What is the history of Indian tribal transportation?

Native tribal creation legends and traditions illustrate the use of trails and waterways. These trail and waterway routes were necessary for the survival of the Indian tribal people. The need to find food to sustain the tribe was the first priority. The ancient routes became a vital link connecting tribal nations for trade and other tribal activities. Many roadway and river routes used today are in the same location as these ancient tribal routes. Ancient routes were used by the tribal ancestors before the introduction of horses, when they moved by foot over land and by canoe over water. Even makeshift bridges were used when the opportunities were present. The people of all Indian tribes will benefit from understanding the connection between the past, present, and future of Indian tribal transportation. Planning for future Indian tribal transportation needs through transportation planning today aids tribal elders and leaders to make informed transportation decisions. These decisions can enrich tribal lands and provide opportunities for current and future generations.

What is the history of federally-required transportation planning?

In 1921, the Federal Government called for the States, in order to receive Federal funding for highways, to perform a highway planning survey. In 1962, the Federal Government called for (as a condition for Federal funding expenditure in urban areas) a continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive transportation planning process to be performed in all urbanized areas of more than 50,000 in population. Then, in the Intermodal Surface Transportation and Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA), again as a condition for expenditure of Federal funds, the Federal Government called for a statewide transportation planning process that would be continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive. The ISTEA placed special emphasis and the Transportation Equity Act of the 21st Century (TEA-21) continues the emphasis on considering the concerns of Indian Tribal Governments in the statewide and metropolitan planning processes.

With specific reference to Indian Reservation Roads (IRR) funding, a requirement for transportation planning, as a condition for funding expenditure, has been in place since the May 22, 1983, Memorandum of Agreement between the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

During ISTEA deliberations, Congress recognized the need for Indian tribal transportation planning. As a result, the ISTEA authorized: "Up to 2 percent of funds made available for the IRR program... ." exclusively for " . . . those Indian Tribal Governments applying for transportation planning pursuant to the provisions of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act," as amended (P.L. 93-638). TEA-21 reinforces the intent ofCongress contained in the P.L. 93-638. These funds are available under Title I, Indian Self-Determination Act, and Title IV, Tribal Self-Governance, of P.L. 93-638.

What is transportation planning?

Transportation planning is the development of strategies for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of transportation facilities for moving people and goods in a village, town, pueblo, rancheria, city, borough, county, township, parish, metropolitan area, Indian reservation, State, multi-State region, or country. The transportation planning process is continuing and comprehensive to the degree appropriate and is based on the complexity of the transportation problems.

There are certain characteristics of the transportation planning process that need to be emphasized:

• The planning process is linked to land use, cultural preservation, culture, social, economic, environmental and quality of life goals of the area covered by the plan (e.g., reservation, region, or State).

• The planning process examines current transportation operations and identifies future transportation needs (both physical and financial).

• The transportation planning process facilitates transportation investment decisionmaking with multiple demands on limited resources.

• The planning process involves a variety of participants with an interest in transportation decisionmaking. These include Indian Tribal Governments, Federal agencies, States, local governments, Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), Regional Planning Organizations (RPOs), special interest groups, and others.

• The planning process results in the development of workable strategies to achieve optimum transportation investment over both the short-range (3-5 years) and long-range (20 years or more) planning periods.

In summary, transportation planning uses an analytical process to develop realistic priorities for the service population. It encourages community, tribal, and local involvement to increase community awareness.

Figure 1 shows the basic steps in the transportation planning decisionmaking. Key activities are identified in chapter 4.

Why do we plan?

Planning results in a vision for the future, which guides decisionmaking today. It results in a better understanding of all of the factors that transportation impacts and those factors that impact transportation. It provides a framework for effective decisionmaking, resulting in the efficient investment of limited funds.

How does transportation planning relate to other planning?

Transportation planning is an element of comprehensive planning. All planning is interrelated. Transportation planning considers land use, social, economic development, public safety, environment, recreation, tourism, public health, schools, etc.

Transportation planning considers the various modes of transportation such as highways, rail, air, water, transit, and the connections between the modes.

Financial planning is a major aspect of transportation planning. It is done with an understanding that there are limited funds available for investment in transportation facilities.

Air quality planning is linked with transportation planning. Transportation has been identified as a major contributor to the deterioration of air quality and the impact of planned transportation investments on air quality. This is an important part of the transportation planning process.

Whom do we work with in the transportation planning process?

A major thrust in transportation planning is toward cooperative planning. At times this will be between Indian Tribal Governments and the BIA; however, Indian Tribal Governments and the BIA may need to work with other governments and organizations such as State Transportation Agencies, MPOs, RPOs, FHWA, local governments, etc., on transportation planning issues both on and off Indian lands.

The transportation planning process provides an opportunity to participate for all those interested in transportation planning and investment. Through their involvement, they can have input in decisionmaking. All resources and interests of these partners can be brought to the table.

The planning process is not the decisionmaking process. It provides the framework within which informed decisionmaking is achieved by those elected or identified to make decisions on transportation investment.

See chapter 3 for more information on planning coordination and chapter 7 for more information on the roles of the various participants in the planning process.

What opportunities are available for public involvement in transportation planning?

A variety of opportunities are provided for the general public to be involved in the planning process. These include participation in special public meetings and hearings, and participation in planning process meetings.

A variety of methods are used to inform the public of their opportunity for involvement in transportation planning. These include newsletters, news releases/notices, public service announcements, and Internet home pages.

What laws, rules, regulations, and procedures guide transportation planning?

There are Federal, tribal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, and procedures which guide transportation planning. At the Federal level, these include the following:

23 U.S.C. 134	Metropolitan Planning
23 U.S.C. 135	Statewide Planning
23 U.S.C. 202	Allocations
23 U.S.C. 204	Federal Lands Highways Program
23 U.S.C. 307	Research and planning
25 U.S.C. 450	Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act [P.L. 93-638 as amended)
23 CFR 450	Statewide and Metropolitan Planning Rule
23 CFR 771	Environment
25 CFR 170	Construction and Maintenance of Roads
25 CFR 900	Contracts Under The Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act
25 CFR 1000	(Pending Title IV regulations)
BIA-FHWA Memorandum of Agreement
BIA Area Certification Acceptance Plan
IRR Program Stewardship Plan

Tribal, State, and local, laws, rules, regulations and procedures vary with the area of the country. The relationship between the various parties should be on a government-to-government basis.

How are transportation planning activities funded?

A variety of Federal funds can be accessed by Indian Tribal Governments to help fund transportation planning activities. These include the IRR transportation planning and program funds, Public Lands Highways Discretionary funds, funds from MPOs, and State Planning and Research funds. The MPO and State planning funds come from the Federal Transit Administration and FHWA and are administered through the State via planning work programs. In addition to Federal funds, State and local (as well as private) funds can be used for tribal transportation planning. (See chapter 2 for more information on planning funds.)

How are transportation planning products created and used?

The primary products of the transportation planning process are the short-range TIP and the Long-Range Transportation Plan. The projects included in the TIP are those which advance to implementation. (See chapters 5 and 6 for more information on the long-range plan and TIP.)

The Long-Range Transportation Plans are developed by compiling ideas for improving the transportation system based upon information collected and analyzed during the planning process. The TIPs are the implementing documents which include projects consistent with the Long-Range Transportation Plan.

The decisionmakers use information from the planning process when making transportation investment decisions by: (1) adopting the Long-Range Transportation Plan, (2) adopting programs of projects over the next 3-5 years, and (3) scheduling projects for implementation.

Last updated August 26, 1999