Public Participation and Title VI
Public Participation Plan Update
The SAWMPO Public Participation Plan (PPP) is the document that describes how the MPO informs the public of regional transportation planning activities that affect local roads, transit, pedestrian and bike networks, and other transportation needs in the Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County area, and how the public can participate in MPO planning and provide input on MPO activities. Federal law requires metropolitan areas to have a formal process for involving residents in transportation planning, and MPO staff update the PPP as needed to stay current with federal requirements and public participation best practices.
The SAWMPO is updating the MPO’s PPP, and the Draft 2026 PPP updates procedures related to public comment periods and the methods used to inform the public. The SAWMPO released the draft 2026 PPP for a 45-day public comment period on January 26, 2026, and the public can submit comments through March 12, 2026. Written comments may be submitted to the SAWMPO Administrator, 112 MacTanley Court, Staunton, VA 24403, or by emailing staff at sawmpo.org/contact-us/. Comments may also be made in person at the SAWMPO Policy Board meeting on March 18, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the CSPDC Office. To request a public hearing, contact the SAWMPO no later than March 11, 2026.
Below are the draft 2026 PPP, a summary table that documents the key changes between the draft 2026 PPP and the current PPP, and also the current PPP, which was last updated in 2019.
Current Public Participation
The current SAWMPO Public Participation Plan (PPP) was last updated on May 1, 2019. The document is currently undergoing an update.
Title VI
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 states 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.” Subsequent laws and Presidential Executive Orders added handicap, sex, age or income status to the criteria for which discrimination is prohibited.
The SAWMPO Title VI Plan, last amended on April 7, 2021, was developed to ensure that the MPO is in compliance with nondiscrimination requirements as outlined in Title 23 CFR and 49 CFR and related laws and provides specific information on how to file a nondiscrimination complaint.
This Plan also provides an overview of Environmental Justice (EJ) and Limited English Proficiency (LEP) concepts, definitions of Title VI and associated nondiscrimination acts, and how Title VI, EJ and LEP are incorporated into the metropolitan transportation planning process. EJ outreach strategies for minority, low-income and LEP populations are included within the SAWMPO Public Participation Plan.
The SAWMPO does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed or disability in admission to, access to or operations of its programs, services or activities. Discrimination against any person in recruitment, examination, appointment, training, promotion, retention, discipline or any other employment practices because of non-merit factors shall be prohibited.
The following links provide additional information on the SAWMPO Title VI Program:
