Tag Archives: Air Quality

Metropolitan Transportation Plan-Public Comment Period

Draft 2023-2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan and Air Quality Conformity Determinations Public Comment Period and Public Participation Meeting Information

As host to the Housatonic Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization (HVMPO) and South Western Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (SWRMPO), the Western Connecticut Council of Governments (WestCOG) will accept comments from February 8, 2023 to March 9, 2023 on the draft 2023-2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) and Air Quality Conformity Determinations for Ozone and Particulates.  The draft MTP is a 25-year vision for the development of the transportation system and identifies investments in the region. The draft MTP is being updated and will be considered for endorsement at the HVMPO and SWRMPO meeting on March 16, 2023.

The draft MTP and Air Quality Conformity will be available for inspection at westcog.org starting February 8, 2023.  Persons with limited internet access may contact WestCOG by telephone at 475-323-2060, via email: plan@westcog.org, or mail the WestCOG office: 1 Riverside Road, Sandy Hook, CT 06482. Comments on the draft MTP or air quality conformity may be made by mail to the WestCOG office, email, or at one of the three public information meetings:  1) February 22, 2023, 6:30PM to 8:00PM at the Danbury Library, Lower Level Meeting Room, 170 Main Street, Danbury, CT 06810; 2) February 23, 2023, 1:00PM to 2:30PM virtually by registering at westcog.org; or 3) February 23, 2023, 6:30PM to 8:00PM at the Ferguson Main Library, Auditorium, 1 Public Library Plaza, Stamford CT 06904

ENGLISH: For language assistance or other accommodations, contact Western Connecticut Council of Governments at least five business days prior to the meeting at help@westcog.org. ESPAÑOL: Para asistencia con el idioma y otras adaptaciones, por favor póngase en contacto con WestCOG por lo menos cinco días hábiles antes de la reunión al help@westcog.org. PORTUGUÊS: Para obter assistência língua ou outras acomodações, entre em contato com WestCOG pelo menos cinco dias úteis antes da reunião em help@westcog.org. FRANÇAIS: Pour obtenir de l’aide linguistique ou d’autres mesures d’adaptation, contactez WestCOG au moins cinq jours ouvrables avant la réunion à help@westcog.org. POLSKI: W przypadku pomocy językowej lub innej pomocy, skontaktuj się z WestCOG co najmniej pięć dni roboczych przed wydarzeniem w help@westcog.org.

30-DAY PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD UNDERWAY

Regarding their regional transportation plans and transportation capital improvement programs, the Housatonic Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization (HVMPO) and the South Western Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (SWRMPO) are required to submit Air Quality Conformity Statements to the US Federal Highway Administration and to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Continue reading 30-DAY PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD UNDERWAY

Air Quality Conformity

Air Quality Conformity

 

The State of Connecticut and each of the state’s planning regions are required to demonstrate that Transportation Improvement Programs (TIP) and Long Range Transportation Plans (LRTP) do not violate the federal Clean Air Act of 1990 (CAAA). The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) performs transportation and air quality modeling for the entire state, periodically releasing determinations (determination reports) which demonstrate CAAA compliance for the planning regions.

To improve air quality, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set thresholds for the amount of pollutants in the air. In more populated and congested areas, coordination with transportation and air quality officials is required to ensure projects do not hinder an area’s ability to reach clean air goals. The resulting determination reports are utilized to help achieve those objectives.

For further information and subsequent details, the determination reports can be found here.

For more information, please contact Jamie Bastian at jbastian@westcog.org.

 

Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Program

CONGESTION MITIGATION AND AIR QUALITY PROGRAM (CMAQ)

2021 CMAQ Solicitation:

The Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program is a Federal program that funds transportation projects and programs that contribute to attainment or maintenance of the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for ozone, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter under provisions in the Clean Air Act (CAA), Title 42, United States Code. As a non-attainment/maintenance area for ozone and particulate matter, Connecticut receives Federal CMAQ Improvement Program funds based on the population in the non-attainment areas of the state and the severity of air quality problems. 

2021 CMAQ Solicitation:

Solicitation Documents:

Reference Documents: