Plan for Our Region's Future Published

DVRPC has published its Destination 2030 Long Range Plan document for the region. Adopted by the DVRPC Board in 2005, the 60-page, four-color publication outlines all of the components of the Long Range Plan and has been mailed to more than 2,500 individuals and organizations. The document is also available through the DVRPC Resource Center.

A series of breakfast and dinner workshops will be held in October at various locations throughout the region to educate the public about the Plan and to gather input for a vision for the next round of planning for 2035. The public will be invited to attend and to participate in discussions about planning for the region's future. Look for more details on our website, www.dvrpc.org.

Release of "This is Smart Growth" Publication

"This Is Smart Growth" is a new publication released by the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and the Smart Growth Network. This document describes how, when done well, development can help create more economic opportunities, build great places where people want to live and visit, preserve the qualities people love about their communities, and protect environmental resources.  Thirty-two national organizations have approved the publication, which features photo illustrations of 40 places around the country where good development has improved residents' quality of life.

Free copies of “This is Smart Growth” are available from the EPA National Service Center for Environmental Publications at 800-490-9198 or via e-mail at ncepimal@one.net.  Ask for publication number 231-K-06-002. It is available electronically at www.smartgrowth.org.

Improving Communities with Clean Energy

Communities that commit to clean energy take a lead to create cleaner air, healthier neighborhoods and energy independence. The Pennsylvania Clean Energy Communities Campaign is assisting communities that wish to support and purchase clean, renewable energy by providing 10 communities with a free 1kW solar energy system ($10,000 value). All townships, boroughs, and cities located in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties, who are located in PECO territories, are eligible to participate in the campaign.  For more information about this campaign visit www.smartpower.org or call 1-800-874-9897.

Direct Delivery with TransitChek Select 

The TransitChek program just got easier with a new direct-delivery option.  TransitChek vouchers can now be sent directly to employee homes or designated worksite, which vastly decreases the time employers spend administering this program. TransitChek Select offers another new feature —automated program management. This online system provides a tool for employee orientation, enrollment and order changes, and monthly or quarterly reports.

With both TransiitChek and TransitChek Select employers and employees can realize a tax savings on something they are already doing—commuting via public transportation.  Interested in getting started?  Visit www.transitchekselect.com or call 215-592-1800 to set up a meeting.

Title VI Draft Open for Public Comment

The basis of environmental justice is Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which states that no person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any federally funded activities. As the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Delaware Valley, DVRPC is required to adopt a Title VI Compliance Plan, which reflects how environmental justice is considered in the Commission’s Work Program, publications, communications, public involvement efforts and general way of doing business. While DVRPC has a long history of meaningful and inclusive public involvement, the recent creation of a draft Title VI Compliance Plan serves to enhance this relationship.

DVRPC’s Draft Title VI Compliance Plan is scheduled to be released for public comment in October. For information regarding the Title VI Compliance Plan, or to request a copy, please contact Jane Meconi, at 215-238-2871 or jmeconi@dvrpc.org. An electronic version of the Plan will also be available at www.dvrpc.org.