ADOPTED APRIL 2012

Southern California Association of Governments

publi c participatio n and

consultatio n appe ndi x
Publi c Parti cipatio n and Consultatio n

Performing Public Outreach 1

Background and Development of SCAG’s Public Participation Plan 1

RTP Public Participation and Outreach Program 2

Departmentally Integrated Outreach Team 2

Updated Existing and Created New Presentation Materials 2

Utilized Website and Web 2.0 Tools 2

Coordinated Outreach Efforts with Other Stakeholder Organizations 3

Maintained a Public Outreach Schedule 3

Evaluated Public Participation Activities 3

Sought Local Subregional Input 4

Conducted Public Workshops Related to the Draft RTP/SCS 4

Conducted Additional RTP/SCS Workshops and Public Hearings 5

Reached Out to Traditionally Underrepresented and/or Underserved Communities 5

Consultation and Coordination with Resource Agencies and Tribal Governments 6

Environmental Justice Workshop 8

Limited English Proficiency Services 9

Key 2012–2035 RTP/SCS Outreach Activities 9

Subregional Planning Sessions Held in 2012–2035 RTP/SCS Development Phase 10

RTP/SCS Workshops in the Pre-Draft Phase 11

Draft RTP/SCS Workshops and Public Hearings 12

Selected Other RTP/SCS Outreach Activities 13

SCAG Public Participation Plan Amendment No. 3 18

Purpose of SCAG’s Public Participation Plan 18

Introduction 18

Public Participation Plan Requirements 18

Consultation Requirements 20

Bottom-Up Planning and Interagency Consultation 21

Interested Parties 22

Public Participation Plan Goals 22

Public Participation Plan Procedures in Obtaining Goals 23

Appendix “A” 26

SCAG Contact Form 37
Public Participation and Consultation 1

Performing Public Outreach

The awareness and involvement of interested persons in governmental processes are 

critical to successful regional transportation planning and programming. When the public 

is engaged, this feedback helps projects and plans address community needs. Likewise, 

the public gains a better understanding of the constraints associated with transportation planning. To ensure compliance with federal and state requirements, the Southern 

California Association of Governments (SCAG) implemented a public involvement process 

to provide information, timely public notice and full public access to key decisions and to 

support early and continuing public involvement in developing ther 2012–2035 Regional 

Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS).

In addition, with the passage of California Senate Bill 375 (SB 375) in 2008, SCAG has 

developed a “Sustainable Communities Strategy” in conjunction with the 2012–2035 

Regional Transportation Plan to integrate transportation, land use, housing and environmental planning; with the goal of reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions. It is SCAG’s first 

effort to create such a document, and public involvement in the process was imperative.

SCAG encourages participation and input on its plans and programs from: the general 

public, elected officials, cities and counties, affected public agencies, subregional organizations, representatives of transportation agencies, freight shippers, providers of freight 

transportation services, private providers of transportation, representatives of users of 

public transit, representatives of users of pedestrian walkways and bicycle transportation 

facilities, representatives of the disabled, Tribal Governments, transit operators, nonprofit organizations and other interested parties.

As Southern California’s metropolitan planning organization (MPO), SCAG is responsible 

for preparing and utilizing a plan which is developed in consultation with all interested parties and provides reasonable opportunities for interested parties to comment 

on the content of SCAG’s RTP, pursuant to the “Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient 

Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users” (SAFETEA-LU), Pub. L. No. 109-59, 

Title VI, Section 6001(a), 119 Stat. 1839 (Aug. 10, 2005). Additional public participation 

requirements under SAFETEA-LU are as follows: 

 Providing adequate public notice of public participation activities and time for public 

review and comment at key decision points, including but not limited to a reasonable 

opportunity to comment on the proposed RTP, and providing timely notice and reasonable access to information about transportation issues and processes;

 Employing visualization techniques to describe the RTP;

 Making public information (technical information and meeting notices) available in 

electronically accessible formats and means, such as the Internet;

 Holding any public meetings at convenient and accessible locations and times;

 Demonstrating explicit consideration and response to public input received during 

the development of the RTP;

 Seeking out and considering the needs of those traditionally under served by existing transportation systems, such as low-income and minority households, who may 

face challenges accessing employment and other services; 

 Providing an additional opportunity for public comment, if the final RTP differs 

significantly from the version that was made available for public comment and raises 

new material issues which interested parties could not reasonably have foreseen 

from the public involvement efforts;

 Coordinating with the statewide transportation planning public involvement and 

consultation processes.

SCAG’s videoconferencing facilities (located at five regional offices and three videoconferencing sites across the Southern California region), have enabled more people to participate in the public outreach than in previous RTP cycles. SCAG will continue to utilize this 

technology to conduct public workshops, meetings and other forms of public outreach, as 

well as expand the number of videoconferencing sites.

Background and Development of SCAG’s 

Public Participation Plan

Since its inception, SCAG has encouraged a wide variety of public participation in developing its regional transportation plans and programs. In 1993, SCAG’s governing board, 

the Regional Council, originally adopted “Policies, Procedures and Guidelines for Public 

Participation and Interagency Consultation.” As a result of changes in the metropolitan 

planning law in 2005, SCAG broadened its participation activities to engage a more 

extensive group of stakeholders in its planning and programming processes, as reflected 
2 Public Participation and Consultation

in SCAG’s Public Participation Plan adopted by the Regional Council in October 2007. In 

December 2009, the Regional Council approved an amendment to the Public Participation 

Plan primarily to address new public participation requirements under state law (SB 375). 

As part of this process, SCAG staff consulted with and reached out to a broad range of 

interested parties as required by SAFETEA-LU and state law in developing the public 

participation plan strategies, procedures and techniques. In an effort to maintain the 

expansive outreach efforts for the 2012–2035 RTP/SCS, SCAG solicited comments and 

feedback from stakeholders and other interested parties in the SCAG region to engage 

in updating the Public Participation Plan and its specific RTP/SCS strategies, procedures and techniques. This involved outreach to cities and counties, the county transportation commissions, subregional organizations, transit operators, federal and state 

resource agencies, Tribal Governments, representatives of the disabled, representatives 

of pedestrian walkways and bicycle transportation facilities, environmental groups, and 

other interested parties through meetings, mailings, email correspondence, workshops, 

presentations, telephone communications, and videos and website postings. 

RTP Public Participation and Outreach Program

There are three phases to the 2012–2035 RTP/SCS outreach: Pre-Draft, January 2009 to 

December 2011; Post-Draft, December 2011 to March 2012; and Post RTP/SCS adoption. 

Departmentally Integrated Outreach Team

While outreach activities have been ongoing since the adoption of the 2008 RTP, an 

important element to fostering and maintaining a fully-integrated agency outreach effort 

is to schedule and hold regular coordination meetings with the principal staff in all areas 

associated with each of the various outreach efforts. Regular meetings are held with staff 

in order to work together and coordinate SCAG outreach activities.

Updated Existing and Created New Presentation Materials

SCAG staff works to provide clear, consistent and concise primary messages for media 

and public involvement using a variety of formats, including videos, Powerpoint presentations, fact sheets, surveys, brochures, maps, electronic newsletters (Spotlight), and 

matrices of major RTP/SCS policies and projects. Staff created materials that provide 

adequate information for debate and conversation on the issues considered in the RTP/

SCS. All Powerpoint presentations created during the development of the RTP/SCS 

worked off a master copy, and were then edited and adjusted to better serve the interests 

of the specific groups and their perspectives. RTP/SCS fact sheets, maps of key projects, 

and matrices containing pertinent information on major modes and issues for workshops 

were created during the Pre-Draft period and updated as appropriate for the release of 

the Draft RTP/SCS.

The use of video helped generate greater awareness and visibility for the RTP/SCS. An 

introductory video was produced and screened at the workshops in the summer of 2011, 

included in subsequent staff presentations, and also made available on the SCAG website. 

In clear and simple terms, the video explained the need for a regional transportation plan, 

the role of SCAG and the purpose of the workshop. It helped participants visualize and 

better understand the plan, and contributed to a high level of interaction between staff 

and workshop participants.

In December 2011, SCAG released a new RTP/SCS video to coincide with the Regional 

Council approval of the release of the 2012–2035 Draft RTP/SCS and the beginning of the 

formal public comment period. This new video discusses SCAG’s role, the contents of the 

2012–2035 Draft RTP/SCS and the benefits of implementing the plan. As a highlight, it 

features interviews with key stakeholders, residents of the SCAG region, and community 

leaders. SCAG showcased this video at presentations throughout the region and made it 

accessible on the SCAG website.

Utilized Website and Web 2.0 Tools

To establish a centralized information dissemination tool, a 2012–2035 RTP/SCS web 

page was created on SCAG’s website. This page was frequently updated in order to 

reflect current information on the RTP/SCS during the Pre- and Post-Draft period. During 

the Pre-Draft phase, the page contained information on how to get involved in the 

process. The RTP/SCS web page included Powerpoint, videos and materials (agendas, 

handouts) used at all 18 Pre-Draft RTP workshops. The web page also included direct 

links on how to request an RTP presentation, sign up for the RTP email list, and submit a 

comment on the plan. 

The RTP/SCS page is part of SCAG’s website, which has many different links and pages 

that aim to educate the public about SCAG and all SCAG initiatives, to keep the public 

informed of events and meetings, posted meeting agendas and minutes and provide 
Public Participation and Consultation 3

access to related SCAG publications including: Your Guide to SCAG, the Benefits of 

Membership, Member Handbook, SB 375 information, the Spotlight newsletter, Fact 

Sheets on major topics, data and other planning-related information. 

In the Pre-Draft phase, SCAG used innovative public participation strategies in the development of a portion of the RTP/SCS. Much of the Active Transportation Plan, a component 

of the RTP/SCS, was developed online using a Wiki—a managed website that allows the 

collaborative creation and editing of web pages via a web browser. The Bike/Ped Wiki 

allowed anyone to comment on the Active Transportation Plan during the entire planning 

process. SCAG publicized the Wiki on its bike/ped Twitter account (over 500 followers), 

with local bike/ped leaning blogs and with local news agencies. By November 2011, the 

Wiki had over 1,000 registered users. 

SCAG also provided on its website instructions on how to “Get Involved” in the RTP/SCS 

process by allowing the public to sign up for the agency’s email list, and providing links to 

follow SCAG on Twitter and Facebook. There are over 1,100 contacts in the email list, 431 

fans on Facebook, and 280 followers on Twitter. Updates of all SCAG-related activities 

and meetings are regularly provided on both social media networks.

Concurrent with the release of the 2012–2035 Draft RTP/SCS for public review, a newly 

created interactive RTP website allowed visitors to directly comment on the Draft RTP/

SCS from within each section. The Draft RTP/SCS and its related Appendices were available for download as PDFs, in their entirety or in sections. SCAG staff ensured that the 

information available, including workshop and public hearing dates, was timely, easyto-understand and accessible and that the website is compliant with the Americans with 

Disabilities Act. 

Coordinated Outreach Efforts with 

Other Stakeholder Organizations

Together with subregional partners and other stakeholder organizations, SCAG staff notified interested parties of outreach efforts through traditional meeting announcements, 

newspapers, public service announcements, press releases, special mailers, website 

postings, social media postings, email communications and other opportunities as appropriate. Staff worked to ensure that the subregional organizations and transportation, air 

quality, environmental, and planning agencies participated in development of the Draft 

RTP/SCS. Staff also reached out to non-profit agencies, general public, representatives 

of the disabled community, public transit advocates, urban and rural advocacy groups, 

bicycle advocates as well as other interested parties. Staff also maintains a current “RTP 

Outreach” contact list. This list was used for monthly, and if needed, more frequent email 

updates on the RTP/SCS. As of December 2011, this list contained over 1200 contacts. 

Maintained a Public Outreach Schedule

SCAG staff contacted groups and agencies to schedule RTP presentations. As stated on 

the RTP web page and in monthly RTP outreach emails, any group could request an RTP 

presentation. Staff also coordinated to be placed on other groups’ agendas to keep these 

groups informed on the RTP/SCS. Meetings were posted on the SCAG Outreach calendar 

online. Staff continually worked to conduct presentations, hold briefings, workshops, 

and hearings to diverse groups and organizations throughout the region; and hold public 

meetings at convenient and accessible locations and times.

RTP presentations were made to groups such as city and public agency planners, 

chambers of commerce, councils of government, elected officials, County Transportation 

Commissions, City Councils, Tribal Governments, interested groups and organizations, 

non-motorized advisory committees and advocates, technical advisory committees and 

other interested parties. A listing of select outreach activities is included in Tab le 2.4. 

In an effort to facilitate presentations, accessible information and staff response, 

an RTP hotline and email address exclusively for RTP inquiries were established at 

(213) 236-1960 and RTP@scag.ca.gov.

Evaluated Public Participation Activities

SCAG’s Public Participation Plan called for the evaluation of public participation efforts 

at the end of the Pre-Draft Phase, so that necessary modifications could be made for the 

formal public review and comment period of the RTP/SCS. To that end, SCAG staff evaluated strategies to enhance the outreach program to better serve the underrepresented 

segments of the region.

As a result of this evaluation process, the Public Participation Plan was amended and 

adopted in January 2012.
4 Public Participation and Consultation

RTP/SCS Outreach in the Pre-Draft Period

Sought Local Subregional Input

From January 2011 through March 2011, SCAG conducted 11 subregional planning sessions with local jurisdictions to gather critical data to develop the 2012–2035 RTP/SCS. 

This data gathering process was conducted to build upon the local jurisdiction’s participation in the Integrated Growth Forecast exercise. SCAG worked with local jurisdictions to 

review, verify and provide the necessary input and most recent data in creating the RTP/

SCS scenarios.

Specifically, cities were surveyed in four areas: 2035 Land Use Scenarios, Local Planning 

Factors, Sustainability Factors and Transportation Demand Management Initiatives. Land 

use scenarios provided city-generated forecasts on where expected future development 

would occur within the jurisdiction. In the second focus area, SCAG sought input from 

jurisdictions on local planning factors that may affect their forecasted household growth 

and distribution. These local planning factors are not determined by municipal ordinances 

or policies, but include issues such as lack of capacity for sewer or water service, lands 

preserved from development under existing federal and state programs, or high housing 

cost burdens.

In addressing SB 375 requirements, SCAG also surveyed the cities on environmental 

planning activities in the region, as well as interest in California Environmental Quality 

Act streamlining provisions. SCAG sought to obtain the most up-to-date information 

available of voluntary actions that cities themselves are taking to become more sustainable—including, but not limited to—efforts directly targeting greenhouse gas emissions. 

Related to this, SCAG’s fourth focus area was to survey each city’s past, current and 

future Transportation Demand Management policies and strategies that would reduce 

greenhouse gas emissions. This information was extremely valuable in planning the SCS, 

allowing SCAG to evaluate the entire region’s efforts to meet greenhouse gas reduction 

targets set by the California Air Resources Board.

SCAG staff outreached to cities within each of the fifteen subregions and offered to host 

survey workshops. Based on the responses, a total of 11 subregional planning sessions 

were conducted. The planning sessions began with a presentation by SCAG staff that 

provided an overview of the types of land use and transportation strategies that play an 

integral part of the SCS. After the presentation, local jurisdictions were invited to meet 

with SCAG staff to provide input and data from their respective jurisdiction. SCAG utilized 

these planning sessions in order to continue building a regional plan from the bottom up. 

A list of all subregional workshops, dates and locations are listed on Tab le 2.1, and a 

“Summary of Local Input by Subregion” report is made available on the 2012–2035 RTP 

website (http://www.scag.ca.gov/rtp2012/).

Conducted Public Workshops Related to the Draft RTP/SCS

Following the eleven Subregional Planning Sessions, SCAG staff incorporated the data 

into four planning scenarios and presented them in a series of 18 public information 

workshops held during the summer of 2011. These RTP/SCS workshops were held in 

Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura Counties and 

drew over 700 individuals. Some of the workshops were also available via video conference and teleconference. Announcements for the workshops were posted on the SCAG 

website, through emails, social media postings, and event flyers distributed at various 

outreach opportunities. 

Workshop participants were provided with a description of the four scenarios and how 

development location, neighborhood design, housing options and mix, and transportation 

investments within each scenario would impact greenhouse gas emissions, land use, fuel 

consumption, water consumption and other costs in the region. Following the presentations, the groups engaged in discussions of objectives and priorities for the 2012–2035 

RTP/SCS, including mobility, environment, health, modes of travel, economy, safety, 

equity, and housing. Attendees participated on electronic surveys on current transportation habits, access to public transportation, as well as priorities for their community.

Residents, elected officials, representatives of public agencies, community organizations, 

and environmental, housing and business stakeholders truly made this a “bottom up” 

process. The results of the surveys, public comments, and preferred priorities have been 

collected in a summary report for each individual workshop. These documents, along 

with the original workshop handouts and materials, are available on the SCAG website 

(http://www.scag.ca.gov/rtp2012). A complete list of the RTP/SCS workshops are listed in 

Tab le 2.2.
Public Participation and Consultation 5

Conducted Additional RTP/SCS Workshops 

and Public Hearings

After the release for public review and comment of the Draft RTP/SCS in December 2012, 

SCAG conducted two workshops and one public hearing in each county. 

Over 450 elected officials, business leaders and community stakeholders attended the 

Draft RTP/SCS Workshops and Public Hearings held January – February 2012. A public 

hearing was held in conjunction with a workshop in each county to provide the general 

public an opportunity to also attend the workshop.

At each workshop, staff presented the components of the Draft 2012-2035 RTP/SCS, 

including major investments and funding strategies, and outlined the benefits for the 

entire region. Attendees viewed a video describing the purpose and goals of the Draft 

RTP/SCS, followed by a staff presentation on major investments in the workshop’s 

specific subregion. The public hearings provided opportunities for the public to provide 

input on the draft plan. SCAG provided an additional opportunity to regional stakeholders by videoconferencing the February 2nd workshop and public hearing in Los Angeles 

and allowing participation by videoconference from eight additional sites throughout 

the region. All the workshops and public hearings were properly noticed and advertised 

through newspaper ads and notices. SCAG also requested that member cities and stakeholders promote the hearings via email blasts, newsletter items and announcements via 

government access channel announcements. 

Reached Out to Traditionally Underrepresented and/or 

Underserved Communities

SCAG staff coordinated with Subregional Coordinators and other regional stakeholders to identify underrepresented segments of the region. Coordinating with individuals, 

institutions and organizations, staff reached out to members in minority and low income 

communities to gain their participation at the RTP/SCS workshops.

SCAG provides assistance, if requested 72 hours prior to the event, to people with disabilities, including individuals who are blind, have low-vision or are hearing impaired. 

SCAG also provides language assistance, if requested 72 hours prior to the event, to 

limited English proficient persons in Spanish and Chinese. For example, the Pre-Draft RTP 

workshops included a workshop with participation from the Spanish-speaking community 

at both the Los Angeles main office and Coachella Valley Association of Governments 

regional office via video conference. Translation of the meeting and pertinent materials 

were provided. Additionally, SCAG’s offices and videoconference capabilities throughout 

the region including for example, El Centro in Imperial County, enable SCAG to engage 

with residents in rural communities.

From comments relating to the 2008 RTP, SCAG staff identified Environmental Justice 

as a key concern for further follow-up, and a special Environmental Justice focus group 

was convened in June 2011. Low-income communities are often located near industrial 

centers and transportation hubs, and SCAG staff sought to identify and acknowledge 

any concerns in planning the Draft RTP/SCS. Approximately 60 participants, including 

residents and representatives of local community organizations, attended the meeting 

and provided valuable feedback on a variety of issues, such as gentrification and health 

impacts near transportation corridors. Additional information is presented on Page 7.

Following the release of the 2012–2035 Draft RTP/SCS, SCAG continued to provide 

Southern Californians with access to essential public information by producing a series 

of fact sheets and other outreach materials in English, Spanish and Chinese. To increase 

participation and ensure representation, SCAG targeted outreach to underrepresented 

communities, ethnic press and all federally recognized Tribal Governments within the 

SCAG Region. 

SCAG makes every effort to outreach and address the concerns of Native Americans in 

the region. SCAG ensures that the Native American perspective is represented at the 

decision-making level, providing seven voting seats to Tribal Government representatives 

on the Regional Council and Policy Committees. The 16 federally recognized Tribes within 

the SCAG region choose these seven representatives. In addition to representation, SCAG 

reached out to Tribal governments during the RTP/SCS development process, notifying them of workshops, public hearings, and other major meetings. In November 2011, 

SCAG organized a workshop for regional, state and federal resource agencies and Tribal 

Governments. Additional outreach after the release of the Draft 2012–2035 RTP/SCS 

ensured SCAG addressed tribal concerns.
6 Public Participation and Consultation

Consultation and Coordination with Resource Agencies 

and Tribal Governments

SAFETEA-LU requires that the RTP environmental mitigation program be developed in 

consultation with federal, state and tribal land management, wildlife, and regulatory 

agencies (Title 23 CFR Part 450.322(f)(7)). Additional consultation during development 

of the RTP is required, as appropriate, with state and local agencies responsible for land 

use, natural resources, environmental protection, conservation and historic preservation 

(Title 23 CFR Part 450.322(g)). Consultation shall involve the following, as appropriate: 

comparison of transportation plans with State conservation plans or maps, if available 

and comparison of transportation plans to inventories of natural or historic resources, 

if available.

Further, in accordance with Title 23 CFR Part 450.322, the RTP must provide a discussion of potential environmental mitigation activities and areas, including those mitigation 

activities that might maintain or restore the environment that is being affected by the 

plan. This mitigation discussion must happen in consultation with Federal, State and 

Tribal land management, wildlife and regulatory agencies. 

Lastly, Title 23 requires that the metropolitan planning process be continuous, cooperative and comprehensive and provide for consideration and implementation of projects, 

strategies and services to address the following factors: 

 Protect and enhance the environment

 Promote energy conservation

 Improve the quality of life, and

 Promote consistency between transportation improvements and State and local 

planned growth and economic development patterns

On November 30, 2011, SCAG held a Resource Agency Consultation Workshop to provide 

an overview of the 2012–2035 RTP/SCS and highlight key topics that would be of interest 

to our resource agency partners. SCAG held early planning meetings with FHWA and U.S. 

EPA to discuss goals of the workshop and identify the agenda topics. Both the save the 

date notice and agenda materials were sent to over 300 contacts, including the partners 

listed in Tab le 1.

SCAG also posted meeting notices on our website and outreach calendar. The meeting 

drew 44 participants from a wide variety of agencies including FHWA, U.S. EPA, Caltrans, 

California Department of Fish and Game, the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research, 

and the California Regional Water Control Board. SCAG provided access to the workshop 

via webmeeting technology and from our five satellite offices in Imperial County, Orange 

County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County and Ventura County. The agenda covered the following topics: Overview of the 2012–2035 RTP/SCS, Review of SCAG’s Public 

Participation Plan, the Proposed Regional Mitigation Program, the Proposed Approach to 

Addressing Public Health, and the Proposed Environmental Justice and Title VI Analyses. 

SCAG will hold a second workshop during the comment period to gather further comments and respond to questions.

On March 13, 2012, SCAG hosted a second Resource Agency Consultation Workshop. The 

workshop agenda included a review of the 2012-2035 RTP/SCS, an overview of comments related to natural resources and SCAG’s proposed approach to addressing them. In 

addition, SCAG staff provided a summary of proposed edits to the Program Environmental 

Impact Report and the Environmental Justice analysis. The workshop was properly 

noticed and advertised to over 300 stakeholders. The workshop drew 31 participants 

including staff from key agencies such as U.S. EPA, California Department of Fish and 

Game, FHWA, and Caltrans.

SCAG’s compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) serves as 

another opportunity to consult with federal, state and local resource agencies responsible 

for land use management, natural resources, environmental protection, conservation, 

and historic preservation in the development of the RTP. This consultation includes other 

agencies and officials responsible for planning activities in the SCAG region that are 

affected by transportation, to the maximum extent practicable.

As required by CEQA, the Notice of Preparation (NOP) stating that SCAG as the lead 

agency would prepare a program-level Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) for the RTP 

was the first step in the environmental review process. The NOP gave federal, state and 

local agencies and the public an early opportunity to identify areas of concern to be 

addressed in the PEIR and to submit them in writing to SCAG. Further, SCAG held public 

scoping workshops to explain the environmental review process and solicit early input 

on areas of concern. During the development of the Draft PEIR, SCAG consulted with 

affected agencies on resource maps and inventories for use in the PEIR analysis. SCAG 
Public Participation and Consultation 7

Tab le 1 SCAG Resource Agency and Tribal Government Partners

SCAG Resource Agency & Tribal Government Partners

Federal Agencies: Bureau of Land Management State Agencies: California Department of Transportation

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency California Department of Conservation

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers California Air Resources Board

U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service California Department of Fish and Game 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service California Environmental Protection Agency 

U.S. Department of Interior, Geological Survey California Natural Resources Agency 

Federal Highway Administration California State Lands Commission

U.S. Department of Agriculture California Coastal Commission 

NOAA Fisheries Services California Bureau of Land Management

U.S. National Park Service California Department of Parks and Recreation

Federal Transit Administration California Department of Toxic Substances Control

Tribes: Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians The Governor's Office of Planning and Research

Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians California Department of Food and Agriculture

Colorado River Indian Tribe California Department of Public Health

Santa Rosa Band of Mission Indians California Department of Water Resources

Augustine Band of Mission Indians California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection

Ramona Band of Mission Indians California Energy Commission

Fort Yuma (Quechan Tribe) California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery

Timbisha Shoshone Tribe California Seismic Safety Commission

Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians California Office of Historic Preservation

Morongo Band of Mission Indians California State Mining and Geology Board

Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians Regional Agencies: Regional Water Quality Control Boards 

Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD)

San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Mojave Desert AQMD

Torres-Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians Ventura County Air Pollution Control District

Juaneno Band of Mission Indians Antelope Valley Air Pollution Control District

Cabazon Band of Mission Indians Imperial County Air Pollution Control District

Cahuilla Band of Mission Indians

Fort Mojave Indian Tribe

Chemehuevi Indian Tribe
8 Public Participation and Consultation

considered the issues raised during the NOP period and scoping workshops during its 

preparation of the PEIR. Subsequently, when SCAG completed the Draft PEIR, SCAG filed 

a Notice of Completion (NOC) with the State Clearinghouse and released the Draft PEIR 

for a 45-day public review period on December 30, 2011.

SCAG sought written comments from agencies and the public on the environmental effects and mitigation measures identified in the Draft PEIR. During the comment 

period, SCAG consulted directly with agencies and stakeholders with respect to environmental impact or mitigation measure. SCAG responded to written comments received 

prior to the close of comment period and made technical corrections to the Draft PEIR 

where necessary.

SCAG’s Regional Council certified the Final PEIR on April 4, 2012, and SCAG filed the 

Notice of Determination (NOD) within the required five days of certification. While the RTP 

is not subject to the federal National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), SCAG consulted 

with federal agencies as appropriate during the preparation of the CEQA environmental document. Additionally, the involvement of federal agencies in the RTP may link the 

transportation planning process with the federal NEPA process. It should also be noted 

that while the RTIP is not required to formally comply with the CEQA provisions, the 

RTIP represents the near term actions proposed in the RTP. As the projects in the RTP 

and RTIP continue down the pipeline toward construction or implementation, most must 

comply with NEPA to address individual project impacts.

Environmental Justice Workshop

As part of the environmental justice outreach effort, SCAG compiled a list of key stakeholders to be contacted regarding 2012–2035 RTP/SCS programs and policies. This list 

is comprised of over 300 persons and organizations involved with the 2008 RTP as well 

as additional stakeholders. The South Coast Air Quality Management District’s (SCAQMD) 

Environmental Justice Working Group identified new groups for SCAG, including local 

community advocates, air quality non-profit organizations, and unions. SCAG maintains 

this list and allows interested persons to sign-up for the mailing list online.

SCAG held two environmental justice workshops and convened focus groups on the environmental justice analysis in an attempt to enable a large segment of the public to participate meaningfully in the planning process. On June 24, 2010, SCAG held a workshop 

to review the planning process and familiarize the participants with the environmental 

justice analysis process. The workshop drew 37 participants throughout the region, with 

video conferencing made available from SCAG’s regional offices. 

The following is a summary of the main topics discussed and requested at the workshop:

 SCAG was requested to conduct a presentation on SCAG’s modeling process

 The environmental justice analysis should include baseline data of major issues facing the region

 Public health was identified as a topic that should be further analyzed 

 SCAG was requested to include the housing plus transportation affordability index in 

its analysis

 Gentrification needs to be addressed, particularly with SB 375’s emphasis on transit 

oriented development

As a result of these workshops, SCAG determined that new analysis areas were necessary to capture the concerns raised by stakeholders. These new areas include impacts 

from rail transportation, gentrification and displacement, pollution exposure along 

heavily traveled corridors, and impacts from revenue generating mechanisms such as 

congestion pricing. 

On June 30, 2011, SCAG held a follow-up workshop to discuss the proposed new analysis 

areas with stakeholders and seek further input. In response to comments from the first 

workshop, SCAG also included a summary of the modeling process. This workshop drew 

45 participants from all six regional offices. 

The participants provided thoughtful comments and feedback on SCAG’s proposed analysis and planning process including:

 PM2.5 should be analyzed in the Environmental Justice report

 The Environmental Justice community should be included early in the decisionmaking processes and advisory committees

 The report should identify communities of concern and compare those areas with 

the location of investments

 SCAG should produce maps that show long range trip projections compared to 

system capacity
Public Participation and Consultation 9

 Housing should be included in the performance measures, including housing/jobs fit 

(costs vs. wages)

 The impacts of freight movement should be analyzed and mitigated

Limited English Proficiency Services

SCAG is committed to helping people with limited English language proficiency understand the purpose of the Regional Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities 

Strategy and encourage their participation in the development process. With advance 

notice of a minimum of 72 hours, SCAG makes available translation assistance at its 

workshops and public meetings. During the RTP/SCS public workshops held in Summer 

2011, SCAG was requested to provide Spanish language translators at three workshop 

locations—Palm Desert, Los Angeles, and Carson.

