PUBLIC
PARTICIPATION PLAN
DECEMBER 2013
This plan completed by the Buckeye Hills – Hocking Valley Regional
Development District as part of the RTPO Pilot Program funded by the Ohio
Department of Transportation.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Contents
IntroductionandAcknowledgements__________________________________________________________________ 1
ProgramBackgroundandPurpose_____________________________________________________________________ 2
PublicInvolvementProcess_____________________________________________________________________________ 3
PublicMeetings__________________________________________________________________________________________ 7
RTPOCommitteeStructure_____________________________________________________________________________ 8
ThisdocumentproducedbyBuckeyeHills–HockingValleyRegionalDevelopmentDistrict,inpartnership
withtheOhioDepartmentofTransportation.
December2013
Pleasedirectallquestionsandcommentsregardingthisdocumentto:
TransportationPlanningManager
P.O.Box520
Reno,Ohio45773
V740.374.9436F740.374.8038
www.buckeyehills.org
INTRODUCTION AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Page1
IntroductionandAcknowledgements
TheBuckeyeHills-HockingValleyRegionalDevelopmentDistrict(BH-HVRDD) assistslocalcommunities,
andworkscooperativelytoimprovethequalityoflifefor residentsintheregion.Asavoluntaryorganization
oflocalgovernmentpolitical subdivisions,BuckeyeHillsserveseightcountiesinsoutheasternOhio(Athens,
Hocking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Perry, and Washington),securingfinancial resourcesandtranslating
ideasintoaction.
BuckeyeHillsassistscommunitiesinidentifyingurgentneedswhileassistinginsecuringgrant/ loanfundsto
improveinfrastructureandtheoverallqualityoflifefor localresidents.Thestaffoftenactsasthe'adjunct
staff'forcommunitiesof theDistrictbyprovidingtechnicalassistance,grantwriting,project administration,
andotherassistanceserviceswhichmayotherwisebelacking.
Since1968,BuckeyeHillshassecuredover$500millioninfundingforeducation, healthcare,infrastructure,
training,andsocialserviceprogramsintheregion.
Fromreachingouttotheregion’saginginneedofin-homeassistance,providing communitieswithplanning
support,orservingasadvocatesatthestateand nationallevel,theprofessionalstaffatBuckeyeHillsserves
withdedicationandcompassion.
VISION STATEMENT
Theeffectiveutilizationofpublicandprivateresourcesforanimprovedqualityof lifeforourconstituents.
MISSION STATEMENT
BuckeyeHillswillimprovethesocioeconomicconditionsoftheregionby promotingtheinterestsandneeds
ofourconstituentstopersonsandagencies empoweredtocreatepositivechange.
PROGRAM BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Page2
ProgramBackgroundandPurpose
Themostrecentsurfacetransportationbill,MovingAheadforProgressinthe21stCentury(MAP-21)wassignedinto
lawonJuly2,2012.LanguagefromMAP-21influencedtheOhioDepartmentofTransportation(ODOT)tocreate
theRegionalTransportationPlanningOrganization(RTPO)pilotprogramtoexpandtransportationplanning
activitiesinthestate.Inordertofacilitatetheexpandedtransportationplanningactivities,ODOThas
designatedruralmulti-countyplanningagenciesasRegionalTransportationPlanningOrganizations
(RTPOs)toprovideamechanismforruralcommunitiestoparticipateinthetransportationplanningprocess.
ThepilotprogramincludesthefollowingactionitemstobeundertakenbyBuckeyeHills:
• Theformationofthreetransportationrelatedadvisorycommittees–Policy,Technical,andCitizens,to
provideinputthroughouttheplanningprocess;
• Thecreationandadoptionofapublicparticipationplan;
• Thecreationandadoptionofacomprehensiveregionaltransportationplaninclusiveofallmodesof
transportation;
• Themoderationofacontinuousandcomprehensivepublicparticipationprocess,whichwilllastthe
durationofthepilotprogramperiod.
Inordertofulfilltheroleofliaisonbetweenlocalgovernments, constituents,interestedparties,andour
partnersatthestateandfederallevel, BuckeyeHillswillutilizeadecisionmakingprocessthathasprovento
be successfulinotherregionalendeavorsinthepast.
