Certified Final 2016 RTP/SCS Program Environmental Impact Report
The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), as Lead Agency, prepared a Final Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) (SCH#2015031035) for the 2016-2040 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (2016 RTP/SCS) (Final 2016 RTP/SCS PEIR or Final PEIR) and associated Findings of Fact and a Statement of Overriding Considerations and Mitigation Reporting and Monitoring Program (Exhibit A and Exhibit B to the Resolution) in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The Final PEIR serves as a programmatic document that conducts a region‐wide assessment of potential significant environmental effects of the 2016 RTP/SCS.
SCAG released the Notice of Availability of the Draft 2016 RTP/SCS PEIR on Dec. 4, 2015, for a 60-day public commenting period. The Draft 2016 RTP/SCS PEIR was available for public review until Feb. 1, 2016.
The SCAG Regional Council certified the Final 2016 RTP/SCS PEIR on April 7, 2016.
Certified Final PEIR for 2016 RTS/SCS
The complete Final 2016 RTP/SCS PEIR is available for download by chapter or as one file. Please note that due to the large file size of the complete report, we strongly recommend that you download it onto your computer before opening the file. All files are in the PDF format.
- Complete Draft 2016 RTP/SCS PEIR (31 MB)
- Executive Summary
- Table of Contents
- 1.0 Introduction
- 2.0 Project Description
- 3.0 Environmental Setting, Impacts, and Mitigation Measures
- 3.1 Aesthetics
- 3.2 Agricultural and Forestry Resources
- 3.3 Air Quality
- 3.4 Biological Resources
- 3.5 Cultural Resources
- 3.6 Energy
- 3.7 Geology and Soils
- 3.8 Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate Change
- 3.9 Hazards and Hazardous Materials
- 3.10 Hydrology and Water Quality
- 3.11 Land Use and Planning
- 3.12 Mineral Resources
- 3.13 Noise
- 3.14 Population, Housing, and Employment
- 3.15 Public Services
- 3.16 Recreation
- 3.17 Transportation, Traffic, and Safety
- 3.18 Utilities and Service Systems
- 4.0 Alternatives
- 5.0 Long-Term CEQA Considerations
- 6.0 Persons and Sources Consulted
- 7.0 Glossary
- 8.0 Responses to Comments on the Draft Program Environmental Impact Report
- 9.0 Clarifications and Revisions (10 MB)
Appendices
- Appendix A Notice of Preparation and Comments on Notice of Preparation
- Appendix B 2016 RTP/SCS Project List
- Appendix C Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate Change Technical Report
- Appendix D Health Risk Assessment Technical Report (29 MB)
- Appendix E Biological Resources Technical Report
- Appendix F Cultural Resources Technical Report
- Appendix G: Comments on the Draft Program Environmental Impact Report – Part 1 of 3 (49 MB)
- Appendix G: Comments on the Draft Program Environmental Impact Report – Part 2 of 3 (76 MB)
- Appendix G: Comments on the Draft Program Environmental Impact Report – Part 3 of 3 (37 MB)
Resolution
Previously Conducted Workshops
Notice of Availability (NOA) Public Workshops
Two Draft PEIR public workshops, each providing the same information, were held at SCAG’s headquarters on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Videoconferencing was also available from SCAG’s regional offices:
SCAG Imperial County Office
1405 N. Imperial Avenue, Suite 1
El Centro, CA 92243
SCAG Orange County Office
600 South Main Street, Suite 906
Orange, CA 92868
SCAG Riverside County Office
3403 10th Street, Suite 805
Riverside, CA 92501
SCAG San Bernardino County Office
1170 West 3rd Street, Suite 140
San Bernardino, CA 92410
SCAG Ventura County Office
950 County Square Drive, Suite 101
Ventura, CA 93003
For additional information, please review the NOA below.
- Notice of Availability
- Notice of Availability (Spanish language publication)
- Notice of Availability (Chinese language publication)
- Notice of Availability (Korean language publication)
- Notice of Availability (Vietnamese language publication)
NOA Public Workshop Materials
- NOA Public Workshop 2-4 p.m. Agenda
- NOA Public Workshop 5-7 p.m. Agenda
- NOA Public Workshop PowerPoint
Tribal Consultation Workshops
Two Tribal Consultation Workshops were held on Oct. 14, 2015, and October 19, 2015, at SCAG’s Los Angeles office and the Coachella Valley Association of Governments office in Palm Desert, respectively. Tribal members, tribal representatives, cultural resource specialists, and other interested persons were invited for input on the Draft 2016 RTP/SCS PEIR and 2016 RTP/SCS.
Notice of Preparation (NOP) Public Scoping Meetings
The NOP of a Draft 2016 RTP/SCS PEIR, which was released on March 9, 2015, began the process of seeking input from interested parties on the scope and content of the environmental information that is evaluated in the Draft 2016 RTP/SCS PEIR. The 30-day public commenting period for the NOP began on March 9, 2015, and ended on April 7, 2015. Public scoping meetings were held on March 17, 2015, and March 18, 2015, for public input.
NOP Public Scoping Meeting Materials
2016 RTP/SCS Addendum #1
SCAG has prepared the Final Addendum #1 to the Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) for the 2016-2040 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy Amendment #1 (2016 RTP/SCS Amendment #1) in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). An Addendum to the PEIR was prepared since revisions in the 2016 RTP/SCS Amendment #1 would not result in new significant impacts or substantial increases to impacts.
The SCAG Regional Council certified the Final Addendum #1 to the PEIR on April 6, 2017.
2016 RTP/SCS Addendum #2
SCAG has prepared the Final Addendum #2 to the Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) for the 2016-2040 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy Amendment #2 (2016 RTP/SCS Amendment #2) in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). An Addendum to the PEIR was prepared since revisions in the 2016 RTP/SCS Amendment #2 would not result in new significant impacts or substantial increases to impacts.
The SCAG Regional Council certified the Final Addendum #2 to the PEIR on July 6, 2017.
2016 RTP/SCS Addendum #3
SCAG has prepared the Final Addendum #3 to the Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) for the 2016-2040 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy Amendment #3 (2016 RTP/SCS Amendment #3) in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). An Addendum to the PEIR was prepared since revisions in the 2016 RTP/SCS Amendment #3 would not result in new significant impacts or substantial increases to impacts.
The SCAG Regional Council certified the Final Addendum #3 to the PEIR on Sept. 6, 2018.

