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.
CONNECT SOCAL 2024 SUBCOMMITTEES
In September 2022, SCAG launched three subcommittees to look at emerging issues for the Connect SoCal 2024 plan.
The Resilience and Conservation subcommittee, and the Racial Equity and Regional Planning subcommittee concluded last month, and members of both committees unanimously approved a set of recommendations.
The Next Generation Infrastructure subcommittee will meet on Feb. 15 to review their key findings and finalize their own recommendations.
10 SPOTS STILL AVAILABLE FOR HOUSING SUPPORTIVE GRANT APPLICATION TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
In addition to Permanent Local Housing Allocation application assistance, SCAG is offering technical assistance for jurisdictions and Tribal Governments to prepare and submit applications for housing-supportive funding.
State Agency Meetings
On Nov. 8 and 9, SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise and SCAG Planning Director Sarah Jepson traveled to Sacramento for a series of meetings with executive leadership at the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the California Office of Planning Research (OPR), the California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) and the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS).
REGIONAL EARLY ACTION PROGRAM (REAP) 2.0 PROGRAM UPDATE
Continuing development of the REAP 2.0 program, staff have been conducting outreach to identify priorities for transformative planning and implementation. This has included engaging representatives from disadvantaged and rural communities on their participation in the program. Most recently, staff hosted virtual workshops to provide information and collect feedback from tribal entities and the public.
REGIONAL EARLY ACTION PROGRAM (REAP) 2.0 PROGRAM UPDATE
Since the approval of the REAP 2.0 Program Framework by the Regional Council (RC) in July, staff has continued outreach efforts to develop specific programs using the framework as a guiding document.
33rd Annual Demographic Workshop Dates Announced
The 33rd Annual Demographic Workshop, co-hosted by SCAG and the University of Southern California, will be held virtually on the afternoons of Wednesday, Sept. 14, and Wednesday, Sept. 21. This year’s workshop will explore the demographic trends that have and have not bounced back following the COVID-19 pandemic, how different populations have experienced the rebound in different ways, and the impact of remote work and other emerging trends in our cities. More information will be available soon.
President Harnik Shares Region’s Housing and Transportation Priorities
SCAG President Jan Harnik had the pleasure of hosting a recent meeting with Senate Transportation Committee Chair Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach) to discuss our region’s housing and transportation budget priorities, such as the Regional Council’s support for an augmentation to the Infill Infrastructure Grant program and using budget surplus dollars to fully fund the Active Transportation Program.
State Housing Funds Awarded to 29 SCAG Jurisdictions
The California Department of Housing and Community Development approved another 35 jurisdictions for Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) funds, bringing the total to 135 jurisdictions state-wide. Specifically, 29 of the 35 jurisdictions are located in the SCAG region and totaled another $49.4 million in homelessness and affordable housing funds for PLHA’s second round. Total SCAG awards for PLHA’s second round are $121.9 million for 54 jurisdictions.
REGISTER FOR THE 57TH ANNUAL REGIONAL CONFERENCE & GENERAL ASSEMBLY
SCAG’s 57th Annual Regional Conference & General Assembly is just around the corner on May 5–6. Register today for access to high-quality presentations and panels, featuring engaging speakers and thought leaders, and unbeatable networking opportunities filled with collaborative, solution-oriented discussions on fostering change and addressing challenges in our communities.
REGISTRATION FOR THE 57TH ANNUAL REGIONAL CONFERENCE & GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS NOW OPEN!
Join Southern California’s most influential elected officials and policymakers on May 5–6, 2022 at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Desert, CA. This two-day event will focus on solution-oriented discussions to address the most pressing problems facing communities, businesses, and families throughout the SCAG region. General admission tickets for the event are $350, but registrations done in advance by Thursday, March 31 using the code EARLYBIRD will receive $100 off the general admission price.
The February 2022 Executive Director’s Report covers the agency’s major activities, key programs, and accomplishments over the past month.
The January 2022 Executive Director’s Report covers the agency’s major activities, key programs, and accomplishments over the past month.