Attheendofthetwoyearpilotprogram,thisPublicParticipationPlanwillbereviewedand/oramendedas
needed. Updatesmaytakeplaceatany timetoensurecompliancewithsurfacetransportationlegislation
thatmay supersedeorreplacethecurrentbill.
Thisdocumentwillprovidethestructurebywhichlocalgovernments,local electedofficials,businesses,
organizations,privatecitizens,andanyother interestedpartiesfromacrosstheregioncanparticipateinthe
continuous comprehensivetransportationplanningprocess.
BuckeyeHillswillabidebyallapplicableFederalandStateregulationsduringtheexecutionofthisprogram.
Theseregulationsinclude,butarenotlimitedto;TitleVIoftheCivilRightsAct,theAmericanwith
DisabilitiesAct,theFederalHighwayAdministration–publicinvolvementrequirements,theExecutiveOrder
requiringEnvironmentalJustice,andtheOhioPublicRecordsAct(sunshineLaw).
Note: Please refer to the Appendix for further information on legal and statutory requirements.
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT PROCESS
Page3
PublicInvolvementProcess
PublicparticipationiskeytothesuccessoftheRTPOpilotprograminOhioandcentraltoinclusivelocal
governmentandstrongdecisionmaking.Maintaininganopenandflexiblepublicparticipationprocesswill
promotecollaborationbetweenallpartiesandmitigatestakeholderalienation.Thisdocumentandthe
activitiesdescribedwithinwillproducealastingcontributiontothewell-beingofourneighborhoods,
cities,counties,andtheregionthroughcollaborativegoalsetting,analysis,andpolicydecisions.
OBJECTIVES
1. EnsurethatstakeholdersareidentifiedandgiventheopportunitytobecomepartofBuckeye
Hills’transportationplanningprocessthroughavarietyofmethods.
2. Utilizeavailablemediaoutletsforwidecirculationofpublicmeetingnotices,plandocuments,
andpublicationavailability,toprovidenoticeofpubliccommentperiodsaswellasanyother
timelyinformationregardingthetransportationplanningprocess.Theseoutletswillinclude
butarenotlimitedto;television,radio,newspapers,newsletters,andinternetwebsites.
3. Providetransparencyofallinformationgatheredanddevelopedduringthetransportation
planningprocess.
Iden�fy and Engage Stakeholders
Publicinvolvementisanopportunityforthepublictopositivelyinfluencetransportationdecisionmaking.
BuckeyeHillswillworkwithitscommittees,staff,boardrepresentatives,members,andotherpartnersto
ensurethattheneedsofallsegmentsofthepopulationarerepresentedinthiseffort.Stakeholderinterest
inthisprocesscanbepublic,private,orprofessional,andrepresentativeofanytransportationmode.In
ordertofacilitatecollaborationinimplementingtransportationimprovementsitistheresponsibilityof
BuckeyeHillstoprovidegovernment,industry,andcitizenswiththeinformationneededtounderstand
whattheproblemsare,whatimprovementsarenecessary,whattheeffectswillbe,andwheneachelement
oftheprogramwillbereadyforpublicuseand/orinput.
Duringthestakeholderidentificationprocess,itisimportanttoidentifylow-income,minority,elderly,and
disabledpopulationswithintheregion.Ensuringthattheplanningprocessdoesnotresultin
disproportionatenegativeimpactsforthesepopulationsiscalledEnvironmentalJustice.Inorderto
accuratelycommunicatethestateandexistenceofEnvironmentalJusticepopulationswithintheregion,a
seriesofGISmapshavebeencreatedutilizingcurrentpopulationandhousinginformationfromtheU.S.
CensusBureau.Thesemapsillustratetherelativelocationsandtheregionaldistributionsofthefollowing
citizenry–minorities,seniors,impoverishedindividuals,andtotalfactorsinallgroups.Thetablebelow
illustratessomeoftheEnvironmentalJusticestatisticsfortheregion.
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT PROCESS
Page4
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: REGIONAL TOTALS AND PERCENTAGES
DESCRIPTION INDIVIDUALS OVER 65
MINORITY INDIVIDUALS
INDIVIDUALS IN POVERTY
RegionalTotal 37,400 11,452 29,920
Pct.OfPopulation 14.39% 4.41% 11.51%
Source: 2011 ACS 5 Year Estimate (2007-2011)
ComparingtheseregionalaveragestothevaluesfoundinCensusBlockGroupsintheregionfoundthat93,
or43.9%,oftheregion’s212BlockGroupsareovertheregionalaverageforindividualsover65yearsof
age;76,or35.8%,areovertheregionalaverageforminorityindividuals;and88,or41.5%,areoverthe
regionalaverageforindividualsinpoverty.Intotal,189ofthe212totalBlockGroupsintheregionwere
aboveaverageinatleastonefactor,106wereaboveaverageinatleasttwofactors,and26wereabove
averageinallthreefactors.Forreference,thepopulationoftheBuckeyeHillsregionduringthetime
reflectedforthedataabovewas260,054.
Anyactivitiesundertakenaspartof,orresultingfromtheRTPOpilotprogramwilltakeallavailablesteps
tominimizeanydisproportionatenegativeimpactstoareaswithidentifiedEnvironmentalJusticefactorsin
theregion.
ForfurtherinformationaboutEnvironmentalJusticeregulations,pleasevisitthelinkbelowontheFederal
Highwaywebsite;
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/environmental_justice/ej_at_dot/order_56102a/index.cfm
Media Outlets for Wide Circula�on of Informa�on
Meetingnotices,pressreleases,noticesofplandocumentsandpublications,andinvitationstosubmit
commentswillbepublishedinnewspapersofcirculationandothermediaoutletsintheeightcounty
regiontoprovideinformationtothepublic.InformationregardingmediaoutletsintheBuckeyeHills
regionisfoundbelow.
COUNTY RADIO TELEVISION NEWSPAPERS Athens WATH AM 970
WXTQ FM 105.5 WOUB FM 91.3 WOUC FM 89.1 WOUZ FM 90.1 WSEO FM 107.7 WJKW FM 96.9 WYWH FM 104.5 WEAK FM 106.7
WOUB TV Columbus WBNS Columbus WCMH Columbus WSYX Columbus WTTE
Athens Messenger Athens News OU Post
Hocking WKNA FM 98.3 WLOH FM 99.3 WWTL FM 106.3
Columbus WBNS Columbus WCMH Columbus WSYX
Logan Daily News
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT PROCESS
Page5
WLGN AM 1510 Columbus WTTE Meigs WNTO FM 93.1
WVRR FM 97.1 Parkersburg WTAP Huntington WOWK Huntington WSAZ Charleston WCHS Charleston WVAH
Daily Sentinel
Monroe WBVN FM 93.5 Parkersburg WTAP Wheeling WTRF Steubenville WTOV
Monroe County Beacon
Morgan WOUZ FM 90.1 WJAW FM 100.9
Parkersburg WTAP Zanesville WHIZ
Morgan County Herald
Noble WWKC FM 104.9 WILE FM 97.7
Parkersburg WTAP Zanesville WHIZ
Journal & Noble County Leader
Perry WWJM FM 105.9 Zanesville WHIZ Columbus WBNS Columbus WCMH Columbus WSYX Columbus WTTE
Perry Tribune
Washington WVV FM 96.1 WCMO FM 98.5 WDMX FM 100.1 WHNK AM 1450 WLTP AM 910 WNUS FM 107.1 WMOA AM 1490 WVRB FM 102.1 WVVV FM 96.9 WRZZ FM 106.1 WXIL FM 95.0 WHBR FM 103.1 WGGE FM 99.0 WADC AM 1050 WVNT AM 1230 WMRT FM 88.3 WRRR FM 93.0
Parkersburg WTAP Huntington WOWK Huntington WSAZ Charleston WCHS Charleston WVAH
Marietta Times Marietta A.M. The Anchor
Informationregardingthetransportationprogramwillalsobedisseminatedusingotherformsof
communicationincludingpublicmeetings,conferencecalls,webinars,oneononepresentations,
newsletters,flyers,agencywebsites,aswellassocialmediaoutlets.