California State Budget Reduces Barriers to Housing Production and Extends Deadline for Regional Early Action Planning (REAP 2.0) Program
Earlier this week, the governor signed the 2025-2026 state budget, which includes a suite of reforms to reduce barriers to housing production.

Connect SoCal 2024 Implementation Update: Sustainable Communities Strategy Accepted
On May 7, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) informed SCAG that it had accepted SCAG’s determination that the Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS) meets CARB’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets.

General Assembly Elects 2025-26 Board Officers
The General Assembly voted to approve the nominations for the SCAG 2025-26 Regional Council officers as recommended by the Regional Council: Hon. Cindy Allen (City of Long Beach) will serve as 2025-26 Regional Council president; Hon. Ray Marquez (City of Chino Hills) will serve as Regional Council first vice president; and Hon. Jenny Crosswhite (City of Santa Paula) will serve as Regional Council second vice president. Leadership also recognized Hon.

Surface Transportation Block Grant and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program Call for Project Nominations Now Open
The federal fiscal year 2026-27 and federal fiscal year 2027-28 Surface Transportation Block Grant program (STBG) and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement program (CMAQ) SCAG online application opened for all eligible applicants on March 31. This application will be available through May 16 at 5 p.m.

Surface Transportation Block Grant and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program Guidelines Now Available
On March 6, the SCAG Regional Council approved the federal fiscal year 2026-27 and federal fiscal year 2027-28 Surface Transportation Block Grant program (STBG) and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement program (CMAQ) Program Guidelines.