Resources Guide
DVRPC - The Region's Resource
A Guide to the Commission's Services and Products
Who we are and what we do
Created in 1965, the Delaware Valley Planning Commission (DVRPC) is an interstate, intercounty and intercity agency that provides continuing, comprehensive and coordinated planning to shape a vision for the future growth of the Delaware Valley region. The region includes Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties in Pennsylvania; and Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Mercer counties in New Jersey.
DVRPC provides technical assistance and services; conducts high priority studies that respond to the requests and demands of member state and local governments; fosters cooperation among various constituents to forge a consensus on diverse regional issues; determines and meets the needs of the private sector; and practices public outreach efforts to promote two-way communication and public awareness of regional issues and the Commission. Working across state, county, and city lines, DVRPC advises on regional policy and capital funding issues such as transportation, economic development, the environment, and land use.
Who We Work With
Our goal is to address current and ongoing issues while fostering cooperation among member governments, private sector organizations and the general public. To do so, we work closely with a variety of groups, including the Pennsylvania and New Jersey departments of transportation, community affairs and environmental protection agencies, the federal government, and regional transportation providers.
We also partner with a wide variety of non-profit organizations in the areas of community and economic development, environmental protection, and land use. Such groups often look to us for data and consulting services that will enhance the planning efforts for the region.
How We Are Governed
All activities are directed by an 18-member Board which establishes regional policy, defines committee duties, and adopts the annual work program. A 10-member Executive Committee oversees general operations and fiscal matters. Planning and service functions are split among the Office of the Executive Director, the Office of Communications and Public Affairs, and three divisions: Transportation Planning, Regional Planning, and Administration. Our total staff includes more than 100 full-time employees, including a large number of professional transportation and regional planners and engineers.
Where We Get Our Funding
Financial support for our activities comes primarily from federal transportation funding through the Pennsylvania and New Jersey departments of transportation.
Additional financial resources are provided by funding from other state or federal agencies, counties, cities, foundations, operating agencies, and the private sector. Specific DVRPC planning projects are specified in the Annual Work Program, developed by the DVRPC Board.
What We Can Do For You
DVRPC produces a series of reports, studies and surveys on regional issues including transportation, land use, housing, economic development, and environmental issues. In addition, we are a regional resource for census and demographic information, traffic counts, maps and aerial photography. We also have staff members who are available to speak to your group or organization about DVRPC, regional issues, and specific programs or projects.
How You Can Get Involved
Empowering the citizens of the Delaware Valley to speak up about their beliefs and concerns is one of our primary goals. Trust, awareness, involvement - all demand a two-way means of communication that is embodied in DVRPC's Regional Citizens Committee (RCC) and Environmental Justice Public Involvement Task Force.
DVRPC's Regional Citizens Committee (RCC)
meets monthly to review and comment on DVRPC policies and plans. This open avenue of communication provides the Commission with an opportunity to hear ideas and concerns about major decisions that will affect the way we all live, work, and travel. The RCC includes approximately 75 members representing the private sector, environmental organizations, and other interest groups, as well as citizens of the region. Committee membership is open to anyone who wishes to join. The RCC is the only Board-advisory committee that is open to the public for membership.
The Environmental Justice Public Involvement Task Force meets quarterly to share and review
effective public participation strategies and techniques. Encouraging a dynamic exchange of information between private and public sector groups, the EJ Task Force is comprised of over 300 groups representing social service, private sector, community, neighborhood, religious, housing, governmental, senior and educational organizations. The Task Force has been instrumental in clarifying ethnic and social issues, as well as helping to define an EJ Protocol for staff and the public. The concept and intent of EJ, which dates to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, is to assure that all groups are treated fairly and that no group bears a disproportionate share of the negative impacts of public programs.
DVRPC has a number of other committees that are advisory to our Board on specific regional issues. These committees ensure that all interested parties have an opportunity to participate in the planning process.
Meeting dates are published in our Annual Report/ Calendar and on our website at www.dvrpc.org. While all committee positions, with the exception of the Regional Citizens Committee and the Environmental Justice Public Involvement Task Force, are by appointment only, the following committee meetings are open to the general public to attend:
Regional Transportation Committee (RTC) Advises the Board on issues concerning the long-range and short-range transportation plan, the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), the Transportation Planning Work Program, and other transportation issues. Meets once a month, first or second Tuesday.
Planning Coordinating Committee (PCC) Meets jointly with the RTC to review regional plans, programs, and policies as they relate to budget and work program implications.
Regional Air Quality Committee (RAQC) Serves as a regional forum for air quality issues, and as a guide for transportation and air quality activities. Meets quarterly.
Regional Aviation Committee (RAC) Conducts aviation system planning activities by providing technical and policy guidance to the Federal Aviation Administration, the states, and the DVRPC planning program. Meets every 2-3 months.
Regional Housing Committee Brings Board members together with state and local housing agencies, non-profit housing providers, and other citizen advocates to review and formulate a regional housing agenda. Meets quarterly.
Goods Movement Task Force (GMTF) Works to maximize the region's goods movement capability by sharing information and technology among public and private freight interests. Also promotes the region's intermodal capabilities and capacity, and develops and implements a regional goods movement strategy. Meets quarterly.
Land Use and Development Committee Provides a forum for the discussion of land use and related issues and the development of the Long-Range Plan. Meets quarterly.
Information Resource Exchange Group (IREG) Provides a forum for the exchange of ideas and experiences among regional data managers. Meets quarterly.
TransitChek Policy Committee Develops the annual budget of the TransitChek program and provides direction on marketing efforts. Meets yearly in May.
Tri-County Water Quality Management Board Maintains the Tri-County Water Management Plan and coordinates water supply and wastewater treatment plans for Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester counties. Meets quarterly.
DVRPC has had an active public participation program for many years. Our Public Participation Plan, which is available to the public, outlines our philosophy of public involvement as well as the objectives we plan to pursue. It also provides procedures for dealing with the notification of meetings and events; access to information and meetings; comment and review periods; the use of public comments; committee management; the use of DVRPC's name; and our public disclosure policy. An addendum to the plan is the Environmental Justice Protocol, which describes our commitment to a sustained, responsive public participation program that supports citizen involvement and timely response at all levels of planning.
For more information on making your voice heard, please contact DVRPC's Public Affairs Office at 215-238-2875.
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