Public Participation and Title VI
Public Participation Plan
The SAWMPO Public Participation Plan (PPP) describes how the MPO informs the public of regional transportation planning activities in the Staunton, Augusta County, and Waynesboro urbanized area, and how the public can participate in MPO planning and provide input on MPO activities. Federal law requires metropolitan areas have a formal process for involving the public in transportation planning, and MPO staff update the PPP as needed to stay current with federal requirements and public participation best practices.
Title VI
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 states: “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 operates jointly with the Harrisonburg-Rockingham MPO (HRMPO) under the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission’s (CSPDC) Title VI Implementation Plan, approved April 20, 2026. This combined plan ensures the SAWMPO 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 Language Access Barrier concepts, definitions of the Title VI and associated nondiscrimination acts, and how Title VI and language access are incorporated into the metropolitan transportation planning process. Outreach strategies for minority, low-income and language access barrier 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 Title VI Program:
