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TRANSACTIONS NEWSLETTER ONLINE

April/May 2003

Public Involvement:
How Are We Doing?
MeetingPhoto: Christopher Springman

MTC has begun the process of updating its federal Public Involvement Procedures, and is seeking comment on the draft document. The procedures are built on a series of guiding principles. Key among these is the notion that “one size does not fit all” — meaning that to be effective, public participation must be tailored to fit the audience and the issue.

Has MTC done a good job of keeping in touch with you or your organization? Have we clearly explained our decision-making processes and the issues at hand? Do our communication vehicles — our newsletter, Web site, public meetings and the like — keep you informed?

You can let us know at a public hearing set for Friday, June 13, 2003. Written comments will be accepted until 4 p.m. on Friday, July 11, 2003, and can be addressed to:

MTC Public Information Office
MetroCenter, 101 Eighth Street
Oakland, CA 94607
Fax: 510.817.5848
E-mail: info@mtc.ca.gov

For more information or for a copy of the Proposed Revisions to the Public Involvement Procedures, call 510.817.5757, or visit MTC’s Web site: <www.mtc.ca.gov>.

The draft procedures were developed under the guidance of the federal Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, which underscores the need for public involvement, and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Civil Rights Restora- tion Act of 1987. The procedures also respond to federal statutes enacted in the 1990s relating to environmental justice, the idea being to minimize adverse health or environmental effects on minority and low-income populations; facilitate participation by affected communities in the decision-making process; and ensure that minority populations and low-income communities share equitably in the distribution of transportation benefits.

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