Bend MPO Public Notice of Plan Amendments

PUBLIC NOTICE, 10/18/12
Updated 12/21/12

(Revised meeting time & location.)
A formal amendment review and decision will be held during a phone meeting on Thursday December 27, 2012 at 2:00 PM. Public comment is welcome at this meeting, in person at 575 NE 15th Street, Bend, OR 97701 or via phone at 541-322-6397 between 1:50 pm to 2:20 pm.

Comments can be provided via email to Tyler Deke, MPO Manager at tdeke@ci.bend.or.us, phone at (541) 693-2113, FAX at (541) 389-2245.

The Bend Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has received notice through the Federal Transit Association (FTA) Triannual review in September 2012 of deficiencies for planning and Program of Projects (POP) that the public notices for amendments and adoption processes in the Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) do not have an explicit statement that public notice of public involvement activities, and time established for public review of and comments on the TIP, will satisfy the POP requirements.

In an effort to correct this deficiency and meet all necessary requirements, an amendment to include the following language to the MTIP, Public Participation Plan (PPP) and Bend MPO Environmental Justice and Title VI documents is proposed. Additional language has been added to update the plans with the FTA Circular 4702.1B that were effective 10/1/12 regarding the updated requirements for metropolitan transportation planning organizations.

The proposed changes are to the Bend MPO 2012-2015 Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Plan, Bend MPO Public Participation Plan, Bend MPO Environmental Justice and Title VI Plan. The changes can be viewed at www.bendmpo.org or at 575 NE 15th Street, Bend, OR 97701 from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM beginning 10/17/12. 

Summary of Proposed Amendments
Link to Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Plan proposed changes
Link to Public Participation Plan proposed changes
Link to Bend MPO Environmental Justice and Title VI Plan proposed changes

Comments can be provided via email to Tyler Deke, MPO Manager at tdeke@ci.bend.or.us, phone at (541) 693-2113, FAX at (541) 389-2245.

23 CFR § 450.316 requires explicit consideration and response to public comment received during the program development process. Public, staff, agency, and other interested party comments received prior to the adoption hearing are first reviewed by staff. Comments requiring minor revisions are addressed by staff. Such comments might include requests for additional information or clarification of information. Comments on policy issues or specific projects will be considered by the Policy Board at the public hearing. Comment received during the public hearing will be discussed at the public hearing. The Policy Board and staff will determine the most appropriate manner to respond to comments received. If significant changes to the proposed MTIP are recommended as a consequence, a revised final draft document will be resubmitted to the public for an additional review and comment period.

Copies are free of charge and, upon request, will be made available in CD, print, and accessible formats. Upon request, in advance of the meeting, through any of the means listed above, every effort will be made to prepare materials in other formats and in languages other than English, and to provide interpreters in American Sign Language and other languages. Assistive listening devices and large-print materials will be available at the meeting upon request.

The Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC), which is the FTA Section 5307(c) applicant, has consulted with the MPO and concurs that the public involvement process adopted by the MPO for the development of the TIP satisfies the public hearing requirements that pertain to the development of the Program of Projects for regular Section 5307, Urbanized Area Formula Program, grant applications, including the provision for public notice and the time established for public review and comment.