In addition to providing interpreters, SCAG translated into Spanish key workshop materials, including the Outreach Workshop guide, Small Group Discussion Objectives Exercise, 

Workshop Polling Questions and Comments Form. All workshop materials, in both English 

and Spanish, are available online at SCAG’s RTP website (http://www.scag.ca.gov/

rtp2012/)

Key 2012–2035 RTP/SCS Outreach Activities

The following tables provide a listing of workshops and selected outreach activities during 

the 2012–2035 RTP/SCS development period. 
10 Public Participation and Consultation

Subregional Planning Sessions Held in 2012–2035 RTP/SCS Development Phase

Tab le 2.1 Subregional Planning Sessions Held in 2012–2035 RTP/SCS Development Phase

Date Event Topic Location (City, County) Audience

1/26/11 Subregional Planning Session

Presentation on RTP/SCS goals and distribute survey to 

gather local input on land use, housing and transportation 

demand management

San Bernardino, San Bernardino 

County City managers, planners, and staff

1/27/11 Subregional Planning Session

Presentation on RTP/SCS goals and distribute survey to 

gather local input on land use, housing and transportation 

demand management

El Centro, Imperial County City managers, planners, and staff

2/15/11 Subregional Planning Session

Presentation on RTP/SCS goals and distribute survey to 

gather local input on land use, housing and transportation 

demand management

Palm Desert, San Bernardino 

County City managers, planners, and staff

2/16/11 Subregional Planning Session

Presentation on RTP/SCS goals and distribute survey to 

gather local input on land use, housing and transportation 

demand management

Ventura, Ventura County City managers, planners, and staff

2/17/11 Subregional Planning Session

Presentation on RTP/SCS goals and distribute survey to 

gather local input on land use, housing and transportation 

demand management

Perris, Riverside County City managers, planners, and staff

2/23/11 Subregional Planning Session

Presentation on RTP/SCS goals and distribute survey to 

gather local input on land use, housing and transportation 

demand management

Calabasas, LA County City managers, planners, and staff

2/24/11 Subregional Planning Session

Presentation on RTP/SCS goals and distribute survey to 

gather local input on land use, housing and transportation 

demand management

Monrovia, LA County City managers, planners, and staff

3/2/11 Subregional Planning Session

Presentation on RTP/SCS goals and distribute survey to 

gather local input on land use, housing and transportation 

demand management

El Segundo, LA County City managers, planners, and staff

3/3/11 Subregional Planning Session

Presentation on RTP/SCS goals and distribute survey to 

gather local input on land use, housing and transportation 

demand management

Los Angeles, LA County City managers, planners, and staff

3/14/11 Subregional Planning Session

Presentation on RTP/SCS goals and distribute survey to 

gather local input on land use, housing and transportation 

demand management

Palmdale, LA County City managers, planners, and staff

3/16/11 Subregional Planning Session

Presentation on RTP/SCS goals and distribute survey to 

gather local input on land use, housing and transportation 

demand management

Beverly Hills, LA County City managers, planners, and staff
Public Participation and Consultation 11

RTP/SCS Workshops in the Pre-Draft Phase

Table 2.2 RTP/SCS Workshops in the Pre-Draft Phase

Date Event Topic Location (City, County) Audience

6/30/11 Environmental Justice 

workshop

Orientation to the 2012–2035 RTP and SCS, as well as an 

opportunity to comment on the proposed environmental 

justice analysis

Los Angeles, LA County Interested Parties, General Public, 

Stakeholders, etc.

7/13/11 RTP/SCS Workshop Present major components of the RTP/SCS and its GHG 

reduction strategies

Town of Apple Valley, San Bernardino 

County

Interested Parties, General Public, 

Stakeholders, etc.

7/14/11 RTP/SCS Workshop Present major components of the RTP/SCS and its GHG 

reduction strategies

San Bernardino, San Bernardino 

County

Interested Parties, General Public, 

Stakeholders, etc.

7/14/11 RTP/SCS Workshop Present major components of the RTP/SCS and its GHG 

reduction strategies Montclair, San Bernardino County Interested Parties, General Public, Stakeholders, etc.

7/18/11 RTP/SCS Workshop Present major components of the RTP/SCS and its GHG 

reduction strategies Thousand Oaks, Ventura County Interested Parties, General Public, Stakeholders, etc.

7/19/11 RTP/SCS Workshop 

(2 sessions)

Present major components of the RTP/SCS and its GHG 

reduction strategies Oxnard, Ventura County Interested Parties, General Public, Stakeholders, etc.

7/25/11 RTP/SCS Workshop Present major components of the RTP/SCS and its GHG 

reduction strategies Corona, Riverside County Interested Parties, General Public, Stakeholders, etc.

7/25/11 RTP/SCS Workshop Present major components of the RTP/SCS and its GHG 

reduction strategies Riverside, Riverside County Interested Parties, General Public, Stakeholders, etc.

7/26/11 RTP/SCS Workshop Present major components of the RTP/SCS and its GHG 

reduction strategies Palm Desert, Riverside County Interested Parties, General Public, Stakeholders, etc.

7/27/11 RTP/SCS Workshop Present major components of the RTP/SCS and its GHG 

reduction strategies El Centro, Imperial County Interested Parties, General Public, Stakeholders, etc.

8/3/11 RTP/SCS Workshop Present major components of the RTP/SCS and its GHG 

reduction strategies Anaheim, Orange County Interested Parties, General Public, Stakeholders, etc.

8/10/11 RTP/SCS Workshop Present major components of the RTP/SCS and its GHG 

reduction strategies City of Orange, Orange County Interested Parties, General Public, 

Stakeholders, etc.

8/11/11 RTP/SCS Workshop Present major components of the RTP/SCS and its GHG 

reduction strategies West Covina, LA County Interested Parties, General Public, 

Stakeholders, etc.

8/15/11 RTP/SCS Workshop Present major components of the RTP/SCS and its GHG 

reduction strategies Mission Viejo, Orange County Interested Parties, General Public, 

Stakeholders, etc.

8/16/11 RTP/SCS Workshop Present major components of the RTP/SCS and its GHG 

reduction strategies Los Angeles, LA County Interested Parties, General Public, 

Stakeholders, etc.
12 Public Participation and Consultation

Date Event Topic Location (City, County) Audience

8/22/11 RTP/SCS Workshop Present major components of the RTP/SCS and its GHG 

reduction strategies Santa Clarita, LA County Interested Parties, General Public, Stakeholders, etc.

8/23/11 RTP/SCS Workshop Present major components of the RTP/SCS and its GHG 

reduction strategies Carson, LA County Interested Parties, General Public, Stakeholders, etc.

8/24/11 RTP/SCS Workshop Present major components of the RTP/SCS and its GHG 

reduction strategies Santa Monica, LA County Interested Parties, General Public, Stakeholders, etc.

Draft RTP/SCS Workshops and Public Hearings

Tab le 2.3 Draft RTP/SCS Workshops and Public Hearings

Date Event Topic Location (City, County) Audience

1/6/12 SCAG Draft 2012–2035 RTP/SCS 

Workshop For Elected Officials 2012–2035 RTP/SCS Presentation Camarillo, Ventura County Interested Parties, General Public, Stakeholders, etc.

1/17/12 SCAG Draft 2012–2035 RTP/SCS 

Workshop For Elected Officials 2012–2035 RTP/SCS Presentation Carson, LA County Interested Parties, General Public, Stakeholders, etc.

1/18/12 SCAG Draft 2012–2035 RTP/SCS 

Workshop For Elected Officials 2012–2035 RTP/SCS Presentation San Bernardino, San Bernardino County

Interested Parties, General Public, 

Stakeholders, etc.

1/18/12 Public Hearing Hearing on public comments to the 2012–2035 RTP/SCS San Bernardino, San Bernardino 

County

Interested Parties, General Public, 

Stakeholders, etc.

1/19/12 SCAG Draft 2012–2035 RTP/SCS 

Workshop For Elected Officials 2012–2035 RTP/SCS Presentation Camarillo, Ventura County Interested Parties, General Public, Stakeholders, etc.

1/19/12 Public Hearing Hearing on public comments to the 2012–2035 RTP/SCS Camarillo, Ventura County Interested Parties, General Public, 

Stakeholders, etc.

1/20/12 SCAG Draft 2012–2035 RTP/SCS 

Workshop For Elected Officials 2012–2035 RTP/SCS Presentation Apple Valley, San Bernardino County

Interested Parties, General Public, 

Stakeholders, etc.

1/23/12 SCAG Draft 2012–2035 RTP/SCS 

Workshop For Elected Officials 2012–2035 RTP/SCS Presentation Riverside, Riverside County Interested Parties, General Public, Stakeholders, etc.

1/23/12 Public Hearing Hearing on public comments to the 2012–2035 RTP/SCS Riverside, Riverside County Interested Parties, General Public, 

Stakeholders, etc.
Public Participation and Consultation 13

Date Event Topic Location (City, County) Audience

1/24/12 SCAG Draft 2012–2035 RTP/SCS 

Workshop For Elected Officials 2012–2035 RTP/SCS Presentation Palm Desert, Riverside County Interested Parties, General Public, Stakeholders, etc.

1/25/12 SCAG Draft 2012–2035 RTP/SCS 

Workshop For Elected Officials 2012–2035 RTP/SCS Presentation El Centro, Imperial County Interested Parties, General Public, Stakeholders, etc.

1/25/12 Public Hearing Hearing on public comments to the 2012–2035 RTP/SCS El Centro, Imperial County Interested Parties, General Public, 

Stakeholders, etc.

1/26/12 SCAG Draft 2012–2035 RTP/SCS 

Workshop For Elected Officials 2012–2035 RTP/SCS Presentation Anaheim, Orange County Interested Parties, General Public, Stakeholders, etc.

1/26/12 Public Hearing Hearing on public comments to the 2012–2035 RTP/SCS Anaheim, Orange County Interested Parties, General Public, 

Stakeholders, etc.

2/2/12 SCAG Draft 2012–2035 RTP/SCS 

Workshop For Elected Officials 2012–2035 RTP/SCS Presentation Los Angeles, LA County Interested Parties, General Public, Stakeholders, etc.

2/2/12 Public Hearing Hearing on public comments to the 2012–2035 RTP/SCS Los Angeles, LA County Interested Parties, General Public, 

Stakeholders, etc.

2/6/12 SCAG Draft 2012–2035 RTP/SCS 

Workshop For Elected Officials 2012–2035 RTP/SCS Presentation Irvine, Orange County Interested Parties, General Public, Stakeholders, etc.

2/21/12 Draft PEIR Workshop Overview of 2012–2035 RTP/SCS Program Environmental 

Impact Report comments and revision approach Los Angeles, LA County Interested Parties, General Public, Stakeholders, etc.

3/13/12 Natural Resources and the 2012–

2035 RTP/SCS

Overview of the proposed approach to environmental issues 

in the 2012–2035 RTP/SCS and the Program Environmental 

Impact Report

Los Angeles, LA County Interested Parties, General Public, 

Stakeholders, etc.

Selected Other RTP/SCS Outreach Activities

Tab le 2.4 Selected Other RTP/SCS Outreach Activities 

Date Event Topic Location (City, County) Audience

1/26/11

SCAG’s Bike/Ped Wiki College 

Outreach at University of California 

Irvine

Promote the SCAG Bike/Ped Wiki to local planning students 

to increase participation Irvine, Orange County College Students
14 Public Participation and Consultation

Date Event Topic Location (City, County) Audience

2/15/11

SCAG’s Bike/Ped Wiki College 

Outreach at University of California 

Los Angeles

Promote the SCAG Bike/Ped Wiki to local planning students 

to increase participation Los Angeles, LA County College Students

2/24/11

SCAG’s Bike/Ped Wiki College 

Outreach at University of Southern 

California

Promote the SCAG Bike/Ped Wiki to local planning students 

to increase participation Los Angeles, LA County College Students

5/6/11 SCAG General Assembly: Breakout 

Session on SCS Strategies Presentation on SCS strategies La Quinta, Riverside Elected, Stakeholders and Community Interest Groups

5/25/11 Intelligent Vehicle Technology Event Panel discussion to share perspective/opinion on new 

technology in vehicles Los Angeles, LA County

Media, stakeholders, opinion 

leaders, regional traffic planners. 

Approximately 100 people in 

attendance

5/25/11 City of Lakewood Interview SCAG's perspective on suburbanization, transportation, 

land use, & other development issues Lakewood, LA County City staff

5/26/11 Society of Industrial and Office 

Realtors Dinner

Discussion on the future of urban form, changing demographics, changing energy costs and it's impact on future 

housing type & transportation

Newport Beach, Orange County

Industry and business representatives. Approximately 45 people in 

attendance

6/21/11 MOVE LA Roundtable Roundtable discussion on the status of Measure R and 

Los Angeles' transformation around public transportation Los Angeles, LA County Transportation advocates and the general public

6/24/11

Leadership Southern California 

Class of 2011 Seminar: Land Use, 

Housing & Transportation

Discuss various perspectives on land use, housing and 

transit-oriented development. Specifically discuss importance of regional cooperation & the work of SCAG related 

to these themes.

