DELAWARE-MUNCIE METROPOLITAN PLAN COMMISSION

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PLAN

2007

The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act – A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) requires that all Metropolitan Planning Organizations 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, and other interested parties with a reasonable opportunity to comment on the Transportation Plan and Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). This includes providing adequate notice, providing timely information to various organizations, providing reasonable public access to technical and policy information, and seeking and considering the needs of those traditionally underserved by the existing transportation systems.

The Delaware-Muncie Metropolitan Plan Commission (DMMPC), the Metropolitan Planning Organization for the Muncie Urbanized Area (MPO), has developed a proactive public participation process in order to maximize community involvement in the transportation planning process. The process will involve citizens, freight shippers, airport authorities, transportation-related agencies (traffic/safety/enforcement), and the appropriate county, city and town officials. The process has been expanded to include new interested parties at the federal, state and local level so that those involved in matters such as wildlife habitat, land use, natural resources, conservation, historic preservation, non-emergency transportation, and regulatory actions have the opportunity to participate. The process has also been augmented to include appropriate consultations as a result of operating as an Air Quality Maintenance Area. The process is set up to include notices of document development, opportunities for input, presentation of draft plans at various public meetings and public hearings, public meetings to further develop draft plans, public notice of approval meetings for final plan documents, and submittal of the plan to the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT). The public comments received will be presented along with, and as a part of, the plans when they are considered at transportation subcommittee meetings and Plan Commission meetings for final approval.

The Public Participation Plan and process for the Delaware-Muncie Metropolitan Plan Commission is set forth in the following components.

Section I. General Policy Statement.

It is the policy of the DMMPC/MPO to allow access and input at all times from the general and transportation public on any transportation related plan or program. It is the policy of the DMMPC/MPO to assist the State of Indiana in achieving public participation as required by law for the State TIP and Transportation Plan and other components of transportation planning as set forth in the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act – A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) by utilizing our local database, committee structures, and procedures. It is the policy of the DMMPC/MPO to carry out the Public Participation Plan and the transportation planning process, including matters relating to Transportation Conformity, in consultation with all interested parties

Section II. Public Participation Methodology
A. Database Development
1. General Public: A listing of neighborhood organizations shall be maintained as provided by the organizations and/or the Office of Community Development. A listing of individual citizens wishing notification shall be maintained as compiled from requests by such citizens. These listings will be kept on file at the DMMPC Office.
2. Transportation Public: A listing of affected public agencies, representatives of transportation agency employees, private providers of transportation and other interested parties, including elected