Programnoticesmayalsobepostedatvariouscommunitygatheringplacessuchasvillageoffices,senior
centers,andothercommunitylocationsinordertoensurethewidestpossiblelevelofcommunication.
Advocacygroupsandotherregionalpartnersmaybeutilizedtohelpengagetheirrespectiveconstituencies
inRTPOplanningprocesses.
Publicmeetingnotices,andothernoticesseekingpubliccommentwillbepublishedatleast15daysprior
tothemeetingdateorendofthecommentperiod.Allnoticeswillincludeataminimumthedate,time,and
locationofmeetings;ordates,times,addresses,andotherinformationwheredocumentswillbeavailable
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT PROCESS
Page6
forrevieworcomments.Followingpublicmeetingsorotherpublicnotices,individualswillbegiven45
daysfromthedateofthenoticebeingpublishedtocommentondocumentsorplanspresented.
Duringallcommentperiods,physicalcopiesofdocumentsandplanswillbemadeavailableforpublic
reviewatlibraries,countycourthouses,ODOTdistrictofficesandBuckeyeHills’offices.Electroniccopies
willbeavailableontheBuckeyeHillswebsiteatwww.buckeyehills.org.Commentsmaybesubmittedon
BuckeyeHills’website(www.buckeyehills.org),byelectronicmail,orUSmail.Writtencommentsmayalso
bedeliveredinpersontotheBuckeyeHillsoffice.AllcommentsshouldbeaddressedtotheTransportation
PlanningManager,P.O.Box520,Reno,Ohio45773.
Transparency of Informa�on
Alldocuments,plans,maps,tables,commentsandotherinformationgatheredorcreatedaspartofthis
projectareavailableforpublicreviewuponrequest.Allrequestsforcopiesorduplicationofmaterials
mustbeprovidedinwritingandmustrefertoinformationthatisalreadyinexistence.Requestsshouldbe
addressedtotheBuckeyeHillsTransportationPlanningManager.BuckeyeHillsstaffwillrequirea
reasonableamountoftime(upto10businessdays)torespondtoanyrequest.
PUBLIC MEETINGS
Page7
PublicMeetings
AllpublicmeetingsheldaspartoftheRTPOpilotprogramwillbefreeandopentothepublic.Asign-in
sheetwillbeprovidedtoallowparticipantsleavetheirnameandcontactinformationinordertofacilitate
communicationbetweenthemselvesandBuckeyeHillsstaff.Attendeesatpublicmeetingswillbegiven
opportunitiestoprovidecommentsdirectly,inwriting,orthroughinteractivemethodssuchasthe
completionofsurveys,viewingandeditingofmaps,andanyothermethoddeemedeffectivebyBuckeye
Hillsstaff.Handoutsandothermaterialsmaybeprovidedifnecessary.Ifthemeetingisformaloriftimeis
limited,participantswhowishtospeakmaybetimelimitedasnecessarytoensurethatallstakeholders
havetheopportunitytocommentonplansordocumentation.BuckeyeHillswillcontinuetoencourage
municipalitiesandstateagenciestocoordinatetheiroutreachactivities,whenpossible,withrelevant
BuckeyeHillsmeetingstoconsolidateandenhancepublicoutreachopportunities.
RTPO COMMITTEE STRUCTURE
Page8
RTPOCommitteeStructure
Inordertofacilitateinputduringthetransportationplanningprocess,BuckeyeHillswillconveneand
maintainthreestandingtransportationrelatedcommittees:
• PolicyCommittee
• TechnicalAdvisoryCommittee
• CitizensAdvisoryCommittee
Thesecommitteeswillprovideinput,advice,andoversighttoBuckeyeHills’staffastheRTPOpilot
programactivitiesarecarriedout.
TheTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeandtheCitizensAdvisoryCommitteewillmeetquarterlyataminimum.
ThePolicyCommitteewillmeetonthefirstFridayofeachmonth,coincidingwiththeBuckeyeHills
ExecutiveCommittee.Additionalmeetingsofeachcommitteecanbeheldifcircumstancesrequire.
Meetingsaregenerallyexpectedtolastonetotwohours.