Los Angeles, LA County

Mid-senior level leaders from community, business and government 

sectors

6/24/11

American Institute of Architects—

Los Angeles Symposium: "The 

Architect of Transportation"

A forum to discuss innovative ideas about to build transportation systems that support & strengthen healthier, more 

functional & livable neighborhoods

Los Angeles, LA County

Architects, transit-oriented 

districts, community activists, 

academics, business leaders, 

planners, policy makers, and urban 

designers

9/6/11 Mobility 21 10th Annual Southern 

California Transportation Summit 

Panel discussion on "What Gap Closures Mean for the 

Effectiveness of Southern California's Goods Movement 

System"

Los Angeles, LA County 1000 regional attendees 

9/9/11

Urban Land Institute - Los Angeles 

Land Use Leadership Committee 

meeting

Briefing on SCS process & next steps following the 

conclusion of the public workshops Los Angeles, LA County

Public officials that make up the 

ULI-LA Land Use Leadership 

Committee
Public Participation and Consultation 15

Date Event Topic Location (City, County) Audience

9/13/11 Orange County Business Council 

Meeting Presentation and discussion of Draft 2012–2035 RTP/SCS Irvine, Orange County Business and executive leaders

9/22/11

Annual convention of the Association for Commuter Transportation, 

Southern California Chapter

Presentation and discussion of Draft 2012–2035 RTP/SCS Glendale, LA County Commuter transportation stakeholders and professionals 

9/27/11 Morongo Band Mission Indians 

Tribal Council Presentation on SCAG and the RTP/SCS Banning, Riverside County Tribal Government Council and staff

9/30/11 Alt Car Expo & Conference Regional Cities debriefing & referendum combined with 

funding and programs Santa Monica, LA County

Elected officials, agency officials, 

renewable energy advocates and 

general public

10/14/11

Law Seminars International California Environmental Quality 

Act Workshop

A presentation on "SB 375: Sustainable Communities 

Strategies and the RTP" Santa Monica, LA County

Attorneys, real estate and environmental professionals, corporate managers and government 

representatives

10/18/11 UCLA Annual Lake Arrowhead 

Symposium

Panel -"Energy Focused Transportation, Land Use & Environmental Plng: Roles, Research, Tools & Practices Lake Arrowhead Researchers, practitioners and 

stakeholders

10/20/11

San Gabriel Valley Council of 

Governments Transportation 

Committee

Presentation on East/West Corridor Alhambra, LA County Elected officials

11/8/11 Inland Empire Economic Partnership 

Business Council Meeting

Presentation on the 2012–2035 RTP/SCS; discussion on 

the role the Inland Empire can play in the strategy and 

funding mechanisms

San Bernardino, San Bernardino 

County Business and executive leaders

11/9/11 RCTC Commission Meeting Report on development of 2012–2035 RTP/SCS Riverside, Riverside County Elected officals and transportation 

leaders

11/9/11 Orange County Business Council/OC 

Moves Meeting Briefing on 2012–2035 RTP/SCS process Irvine, Orange County Elected officials, private sector, 

and transportation leaders

11/15/11

SCAG’s Bike/Ped Wiki College 

Outreach at California State 

Polytechnic University, Pomona

Promote the SCAG Bike/Ped Wiki to local planning students 

to increase participation Pomona, Los Angeles County College Students

11/16/11 Metro Ad Hoc Sustainability Committee 2012–2035 RTP/SCS presentation Los Angeles, LA County Elected officals and Metro staff

11/30/11 Resource Agency Workshop 2012–2035 RTP/SCS presentation & next steps Los Angeles, LA County

Representatives from federal, state 

and regional resource agencies, 

and Tribal councils
16 Public Participation and Consultation

Date Event Topic Location (City, County) Audience

12/6/11

American Road & Transportation 

Builders Association's Western 

Region Conference

Presentation on how local sales tax measures play a 

significant role in funding transportation investments in 

Southern California counties and the region

Los Angeles, LA County Transportation agencies and business representatives

1/10/12 Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian 

Nations Annual Legislative meeting 2012–2035 RTP/SCS Presentation Los Angeles, LA County Tribal government members

1/12/12 Riverside Community meeting

2012–2035 RTP/SCS Presentation held in coordination with 

the California Rural Legal Assistance and Riverside County 

Department of Public Health

Riverside, Riverside County Interested parties, general public, 

stakeholders, etc.

1/12/12 American Lung Association Forum 2012–2035 RTP/SCS Presentation Riverside, Riverside County Interested parties, general public, 

stakeholders, etc.

1/26/12 Los Angeles Metro Board meeting 2012–2035 RTP/SCS Presentation Los Angeles, LA County Interested parties, general public, 

stakeholders, etc.

1/26/12 South Bay Council of Governments 

meeting 2012–2035 RTP/SCS Presentation Palos Verdes, LA County Interested parties, general public, stakeholders, etc.

1/27/12

South Coast Air Quality Management District, Environmental Justice 

Advisory Group

2012–2035 RTP/SCS Presentation focusing on the Environmental Justice Analysis Diamond Bar, LA County Interested parties, general public, 

stakeholders, etc.

1/27/12 Southern California Leadership 

Network Seminar

Discussion on "Understanding Southern California's Transit 

System: The Challenges & Possibilities" Los Angeles, LA County Interested parties, general public, stakeholders, etc.

1/30/12 San Fernando Valley Council of 

Governments 2012–2035 RTP/SCS Presentation Burbank, LA County Interested parties, general public, stakeholders, etc.

1/31/12

LA THINK Forum, "Advancing 

Transit: The 'It' Factor of Successful 

Cities"

Presentation of the key policies of the 2012–2035 Draft 

RTP, especially those related to transit & how they may 

impact Southern California

Los Angeles, LA County Interested parties, general public, 

stakeholders, etc.

2/3/12 SANBAG Board Retreat

Discussion of Southern California transportation issues; 

sharing of challenges transportation agencies are facing, 

with focus on future collaborative opportunities

San Diego, San Diego County Interested parties, general public, 

stakeholders, etc.

2/6/12 Arroyo Verdugo Council of Governments meeting

Presentation on the 2012–2035 RTP/SCS with focus on 

impact/benefits to Arroyo Verdugo La Canada Flintridge, LA County Elected officials, stakeholders

2/9/12 Reservation Transportation Authority 

meeting 2012–2035 RTP/SCS Presentation Temecula, Riverside County Tribal government members
Public Participation and Consultation 17

Date Event Topic Location (City, County) Audience

2/9/12 El Centro Rotary Club meeting 2012–2035 RTP/SCS Presentation El Centro, Imperial County

Club members, business leaders, community leaders, and civil 

servants

2/21/12 Agua Caliente Planning Commission 2012–2035 RTP/SCS Presentation Palm Springs, Riverside County Elected officials, stakeholders

2/23/12 American Planning Association 

Inland Empire Section event

2012–2035 RTP/SCS Presentation: What the SCS means to 

local governments

San Bernardino, San Bernardino 

County

Interested parties, general public, 

stakeholders, etc.

2/24/12

LA on the Verge of a Transit Breakthrough: MOVE LA's 4th Annual 

Transportation Conversation

Presentation on funding strategies for improving transit/

infrastructure in LA County Los Angeles, LA County Interested parties, general public, stakeholders, etc.

2/27/12

Coachella Valley Association of 

Governments Executive Committee 

meeting

2012–2035 RTP/SCS Presentation Palm Desert, Riverside County Elected officials, stakeholders

3/7/12 Four Corners Coalition Presentation/update on RTP financial plan Diamond Bar, LA County Interested Parties, General Public, 

Stakeholders, etc.

3/9/12 2012 Southern California Transportation & Logistics Summit

Panel discussion on the economy, goods movement and job 

growth in the region Ontario, San Bernardino County Interested parties, general public, stakeholders, etc.

3/12/12 Big Bear Lake City Council meeting 2012–2035 RTP/SCS Presentation Big Bear Lake, San Bernardino 

County

3/13/12 Valley Industry Association Group 2012–2035 RTP/SCS Presentation Santa Clarita

Elected officials, interested parties, general public, stakeholders, 

etc.

3/15/12 South Orange County Mayors' 

meeting

Update on SCAG 2010 Regional Economic Recovery Strategy Laguna Niguel, Orange County Elected officials, stakeholders
18 Public Participation and Consultation

SCAG Public Participation Plan Amendment No. 3

Purpose of SCAG’s Public Participation Plan

The awareness and involvement of interested persons in governmental processes are 

critical to successful regional transportation planning and programming. When the public 

is engaged in the process, their feedback helps assure projects address community 

needs. Likewise, the public gains a better understanding of the tradeoffs and constraints 

associated with transportation planning. This Public Participation Plan (“Plan”) serves 

as a guide for SCAG’s public involvement process as well as the continuing, comprehensive and coordinated planning process among the stakeholders to ensure the ongoing 

opportunity for broad-based participation in the development and review of regional plans 

and programs. 

Introduction

Since its inception, the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) has 

engaged in a public involvement process in developing its regional transportation plans 

and programs. As a result of changes in the metropolitan planning law in 2005, SCAG 

has broadened and will continue to broaden its participation activities to engage a more 

extensive group of stakeholders in its planning and programming processes. 

As a metropolitan planning organization (MPO), SCAG is responsible for preparing and 

utilizing a Plan which is developed in consultation with all interested parties and provides 

reasonable opportunities for interested parties to comment on the content of SCAG’s 

proposed plans and programs, including the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) and 

the Regional Transportation Improvement Program (RTIP) (also known as the Federal 

Transportation Improvement Program), pursuant to the “Safe, Accountable, Flexible, 

Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users” (SAFETEA-LU), Pub. L. No. 109-

59, Title VI, Section 6001(a), 119 Stat. 1839 (Aug. 10, 2005). 

The participation procedures, strategies and goals incorporated into this Plan are 

intended to provide interested parties with reasonable opportunities to be involved 

in the metropolitan transportation planning process. The Plan contains an expanded 

list of Interested Parties to encourage participation of a broad range of stakeholders. 

Additionally, SCAG is required to consult with State, local, and Tribal governments in the 

development of its RTPs and RTIPs. SCAG is specifically required to consult with agencies 

and officials responsible for other planning activities within the region that are affected 

by SCAG’s RTP and RTIP (including, as appropriate, state and local agencies responsible 

for land use management, natural resources, environmental protection, conservation, and 

historic preservation). 

Pursuant to new State law, Steinberg’s Senate Bill 375 (SB 375) SCAG has further 

expanded the list of Interested Parties and added additional outreach and consultation 

provisions to ensure broad stakeholder participation in the development of a sustainable 

communities strategy as part of the RTP or an alternative planning strategy. 

As part of developing other plans and programs for which SCAG is responsible, SCAG 

carries out additional participation activities, including but not limited to: collaboration 

with transportation partners in development of the SCAG Overall Work Program, pursuant to 23 C.F.R. 450.314 and State guidance; creation of technical advisory committees 

to expedite input; scoping meetings and public review of the Draft Program EIR (PEIR) for 

the RTP, as required by applicable California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, 

14 C.C.R. Ch. 3, Art. 7; and, public participation in the development of a methodology for 

the Regional Housing Needs Allocation Plan, pursuant to Govt. Code Section 65584.04(c).

This Plan is intended to guide the participation process and to coordinate the process 

with SCAG’s consultation activities and other responsibilities. Detailed strategies, procedures, and techniques for carrying out the participation process for the RTP, RTIP, and 

Overall Work Program (OWP), are described in “Appendix A,” of this Plan, and incorporated herein by this reference.

Public Participation Plan Requirements

SCAG’s Public Participation Plan must comply with the following requirements provided 

under 23 U.S.C. 134, subsections (i)(5), and (j)(1)(B) which are summarized as follows:

1. SCAG shall provide citizens, affected public agencies, representatives of public 

transportation employees, freight shippers, providers of freight transportation 

services, private providers of transportation, representatives of users of public 

transportation, representatives of users of pedestrian walkways and bicycle transportation facilities, representatives of the disabled, the business community and 

other interested parties with a reasonable opportunity to comment on the RTP.
Public Participation and Consultation 19

2. The participation plan shall be developed in consultation with all interested parties, 

and shall provide that all interested parties have reasonable opportunities to comment on the contents of the transportation plan.

3. In carrying out the participation process, SCAG must, to the maximum extent 

practicable:

A. hold any public meetings at convenient and accessible locations and times;

B. employ visualization techniques to describe plans; and

C. make public information available in electronically accessible format and 

means, such as the World Wide Web, as appropriate, to afford reasonable 

opportunity for consideration of public information under paragraph 1 above.

4. The RTP shall be published or otherwise made readily available by the metropolitan 

planning organization for public review, including (to the maximum extent practicable) in electronically accessible formats and means, such as the World Wide Web, 

approved by the metropolitan planning organization and submitted for information purposes to the Governor at such times and in such manner as the Secretary 

shall establish.

5. In developing the RTIP and before approving the RTIP, SCAG, in cooperation with the 

State and any affected public transportation operator, shall provide an opportunity 

for participation by interested parties in the development of the program, in accordance with the same requirements described above.

6. The Public Participation Plan further addresses the requirements of the applicable 

regulations, 23 CFR 450.316(a) (See 72 FR 7273; February 14, 2007), as follows:

A. The MPO shall develop and use a documented participation plan that defines 

a process for providing citizens, affected public agencies, representatives 

of public transportation employees, freight shippers, providers of freight 

transportation services, private providers of transportation, representatives 

of users of public transportation, representatives of users of pedestrian walkways and bicycle transportation facilities, representatives of the disabled, 

business and other interested parties with reasonable opportunities to be 

involved in the metropolitan transportation planning process.

I. The participation plan shall be developed by the MPO in consultation with 

all interested parties and shall, at a minimum, describe explicit procedures, strategies, and desired outcomes for:

a. Providing adequate public notice of public participation activities and 

time for public review and comment at key decision points, including but not limited to a reasonable opportunity to comment on the 

proposed metropolitan transportation plan and the TIP;

b. Providing timely notice and reasonable access to information about 

transportation issues and processes;

c. Employing visualization techniques to describe metropolitan transportation plans and TIPs;

d. Making public information (technical information and meeting notices) 

available in electronically accessible formats and means, such as the 

World Wide Web;

e. Holding any public meetings at convenient and accessible locations 

and times;

f. Demonstrating explicit consideration and response to public input 

received during the development of the metropolitan transportation 

plan and the TIP;

g. Seeking out and considering the needs of those traditionally underserved by existing transportation systems, such as low-income and 

minority households, who may face challenges accessing employment 

and other services;

h. Providing an additional opportunity for public comment, if the final 

metropolitan transportation plan or TIP differs significantly from the 

version that was made available for public comment by the MPO and 

raises new material issues which interested parties could not reasonably have foreseen from the public involvement efforts;

i. Coordinating with the statewide transportation planning public 

involvement and consultation processes under subpart B of this 

part; and

ii. Periodically reviewing the effectiveness of the procedures and 

strategies contained in the participation plan to ensure a full and 

open participation process.

II. 2. When significant written and oral comments are received on the draft 

metropolitan transportation plan and TIP (including the financial plans) 

as a result of the participation process in this section or the interagency 

consultation process required under the EPA transportation conformity 
20 Public Participation and Consultation

regulations (40 CFR part 93), a summary, analysis, and report on the 

disposition of comments shall be made as part of the final metropolitan 

transportation plan and TIP.

III. 3. A minimum public comment period of 45 calendar days shall be 

provided before the initial or revised participation plan is adopted by the 

MPO. Copies of the approved participation plan shall be provided to the 

FHWA and the FTA for informational purposes and shall be posted on the 

World Wide Web, to the maximum extent practicable.

Additionally, the plan addresses SB 375, the state law that requires SCAG to adopt a 

public participation plan for development of the sustainable communities strategy (SCS) 

and an alternative planning strategy (APS) that includes the following components, 

in summary:

1. Outreach efforts to encourage the active participation of a broad range of stakeholder groups in the planning process, consistent with SCAG’s adopted Public 

Participation Plan; 

2. Consultation with congestion management agencies, transportation agencies, and 

transportation commissions;

3. Workshops throughout the region to provide the public with the information and tools 

necessary to provide a clear understanding of the issues and policy choices;

4. Preparation and circulation of a draft SCS and APS, if one is prepared, not less than 

55 days before adoption of a final RTP;

5. At least three public hearings on the draft SCS in the RTP and APS, if one is prepared, held in different parts of the region, if feasible;

6. A minimum of three public workshops in each county with a population of 500,000 

or more; and

7. A process for enabling members of the public to provide a single request to receive 

notices, information and updates.

