Equity & Environmental Justice
As the Regional Transportation Planning Organization (RTPO) for the Spokane region, SRTC must comply with RCW 70A.02. to address environmental justice. SRTC strives to accomplish these requirements throughout all its activities, including public engagement and outreach. Some examples of this include providing access to transportation resources, developing partnerships with community organizations, and intentionally inviting groups and individuals from vulnerable, overburdened, and historically underserved communities to participate in the planning process.
Environmental Justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people in the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies, regardless of race, color, national origin, or income. Environmental Justice will be achieved when everyone enjoys the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards. It also ensures equal access to the decision-making process to create a healthy environment where people can live, learn and work.
Environmental Justice Principles
To avoid, minimize, or mitigate disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects, including social and economic effects, on minority populations and low-income populations.
To ensure the full and fair participation by all potentially affected communities in the transportation decision-making process.
To prevent the denial of, reduction in, or significant delay in the receipt of benefits by minority populations and low-income populations.
Equity Planning Framework
In 2022, SRTC developed an Equity Planning Framework to drive positive, transformative actions in our community and Regional Transportation system, equity planning methodologies and funding decisions and opportunities. The framework was collaboratively developed by members from the SRTC Board of Directors, Transportation Advisory Committee, Transportation Technical Committee and SRTC staff.
Get involved in Equity Planning
One recommendation of the Equity Planning Framework was the creation of an Equity Working Group. Established in January 2024, the Equity Working Group meets bi-monthly to discuss and learn about transportation equity topics. If you would like to join the working group or participate in an individual meeting, please visit the Equity Working Group page for more details.
Civil Rights
Civil Rights includes Title VI and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Both policies protect people from being discriminated against by government and Federally funded services, plans and programs. While separate, many of the principles of Environmental Justice closely align with Title VI and ADA.
Nondiscrimination Statement
SRTC does not exclude, deny, or discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, veteran status, familial or marital status, medical condition, disability, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal or state law in its hiring or employment practices, or in its admission to, access to, or operations of its programs, services, or activities. Information on Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) complaint procedures, as well as ADA complaint forms, may be found on the SRTC website’s Civil Rights page.
Regional Transportation Planning Organization
SRTC takes on two roles: one as a Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization (MPO) and the other as a Regional Transportation Planning Organization (RTPO). SRTC conducts equity planning and environmental justice work through its role as an RTPO.
