The voices and concerns of all people are critical to responsive regional planning. Some populations, such as minorities and people with low incomes, may not consistently have equal access to the planning process. Protections are in place to ensure that all people receive equal benefits from government activity. For 50 years, the considerations of vulnerable populations have played an integral role in all aspects of regional planning at the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG). The MAG Title VI and Environmental Justice Plan sets forth the process to fully integrate the needs of these vulnerable populations as part of MAG's Title VI and Environmental Justice activities.

Title VI and Environmental Justice (EJ) activities are mandated by the federal government to ensure that people of all races, incomes levels, ages, and abilities have an equal voice in the planning process and receive equal benefit from the results of such planning. MAG is actively engaged in Title VI and Environmental Justice activities as a sub-recipient of federal funding. This plan will be reviewed biennially and updated as needed.

The activities listed in the plan respond directly to the guidance provided by the Federal Transit Administration in Circular 4702.1A. Chapter seven charges metropolitan planning organizations (MPO), such as MAG with the development of a demographic profile identifying the locations of Title VI and EJ groups and a planning process that identifies the transportation needs of people with low incomes and minority populations. MPO’s must also have an analytical process that identifies the benefits and burdens of transportation system investments for different socioeconomic groups, identifies imbalances, and responds to the analysis produced. The goals of these activities are as follows:

• Comply with federal and state regulations regarding public involvement and environmental justice requirements.
• Avoid, minimize, or mitigate disproportionately high and adverse human health and environmental effects, including social and economic effects, on minority populations and low-income populations.
• Provide specific opportunities for the public and community-based organizations to discuss their views and provide input on the subject areas addressed in MAG's planning activities.
• Ensure full and fair participation by all potentially affected communities in the transportation decision-making process.
• Inform the public about ongoing MAG planning activities and their potential role in those activities.

Full Title VI Notice to the Public

The Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) hereby gives public notice that it is the policy of the agency to ensure full compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, Executive Order 12898 on Environmental Justice, and related authorities and regulations in all programs and activities. Title VI requires that no person in the United States of America shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity for which MAG receives federal financial assistance. Additional protections are provided in other federal and state authorities for discrimination based on income status, limited English proficiency, religion, sex, disability, age, gender identity (as defined in paragraph 249(c)(4) of title 18, United States Code) or sexual orientation.

Any person who believes they have experienced discrimination under Title VI has a right to file a formal complaint with MAG. Any such complaint must be filed with MAG's Title VI Coordinator within 180 days following the date of the alleged discriminatory occurrence. For more information, or to file a complaint, please contact Amy St. Peter, the Title VI Coordinator.

Complaints should, at a minimum, include the following information:

• Your name and address, and a number at which you can be reached during business hours
• A general description of the person(s) injured by the alleged discriminatory acts
• A description of the alleged discriminatory act(s) in sufficient detail to enable the Title VI Coordinator to understand what occurred, when it occurred, and the basis of the alleged discrimination complaint (race, color, national origin, etc.)
• The letter must be signed and dated by the person filing the complaint or by someone authorized to do so on his or her behalf.

For more information, or to file a complaint, please contact the Title VI Coordinator.

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