Further, SB 375 requires that SCAG conduct at least two informational meetings in each 

county within the region for members of the board of supervisors and city councils on the 

SCS and APS, if any. The purpose of the meeting shall be to present a draft of the SCS to 

the members of the board of supervisors and city council members in that county and to 

solicit and consider their input and recommendations. 

SCAG has addressed and integrated the above requirements with its participation procedures for the regional transportation planning process. See attached Appendix “A.”

Consultation Requirements 

SCAG must consult, as appropriate, with State and local agencies responsible for land 

use management, natural resources, environmental protection, conservation, and historic 

preservation concerning the development of a long-range transportation plan. The consultation shall involve, as appropriate:

1. Comparison of transportation plans with State conservation plans or maps, if available; or

2. Comparison of transportation plans to inventories of natural or historic resources, if 

available.

See 23 U.S.C Section 134(i)(4).

Furthermore, under the metropolitan planning process, RTPs and TIPs must be developed 

with due consideration of other related activities within the region, and the process must 

provide for the design and delivery of transportation services within the region that are 

provided by:

1. Recipients of assistance under Chapter 53 of Title 49 U.S.C.

2. Governmental agencies and nonprofit organizations (including representatives of 

the agencies and organizations) that receive Federal assistance from a source other 

than the Department of Transportation to provide non-emergency transportation 

services; and

3. Recipients of assistance under 23 U.S.C Section 204.

See 49 U.S.C Section 5303.

Consultation requirements are accomplished primarily through our policy committees, 

other committees, subcommittees, task forces, and working groups. Policy committees 

are primarily made up of local elected officials. There are several issue-specific as well 

as mode-specific committees, subcommittees, task forces and working groups that are 

on-going as well as some that are created for a specific purpose and specific timeframe. 

All of these groups forward their recommendations to policy committees. Examples 

include the Aviation Technical Advisory Committee, Plans and Programs Technical 

Advisory Committee, Regional Housing Needs Assessment Subcommittee, Transit 
Public Participation and Consultation 21

Technical Advisory Committee, Modeling Task Force, and Transportation Conformity 

Working Group. Membership on these groups includes elected officials as well as stakeholder agency representatives. The stakeholders have a direct pipeline to SCAG’s planning processes through these groups.

In addition, SCAG conducts meetings with all 191 member city managers and provides 

individual city council briefings when requested. Also, SCAG conducts several workshops 

prior to releasing the Draft RTP, SCS and or APS involving stakeholders to ensure that 

their input on major issues is addressed in the plan.

SCAG also utilizes the subregional council of governments (COG) structure to get the word 

out and solicit input on the content as well as the planning and programming process 

from local stakeholders.

SCAG mails out a notice of the Draft RTP and RTIP availability to the stakeholders at the 

local, state and federal level to solicit their comment and input to the final RTP and RTIP. 

Comments as well as responses are fully documented and reflected in the final RTP.

SCAG engages Tribal Governments in the RTP and RTIP processes through Tribal 

Government representation on SCAG’s governing board and policy committees.

Bottom-Up Planning and Interagency Consultation

An expanded 70-member Regional Council and the fostering of 14 subregional organizations were initiated by the former Executive Committee in 1992. (The Regional Council 

currently has more than 80 members). These forums, coupled with three policy committees, numerous standing committees and technical advisory committees, and the “AB 

1246 process” (required under Public Utilities Code Section 130000 et seq.) facilitate 

SCAG’s ability to provide a framework for bottom-up planning and more frequent and 

ongoing participation by interested parties at all stages of the process.

Within the AB 1246 process, the multi-county designated transportation planning agency 

shall convene at least two meetings annually of representatives from each of the four 

commissions, the agency, and the Department of Transportation for the purposes below. 

The region wide Transportation Agencies CEOs Group is currently fulfilling the function of 

the AB 1246 process. 

1. To review and discuss the near-term transportation improvement programs prior to 

adoption by the commissions.

2. To review and discuss the Regional Transportation Plan prior to adoption by the 

agency pursuant to Chapter 2.5 (commencing with Section 65080) of Title 7 of the 

Government Code.

3. To consider progress in the development of a region wide and unified public transit 

system.

4. To review and discuss any other matter of mutual concern.

SCAG has a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the South Coast Air Quality 

Management District (SCAQMD) on transportation and air quality conformity consultation procedures for the South Coast Air Basin and for the Riverside County portions of 

the Salton Sea Air Basin and the Mojave Desert Air Basin. Parties to the MOU include: 

SCAQMD, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Orange County 

Transportation Authority, Riverside County Transportation Commission, San Bernardino 

Associated Governments, California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), California 

Air Resource Board, and the Federal Highway Administration. 

Likewise, SCAG has an MOU for transportation and air quality conformity consultation procedures with the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District (VCAPCD) for the 

Ventura County portion of the South Central Coast Air Basin (SCCAB). Parties to the MOU 

include: VCAPCD, Ventura County Transportation Commission, Caltrans, California Air 

Resources Board, Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration.

To support interagency coordination and fulfill the interagency consultation requirements 

of the Federal Transportation Conformity Rule, SCAG participates in the Transportation 

Conformity Working Group (TCWG). The group meets on a monthly basis to address and 

resolve regional issues pertaining to transportation conformity for the RTP and RTIP; RTP 

and TIP amendments; and the region’s air quality management plans. 

Participants in the Southern California TCWG include representatives from federal, state, 

regional and sub-regional agencies such as the United States Environmental Protection 

Agency (both national and regional representatives), Federal Highway Administration, 

Federal Transit Administration, California Air Resources Board, California Department of 

Transportation, Air Quality Management Districts, County Transportation Commissions, 

Transportation Corridor Agencies, and SCAG.
22 Public Participation and Consultation

Interested Parties

To ensure compliance with SAFETEA-LU requirements and other federal and state mandates, SCAG intends to target the following participants in the region:

 general public

 elected officials 

 affected public agencies

 City Managers 

 subregional organizations

 representatives of transportation agency employees

 freight shippers 

 providers of freight transportation services 

 private providers of transportation 

 representatives of users of public transit 

 representatives of users of pedestrian walkways and bicycle transportation facilities 

 representatives of the disabled 

 Tribal Governments

 transit operators

 governmental agencies and non-profit organizations that receive Federal assistance 

from a source other than the Department of Transportation (DOT) to provide nonemergency transportation services and recipients of assistance under section 204 of 

Title 23 U.S.C . 

 affordable housing advocates

 transportation advocates

 neighborhood and community groups

 environmental advocates

 home builder representatives

 business organizations

 landowners

 commercial property interests

 homeowner associations

 organizations serving rural area residents

 limited English proficiency populations

 and other interested parties (e.g. ethnic and minority groups, older and retired 

persons, special interest non-profit agencies, educational institutions, women’s 

organizations, and private sector)

The following goals and procedures are designed to encourage participation and provide 

opportunities to comment on the development and approval of SCAG’s plan, programs, 

related environmental review documents, and other products prepared by SCAG that 

statutorily require public participation or for which the Regional Council determines 

is necessary. 

Public Participation Plan Goals

The five primary goals of SCAG’s Public Participation Plan include:

Goal 1: Implement an open and ongoing participation process that ensures general public, 

agency and interested party participation in, and input into, regional transportation planning and programming. 

Goal 2: Provide full public access and information to key decisions in the regional transportation planning process. 

Goal 3: Disseminate clear, concise and timely information to general public, affected 

agencies and interested parties.

Goal 4: Provide timely responses to issues, concerns, and comments raised by the public 

regarding the development and implementation of regional transportation plans, 

programs, and projects. Ensure that the comments received are considered and 

incorporated into the deliberations regarding proposed plans and programs. 

Goal 5: Enhance the participation process including reaching out to those communities 

that have been underrepresented and/or underserved.
Public Participation and Consultation 23

Public Participation Plan Procedures in Obtaining Goals

Goal 1: Implement an open and ongoing participation process that ensures general public, 

agency and interested party participation in, and input into, regional transportation planning and programming.

 SCAG’s participation program will include public outreach and communications for all major plans and programs. This includes establishing procedures 

and responsibilities for (1) informing, involving and incorporating public 

opinion into the planning process, (2) consultative involvement of designated 

agencies (i.e., federal, state and local agencies, county transportation commissions and air quality management/pollution control districts) on technical 

data and modeling used in developing regional plans and determining transportation improvement program and regional transportation improvement 

program conformity, (3) designating lead staff persons who are knowledgeable about the entire planning process to be responsible for the participation 

program, and (4) providing adequate funds and staff resources to implement 

the participation program.

 Stress the requirement to encourage, assess and provide for public participation to staff, consultants, stakeholder organizations and others as well as 

stress the importance of an inclusionary process and dialogue and encourage staff to regard general public, subregional organizations and agencies as 

working partners.

 Interact and seek input from a broad spectrum of interested stakeholders through various task forces and working groups that meet on a regular, 

on-going basis to review, discuss, and provide feedback on various SCAG 

initiatives, plans and programs.

 Coordinate outreach efforts with subregional organizations and transportation 

and air quality agencies.

 Encourage proponents and opponents to participate in the regional planning 

process and acknowledge the value of their input.

 Update and maintain the internal contact databases and audience categories. 

Expand current list categories to include the additional list of parties outlined 

in the federal SAFETEA-LU & State Law SB 375 (Steinberg). These contact 

databases should be reviewed and updated on an on-going basis. 

 Members of the general public, stakeholders, agency partners and other 

interested parties may be added to SCAG’s contact database by making a 

request to any SCAG staff member in person, by calling the SCAG office, by 

sending a written request via US Mail or via email, or via the website by clicking on the “Contact Us” link or the “Sign Up for Our Newsletters” link or the 

“Get Involved” link.

 Provide outreach to the general public, groups, agencies and subregional 

organizations and inform them of how their involvement has affected the 

plan.

 Assemble, organize and equip a participation and outreach team of transportation planners, environmental planners, analysts and other technical staff, 

public affairs staff, management staff, and elected officials to conduct presentations, hold briefings, workshops and hearings during the year to diverse 

groups and organizations throughout the region. 

 Conduct hands-on, interactive workshops such as the Compass workshops, 

to encourage community involvement and participation and obtain feedback 

from local residents, regional stakeholders and local governments (planners, 

demographers, and elected officials).

 Provide outreach assistance, including to under-represented areas, using 

Regional Affairs Officers who are geographically focused and knowledgeable 

on the issues of the subregion.

 Train staff in effective communication and public relations skills by providing 

clear, consistent and concise primary messages for media and public involvement and interaction.

 Develop and disseminate public participation / outreach materials to provide 

key messages to all stakeholders. 

 Complete target group and media mailing lists for targeted audiences and 

determine the best methods for distributing information: including fact 

sheets, brochures, flyers, white papers, plan summaries, newsletters, 

PowerPoint presentations, electronic newsletters, press releases, public 

service announcements, press advisories, press conferences, telephone and 

personal interviews.

 Develop memoranda of understanding or agreements with appropriate agencies, as needed.
24 Public Participation and Consultation

 Participate in regular monthly meetings with the CEOs of the county transportation commissions.

Goal 2: Provide full public access and information to key decisions in the regional transportation planning process. 

 Utilize SCAG’s website to provide information, announce draft and final plan 

releases, encourage feedback and comments from the public, make draft and 

final plans and corresponding documents available, provide contact information, educate about SCAG and SCAG initiatives, inform of upcoming events 

and meetings, post meeting agendas and minutes and provide publications. 

Ensure that the information available is easy-to-read and accessible and that 

the web site is compliant with the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act.

 Post public notices of the draft product in at least one major newspaper in 

each of the six member counties, SCAG regional offices and include community newspapers and ethnic press.

 Follow up on public notices to increase participation. Assign staff to look out 

for non-participating public interests.

 Conduct public hearing and workshops for the draft RTP, TIP, SCS and/or 

APS and EIR and other major plans as needed. Announce public hearings in 

printed materials, on SCAG’s website, and in local newspapers. Provide translation services at these hearings, if needed. 

 Develop procedures for public hearings. Include the time to be allotted to 

each speaker and how the order of appearance is determined. A written 

explanation of adopted procedures should be distributed to participants both 

prior to and at the hearing. Make arrangements for the submission of written 

statements in addition to verbal comments. 

 Hold monthly meetings with the subregional coordinators to review upcoming 

Regional Council and Policy Committee agendas and conduct other coordinating activities.

 Keep interested parties informed with progress reports during the product 

development, review and adoption phases.

Goal 3: Disseminate clear, concise and timely information to the general public, affected 

agencies and interested parties.

 SCAG, together with its subregional partners and other stakeholder 

organizations, will notify interested parties through traditional meeting 

announcements, newspapers, public service announcements, press releases, 

special mailers, publications and agendas of committees, meetings, workshops, briefings, website postings, email communications and other opportunities to participate, as appropriate.

 Make electronically accessible to the public all draft and final plans, fact 

sheets, publications such as Your Guide to SCAG, the Overall Work Program, 

key PowerPoint presentations, meeting agendas and minutes, data and 

other planning-related information, and a calendar of upcoming events on 

SCAG’s Web site at www.scag.ca.gov. Encourage public involvement on 

the web site. Ensure that the information provided is timely, accessible and 

easy-to-understand.

 Provide complete and easy-to-understand information, including summaries 

and one-page fact sheets on major plans and initiatives at the beginning and 

throughout the planning process and define the issues and alternatives in a 

concise, straightforward and consistent manner. 

 Update annually contingent upon budget availability and disseminate SCAG’s 

citizen guide “Your Guide to SCAG” which succinctly informs the public about 

SCAG and the regional planning process, highlights major SCAG initiatives, 

cites the importance of public involvement, invites participation, and identifies key contacts. 

 Provide updated information about SCAG’s activities, plans, actions, upcoming events, legislative efforts, and subregional activities in the electronic 

newsletters which are disseminated to local elected officials, legislators, 

subregions, commissions, air districts, other interested parties and members 

of the public at least eight times per year. The electronic newsletters are 

accessible through SCAG’s website. In addition, archival copies are readily 

available on the site.

 Maintain and update media mailing lists that include metropolitan and local 

community newspapers, radio, television and cable outlets, trade journals, 

wire services, ethnic and foreign-language media, government and legal publications and special interest press directed at older Americans, the disabled, 

Native Americans and students. 

 Implement the media outreach strategies contained in the agency’s overall 

Communications Strategy. This includes press releases, use of social media, 

including Facebook and Twitter, media advisories, calendar advisories, media 
Public Participation and Consultation 25

interviews on television and radio talk shows and public affairs programs, 

public notices, op-ed articles in local newspapers, editorial board meetings, 

and development of consistent media messages on major SCAG initiatives, 

and outreach to ethnic and foreign language press.

 Develop printed materials, fact sheets, brochures, summaries, fliers, and 

PowerPoint presentations relating to SCAG and SCAG’s initiatives and other 

publications for general population distribution in concise, understandable, 

non-technical language.

