The Mid-Region Metropolitan Planning Organization’s public participation activities obtain information, identify public sentiment, and inform the public how to influence and guide the planning process. The public assists the Metropolitan Transportation Board build support and trust. Although the goal is always better decisions, the level of public influence on a decision and the tools used to inform and involve the public varies depending on the groups targeted and the decision at hand.

Public participation is designed to provide stakeholders with meaningful access to key transportation decisions. The stakeholder groups shall at a minimum include those described in the Code of Federal Regulations (23CFR450.316(a)). These stakeholder groups are organized to varying degrees and thus different approaches are required to involve them. In the past, MRMPO has worked extensively with neighborhood group coalitions in pursuit of geographic diversity; brought advocacy groups “to the table” to assist directly in planning activities for bike and pedestrian facilities; met with representatives of freight carriers and shippers; and has formed ad hoc committees composed of agency staff, representatives of advocacy groups, and MRMPO staff. In addition, MRMPO have solicited comment from chambers of commerce, service groups, and university students.

The objective of MRMPO’s public participation activities is to solicit as much comment from the broadest cross-section of the public as it can and to provide visibility to MRMPO as the coordinating body for the cooperative, continual, and comprehensive (3C) transportation planning process. Past efforts have generated a great number of comments, many coming from more or less organized interest groups. Although these comments are helpful to MRMPO staff and the MTB, individual responses and concerns are especially valued.

MRMPO staff are generally available to meet with advocacy groups, public service groups, and anyone who may have an interest in how transportation is planned and funded.

View public participation efforts related to the 2035 MTP here.

View the Public Participation Procedures adopted by the Metropolitan Transportation Board (MTB) on January 25, 2010.

Staff contact: ewebster@mrcog-nm.gov.

Para información en español llama a Aaron Sussman (asussman@mrcog-nm.gov). El número es 505-724-3631.