Aconceptualdiagramillustratingtheactivitiesofthecommittees isshownbelow:
RTPO COMMITTEE STRUCTURE
Page9
POLICY COMMITTEE
ThePolicyCommitteewillconsistofBuckeyeHills’existingExecutiveCommittee.Asestablishedinthe
bylawsofBuckeyeHills,theExecutiveCommitteeconsistsofatotalof15persons. Themembersare
composedof2/3dulyelectedpublicofficialsand1/3privatecitizenswhoareneitherelectpublicofficialsof,
noremployeesof,ageneralpurposeunitofgovernment. Eachcountyshallappointanelectedpublicofficial
andanalternate,withthemayorsortheirdesignatedalternatesofthedistricts’twolargestcities,servingon
theExecutiveCommittee.AtnotimeshallanycountyhavemorethantworepresentativesontheExecutive
Committee. MembersoftheExecutiveCommitteeshallremainmembersofthePolicyCommitteeforthe
durationoftheirtermwithBuckeyeHills. RemovalorresignationfromtheExecutiveCommitteeconstitutes
simultaneousremovalfromtheRTPOPolicyCommittee.
Thiscommittee,uponrecommendationsfromtheTechnicalAdvisoryandthe CitizensAdvisorycommittees,
cantakeactiononitemsrelatedtotransportation policyortransportationactivitiesbeingundertakenby
BuckeyeHillsaspartoftheRTPOprogram. ThePolicy Committeewillberesponsibleforthefinalreview
andadoptionofallRTPO planningdocuments.Apermanentstandingagendaitemhasbeenaddedtothe
ExecutiveCommitteeagendaforRTPOrelatedbusiness. TheBuckeyeHillsExecutiveCommitteemeetsthe
firstFridayofeverymonthattheBuckeyeHills officesinMarietta,Ohio. Allmeetingsadvertisedwithinthe
regionarefree andopentothepublic.
TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
TheTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeisformedtoprovidespecifictechnicalinputontopicssuchasdesign
standards,bestpractices,materialsinput,constructionorengineeringtechniques,andotherdetailrelated
informationthatwillbeofusetoBuckeyeHillsstaffastheycompletethecomprehensivetransportation
planfortheregion.Membersofthiscommitteewillgenerallybeindividualswithrelevantexperiencethat
istechnicalinnaturewhocanserveassubjectmatterexpertsinanymodeoftransport.
TheTechnicalAdvisoryCommittee(TAC)willbeinitiallycomprisedofmembersoftheOhioPublicWorks
CommissionDistrict18ExecutiveCommittee.Additionalstakeholderswillbeappointedtoensureall
modesoftransportationarerepresented.AllrecommendationsmadebymembersoftheTechnical
AdvisoryCommitteewillbepresentedtothePolicyCommitteeandrelevantBuckeyeHills’staff.
MembersoftheTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeareaskedtoserveatwoyeartermofservice.Thereisno
limitonhowlongamembermayserveaslongastheyremainactiveandingoodstandingwithother
membersandBuckeyeHillsstaff.Membersofthiscommitteecanberecommendedbymembersofthe
PolicyCommittee,localelectedofficials,orBuckeyeHills’staff.Resignationfromthecommitteewillbe
acceptedinwriting30dayspriortoameetingofthecommittee.Thiscommitteewillmeetquarterly,with
regularcommunicationtakingplaceviaemail,webconference,telephone,andphysicalmail.Typical
meetingsareexpectedtolastonetotwohours.Additionalmeetingscanbeheldtosatisfymemberissues
ortoaddressspecialissuesthatmayariseduringtheprogram.
RTPO COMMITTEE STRUCTURE
Page10
Membership Goals
CurrentmembersoftheOhioPublicWorksCommissionDistrict18ExecutiveCommittee(withthe
exceptionofBelmontandMuskingumcounties)willinitiallyserveasmembersoftheTechnicalAdvisory
Committee.Thiscommitteeistypicallycomposedofcountyengineers,township,andvillage
representativesfromacrosstheregion.
Movingforward,theTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteewillbecomprisedofmemberswiththefollowing
qualifications:
• Onerepresentativeordesigneefromeachcountyengineeringdepartment.
