipt of benefits by minority and low-income populations
An Environmental Justice Benefits and Burdens Analysis was conducted during the development of the NEPA MPO 2023-2026 Transportation Improvement Program. It can be found here.