BP BHEAD INT S

AN ACT Relating to public involvement in transportation planning; and adding new sections to chapter 47.80 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature recognizes that public involvement in transportation projects is a critical element in developing a state-wide transportation system responsive to the needs of the public. The legislature also recognizes that the department of transportation already provides news releases, newsletters to affected persons, and opportunities to comment at public hearings before project construction, but that these processes primarily occur after a determination of project necessity has already been made. Citizens who may be adversely impacted by the proposed project can express their concerns in the public hearings process, but this process does not provide the public with adequate opportunities to participate in the evaluation and selection of alternatives to the proposed project.

The legislature finds that current methods of public input do not yield results that accurately reflect public opinion and sentiment on transportation projects. The legislature further finds that the transportation needs of the citizens of the state are best identified and served by encouraging meaningful public participation and comment at the earliest stages of the transportation planning process.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) The department shall actively solicit public input concerning selected transportation projects. In seeking public input, the department shall conduct the following activities:

(a) On projects selected under section 3 of this act, hold informational meetings and conduct "visioning" workshops before a preferred transportation solution has been identified to better ensure that public involvement occurs at a meaningful phase of the planning process, as required under the federal Intermodal Surface Transportation and Efficiency Act of 1991 and as intended by the legislature in section 1 of this act;

(b) On projects selected under section 3 of this act, the department shall mail written surveys to, and solicit telephone surveys from, a representative sample of citizens impacted by the proposed transportation project for purposes of measuring public opinion;

(c) Employ additional activities, including any modern marketing techniques, that the department believes will accomplish the purposes of section 1 of this act.

(2) The department may employ consultants or marketing specialists to conduct activities required under sections 2 through 5 of this act only upon a finding that the activities require specialized knowledge, skill, or technology, and that the activities cannot be accomplished with existing departmental resources.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. Selected transportation projects requiring the heightened public involvement process described in section 2(1) of this act must include the following category C projects: (1) Projects that would affect significant numbers of people or businesses through disruption or displacement, including capacity improvement projects; (2) projects that alter access to roads or highways, or that require the acquisition of rights of way; and (3) projects impacting environmentally sensitive areas.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The department shall collect accurate data and record comments received through the public involvement process required by section 2 of this act. The department shall compile the information and forward it at the earliest opportunity for consideration in the development of any state or regional transportation plan, or for the selection of a preferred transportation alternative. It is the intent of the legislature that all information gathered under sections 2 through 5 of this act be incorporated into the department's transportation planning process at an early and meaningful stage of deliberation.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. In addition to the duties outlined in section 2 of this act, the department shall make increased efforts to provide information to the citizens of the state. The department shall:

(1) Establish toll-free information telephone lines within each district office that are capable of providing information about proposed transportation projects in the region, and about transportation projects under construction and any resulting traffic rerouting; provide information concerning opportunities for public participation in state-wide, regional, or local transportation planning; and provide a mechanism allowing callers to leave their comments and opinions concerning transportation issues on a recording device;

(b) Conduct a state-wide public opinion poll that seeks to identify citizen preferences concerning state-wide modes and methods of transportation. The survey shall also seek a citizen evaluation of the department, including a measurement of whether and to what extent the department is meeting its mission statement, goals, and objectives concerning state transportation policy and services.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. No provisions of sections 1 through 5 of this act may be considered in lieu of the department's legal responsibilities for conducting public hearings and providing opportunities for comment required under state or federal law.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. Sections 1 through 6 of this act are each added to chapter 47.80 RCW, which shall be renamed "Transportation Planning."