 Maintain an updated calendar of events on SCAG’s website, accessible 24 

hours a day, 7 days a week. 

 Translate the most significant web site information and printed materials 

into other languages when needed and contingent upon resource and budget 

availability. Include the ethnic press in media advisories, press releases, 

press conference notifications, calendar advisories and other media communications. Maintain and update ethnic press contacts in the media contact 

database.

 Disseminate SCAG major publications and studies at conferences, through 

mailings, SCAG regional offices and in SCAG’s lobby area to highlight SCAG’s 

major initiatives, invite participation within the community, solicit feedback 

and encourage general public to “Get Informed and Get Involved.” 

 Make presentations on various SCAG initiatives throughout the region to general public, community groups, environmental groups, business organizations, 

minorities, subregions, other stakeholders, and other interested parties. Staff 

throughout the organization, along with Regional Council members, will conduct the presentations. Determine the appropriate staff and agency representatives to speak on policy, technical and media issues. Staff will proactively 

encourage presentations be included on various meeting agendas. 

 Prepare technical and non-technical PowerPoint presentations for workshop, conference, hearings and other meeting use to showcase SCAG and 

SCAG’s initiatives and simplify the regional planning process. Ensure that the 

presentations are easy-to-understand, interesting, and invite participation 

and involvement. Utilize graphics and animation to make the presentations 

more interesting and inviting. Tailor presentations to the audience by including subregional statistics and addressing primary areas of audience concern. 

Enhancements to the presentations should be based on community input and 

speaker feedback. Maintain a library of all PowerPoint presentations created. 

Post relevant PowerPoint presentations on SCAG’s web site for public access.

 Utilize visualization techniques whenever possible such as maps, videos, 

PowerPoint presentations with graphics and animation, flowcharts, computer simulation, interactive GIS systems, photorealistic visualizations, video 

fly-throughs, illustrative drawings, simulated photos, sketches, and photo 

manipulation scenario planning tools to better and more easily communicate 

technical planning issues and strategies.

 Design and display a modular exhibit for “on-the-road” presentations and 

exhibit tables at conferences, workshops, meetings and other public events. 

The exhibit will be visually appealing and will graphically showcase SCAG’s 

major planning initiatives to diverse audiences. This exhibit will increase 

the public’s awareness of the work of SCAG and the importance of public 

involvement.

 Explore new opportunities using state-of-the-art communications and information technology for reaching remote audiences. 

Goal 4: Provide timely responses to issues, concerns, and comments raised by the public 

regarding the development and implementation of regional transportation plans, 

programs, and projects. Ensure that the comments received are considered and 

incorporated into the deliberations regarding proposed plans and programs. 

 SCAG will review and consider all public comments in the regional transportation planning process. Comments will be recorded, tracked and maintained, 

through SCAG’s contact database system. The system will provide a list of 

all comments received, the name of the commenter, the comment date, the 

topic, the comment message, and SCAG’s response to the comment. All comments received will be responded to in a timely manner.

 Evaluate public comments received throughout the planning process and 

assess whether, and to what extent, modifications were made in the draft 

documents as a result of the comments received.

Goal 5: Enhance the participation process including seeking out and considering the 

needs of traditionally underrepresented and/or underserved persons. Ensure that 

minority and low-income persons have meaningful access to the public outreach 

and involvement activities.
26 Public Participation and Consultation

 Coordinate with individuals, institutions or organizations to reach out to members in the affected minority and/or low income communities.

 Choose an event site and time convenient for participants. All events should 

be fully accessible to all general public, including disabled, low-income and 

minority communities. Encourage the participation of elected officials at 

events and hearings.

 Provide assistance, if requested 72 hours prior to the event, to people 

with disabilities. 

 Provide language assistance, if requested 72 hours prior to the event, to 

Limited English Proficient Persons.

 Evaluate public participation efforts at the end of each phase of the planning 

process so that necessary modifications can be made for subsequent phases. 

Provide recommended strategies to enhance the outreach program and better 

serve the underrepresented segments of the region.

 Annually review and update the agency’s overall Communications Strategy. 

 Annually review the process for providing language assistance for persons 

with limited English proficiency.

 Maintain an outreach calendar of presentations, workshops and hearings to 

strengthen outreach to underrepresented areas. 

 Utilize SCAG’s existing online survey programs to conduct outreach on public 

opinions of community interests to obtain feedback on regional issues. 

 Develop surveys or evaluations on projects, plans, services and activities 

to obtain feedback on ways to improve service to members, stakeholders, 

partners and general public..

 Assess how effective the agency’s communication strategies have been in 

impacting public policy.

Appendix “A”

Strategies, Pro ced ure s and Techniques for Publi c

Parti cipatio n Related to the Regio nal Tra nsportatio n

Pla n (RTP), Regio nal Tra nsportatio n Impro veme nt Program

(RTIP) and Overall Work Program (OWP)

SCAG’s adopted Public Participation Plan (“Plan”) serves as a guide for SCAG’s public 

involvement process as well as the continuing, comprehensive and coordinated planning process among the stakeholders to ensure the ongoing opportunity for broad-based 

participation in the development and review of regional plans and programs. For purposes 

of the Plan, “public” is intended to mean “Interested Parties” including general public, 

affected public agencies, and other interested parties as identified in the Plan. 

This Appendix “A” to the adopted Public Participation Plan provides more explicit details 

as to SCAG’s strategies, procedures and techniques for public participation on the RTP, 

RTIP and OWP. The interrelated goals identified in the Plan suggest that a coordinated 

approach to public outreach is best in seeking to spread a consistent message and 

increase public awareness of SCAG’s planning efforts. SCAG seeks the public’s feedback, 

active participation and input in developing its plans and programs.

SECTION 1.

DEVELOPMENT OF STRATEGIES, PROCEDURES AND TECHNIQU ES

SCAG staff consults a wide range of interested parties to fulfill federal and state requirements in developing public participation strategies, procedures and techniques. SCAG 

makes significant efforts to reach out to interested parties, encourage feedback, and 

involve interested parties in the development of the Plan’s strategies and procedures 

and will continue these efforts in future updates to the Plan. Specifically, SCAG solicited 

comments and feedback from the county transportation commissions, the subregions, 

transit operators, federal and state resource agencies, Tribal Governments, representatives of the disabled, the business community, representatives of pedestrian walkways 

and bicycle transportation facilities, environmental groups, and other interested parties 

through mailings, email correspondence, workshops, presentations, meetings, telephone 

communications and website postings encouraging individuals to get involved with 
Public Participation and Consultation 27

developing the Public Participation Plan. In developing the 2009 Public Participation Plan, 

SCAG conducted a survey which asked several questions to help SCAG determine how to 

improve public participation. This survey was emailed to 3,600 individuals within SCAG’s 

contact database system with valid email addresses of potential interested parties. SCAG 

engaged in interagency review by sending letters to over 200 affected agencies and organizations to seek input on the proposed strategies, procedures and techniques. Finally, 

SCAG continues to solicit feedback through an online Public Participation Form.

SECTION 2.

REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN

Federal and state laws require SCAG to prepare a long-range Regional Transportation 

Plan, or RTP. The purpose of the RTP is to combine transportation policies and projects to 

lay out the blueprint for Southern California’s transportation network and how it can best 

handle the needs of the future. The RTP works to coordinate a balanced regional transportation system, identify adequate funding for transportation projects, and meet federal 

air quality requirements. 

An update of an existing RTP is required every four years, and SCAG is currently undertaking the development of the 2012–2035 RTP to provide Southern California with a 

comprehensive vision for its transportation future to the year 2035. 

State law SB 375 requires SCAG and other MPOs to additionally engage the region in 

the development process of the Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) and/or an 

Alternative Planning Strategy (APS) through outreach efforts, and a series of workshops 

and public hearings. For the SCAG region these additional workshops and public hearings 

amount to approximately twelve workshops for local elected officials, two workshops 

in each county in the region (depending on levels of participation, the number of workshops can be reduced to one per county), and three public workshops per county, except 

Imperial County, where one workshop is required. Workshops will be held in the counties 

of Riverside, San Bernardino, Imperial, Orange, Los Angeles, and Ventura . In order to 

maximize participation, SCAG will also conduct three public hearings on the Draft RTP/

SCS in different parts of the region. 

1. Phase 1: Pre-Draft RTP (January 2009–November 2011 )

A. Hold Regular Outreach and SB 375 Coordination Team Meetings: (January 

2009–November 2011)

While outreach activities have been ongoing since the adopted 2008 RTP, the 

single most important element to fostering and maintaining a fully-integrated 

agency outreach effort is to schedule and hold regular coordination meetings 

with the principal staff in all planning areas and consultants associated with 

each of the various outreach efforts. 

I. Outreach and SB 375 coordination meetings will provide important 

opportunities (1) to brief all members of the coordination team on overall 

goals and strategies; (2) to inform the team of upcoming outreach forums 

and other key milestones; (3) to identify strategies and specific work 

tasks that can either be shared or can accommodate multiple outreach 

objectives; and (4) Ensure all outreach events are being entered on 

SCAG’s outreach calendar in a timely manner for public notice as well as 

documentation of SCAG’s outreach history.

II. SB 375 allows sub-regional agencies to prepare a Sustainable 

Communities Strategy or Alternative Planning Strategy for their subregional area for incorporation into the regional strategy. SCAG’s responsibility, as described in this Plan, is to conduct outreach in accordance with 

statutory requirements for the regional SCS and/or APS. 

B. Public Workshops: (June 2009–November 2011)

SCAG will conduct at least two public workshops in each county of the region, 

except for Imperial County, where one workshop will be conducted. These 

workshops are intended to provide the public with a clear understanding of 

the issues and policy choices and to the extent practicable will include urban 

simulation computer modeling to demonstrate visual representation of the 

SCS and APS. SCAG will also provide a process for members of the public to 

provide a single request to receive notices, information, and updates

Additional public workshops will be held as needed on the RTP, in accordance 

with applicable requirements.

C. Update Contact Databases and Advisory Groups: (May 2009–November 2011)

I. Review and update mailing lists for outreach efforts.

II. Expand contact databases to include all Interested Parties identified in 

the Plan.

III. Work with subregional coordinators and SCAG task force and committee members to expand current list categories to include all Interested 

Parties.
28 Public Participation and Consultation

IV. Convene an Environmental Justice Advisory Group to meet as needed. 

This group would include representatives of community-based organizations, non-profits, and Tribal Governments from all parts of the SCAG 

region.

V. Update media mailing lists that include metropolitan and local community 

newspapers, radio, television and cable outlets, trade journals, wire services, ethnic and foreign-language media, government and legal publications and special interest press directed at older audiences, the disabled, 

Native Americans and students.

D. Update Existing Presentation Materials: (January 2009–November 2011)

Many of the needed PowerPoint presentations have already been prepared 

and are currently in use. SCAG has developed PowerPoint presentations on 

all major SCAG initiatives and they are easily accessible by all staff. These 

presentations will continue to be updated as new information becomes available. Communications staff will continue to work closely with Planning staff 

to ensure a consistent look and message for all of SCAG’s communications. 

I. Provide clear, consistent and concise primary messages for media and 

public involvement and interaction.

II. Update technical and non-technical Powerpoint presentations as new 

information becomes available. 

III. Tailor specific presentations to meet the needs and interests of the target 

audiences.

IV. Maintain a library of all PowerPoint presentations developed.

V. Review and update Fact Sheets.

VI. Review and update brochures, fliers and other publications relating to 

SCAG and SCAG’s initiatives for general population distribution in concise, 

understandable, non-technical language.

VII. Review and update public feedback forms, both paper and web-based.

VIII. Review and enhance web interface to encourage public education and 

feedback on the related planning efforts.

IX. Include articles on plans and programs in SCAG’s eVision newsletter, 

produced eight times each year as new information becomes available.

E. Create New Presentation Materials: (January 2009–November 2011)

Develop new materials to simplify the RTP and cater to subregional audiences. Traditionally, interested parties raise questions about proposed 

projects in their specific community. Materials that visually highlight the most 

prominent features of the Plan and are most relevant to audiences will most 

likely be read and recalled.

I. SB 375 presents new elements to the RTP which will require increased 

outreach and consensus building efforts, outreach materials will be 

develop accordingly to those needs.

II. Create an introductory, fold-out brochure which visually showcases 

regional projects of significance. Highlights of the plan will be summarized and created to peak interest and enhance readability.

III. Create 14 subregional maps that visually depict proposed projects of 

subregional significance. 

IV. Produce the RTP on a CD to ease handling and ensure more efficient use 

of resources.

V. Prepare press releases, calendar advisories, notices of public hearings 

(in one major newspaper in each of the six counties), and reach out to the 

ethnic press by providing notices in English, Spanish and Chinese.

VI. Utilize visualization techniques whenever possible such as maps, videos, 

PowerPoint presentations with graphics and animation, flowcharts, computer simulation, interactive GIS systems, photorealistic visualizations, 

video fly-throughs, illustrative drawings, simulated photos, sketches, 

and photo manipulation scenario planning tools to better and more easily 

communicate technical planning issues and strategies.

VII. Explore new opportunities using state-of-the-art communications and 

information technology for reaching remote audiences i.e. SCAG’s 

Regional Offices, video conference, web meetings twitter, wiki, and 

surveys.

F. Continually Enhance Website Capabilities: (January 2009–November 2011)

I. Create new web pages dedicated to the RTP, enhance navigation, and 

ensure information is up-to-date. Link to stakeholder web pages.

II. Translate key RTP communications in English, Spanish and Chinese on 

the web pages.

III. Utilize SCAG’s web site to provide information, announce draft and final 

plan releases, encourage feedback and comments from the public, make 

draft and final plans and corresponding documents available, provide 

contact information, educate about SCAG and SCAG initiatives, inform 
Public Participation and Consultation 29

of upcoming events and meetings, post meeting agendas and minutes 

and provide access to major SCAG publications including Your Guide to 

SCAG, key PowerPoint presentations, data and other planning-related 

information. 

IV. Ensure that the information available is timely, easy-to-understand and 

accessible and that the website is compliant with the 1990 Americans 

with Disabilities Act

G. Coordinate Outreach Efforts with other Stakeholder Organizations: (January 

2009–November 2011)

I. Support interagency coordination by continuing to participate in the 

monthly Transportation Conformity Working Group.

II. Mail Notice of Draft RTP availability to the stakeholders at the local, 

state and federal level to solicit their comment and input to the final 

RTP. Ensure that the public comment period is at least 55 days for the 

plan. Participate in regular monthly meetings with the CEOs of the county 

transportation commissions.

III. Coordinate outreach efforts with the subregional organizations and transportation and air quality agencies.

IV. Together with subregional partners and other stakeholder organizations, 

notify interested parties through traditional meeting announcements, 

newspapers, public service announcements, press releases, special 

mailers, publications and agendas of committees, meetings, workshops, 

briefings, web site postings, email communications and other opportunities to participate, as appropriate.

