WCOG Planning
The Whatcom Council of Governments, in accordance with federal transportation planning requirements imposed by the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), serves as the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). MPOs are compulsory wherever cities reach a population of 50,000. U.S. Federal Highway Administration and the U.S. Federal Transit Administration publish planning guidelines aligned with stated transportation planning factors.
Upon codification of the 1990 Washington State Growth Management Act, Regional Transportation Planning Organizations (RTPO) were created, defined and required to meet certain transportation planning benchmarks which include the preparation of a Regional Transportation Plan. WCOG is the RTPO for Whatcom County.
Since Metropolitan and Regional plan requirements share common elements, WCOG has combined these plans into one document, the Whatcom Transportation Plan.
MPO and RTPO Policy Boards include elected officials from local jurisdictions. WCOG has combined both boards into the Whatcom Transportation Policy Board (WTPB).
The Transportation Technical Advisory Committee (TTAC) includes representatives from the County, its cities, tribes, and the Washington State Department of Transportation, and meets to ensure commonality between the plans and coordination with their own jurisdictional planning goals.
The WTPB makes decisions on transportation issues including the allocation of funding, and plan-related policy issues. WTPB members also request WCOG staff to complete related research or other projects.
The Citizens Transportation Advisory Group (CTAG) provides local, citizen-based feedback to the above boards and also helps shape long-term visions for the region's transportation needs.
More information about all of these different planning functions are available in this section of the WCOG website. Fore more details, contact Gordon Rogers, Deputy Director, at (360) 676-6974.