Consultation
According to 23 CFR 450.316 in the FAST ACT, when developing both the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP), “The MPO should consult with agencies and officials responsible for other planning activities within the MPA[1] that are affected by transportation.” It is suggested that representatives from state, local, tribal governments, and private agencies responsible for the following areas be contacted:
Economic growth and development
Environmental protection
Airport operators
Freight movement
Land use management
Natural resources
Conservation
Historical preservation
Human service transportation providers
GVMC recognizes its responsibility to include representatives from these organizations throughout the planning process. GVMC refers to these agencies as “consultation organizations.”
The FAST Act also states that MPOs should coordinate their planning process with the planning activities of these organizations to the maximum extent practicable by considering related planning activities within the MPO area. The overarching goal of the consultation process is to eliminate or minimize conflicts with other agencies’ plans, programs, or policies as they relate to the TIP or the MTP. For example, by consulting with tribal governments or land use management agencies during the development of these documents, these organizations, in collaboration with GVMC, can compare the proposed project lists and maps with other natural or historic resource inventories or with other current or future plans to ensure there are no conflicts.
GVMC currently engages with our consultation organizations at key times during the development of our TIP and MTP by email and postings on our website and social media, including Facebook and Twitter, through a process described in our Consultation Plan. Historically, we have invited our consultation organizations to meet with GVMC staff one-on-one or with several staff to compare their plans with the draft project list for our TIP and MTP in an open house format. We have also offered opportunities for the consultation organizations to meet with staff at a time of their choosing during the development of our project lists for both documents.
The comments that GVMC receives from consultation organizations during the development of our TIP and MTP are integral to the planning process. GVMC staff reviews their feedback and responds to comments based on the method in which they were submitted. For instance, comments emailed to staff receive a reply by email. GVMC also addresses all comments in a timely manner—including before decisions are made or plans or programs are adopted. Sometimes, the input may be forwarded to jurisdictions responsible for the project for a more thorough response. Comments and responses from consultation organizations are kept on file, available for public review, and are made part of the document as adopted. Summaries of comments and responses are also given to the Technical and Policy Committees as well as the jurisdiction(s) directly responsible for the project for review. Please see the consultation feedback loop diagram below for a visual representation of the process for submitting, reviewing, and incorporating comments received during the consultation process.
It is important to note that, while the consultation process is separate and distinct from the public involvement process, the consultation list is included as a smaller sub-list of GVMC’s larger Public Participation email list, so GVMC’s consultation organizations receive every notification that is sent to the public. Milestones of when the public is contacted during the development of the TIP and MTP are located in GVMC’s Public Participation Plan.
If you and your organization would like to join GVMC’s consultation list, please fill out the form at right. Questions about GVMC’s consultation process can be directed to Andrea Faber (616) 776.7603.
[1] Metropolitan Planning Area