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FINAL 2008-2011 STATEWIDE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM <br />ODOT's Public Involvement Policies and <br />Procedures document (December 1994) is <br />more prescriptive and inclusive, stating: <br />• The Department will provide a 45-day <br />public review period for the draft STIP, <br />and a 45-day public review period for <br />any major revision of the approved <br />STIP; <br />• The Department will provide statewide <br />opportunities for public comment on the <br />draft STIP by scheduling at least two <br />public meetings in each of ODOT's five <br />regions prior to adoption of the program <br />by the OTC; and <br />• The Department will consider all public <br />comments on the draft STIP prior to <br />adoption of the program by the OTC. <br />Public review comments are welcome at any <br />time through the ODOT website: <br />http://www.oregon.~ov/ODOT/HWY/STIP/. <br />Local Governments <br />Federal rules for planning include several <br />specific requirements. ODOT meets many <br />of these requirements through the ACT <br />process as well as other advisory committees <br />described below. Federal agencies, tribal <br />governments, and local officials, including <br />MPO representatives, are members of the <br />ACT in their area. In areas without ACTS, <br />the ODOT region staff works with the <br />MPOs and other bodies such as the County <br />Commission or Coordinating Committee to <br />develop the region STIP program. <br />Federal requirements for Metropolitan and <br />Statewide Planning in Chapter 23 of the <br />Code of Federal Regulations (23 CFR <br />1410.216(b)) state that: <br />(2) Indian Tribal Governments and the Sec- <br />retary of the Interior shall be involved on a <br />consultation basis for portions of the STIP <br />affecting areas of the state under the juris- <br />diction of an Indian Tribal Government; <br />(3) Federal lands managing agencies shall be <br />involved on a consultation basis for the por- <br />tions of the program affecting areas of the <br />state under their jurisdiction; and <br />(4) Affected local officials with responsibil- <br />ity for transportation shall be involved on a <br />consultation basis for the portion of the <br />STIP in non-metropolitan areas of the state. <br />Area Commissions on Transportation <br />An Area Commission on Transportation is <br />an OTC-approved body composed of local <br />transportation representatives, local elected <br />officials, business people, and in some lo- <br />cales, members of the public, all represent- <br />ing the area. Each ACT develops its own <br />charter and rules in accordance with <br />ODOT's Policy on Formation and Operation <br />of ACTS, which specifies expectations, <br />minimum membership, and also public no- <br />tice procedures for meetings, as ACT meet- <br />ings are part of ODOT's public process. <br />ACTs provide a critical communication link <br />between ODOT and local governments, the <br />business community, and the public. ACTS <br />propose and comment on policy set by the <br />OTC, propose and endorse programs and <br />projects, and provide an avenue to the OTC <br />for citizens with transportation concerns. <br />Information about Oregon's ACTS can be <br />found on ODOT's website at: <br />http://www.oregon• Gov/ODOT/COMM/act <br />main.shtml. (See also Figure 4 on page 28.) <br />(1) MPOs shall be involved on a cooperation <br />basis for parts of the STIP affecting metro- <br />politanplanning areas; <br />Outreach Opportunities <br />Outreach activities include focused discus- <br />sions with transportation stakeholders, com- <br />Page 26 <br />