V. Hold monthly meetings with the subregional coordinators to review 

upcoming Regional Council and Policy Committee agendas and conduct 

other coordinating activities.

VI. Expand the membership of some of SCAG’s various committees, task 

forces and working groups to ensure inclusion of the broader stakeholders and interest groups identified in the Plan.

VII. Keep interested parties informed with monthly progress reports during 

the plan development phase.

H. Maintain and create an Outreach Schedule: (January 2009–November 2011)

I. Continue the practice of attempting to get on other groups’ agendas. Conduct presentations, hold briefings, workshops, hearings to 

diverse groups and organizations throughout the region.

II. Hold public meetings at convenient and accessible locations and times.

I. Maintain a Log of Outreach Efforts: (January 2009–November 2011)

I. Maintain a log of all agency-wide outreach presentations.

J. Reach Out to Traditionally Underrepresented and/or Underserved 

Communities (January 2009–November 2011)

I. Work with Regional Services staff and Subregional Coordinators to identify underrepresented segments of the region.

II. Coordinate with individuals, institutions or organizations to reach out to 

members in minority and/or low income communities.

III. Provide assistance, if requested 72 hours prior to the event, to people 

with disabilities. 

IV. Provide language assistance, if requested 72 hours prior to the event, to 

Limited English Proficient Persons.

V. Explore new opportunities using state-of-the-art communications and 

information technology for reaching remote audiences.

K. Evaluate Public Participation Activities: (November 2011)

I. Evaluate public participation efforts at the end of phase 1 so that necessary modifications can be made for subsequent phases. 

II. Provide recommendations to enhance the outreach program and better 

serve the underrepresented segments of the region.

2. Phase 2: Post-Draft RTP (December 2011–March 2012)

A. Notify public of the Draft Release (December 2011)

I. Draft RTP Update is released for a minimum 55-day public review and 

comment period.

II. Draft RTP Update is reviewed by SCAG’s Transportation and 

Communications Committee as part of a public meeting.

III. Develop procedures for public hearings. Include the time to be allotted to 

each speaker and how the order of appearance is determined. A written 

explanation of adopted procedures should be distributed to participants 

both prior to and at the hearing. Make arrangements for the submission 

of written statements in addition to verbal comments.
30 Public Participation and Consultation

IV. Provide translation services at these public hearings, if needed.

B. Consider and Incorporate Comments Received into the Deliberations 

Regarding the Draft Plans and Programs: (December 2011–March 2012)

I. Review and consider all public comments in the regional transportation 

planning process. 

II. Record, track and maintain a log of comments and SCAG’s response to 

the comments. 

III. Acknowledge all significant comments received in a timely manner.

IV. Evaluate public comments received throughout the planning process and 

assess whether, and to what extent, modifications were made in the draft 

documents as a result of the comments received.

V. Provide additional opportunity for public comment on the revised plan if 

the final plan differs significantly from the draft plan that was previously 

made public.

VI. Provide a summary, analysis and report on the disposition of comments 

as part of the final plan.

VII. Prepare Final RTP Update for adoption by Regional Council at a public 

meeting.

C. Elected Official Meetings : (January–February 2012)

SCAG will conduct at least two (2) informational meetings in each county 

for members of the Board of Supervisors and City Councils in the respective 

county to consider and provide input on the Draft 2012–2035 RTP/SCS. SCAG 

may conduct only one informational meeting in a county if it is attended by 

representatives of the county board of supervisors and city council members 

representing a majority of the cities representing a majority of the population 

in the incorporated areas of that county.

The purpose of the meetings is to present a Draft RTP/SCS to the members of 

the board of supervisors and the city council members in each county and to 

solicit and consider their input and recommendations. 

Notice of the meetings shall be sent to the clerk of the board of supervisors 

and to each city clerk. 

D. Public Hearings: (January–February 2012)

SCAG will conduct at least three public hearings in different parts of the 

region on the Draft RTP/SCS to maximize the opportunity for participation. 

The public hearings will be announced in printed materials, on SCAG’s website, and in local newspapers.

E. Enhance Website Capabilities: (December 2011–March 2012)

I. Continue to utilize SCAG’s web site to provide information, announce draft 

and final plan releases, encourage feedback and comments from the public, make draft and final plans and corresponding documents available, 

provide contact information, educate about SCAG and SCAG initiatives, 

inform of upcoming events and meetings, post meeting agendas and minutes and provide access to major SCAG publications including Your Guide 

to SCAG, the Benefits of Membership, Member Handbook, the Legislative 

Reference Guide, the eVision newsletters, key PowerPoint presentations, 

data and other planning-related information. 

II. Ensure that the information available is timely, easy-to-understand and 

accessible and that the website is compliant with the 1990 Americans 

with Disabilities Act.

F. Update Contact Databases and Advisory Groups: (December 2011–March 

2012)

I. Review and update mailing lists for outreach efforts.

II. Expand contact databases to include all Interested Parties identified in 

the Plan.

III. Work with subregional coordinators and SCAG task force and committee members to expand current list categories to include all Interested 

Parties.

IV. Update media mailing lists that include metropolitan and local community 

newspapers, radio, television and cable outlets, trade journals, wire services, ethnic and foreign-language media, government and legal publications and special interest press directed at older audiences, the disabled, 

Native Americans and students.

G. Coordinate Outreach Efforts with other Stakeholder Organizations: (December 

2011–March 2012)

I. Support interagency coordination by continuing to participate in the 

monthly Transportation Conformity Working Group.

II. Participate in regular monthly meetings with the CEOs of the county 

transportation commissions.

III. Participate in and conduct two City Manager meetings 
Public Participation and Consultation 31

IV. Coordinate outreach efforts with the subregional organizations and transportation and air quality agencies.

V. Together with subregional partners and other stakeholder organizations, 

notify interested parties through traditional meeting announcements, 

newspapers, public service announcements, press releases, special 

mailers, publications and agendas of committees, meetings, workshops, 

briefings, website postings, email communications and other opportunities to participate, as appropriate.

VI. Hold monthly meetings with the subregional coordinators to review 

upcoming Regional Council and Policy Committee agendas and conduct 

other coordinating activities.

VII. Keep interested parties informed with monthly progress reports during 

the post-draft plan development phase.

H. Maintain an Outreach Schedule: (December 2011–March 2012) 

I. Proactively contact groups to schedule speakers from the pool of available speakers, as appropriate, to meet the interests of the particular 

group. 

II. Continue the practice of attempting to get on other groups’ agendas. 

III. Conduct presentations, hold briefings, workshops, hearings to diverse 

groups and organizations throughout the region.

IV. Hold public meetings at convenient and accessible locations and times.

I. Maintain a Log of Outreach Efforts: (December 2011–February 2012)

I. Continue to maintain a log of all agency-wide outreach presentations.

J. Reach Out to Traditionally Underrepresented and/or Underserved Audiences: 

(December 2011–February 2012)

I. Work with Regional Services staff and Subregional Coordinators to identify underrepresented segments of the region.

II. Coordinate with individuals, institutions or organizations to reach out to 

members in minority and/or low income communities.

III. Engage Tribal Government in the RTP processes through Tribal 

Government representation on SCAG’s governing board and policy 

committees.

IV. Provide assistance, if requested 72 hours prior to the event, to people 

with disabilities.

V. Prepare press releases and reach out to the ethnic press by providing 

notices in English, Spanish and Chinese.

VI. Provide language assistance, if requested 72 hours prior to the event, to 

Limited English Proficient Persons.

VII. Explore new opportunities using state-of-the-art communications and 

information technology for reaching remote audiences.

3. Phase 3: Post- Final RTP (April 2012–September 2012)

A. Create New Presentation Materials: (April 2012–September 2012)

I. Create a final brochure which visually showcases regional projects of significance, economic impacts, mobility improvements and health impacts. 

Highlights of the plan will be summarized to peak interest and enhance 

readability.

II. Produce the RTP on a CD to ease handling and ensure more efficient use 

of resources.

III. Utilize visualization techniques whenever possible such as maps, videos, 

PowerPoint presentations with graphics and animation, flowcharts, computer simulation, interactive GIS systems, photorealistic visualizations, 

video fly-throughs, illustrative drawings, simulated photos, sketches, 

and photo manipulation scenario planning tools to better and more easily 

communicate technical planning issues and strategies.

IV. Explore new opportunities using state-of-the-art communications and 

information technology for reaching remote audiences.

B. Enhance Website Capabilities: (April 2012–September 2012)

I. Maintain web pages dedicated to the RTP and ensure information is 

up-to-date. 

II. Translate key RTP communications in English, Spanish and Chinese on 

the web pages.

III. Utilize SCAG’s website to provide information, announce final plan 

releases, encourage feedback and comments from the public, make draft 

and final plans and corresponding documents available, provide contact 

information, educate about SCAG and SCAG initiatives, inform of upcoming events and meetings, 

IV. Ensure that the information available is timely, easy-to-understand and 

accessible and that the website is compliant with the 1990 Americans 

with Disabilities Act.
32 Public Participation and Consultation

C. Update Contact Databases and Advisory Groups: (April 2012–September 

2012)

I. Review and update mailing lists for outreach efforts.

II. Expand contact databases to include all Interested Parties identified in 

the Plan.

III. Work with subregional coordinators and SCAG task force and committee members to expand current list categories to include all Interested 

Parties.

D. Create an Outreach Schedule: (April 2012–September 2012)

I. Even after the Plan has been adopted, continue to proactively contact 

groups to schedule speakers from the pool of available speakers, as 

appropriate, to meet the interests of the particular group. 

II. Continue the practice of attempting to get on other groups’ agendas.

III. Conduct presentations, hold briefings, workshops, hearings to diverse 

groups and organizations throughout the region.

IV. Hold public meetings at convenient and accessible locations and times.

E. Evaluate Public Participation Activities: (April 2012–September 2012)

I. Continue to monitor outreach presentations and assess whether outreach 

efforts are being conducted throughout the region, including the outlying 

areas of the region.

F. RTP Amendments

I. An amendment is a major revision to a long-range RTP, including adding or deleting a project, major changes in project/project phase costs, 

initiation dates, and/or design concepts and scope. An RTP Amendment 

requires public review and comment, demonstration that the project can 

be completed based on expected funding, and a determination that the 

change conforms to air quality requirements.

II. SCAG’s strategies, procedures and techniques for public participation 

regarding RTP Amendments include, but are not limited to, the release 

of the proposed RTP amendment for a minimum 45-day public review, 

posting of the proposed RTP amendment on SCAG’s website, presentation of the proposed RTP amendment before certain SCAG committees, 

review of the proposed RTP amendment by SCAG’s Transportation and 

Communications Committee at a public meeting, and adoption of the 

proposed RTP amendment by SCAG’s Regional Council as part of the 

public meeting. 

SECTION 3.

FEDERAL TRANS PORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

SCAG’s Federal Transportation Improvement Program, or FTIP, is a capital listing of all 

transportation projects proposed over a six-year period. The listing identifies specific 

funding sources and funding amounts for each project. The proposed transportation projects are funded through a variety of federal, state and local sources. Projects consist of 

improvements such as, highway improvements, transit, rail, bus, high occupancy vehicle 

lanes, signal synchronization, intersection improvements, and freeway ramps to name a 

few. The FTIP must include all transportation projects that are federally funded, regionally significant regardless of funding source or which is subject to any federal action . 

The projects are submitted to SCAG by the six County Transportation Commissions. SCAG 

analyzes the projects to ensure that they are consistent with state and federal requirements. Federal law requires the FTIP be consistent with the RTP.

The following outlines SCAG’s strategies, procedures and techniques for public participation on the FTIP. SCAG intends to update this section of the Appendix as needed prior to 

commencing each FTIP cycle to reflect appropriate changes. 

1. FTIP Public Participation Process in the SCAG Region

SCAG has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with transit operators and 

each of the County Transportation Commissions (CTCs) within the SCAG Region. 

These MOUs specify the role of the CTCs with respect to approval of transportation 

projects utilizing federal, state highway, and transit funds within their respective 

jurisdiction. The Transportation Commissions are also responsible for transportation programming and short range planning in their respective counties. The County 

Transportation Commissions transmit their approved County TIP to SCAG. The public 

participation process and coordination is a tiered process within the SCAG region. 

This tiered process initiates the public participation process at the CTC’s county TIP 

development stage, which occurs long before the development of the SCAG FTIP.

There are several opportunities for the public to review and comment on projects 

and programs during the development of each county TIP and approval of the SCAG 

FTIP. These public participation opportunities are described below.

A. Project Identification

Public participation begins at the local agency level by identifying projects 

and associated work scopes based on local and regional transportation 

needs. Newly identified projects are commonly placed on funding needs 
Public Participation and Consultation 33

lists, funding plans or capital improvement program plans and programs that 

identify projects to be funded. These lists, plans and programs are adopted 

by local agency boards (mostly elected officials) in meetings open to the 

general public. Stakeholders, interest groups and the general public have the 

opportunity to review and comment on these projects and local plans prior to 

local agency board approvals.

B. Project Funding

The general public, interested parties and stakeholders have an opportunity to review and comment on projects and programs during the allocation 

of funds by local agencies including cities, counties, special districts, and 

county transportation commissions (CTCs).

The process of assigning specific funding sources to projects normally occurs 

in meetings open to the general public by public policy boards. For example, 

the CTCs in the SCAG region conduct “call for projects” when funding under 

their control (federal, state and/or local) is available for programming. Local 

agencies apply and compete for available funding based on adopted eligibility guidelines consistent with federal, state and local county requirements. 

Candidate projects usually have gone through an initial public review process 

and are included in a local agency capital improvement needs programs or 

plans. The CTCs work through their respective committee review process 

to develop a list of projects recommended for funding and adoption by each 

respective policy board. CTCs review committees are comprised of local 

agency staff (stakeholders and interested parties), and in some cases include 

public elected officials. Review committee meetings are publicly noticed. 

The recommended project lists approved by the committees are forwarded to 

the respective policy boards for approval. Projects proposed for funding are 

made available for review by the general public, stakeholders and interested 

parties in advance of adoption by the CTCs policy boards. All allocation of 

funds by the policy boards occur in publicly noticed meetings open to the 

general public. 

The allocation of public funds to projects by other entities meet the public 

review requirements that are consistent with the federal, state and/or local 

laws that govern the allocation of the funds.

C. County TIP Development

The CTCs develop their respective TIPs based on FTIP Guidelines written 

by SCAG in consultation with the CTCs, SCAG’s Transportation Conformity 

Working Group (TCWG) and Federal Highway Administration staff, with 

approval by SCAG’s Regional Council. All projects programmed in County 

TIPs have been previously approved for funding by the entity responsible for 

allocating the project funds. When submitting County TIPs to SCAG, each 

CTC is required to adopt a financial resolution which certifies that it has 

the resources to fund the projects in the TIP and affirms its commitment to 

implement all projects. The financial resolution is approved by each policy 

board in publicly noticed meetings open to the general public. 

