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.
2024 Southern California Demographic Workshop Program Announced
Register today to join SCAG for the 2024 Southern California Demographic Workshop on Sept. 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the SCAG offices in downtown Los Angeles. Online attendance is also available.
The program will gather local leaders, elected officials, and demographic experts to discuss how changing population growth affects regional planning—from accommodating development to improving quality of life and cultivating the economy.
2024 Southern California Demographics Workshop Registration Open, Keynote Announced
Registration is now open for the 2024 Southern California Demographic Workshop, “Navigating the New Growth Reality,” presented by SCAG and the Sol Price School of Public Policy at the University of Southern California. This 35th annual event will be held on Sept. 24 at SCAG’s main office in Downtown Los Angeles and will also be available to attend online.
Final State Budget Secures $480 Million for REAP 2.0 Program; Restores More Funding
The California State Legislature has approved the Budget Act of 2024, taking a major step forward in addressing the housing crisis by restoring funding to the Regional Early Action Planning Grants (REAP 2.0) program and other funding programs crucial to Southern California’s collective goals.
Regional Early Action Planning Program Update
On May 30, the legislative leadership in the State Assembly and State Senate announced the Joint Legislative Budget Plan. Thanks to the collective advocacy efforts of SCAG and its partners, the Joint Legislative Budget Plan restores funding for several programs cut under Gov. Gavin Newsom’s January Budget proposal and May Revision.
General Assembly Elects 2024-25 Board Officers
The General Assembly approved the nominations for the SCAG 2024-25 Board Officers as recommended by the Regional Council: Hon. Curt Hagman (County of San Bernardino) will serve as 2024-25 Regional Council president; Hon. Cindy Allen (City of Long Beach) will serve as Regional Council first vice president; and Hon. Ray Marquez (City of Chino Hills) will serve as Regional Council second vice president. Leadership also recognized Hon.
Connect SoCal 2024 Approved
The formal adoption of Connect SoCal 202
Regional Early Action Planning Grant Program of 2021 (REAP 2.0) Advocacy Updates
Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposed budget announced on Jan. 16 includes $300 million in cuts to the Regional Early Action Planning program of 2021 (REAP 2.0) that will result in approximately $123 million in cuts from SCAG’s $246 million REAP 2.0 program.
Proposed State Budget Would Cut Funding for Regional Early Action Planning Grant Program
The proposed budget announced by Governor Gavin Newsom on Jan. 16 includes $1.2 billion in cuts to funding for housing programs, including $300 million for the Regional Early Action Planning program of 2021 (REAP 2.0).
Connect SoCal 2024 Public Comment Update
As part of the public comment period for the draft Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy, SCAG hosted 15 briefings with elected officials in Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties. In all, 229 local elected officials, city and county staff and stakeholders participated in the briefings, where SCAG leadership shared details of the draft Connect SoCal 2024 and discussed implementing the plan’s vision for a more resilient and equitable future.
SCAG Adopts Carbon Reduction Program Guidelines
The SCAG Executive/Administration Committee approved guidelines for the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) on Dec. 6, 2023. SCAG will be initiating a combined solicitation for project nominations for the CRP along with the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program and the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program—all FHWA funding programs—in Jan. 2024. Eligible entities should begin discussing potential nominations with their respective county transportation commission as soon as possible.
Draft Connect SoCal 2024 and Draft Program Environmental Impact Report Now Available for Public Comment
The SCAG Regional Council voted on Nov. 2, 2023, to release both the draft Connect SoCal 2024, the region’s 2024-2050 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS) and the accompanying Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) for public review and comment through Jan. 12, 2024. The comment period for the draft Connect SoCal 2024 plan begins on Nov. 23, while the comment period for the draft PEIR begins on Nov. 9.
Economic Summit Registration Now Open
Registration is now open for SCAG’s 14th annual Southern California Economic Summit on Dec. 7 at the Sheraton Grand Los Angeles. Mark your calendars and register now to join leaders in business, planning and public policy to assess the state of the region’s economy.
Demographic Workshop Program Preview
Registration is open for the 34th annual Demographic Workshop, “The Seismic Generational Shift,” hosted by SCAG and the USC Price School of Public Policy on Sept. 20. This event will take place at the SCAG Main Office in downtown Los Angeles, with an online broadcast for virtual viewing.
SCAG Awarded $237 Million for REAP 2.0
The Department of Housing and Community Development has officially approved SCAG’s full funding application, awarding SCAG with more than $237 million in REAP 2.0 funds.
Update on the RHNA Reform Process and Schedule
The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is crafting recommendations to reform the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) process, which will be provided in a report to the California State Legislature by Dec. 31.
SCAG Leads Annual Regional Conference & General Assembly
SCAG kicked off the 2023 Regional Conference & General Assembly today in Palm Desert with a message from outgoing Regional Council President Jan Harnik and a video review of SCAG’s accomplishments from 2022-23.
SCAG Kicks Off Public Outreach Initiatives for Connect SoCal 2024
Every four years, SCAG updates its visionary plan for the future of the region, Connect SoCal. This process is now underway, and we want to hear from our stakeholders.
Please join us at a public workshop or pop-up event to learn more about the plan, ask questions and provide input. The purpose of these events is to gather input from each community to establish planning priorities for the next 20 to 30 years.