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>Frequently
Asked Questions ( last updated April 2005 )
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How can I be
involved?
The
greater the
participation in this process, the greater the
results. Please become involved by inviting an MPO
representative to talk with your group at your
regularly scheduled meeting, reviewing the project
website, participating in public meetings (open
houses and workshops), and providing your comments
on work materials and products. |
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For more
information, contact:
Steven Watson, LCVMPO Director
Box 759
Asotin, WA 99402
(208) 746-1318 (office)
(208) 746-5595 (fax)
swatson@cityoflewiston.org
www.lewisclarkmpo.org |
What is an MPO?
A Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is an association of
local agencies that coordinate transportation planning and
development activities within a metropolitan area. Establishment of
an MPO is required by law in urban areas with populations of more
than 50,000 in order for the area to use federal transportation
funding. (Reference: the
Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1962, the Intermodal Surface
Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991, and the Transportation
Equity Act for the 21st Century of 1998).
What is the MPO’s
role?
MPO's provide the forum through which all levels of government work
together to identify and address local, county and regional
transportation needs. MPO’s collaboratively determine where and how
federal and state transportation dollars will be spent in the
planning area. An MPO is not a level of
government; however, the MPO has effective control over
transportation improvements within the area since a project must be
a part of the MPO's adopted long-range plan and be placed in their
Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program (MTIP) in order to
receive federal funding.
What does an MPO do?
MPO's are responsible for developing
1) The Unified Planning Work
Program, outlining those planning tasks and projects that MPO
staff will undertake,
2) The Metropolitan
Transportation Improvement Program—a list of projects to be
undertaken over the next five years, and
3) The Long Range
Transportation Plan – a guiding document for transportation
improvements over the next 20 years.
Why do we have an MPO
in the Lewis Clark Valley?
The Lewis Clark Valley was designated an urbanized area following
2000 census results which identified a population of more then
50,000 in the planning area. This designation of the Lewis Clark
Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization (LCVMPO) was official
recognized by Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne and Washington Governor
Gary Locke on December 3, 2003 and December 9, 2003 respectively.
What value does an MPO bring to our
area?
MPO status provides value and opportunities not otherwise available
to the planning area:
1)
MPO designation and status greatly strengthens the planning areas’
voice in promoting projects in state and regional transportation
planning processes and in receiving funding for those projects;
2)
With MPO status comes the acknowledgement that each entity’s
transportation system in this area affects others’, and for the
first time, transportation planning will be coordinated on a
regional basis; and
3)
Specific funds for regional planning and public transit planning are
designated to plan for and develop transportation projects and a
public transit system in the area served by the MPO.
How does the LCVMPO
operate?
LCVMPO participating governments include Asotin County and the City
of Asotin, Washington, and Nez Perce County and the cities of
Lewiston, Idaho, and Clarkston, Washington. The MPO is led by an 8-member Policy Board
comprised of elected officials from each of the four participating
governmental agencies. A 20-member Technical Advisory Committee,
which includes individuals from the four governmental agencies as
well as other local and state government stakeholders, assists the
MPO. An MPO Director coordinates activities for both groups. Each
group meets on a monthly basis.
How is the MPO funded?
Funds used for the LCVMPO activities in FY04 come from local
agencies actively participating in transportation planning as well
as from federal agencies.
What is
a long range transportation plan?
The Long Range Transportation
Plan (LRTP) guides transportation improvements over the next
20 years. It is the “defining
vision” for the region’s transportation system and
services. The plan is intended to be a product of regional
collaboration, and any project the MPO desires to pursue and
fund must be identified in the LRTP.
What is the Public Transit Master Plan?
The Public Transit Master Plan is a component of the Long
Range Transportation Plan. It is intended to guide the
future development of a public transportation system in
Lewis Clark Valley, including but not limited to identifying
area transit needs and potential financial resources.
What
type of transportation does the planning process consider?
All reasonable multi-modal
alternatives must be considered in an MPO’s planning
efforts. This includes bicycling, bus travel, rail, water,
and walking. An MPO must emphasize the need to provide
travel choices that accommodate people with limited
transportation options such as the elderly, children, people
with disabilities, and the financially disadvantaged.
What is
the schedule and process for completing the LRTP?
The LCVMPO is required to
provide a preferred alternative to the Federal Highways
Administration by December, 2005. The planning process
commences in January, 2005; a preferred alternative will be
delivered to the FHWA in December, 2005; and a draft plan is
anticipated for distribution in March, 2006. The LCVMPO
anticipates a final decision made on the planning document
sometime subsequent to that final public review.
How
does the plan determine what projects will be implemented
and how they will be funded?
As a visionary document, the
LRTP will identify a way to meet all needs. These projects
will fold into a Metropolitan Transportation Improvement
Plan (MTIP), which identifies those prioritized projects to
be funded and pursued over the next five years. Any project
listed in the MTIP must also be identified in the LRTP or it
will not be funded. However, projects may be identified in
the LRTP that the MPO is ultimately not able to pursue.
What is
the planning area?
A planning area map can be
obtained via this website,
www.lewisclarkmpo.org, or by contacting the LCVMPO
Director. (see contact information below).
What
kind of research will you do to inform the LRTP?
The MPO has hired HDR
Engineering, Inc., to develop the LRTP. HDR will be
collecting and analyzing regional data, reviewing and
coordinating with other local planning documents, conducting
accident and demographic analysis, developing a community
profile, conducting travel forecasts, and conducting a
comprehensive public transit survey and analysis process.
How
will the City of Clarkston be included in the process?
The City of Clarkston, Wa, is now member of the LCVMPO.
Welcome Clarkston! Clarkston residents are encouraged to participate in
all public processes to the extent they desire.
How
does Garvee Bonding fit into this process?
Garvee bonding, as proposed
by Idaho Governor Dick Kempthorne to the 2005 State
Legislature, does not factor into the regional long range
transportation planning process at this point in time.
Should Garvee bonding projects become a reality at some
point in time, transportation planning efforts will work to
coordinate and accommodate those activities as appropriate.
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On the Road to the Future!
Member Agencies: Clarkston,Wa, City of Asotin, WA, City of Lewiston, ID,
Asotin County, WA, Nez Perce County, ID |
