Nondiscrimination in Transportation Planning

The Waco Metropolitan Planning Organization (Waco MPO) serves as the federally designated MPO for McLennan County in Central Texas. This designation means the Waco MPO is responsible for coordinating transportation planning activities in the county and for providing a forum for local input into how federal highway and transit dollars are spent. It also means the Waco MPO is responsible for ensuring any impacts that transportation related decisions may have on “disadvantaged populations” are addressed through an inclusive and nondiscriminatory planning process.

Legislative Directives

Nondiscrimination

Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act is a Federal law passed by Congress that prohibits recipients of Federal financial assistance from discriminating on the basis of race, color, or national origin in their programs or activities. The term “Title VI” refers to Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and to all subsequent federal nondiscrimination laws, regulations, and executive orders.

Because the Waco MPO was created to facilitate the federal planning process in McLennan County and receives federal funds to do so, all federally funded plans, programs, and activities conducted by the MPO must comply with Title VI.

Waco MPO Title VI Notice to the Public

The Waco MPO is committed to a policy of non-discrimination in the operation of its programs and services without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.

        Waco MPO Title VI Notice of Protection Against Discrimination
        Waco MPO Title VI Rights and Regulations

Organización de Planificación Metropolitana de Waco Título VI Aviso al Público

La Organización de Planificación Metropolitana de Waco está comprometida a una póliza de no discriminación en el funcionamiento de sus programas y servicios sin tener en cuenta la raza, el color, el origen nacional, el sexo, la edad, o la discapacidad.

        Organización de Planificación Metropolitana de Waco Aviso de Protección Contra la Discriminación
        Organización de Planificación Metropolitana de Waco Derechos y Regulaciones del Título VI

Environmental Justice

“Environmental Justice” refers to an executive order to ensure that federally funded programs, policies or activities, including those related to transportation, having the potential to adversely or negatively affect human health or the environment explicitly consider the effects on minority populations and low-income populations (Executive Order 12898). “Environmental Justice” is advocated based on Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

The Waco MPO is committed to ensuring the transportation needs of all people in McLennan County are met and that no one population group must endure a disproportional share of the burdens in meeting those needs. The MPO periodically performs an analysis of its plans and programs in order to assess the mobility of traditionally underrepresented groups and to provide an assessment of the impacts of proposed projects upon these groups.  The analysis may be found in section 4.3 of the Waco MPO Metropolitan Transportation Plan. 

Limited English Proficiency

Limited English Proficiency (LEP) refers to a person’s inability to speak, read, or understand English due to their national origin.  Any person who believes they have been discriminated against because of their inability to read, speak, or understand English may file a complaint in accordance with the Waco MPO External Discrimination Complaint Process.

         Waco MPO Language Services Brochure
         La Ayuda del idioma

          Waco MPO LEP Plan
          Plan de Pericia de Ingles Limitado

If information is needed in another language, please contact the Waco MPO at (254) 750-5651 or mpo@ci.waco.tx.us.
Si se necesita información en otro idioma, comuníquese con el Waco MPO al (254) 750-5651 o al mpo@ci.waco.tx.us.

How to File a Title VI Complaint

Any person who believes they have been subjected to any type of discrimination prohibited under Title VI may file a complaint in accordance with the Waco MPO Title VI External Discrimination Complaint Process. Further details are provided in the Waco MPO Title VI External Discrimination Complaint Process guidance document and in the Waco MPO’s LEP documents. If you have suggestions, questions, or comments regarding Title VI complaints, please contact the Waco MPO at (254) 750-5651 or mpo@ci.waco.tx.us.

         Waco MPO Title VI External Discrimination Complaint Process
         Título VI Proceso de Queja por Discriminación Externa

         Waco MPO Title VI External Discrimination Complaint Form
         Formulario de Denuncia de Discriminación Externa

Programs to Support the Civil Rights of Protected Populations

Waco MPO Public Participation Plan

The Waco MPO reaches out and encourages the involvement of everyone in McLennan County, including protected populations, to ensure their participation in the transportation planning and decision making process. The Waco MPO Public Participation Plan specifies these efforts.
         Waco MPO Public Participation Plan

Waco MPO Title VI Plan

The Waco MPO develops approaches, actions, and analyses needed to ensure compliance with the Title VI nondiscrimination protections and requirements of the Federal Transit and Federal Highway Administrations. Information regarding the MPO’s Title VI obligations can be found in the Waco MPO Title VI Plan and Implementation Plan.
          Waco MPO Title VI Plan and Implementation Plan

More information

Federal Highway Administration Environmental Justice

Federal Highway Administration Civil Rights and Nondiscrimination

Waco Transit Title VI Compliance Plan

City of Waco Title VI Compliance Plan