July
25, 2005
Dr.
James Hassinger
Executive
Director
Southwestern Pennsylvania
Commission
425
Sixth Avenue, Suite 2500
Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania 15219
RE: U.S. Department of Transportation Certification Review - Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission
Dear Dr. Hassinger:
As
testimony for the U. S. Department of Transportation
2005 Certification Review of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission,
Sustainable Pittsburgh is submitting the Regional
Policy Guidance Document. The
Document is comprised of nine policy papers providing practical recommendations
that have been developed and endorsed by partner organizations (see enclosed
list of endorsers).
Thank you again for SPC's
partnering with
We submit the Regional Policy
Guidance Document intended as constructive response to the recommendations in
the U.
S. DOT Department of Transportation
2002 Certification Review of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission.
As examples, the Transportation Equity and Public Participation policy
paper contained in the Document recommends that SPC
could revise and expand its Public Participation Panels to include
representatives of low-income, minority, disabled, and elderly communities and
populations. Furthermore, the PPPs
can be responsible for reviewing all major TIP amendments that require the
30-day public comment period prior to SPC approval and the current threshold of
$10 million could be reduced to $5 million.
Sustainable Pittsburgh
is committed to expanding public outreach and understanding necessary to advance
Southwestern Pennsylvania's sustainable development.
We look forward to continuing to partner with SPC in advancing Project
Region and the 2007-2010 Transportation Improvement Program.
Sincerely,
Court Gould
Director
Enclosure
C: Allen D. Biehler, P.E., Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation James A. Cheatham, Pennsylvania Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation
Susan Borinsky Regional Administrator, Federal Tra