Title VI and Environmental Justice 

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin. Section 324 of the Federal Aid Highway Act, the enabling legislation of the Federal Highway Administration, prohibits discrimination based on sex. 

The Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Act of 1970 prohibits unfair and inequitable treatment of persons as a result of projects that are undertaken with Federal financial assistance. The Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987 clarified the intent of Title VI to include all programs and activities of Federal aid recipients and contractors whether those programs and activities are federally funded or not. Environmental Justice is a concept founded in the intent of the non-discrimination prohibitions of the Federal legislation.

Executive Order #12898 reaffirmed that each federal agency must make Environmental Justice part of its mission. Each agency must identify and address disproportionately high and/or adverse environmental or human health effects that any of its programs, policies and activities may have on minority and low-income populations. Further, each agency must work to prevent the denial, reduction or delay of benefits received by minority and low-income populations. Most importantly, each agency must develop policies and strategies to ensure full and fair participation by affected populations in transportation decisions. In accepting federal funding, the Lexington Area MPO pledges to adhere to and advance the principle of Environmental Justice and integrate this concept into the Public Participation Process. 

The policies and programs of the Lexington Area MPO should avoid disproportionately negative effects on minority and low-income populations. Within the context of the region, the transportation infrastructure and public transit system must provide for an equitable distribution of benefits to the areas least represented in the planning process. Where needed, the transportation system should provide equal access to the benefits of employment, education and community.

Emphasis has been placed on reaching people who have not been participants in the transportation planning process. These non-participants traditionally are identified as being associated with an environmental justice category such as, low-income, minority population, disabled individuals or an ethnic group. Special Ad Hoc Committees are formed on an as-needed basis to solicit comments and inputs about specific issues. Partnerships with local organizations serving the interests of these under-represented populations will be strengthened. Lexington Area MPO staff and committee members actively participate in local meetings and projects. The Lexington Area MPO has increased its connections to under-represented populations, paying close attention to the Hispanic population.

The Lexington Area MPO has made great strides in this area and will continue to reach out to all segments of our community.  Some of these efforts include:

      Outreach to underserved communities on radio stations such as La Pantera, 1580AM                 WXRA (Top 40 Spanish music station), News Radio 630 WLAP (over double the market % between 55-64 and a third higher for 65+);

      Fliers and Posters for public meetings printed in Spanish and distributed to churches and community centers;

      Distribution of Fliers and Posters for public meetings to Senior Centers, including several with high minority populations;

      Distribution of Fliers and Posters to supermarkets and department stores in numerous locations throughout our community;

      Plans and documents available on the Lexington Area MPOs website;

      Inviting representatives of organizations that represent minority, disabled and elderly members of our community to meetings and appropriate workshops; and

      Providing translators at public meetings.

Title VI Complaint Contacts

There are two people that coordinate the Title VI complaint procedures for the MPO.  Within the LFUCG Ms. Denise White, Administrative Officer and EEO Coordinator work's out of the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). Mrs. White documents and informs the MPO of any Title VI issues or complaints related to the activities of the MPO.  Ms. White's address is 200 E. Main Street Lexington, KY 40507, phone 859-258-3132 email dwhite@lfucg.com.

Mr. Tracy Sewell, Director of Transportation for LexTran, coordinates the Title VI procedures/activities for the Lexington Transit Authority (LexTran).  Mr. Sewell will also document and inform the MPO of any Title VI issues or complaints related to the MPO or LexTran.  Mr. Swell's address is 109 West Loudon Ave. Lexington, KY 40508, Phone: 859-255-7756, email tsewell@lextranonthemove.org.