Civil Rights and Environmental Justice
The Erie Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is contracted with PennDOT through annual work plan to coordinate transportation planning initiatives in the Erie County. During the development of the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), Erie MPO must work to ensure that projects included in the TIP, especially those requiring major construction work, do not have disproportionately high or adverse impacts on minority or low-income populations. This is required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
What is Title VI?
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a non-discrimination statute. Specifically, Title VI, as amended, provides that:
No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.
Full Title VI/Nondiscrimination Implementation Plan
Title VI Policy Statement
Title VI /Nondiscrimination Complaint Form
Language Assistance Plan
What is Environmental Justice?
Environmental Justice (EJ) is a component of Title VI which includes three fundamental principles:
- To avoid, minimize, or mitigate disproportionately high or and adverse human health or environmental effects, including social and economic, on minority populations and low-income populations.
- To ensure the full and fair participation by all potentially affected communities in the transportation decision-making process.
- To prevent the denial of, reduction in, or significant delay in the receipt of benefits by minority and low-income populations
An Environmental Justice analysis is conducted every two years as part of the Transportation Improvement Program.
Public Involvement
The Erie MPO is continuously revising and adapting the MPO’s public involvement and community outreach initiatives that fully engage all stakeholders in our planning and decision-making process. The Erie MPO makes every effort to employ initiatives that:
- educate the public,
- encourage participation by individuals and groups, and,
- respond to the stakeholder input and feedback.
More information can be found in the Erie MPO’s Public Participation Plan. It was adopted December 14th 2022