Environmental Justice and Civil Rights

CAMPO is committed to encouraging fair and meaningful participation by all communities and individuals in the CAMPO region and ensuring that the impacts of CAMPO programs and activities are distributed equitability throughout the region. There are several types of Federal guidance, which enforce nondiscrimination practices within Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs). Individuals and/or classes of people are protected against certain types of discrimination under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Information concerning Title VI protections is provided under the section called Civil Rights & Title VI.

Environmental Justice

Environmental Justice (EJ) is an Executive Order (E.O. 12898) that applies to Federal agencies, including MPOs. The central objective of the order is to ensure that federally funded programs, policies, or activities, including those related to transportation, that have the potential to adversely or negatively affect human health or the environment explicitly consider the effects on minority populations and low-income populations. DOT regulations state that "In determining the site or location of facilities, a recipient or applicant may not make selections with the purpose or effect of excluding persons from, denying them the benefits of, or subjecting them to discrimination under any program to which this regulation applies on the grounds of race, color, or national origin. (49CFR21.5(b)(3)) In May 2012, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) issued DOT Order 5610.2(a) which reaffirmed the importance of considering environmental justice principles, in programs, policies, and activities.

CAMPO EJ Areas Map

The CAMPO EJ areas map shows census tracts where 50 percent or more of the population is minority or low-income. The map is used to identify situations where additional analysis is needed before a proposed transportation project, such as a new regional highway, can be developed. The CAMPO EJ areas are updated with each long range planning process.

CAMPO Regional Toll Analysis

In accordance with Federal Highways Administration and Texas Department of Transportation guidance, CAMPO periodically completes a regional toll road analysis as the toll road network is developed. A key consideration of regional toll road analyses is uncovering potential impacts on EJ populations.

Civil Rights & Title VI

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI) is a Federal law passed by Congress that prohibits recipients of Federal financial assistance, such as MPOs, from discriminating on the basis of race, color, or national origin in their programs or activities. CAMPO is committed to providing equitable services in the full range of MPO activities, including public involvement. This means: analyzing and identifying disproportionately high and adverse human health and environmental effects including social and economic effects on minority populations; ensuring full and fair participation by all potentially affected communities in the transportation decision making process; and preventing the denial of, reduction in, or significant delay in the receipt of benefits by minority populations. Any person who believes
they have been subjected to a type of discrimination prohibited under Title VI may file a complaint in accordance with the CAMPO External Discrimination Complaint Process.

Limited English Proficiency (LEP) refers to a person’s inability to speak, read, or understand English due to their national origin. Discrimination on the basis of a person’s inability to speak, read, or understand English is a type of national origin discrimination and is prohibited under Title VI. Any person who believes they have been discriminated against because of their inability to read, speak, or understand English may file a complaint in accordance with the CAMPO External Discrimination Complaint Process.

How to file a Title VI Complaint

As a recipient of federal funds, CAMPO must comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C 2000d, et seq and Executive Order 13166. Individuals or groups, who have experienced discrimination on the basis of national origin, including the inability to speak or understand English, may file a complaint. Further details are provided in the CAMPO LEP Plan and Title VI Complaint Process guidance document. If you have suggestions, questions, or comments regarding language services or Title VI LEP complaints, please contact a CAMPO staff member or email campo@campotexas.org.

Como destinatario de fondos federales, CAMPO debe cumplir con el Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964, el Título 42 del Código de los Estados Unidos 2000d y subsiguientes, y el Decreto 13166. Los individuos o los grupos que hayan sufrido discriminación a causa de su origen nacional, incluida la incapacidad de hablar o entender el idioma inglés, podrán presentar una denuncia. Se ofrecen mayores detalles en el documento de orientación del Proceso de Denuncias del Título VI y el Plan LEP de CAMPO.
Si tiene alguna sugerencia, pregunta o comentario sobre los servicios en idioma inglés o las denuncias del LEP asociadas con el Título VI, contáctese con un miembro del personal de CAMPO o envíe un correo electrónico a campo@campotexas.org.