D. SCAG FTIP Development

SCAG develops the FTIP for the six-county region based on the County TIPs 

prepared and submitted by the CTCs described above in Section iii. The Draft 

SCAG FTIP is noted for a minimum 30-day public review, and a public hearing 

is held at the SCAG office. Notices of the public hearings are placed in the 

major newspapers throughout the SCAG region. SCAG conducts additional 

public outreach efforts through the placement of public notices in minority 

newspapers such as, but not limited to, the Los Angeles Sentinel, La Opinion, 

El Chicano Newspaper, the Chinese Daily News, and the Korea Times. The 

Draft SCAG FTIP documents are made available for review and comment by 

stakeholders, interested parties and the general public through the SCAG 

internet website at http://www.scag.ca.gov/ftip and at public libraries 

throughout the six-county region prior to the public hearing.

In addition to the public hearing held at the SCAG office, SCAG committees 

and working groups also review and discuss draft FTIPs. These SCAG groups 

include the) AB 1246 Chief Executive Officers Committee, the Transportation 

Committee (TC), the Transportation Conformity Working Group (TCWG), and 

the Energy and Environment Committee (EEC) The SCAG Regional Council 

takes final action when they review and adopt the FTIP as part of a public 

meeting.

E SCAG FTIP Updates

The FTIP is amended several times a year. This process is similar to developing the formal FTIP. Proposed amendments to the adopted FTIP are submitted 

by the CTCs to SCAG. After SCAG has completed its analyses of the proposed 

change(s) to the FTIP ensuring consistency with the various programming 

rules and regulations, SCAG electronically posts the proposed change(s) for 
34 Public Participation and Consultation

public review and comment on the SCAG website at http://www.scag.ca.gov/

ftip. In addition to posting the amendment information on the web, a notice 

is sent to the Transportation Conformity Working Group as part of the FTIP 

amendment public review process. 

2. Schematic of the Public Participation Process

The following Fig ure 1 helps to illustrate when stakeholders, interested parties 

and the general public have the opportunity to review and comment during the FTIP 

programming development process described above in Section 3A.

Fig ure 1 SCAG FTIP Public Participation Process

Development of project lists 

requiring funding are commonly 

adopted by public boards in 

meetings open to the general 

public.

The allocation of funds to 

projects commonly occurs by 

policy boards in publicly noticed 

meetings open to the general 

public.

STEP 7

PUBLIC REVIEW & COMMENT TIP DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

CTCs policy boards adopt FTIP 

financial resolutions. Noticed 

public hearing is held at the 

SCAG office to take public input 

on FTIP document.

Proposed amendments to the 

FTIP are posted to the SCAG 

website 15 days prior to 

transmittal to State and Federal 

agencies for approval.

PROJECT FUNDING

Projects receiving state and 

federal funds and/or approvals 

and local projects determined 

regionally significant are identified 

for programming in County TIPs 

and the SCAG FTIP.

COUNTY TIPS & SCAG 

RTIP DEVELOPMENT

Projects are first programmed in 

County TIPs and then submitted

to SCAG for inclusion in

the SCAG FTIP.

FTIP UPDATES

SCAG processes amendments to 

the FTIP based on changes 

requested by the CTCs.

PROJECT IDENTIFICATION

Projects are identified based on 

needs and placed on capital 

improvement programs or other 

lists awaiting funds.

1. Other FTIP Public Participation strategies, procedures and techniques

A. Enhance Website Capabilities: 

I. Utilize SCAG’s web site to provide information, announce draft and final 

program releases, encourage feedback and comments from the public, 

make draft and final programs and corresponding documents available, 

provide contact information, inform of upcoming events and meetings, 

post meeting agendas and minutes 

II. Ensure that the information available is timely, easy-to-understand and 

accessible and that the website is compliant with the 1990 Americans 

with Disabilities Act.

B. Update Contact Databases and Advisory Groups: 

I. Review and update mailing lists for outreach efforts.

II. Expand contact databases to include all Interested Parties identified in 

the Plan.

C. Coordinate Outreach Efforts with other Stakeholder Organizations: 

I. Support interagency coordination by continuing to participate in the 

monthly Transportation Conformity Working Group.

II. Mail Notice of Draft FTIP availability to the stakeholders at the local, 

state and federal level to solicit their comment and input to the final FTIP. 

Ensure that the public comment period for the program is at least 30 

days.

III. Participate in regular meetings with the county transportation commissions in the coordination of the draft and final FTIP.

D. Conduct Public Hearing: 

I. Announce public hearings in printed materials, on SCAG’s website, and in 

local newspapers.

II. Hold public meetings at convenient and accessible locations and times.

III. Conduct at least two public hearings on the draft FTIP. Where possible 

make public hearings available via video or teleconference.

IV. Explore new opportunities using state-of-the-art communications and 

information technology for reaching remote audiences.

E. Maintain a Log of Outreach Efforts: 

I. Maintain a log of all agency-wide outreach presentations .

II. Review and consider all public comments in the regional transportation 

planning process. 
Public Participation and Consultation 35

III. Record, track and maintain a log of comments and SCAG’s response to 

the comments 

IV. Respond to all comments received in a timely manner.

2. Annual Listing of Projects 

SAFETEA-LU requires the production of the annual listing of projects with the 

cooperation of Caltrans and the public transportation operators throughout the SCAG 

region. Federal law also requires a list to identify all bicycle/pedestrian projects for 

which Federal funds were obligated in the preceding year. The listing is available on 

SCAG’s website. 

The county commissions, working with the project sponsors within their respective county, update project obligations for projects in their county through use of 

the SCAG FTIP database. SCAG then produces an annual listing of projects utilizing the SCAG FTIP database. In addition, Caltrans produces obligation reports 

for the MPO’s, which SCAG also makes available on its website as supplemental 

information.

3. FTIP Amendments 

For the FTIP, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) California Division has 

provided definitions of amendments and corresponding conformity requirements. 

The following summarizes the categories of amendments identified by FHWA for the 

FTIP and the public participation requirements for each amendment type.

A. Category 1. Administrative Modification

An administrative modification includes minor changes to project cost, 

schedule, scope, or funding sources. Please see the Federal Statewide 

Transportation Improvement Program (FSTIP) and Federal Transportation 

Improvement program (FTIP) Amendment and Administrative Modification 

Procedures for a complete definition of an administrative modification and 

eligibility.

B. Category 2. Amendment – Changes that do not impact the existing conformity 

determination.

The Amendment category may include changes that are not eligible under an 

administrative modification.

C. Category 3. Amendment – Relying on the existing Conformity Determination.

This amendment may include adding a project or a project phase to the 

program. This amendment category consists of projects that are modeled and 

are included in the regional emissions analysis. 

D. Category 4. Formal Amendment – New Conformity Determination.

This amendment may include adding or deleting projects that are not currently included in the regional emissions analysis nor part of the existing 

conformity determination. This amendment may involve adding or deleting 

projects that must be modeled for their air quality impacts: significantly 

changing the design concept, scope; or schedule of an existing project.

E. Category 5. Technical Amendment – Changes to project information not 

required to be included in the FTIP per federal requirements.

Changes are not subject to an administrative modification or an amendment 

such as changes to project codes, and changes to correct typographical 

errors. These technical corrections do not impact project scope or cost. 

Tab le 3 Public Hearing - Public Review and Comment Period Requirement

Amendment Category Public Hearing 

Requirement

Public Review Period

# of Days

Category 1. Administrative N/A N/A

Category 2. Formal – Changes that do not 

impact the existing conformity determination No 10

Category 3. Formal – Relying on existing 

conformity determination No 10

Category 4. Formal – Requires a new conformity determination Yes 30

Category 5. Technical Correction – Not 

subject to funding agency approval for public 

review

No N/A
36 Public Participation and Consultation

FTIP Amendment and Administrative modification approval 

procedures - SCAG executive director authority

FTIP Ame ndme nt Pro cedure s

As part of the TIP approval process, the SCAG Regional Council approved Resolution # 

11-532-1 granting authority to SCAG’s Executive Director or designee to approve Federal 

Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP) amendments and associated conformity 

determination and to transmit to the state and federal agencies amendments to the most 

currently approved FTIP. These amendments must meet the following criteria:

 Changes that do not affect the regional emissions analysis. 

 Changes that do not affect the timely implementation of the Transportation Control 

Measures. 

 Changes that do not adversely impact financial constraint.

 Changes consistent with the adopted Regional Transportation Plan.

Amendments triggered by an RTP amendment must be approved by the Regional Council

FTIP Admi nistrati ve Modi ficatio n Proced ure

Consistent with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit 

Administration (FTA) letter dated June 3, 2011 the SCAG Regional Council has the discretion to delegate authority to SCAG’s Executive Director to approve FTIP Administrative 

Modifications to the Federal State Transportation Improvement Program (FSTIP) consistent with approved FSTIP/FTIP Administrative Modification and Amendment Procedures 

and as may be amended. Such delegation of authority was granted as part of the same 

SCAG Regional Council Resolution mentioned above (# 11-532-1). The following procedures apply to this delegation of authority: 

 SCAG will send copies of the approved administrative modification to Caltrans, 

FHWA, and FTA. 

 Once the administrative modification is approved by SCAG, the administrative 

modification will be deemed part of the Federal State Transportation Improvement 

Program (FSTIP). 

 SCAG will demonstrate in a subsequent amendment that the net financial change 

from each administrative modification has been accounted for. 

 Caltrans will conduct periodic reviews of SCAG’s administrative modification process 

to confirm adherence to the procedures. Noncompliance with the procedures will 

result in revocation of the MPO’s delegation.

SECTION 4.

OVERALL WORK PROGRAM

Funding for SCAG’s metropolitan planning activities are documented in an annual Overall 

Work Program (OWP) (also known as a Unified Planning Work Program), pursuant to federal requirements, 23 CFR 450.308(b)-(c), and Caltrans guidance. 

The OWP is developed each fiscal year, and details the agency’s planning and budgetary 

priorities for the following fiscal year. SCAG’s federal and state funding partners (FHWA, 

FTA and Caltrans) must approve SCAG’s OWP each year before it takes effect.

The following describes SCAG’s strategies, procedures and techniques with respect to 

public participation on the OWP.

1. Adopt OWP Preparation Schedule and Work Programs Outcomes: 

(September–October)

A. Regional Council adopts the OWP preparation schedule and work program 

outcomes for the coming fiscal year.

2. Conduct a Budget Workshop: (February)

A. SCAG staff conducts a Budget Workshop for the Regional Council and members of the public.

3. Distribute Draft OWP: (March)

A. The Regional Council approves the Comprehensive Budget which includes the 

draft OWP. The draft OWP is distributed to all Regional Council members and 

the Regional Council approves the release of the document for a minimum 

30-day public comment and review period. The draft OWP is also placed on 

SCAG’s website.

4. Distribute the Draft OWP for Public Comments: (March)

A. Staff mails letters to over 300 City Planners, Planning Directors and other 

Planning representatives within the SCAG region, including subregional 

coordinators, CTCs and transit operators, encourages their feedback on the 

draft OWP, and notifies them of the availability of the draft document on 

SCAG’s website.
Public Participation and Consultation 37

5. Review and Consider Comments Received in the Final OWP Deliberations: (April)

A. Staff reviews and considers all public comments in the OWP 

planning process. 

B. Staff records, tracks and maintains a log of comments and SCAG’s response 

to the comments.

6. Adopt the Final Comprehensive Budget and Resolution Authorizing the Submittal to 

Funding Partners: (April)

A. The Regional Council adopts the Final Comprehensive Budget and Resolution 

authorizing the submittal of the Final OWP to Caltrans and other funding 

agencies as necessary for approval. Caltrans must submit the recommended 

Final OWP to FHWA/FTA by June 1 of each year.

SCAG staff works to provide clear, consistent and concise messages for media and public 

involvement using a variety of formats, including videos, Powerpoint presentations, fact 

sheets, surveys, brochures, maps, electronic newsletters and social media.

SCAG Website: http://www.scag.ca.gov contains information about SCAG, it’s programs 

and events.

SCAG Update e-newsletter: (http://scag.ca.gov/scagupdate/index.htm) is the organization’s official newsletter with 4,245 individual subscribers (as of March 2012)

SCAG Spotlight e-newsletter: (http://scag.ca.gov/spotlight/index.htm) is the SCAG 

Regional Council’s official newsletter with 1,120 individual subscribers (as of March 2012)

SCAG Facebook page: (http://www.facebook.com/pages/

Southern-California-Association-of-Governments/120708001722) 

SCAG Twitter feed: @SCAG_ED 

Videos: SCAG utilitizes streaming video to share with the public information about SCAG 

programs and planning work, as well as make accessible select Regional Council meetings. They are available at http://scag.ca.gov/scagtv/index.htm

SCAG Contact Form

Thank you for your interest in SCAG. If you would like to receive information about SCAG 

meetings, plans, activities and events, please complete the SCAG contact form below and 

return to SCAG by either: 

Mailing or dropping off at any SCAG office

 Main Office:818 W. 7th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90017

 Imperial County Office: 1405 No. Imperial Avenue, Suite 1, El Centro, CA 92243

 Orange County Office: 600 S. Main Street, Suite 906, Orange, CA 92863

 Riverside Office: 3403 10th Street, Suite 805, Riverside, CA 92501

 San Bernardino Office: 1170 W. 3rd Street, Suite 140, San Bernardino, CA 92410

 Ventura County Office: 950 County Square Drive, Suite 101, Ventura, CA 93003

or

Emailing to: contactus@scag.ca.gov

or

Faxing to: 213-236-1961

Name:____________________________________________________________

Email: ____________________________________________________________

If no email: 

Street Address or PO Box: _____________________________________________

City: _________________________________ State: ________ Zip: ___________
Regional Offices

Imperial County

1405 North Imperial Avenue

Suite 1 

El Centro, CA 92243 

Phone: (760) 353-7800 

Fax: (760) 353-1877

Orange County

OCTA Building 

600 South Main Street

Suite 906 

Orange, CA 92863 

Phone: (714) 542-3687 

Fax: (714) 560-5089 

Riverside County

3403 10th Street

Suite 805 

Riverside, CA 92501 

Phone: (951) 784-1513 

Fax: (951) 784-3925

San Bernardino County

Santa Fe Depot 

1170 West 3rd Street

Suite 140 

San Bernardino, CA 92410 

Phone: (909) 806-3556 

Fax: (909) 806-3572

Ventura County

950 County Square Drive

Suite 101 

Ventura, CA 93003 

Phone: (805) 642-2800 

Fax: (805) 642-2260 

818 West 7th Street, 12th Floor 

Los Angeles, CA 90017 

Phone: (213) 236-1800 

Fax: (213) 236-1825

www.scag.ca.gov

please recycle 2347 2012.04.23

Videoconferencing is 

also available at the 

following locations:

City of Palmdale

38250 Sierra Highway

Palmdale, CA 93550

Phone: (213) 236-1912

Coachella Valley Association 

of Governments (CVAG)

73-710 Fred Waring Drive,

Suite 200

Palm Desert, CA 92260

Phone: (213) 236-1925