• Atleastonerepresentativewithrelevantengineering,planning,orprofessionalexperience,withagoal
ofhavingallmodesoftransportationrepresentedincludinghighway,bicycle/pedestrian,rail/freight,
maritime,aviation,andtransit.
• OnerepresentativefromCity(orVillage)SafetyService,Planning,orEngineering.
• AtleastonecurrentlyservingMayorortheirdesignee.
• AtleastoneCountyCommissionerortheirdesignee.
CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
TheCitizensAdvisoryCommitteeisformedtoallowcitizenswhoareinterestedintransportationplanning
activitiesanopportunitytoprovideinputontheplanningprocess.Membersofthiscommitteewill
representcontingentsofthepopulationintheregionincludingneighborhoodgroups,clubsandenthusiast
groups(suchashikingormountainbiking),specialinterestgroups(suchaswildlife,agricultural,and
conservationgroups),oranyotherengagedcitizenswhohavetransportationinterests.
Itisourgoaltorepresentasmanymodesoftransportationonthiscommitteeaspossible,withagoalof
havingeachcountyrepresentedbyatleastonemember.Allrecommendationsmadebymembersofthe
CitizensAdvisoryCommitteewillbepresentedtothePolicyCommitteeandrelevantBuckeyeHills’staff.
MembersoftheCitizensAdvisoryCommitteewillbeaskedtoserveatwoyeartermofservice.Nolimitwill
besetonhowlongamembermayserveaslongastheyremainactiveandingoodstandingwithother
membersandBuckeyeHillsstaff.Resignationfromthecommitteewillbeacceptedinwriting30daysprior
toameetingofthecommittee.Thiscommitteewillmeetquarterly,withregularcommunicationtaking
placeviaemail,webconference,telephone,andphysicalmail.Typicalmeetingsareexpectedtolastoneto
twohours.Additionalmeetingscanbeheldtosatisfymemberissuesortoaddressspecialissuesthatmay
ariseduringtheprogram.
Membership Goals
• Onerepresentativefromtransportationdisadvantagedorenvironmentaljusticepopulations.
• Atleastonerepresentativefornon-highwaymodesoftransportationincludingbicycle/pedestrian,
rail/freight,maritime,aviation,andtransit.
RTPO COMMITTEE STRUCTURE
Page11
• Atleastonerepresentativefromanagriculturalorganization(i.e.NationalFarmersOrganizations,
FarmBureau,DepartmentofAgriculture,orotherForestryinterests).
• Atleastonerepresentativefrombusiness,commerce,realestate,economicdevelopment,orother
planningorganizations.
• Atleastonerepresentativefromatransportationproviderorganization.
• Atleastonerepresentativefromconservationgroups,environmentaladvocacyorganizations,outdoor
recreation,watershedprotectionorothersimilargroups.
GENERAL MEETING INFORMATION
CommitteemeetingswillgenerallybeheldattheBuckeyeHillsofficesinMarietta,Ohio.Ifneededor
desiredmeetingscanbeheldatalternatelocationstoallowforadditionalparticipationortofacilitate
specialpresentationstocommitteemembers.Meetingtimeswillbedictatedbytheavailabilityof
memberstoattendandparticipate.Allcommitteemeetingdates,times,andlocationswillbepostedonall
agencywebsitesandsocialmedia.
