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17 <br /> PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT PLAN <br /> REACHING COMMUNITIES OF CONCERN <br /> In Transportation —especially transit, a specific mode within the complete transportation network <br /> — overburdened and underserved communities are technically called Communities of Concern <br /> and identified through professional Environmental Justice analysis. This analysis uses <br /> socioeconomic data from the U.S. Census, at the smallest geographic designation as <br /> determined by the Census (e.g. block level), focusing on population groups such as: <br /> • Minorities, Hispanics, and Elderly <br /> • Low-income and Zero-Car Households <br /> • Limited English Proficiency <br /> Areas in Orange County designated as "Communities of Concern" are very important. <br /> Department staff are keenly aware of various techniques to ensure that language, culture, <br /> access, and economic barriers are addressed when project information is shared, and <br /> community input is needed. The following section provides details on Orange County's <br /> Environmental Justice analysis. <br /> Enviroi ii mental Justice <br /> As required by Federal Transit Administration Section C 4703.1, Environmental Justice analyses <br /> will be conducted to determine if transportation programs, policies, or activities will result in <br /> disproportionately high and adverse human health and environmental effects on minority <br /> populations and low-income populations. For Orange County, this applies to all transportation <br /> projects, such as when planning, designing, constructing or modifying a transportation project, <br /> or policies, such as when there will be a change in service, amenities or fares. The department <br /> will look at various alternatives and seek input from potentially affected communities before <br /> making a final decision. Demographic data will be collected to document their involvement in the <br /> decision-making process. A thorough analyses involving public input, will remain on file, and <br /> copies will be provided to local, state and federal agencies, upon request, especially during <br /> compliance reviews or complaint investigations. <br /> Orange County is a member of the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning <br /> Organization, the Burlington-Graham Metropolitan Planning Organization, and Central Pine <br /> Rural Planning Organization. The County's socioeconomic data is presented using best <br /> Environmental Justice analysis practices and is included in the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro <br /> Metropolitan Planning Organization board approved 2020 Environmental Justice Report. It is <br /> also part of both Metropolitan Planning Organization long-range and fiscally constrained <br /> Metropolitan Transportation Plans. The department's 2022 Title VI programs also incorporates <br /> this critical resource. <br /> Report Date 11 <br />