PUBLIC
PARTICIPATION PLAN
APPENDIX
This plan completed by the Buckeye Hills – Hocking Valley Regional
Development District as part of the RTPO Pilot Program funded by the Ohio
Department of Transportation.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Contents
RTPOResolution_________________________________________________________________________________________ 1
EnvironmentalJusticeMaps____________________________________________________________________________ 2
StateandFederalRequirements________________________________________________________________________ 7
RTPO RESOLUTION
Page1
RTPOResolution
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE MAPS
Page2
EnvironmentalJusticeMaps
InordertohelpidentifyEnvironmentalJusticefactorsandaffectedareasintheBuckeyeHillsregion,the
followingmapswerecreated:
• HighConcentrationsofMinorities
• HighConcentrationsofElderly
• HighConcentrationofPoverty
• TotalFactorsinBlockGroups
AdditionalmapsandinformationareavailableontheBuckeyeHillswebsiteatwww.buckeyehills.org.For
specificquestionsanddatarequestspleasecontact:
GISSpecialist
P.O.Box520
Reno,Ohio45773
V740.374.9436F740.374.8038
www.buckeyehills.org
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE MAPS
Page3
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE MAPS
Page4
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE MAPS
Page5
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE MAPS
Page6
STATE AND FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS
Page7
StateandFederalRequirements
THE OHIO PUBLIC RECORDS ACT
TheOhioPublicRecordsAct,commonlyknownastheSunshineLaw,isbasedon theUnitedStates’historical
principlethattherecordsofgovernmentare“the people’srecords.”ThePublicRecordsActprovidescitizens
withstepstotakein ordertorequestrecordsfromanypublicofficeinOhiowhileprotectingspecific types
ofrecordsfromrelease.Thisactalsoestablishesalegalprocesstoenforce compliancewhenarequester
feelsthatapublicofficehasfailedtosatisfyits publicrecordsobligations.(O.R.C.Chapter149.)
Inordertofosteropen,transparentandaccountablegovernment,citizenshave thefollowingrightsunder
Ohio’sOpenRecordsLaw:
• Therighttorequestpublicrecordswithoutprovidingyournameorthe reasonforyourrequest.
• Therighttomakeapublicrecordsrequestorallyorinwriting.
• Therighttopromptlyinspectpublicrecords,whileallowingtheofficein questiona“reasonable”
amountoftimetoretrieve,reviewandredactthe requestedrecords.
• Therighttoreceivecopiesofpublicrecordsatcost.
• Therighttogetcopiesofpublicrecordsonpaper,onthemediumonwhich theyarekeptoronanyother
mediumyourequest(acompactdisc,for example),ifthekeeperoftherecordsdeterminesthatcanbe
done reasonablyaspartofnormaloperations.
• Therighttoanexplanationifanypartofyourpublicrecordsrequestisdenied.
• Therighttorevisearequestthattherecipientdeterminedwasoverly broadorambiguouswiththehelp
ofthatpublicoffice.
• Therighttohaveredactionsfrompublicrecordsmadeplainlyvisibleandto benotifiedofthe
redactions.
• Therighttofilealawsuitagainstapublicofficethatfailstocomplywiththe OhioPublicRecordsAct.
• Therighttorecovercourtcosts,reasonableattorneyfeesanddamagesif youwinaPublicRecordsAct
lawsuit.
AllaspectsoftheOhioPublicRecordsActwillbeobservedandenforcedduringthecompletionofRTPO
activitiesundertakenbyBuckeyeHills,itsstaff,andanypartiescontractuallyobligatedtoBuckeyeHills
duringtheprojectperiod.
TITLE VI OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT
TitleVIoftheCivilRightsActof1964protectsindividualsfromdiscriminationonthebasisoftheirrace,
color,ornationaloriginbygovernmentagenciesandprogramsthatreceivefederalfinancialassistance.
STATE AND FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS
Page8
Therearemanyformsofillegaldiscriminationbasedonrace,color,ornationaloriginthatcanlimitthe
opportunityofminoritiestogainequalaccesstoservicesandprograms.
Forexample,inoperatingafederallyassistedprogram,arecipientcannot,onthebasisofrace,color,or
nationalorigin,eitherdirectlyorthroughcontractualmeans:
“No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from
participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity
receiving federal financial assistance.”
• Denyprogramservices,aids,orbenefits;
• Provideadifferentservice,aid,orbenefit,orprovidetheminamanner differentthantheyareprovided
toothers;
• Segregateorseparatelytreatindividualsinanymatterrelatedtothe receiptofanyservices,aid,or
benefit.
AllaspectsoftheCivilRightsActwillbeobservedandenforcedduringthecompletionofRTPOactivities
undertakenbyBuckeyeHills,itsstaff,andanypartiescontractuallyobligatedtoBuckeyeHillsduringthe
projectperiod.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
"Each Federal agency shall make achieving environmental justice part of its mission by identifying and
addressing, as appropriate, disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects of its
programs, policies, and activities on minority populations and low-income populations."
ExecutiveOrder12898,FederalActionstoAddressEnvironmentalJusticeinMinorityPopulationsand
Low-IncomePopulations,1994.
PublicparticipationintheBuckeyeHillsRTPOprogramwillalsotakeinto considerationPresidential
ExecutiveOrder12898regardingEnvironmental Justice. Thisorderensuresthefairtreatmentand
meaningfulinvolvementof peopleofallraces,cultures,andincomewithrespecttodevelopment,
implementationandenforcementofenvironmentallaws,regulations,programs, andpolicies. Fair
treatmentmeansthatnoracial,ethnicorsocioeconomicgroup shouldbearadisproportionateshareofthe
negativeenvironmentalconsequencesresultingfromtheoperationofindustrial,municipal,and commercial
enterprisesandfromtheexecutionoffederal,state,local,andtribal; programsandpolicies. Thesenegative
consequencescaninclude,butarenot limitedto:
• Bodilyimpairment,infirmity,illness,ordeath;
• Air,noise,andwaterpollution;
• Soilcontamination;
STATE AND FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS
Page9
• Destructionordisruptionofman-madeornaturalresources;
• Destructionordiminutionofaestheticvalues;
• Destructionordisruptionofcommunitycohesionoracommunity's economicvitality;
• Displacementofpersons,businesses,farms,ornonprofitorganizations;
• Adverseemploymenteffects.
BuckeyeHillsviewsEnvironmentalJusticecomplianceasmorethanasetoflegalandregulatory
obligations.Properlyimplementedenvironmentaljusticeprinciplesandproceduresimprovealllevelsof
transportationdecisionmaking.DuringthecompletionofRTPOactivities,BuckeyeHillswill:
• Supporttransportationdecisionsthatmeettheneedsofallpeople.
• Designtransportationfacilitiesthatfitharmoniouslyintoexistingcommunities.
• Strengthencommunity-basedpartnershipsinordertoprovideallpopulationswithopportunitiesto
learnaboutandimprovethequalityoftransportationintheirlives.
• Partnerwithotherpublicandprivateprogramstoleveragetransportationrelatedresourcestoachieve
acommonvisionforcommunities.
• Avoiddisproportionatelyhighandadverseimpactsonminorityandlow-incomepopulations.
• Minimizeand/ormitigateunavoidableimpactsbyidentifyingconcernsearlyintheplanningphaseand
providingoffsettinginitiativesandenhancementmeasurestobenefitaffectedcommunitiesand
neighborhoods.
• Wheneverpossible,publicmeetingswillbeheldinlocationsconvenienttolow-incomeandminority
populationsandthatareaccessibletopeoplewithdisabilities.Theselocationsmayincludepublic
libraries,schools,communitycenters,andchurches.Agenciesandorganizationsthatrepresentthese
populationswillbegivenadequatenoticeofpublicmeetingstakingplaceintheirlocalareas.
ADA COMPLIANCE
TheAmericanswithDisabilitiesAct(ADA)of1990isacivilrightsstatutewhichprohibitsdiscrimination
againstpeoplewithdisabilitiesinallaspectsoflife.TheADArequiresfederallyassistedprogramstobe
accessibletopeoplewithdisabilitiesofalltypes.AllRTPOpublicmeetingsconductedbyBuckeyeHillswill
beheldatlocationswithaccessiblefacilitiesinordertoaccommodatepeoplewithmobilitylimitations.
Specialaccommodationswillbemadetoensurethatindividualswithcommunicativedisabilitiescan
participateinmeetings.BuckeyeHillsasksthatrequestsforspecialcommunicationsaccommodationsare
madeoneweekpriortothescheduledmeetingtimeinordertoallowforanynecessaryarrangementsto
memade.
AllaspectsoftheAmericanswithDisabilitiesActwillbeobservedandenforcedduringthecompletionof
RTPOactivitiesundertakenbyBuckeyeHills,itsstaff,andanypartiescontractuallyobligatedtoBuckeye
Hillsduringtheprojectperiod.