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Serving Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, and Howard Counties and the Cities of Annapolis and Baltimore. | | | | | | | | Thank you for subscribing to B'More Involved! B'More Involved is designed to provide you with helpful information on transportation planning, opportunities for public involvement, and environmental justice. This important information, e-mailed out on a regular basis and now posted on Facebook and Twitter, is a great way for you to learn more, stay up-to-date on important events and news, and, of course, let you know how you can B'More Involved!
In this issue: -
BRTB Seeks Members For Citizens Advisory Committee -
Plan It 2035: Draft Goals Open for Review -
Have Your Say: Open for Review Through September 14 -
Imagine 2060 Photo Contest - Entries Due September 30 -
B'more Involved: Here's How! -
| | Stay up-to-date with current news and events by joining B'more Involved on Facebook and Twitter! |
| | BRTB SEEKS MEMBERS FOR CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEES | | Share Your Ideas. Help Others Be Heard. Make A Difference.  The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board is currently seeking members for their Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC).
The CAC is a diverse group of citizens, representatives of community organizations, and industry professionals that promote public engagement and provide independent, region-oriented advice regarding regional transportation planning and related issues. Why serve on the CAC? Transportation in our region should reflect how transportation impacts you, your neighbor, and everyone else in the region. This can only be done if you get involved, learn how transportation planning works and voice your opinion. Volunteering to serve on the CAC is a great way to directly provide input to decision makers. Additional benefits include: -
Helping your community or your organization get their voice heard -
Getting information and discussing important planning issues directly with staff and BRTB members -
Sharing new ideas or providing input that can impact regional planning
New members will be appointed for 3-year terms, starting in January 2011. Shorter terms may also be available. Meetings of the CAC are generally held on the 1st Wednesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. in Baltimore City. In addition, the CAC has 3 standing subcommittees, which meet at various locations or by telephone/e-mail. The total volunteer commitment is approximately 2-5 hours per month. Applications will be accepted until September 10, 2010. |
| PLAN IT 2035: DRAFT GOALS OPEN FOR REVIEW | | BRTB Seeks Comments on Goals for Next Long-Range Transportation Plan | 
The BRTB is currently seeking public comments on the proposed goals for Plan It 2035 - the next long-range transportation plan for the Baltimore region. Three years have passed since the latest plan was approved. Therefore, it's time for us to take another look at the region's transportation systems and the challenges facing our region, now and over the next twenty-five years. The BRTB will also consider how to best allocate funding to meet the region's transportation needs and challenges. One of the first steps the BRTB is taking in this process is to develop goals for Plan It 2035. Now Open for Public Review - Public Meeting Tuesday, August 31st The public is invited to review and comment on the proposed goals for Plan It 2035. All comments must be submitted in writing by Tuesday, September 14, 2010. A public meeting on the draft Goals will be held on Tuesday, August 31, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at BMC (2700 Lighthouse Point East, Suite 310, Baltimore, MD 21224). >> View the draft goals for Plan It 2035 or submit a comment | |
| HAVE YOUR SAY! OPEN FOR REVIEW THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14 | | BRTB Seeks Comments on Funding for two Baltimore City Projects and Plan for Seniors, disabled, and low-income residents |  In addition to the comment period for Plan It 2035, the BRTB also has two other open comment periods, which are scheduled to run through Tuesday, September 14. A public meeting for both of these comment periods will be held on Tuesday, August 31, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the BMC offices (2700 Lighthouse Point East, Suite 310, Baltimore, MD 21224). Amendments to FY 2011-2014 Transportation Improvement Program Baltimore City has submitted proposals for $2.7 million in projects and plans to improve transportation in Baltimore City. The first project is the Kent Street Transit Plaza and Pedestrian Corridor Project, designed to expand bus ridership and safe access to the existing light rail system and strengthen the economically distressed community through the Westport Waterfront Project. The second is the Transit Vehicle Purchases Project to obtain hybrid-electric transit vehicles for use in the Charm City Circulator, extending service to the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine. Both of these projects have been submitted as recommended amendments to the 2011-2014 Transportation Improvement Program and the BRTB would like to know what you think. >> Learn more about these projects  Update to Human Services Coordinated Transportation Plan
Comments are being sought on a Draft Update to the Baltimore Area Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan. The purpose of this plan is to: (1) identify the transportation needs of individuals with disabilities, older adults, and people with low incomes; (2) provide strategies for meeting those local needs; and (3) prioritize transportation services for funding and implementation. >> View the draft updated plan | |
| IMAGINE 2060 PHOTO CONTEST - ENTRIES DUE SEPTEMBER 30 | | Pull out your cameras and capture what you value most about our region |  The BRTB would like to encourage area residents to pull out their cameras and capture images of what they value about our region. Photo entries will be accepted during the months of August and September 2010 in the following categories: -
Transportation (pedestrians, bikes, buses, cars, boats, trains, planes, etc.) -
Community (walkable & vibrant places, neighborhoods, town centers, rural/small towns, people, places, art, culture, food) -
Natural Environment (bay, lakes, rivers, preserves, parks, sky, wildlife) -
Prosperity (plazas, port, buildings, retail, employment centers, small businesses, neighborhoods, boulevards, agriculture)
Submissions to the imagine 2060 photo contest may be showcased on the imagine 2060 web site and in BRTB publications.  Imagine 2060 is an initiative sponsored by the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board and the Baltimore Metropolitan Council. Through imagine 2060, residents and organizations throughout the Baltimore region have shared their ideas on the future of transportation in the region. www.imagine2060.com |
| B'MORE INVOLVED: HERE'S HOW! | | Check out these great ways to B'more Involved in August and September! | Master Plan 2020 - Draft available; Public hearings on September 2, October 18  After receiving preliminary input from a Citizens Advisory Group and at four public input meetings, Baltimore County has released the draft Master Plan 2020 for public review. The goals of the plan are protecting the environment, preserving agriculture, and ensuring safe and attractive places to live and work. Public hearings are scheduled before the Planning Board on Thursday, September 2, and at the County Council on Monday, October 18. In addition, the Baltimore County Office of Planning invites members of the public to provide written comments (find out how to submit comments by using the link below).
www.baltimorecountymd.gov/Agencies/planning/masterplanning
 Baltimore City Bike Count - September 7 to 10
Is Baltimore becoming more bike friendly? Are there more people riding this year? There's only one way to find out: Count those bikes! Volunteers are needed September 7 through 10 from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. at four locations throughout the city.
Register to volunteer for the Baltimore City Bike Count
 Activate Your Inner Citizen University - Saturday, September 11
Citizens Planning and Housing Association's next Activate Your Inner Citizen event will be held on Saturday, September 11! Workshops will include: Effective Outreach, Grant Writing, Youth Leadership and more! The event will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Morgan State University. Registration is free; breakfast and lunch will be provided for registrants. More details to come. For more information, call 410-539-1369 x102. Register online using link below.
www.cphabaltimore.org Plan EJ 2014 - Comments welcome through October 1
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released Plan EJ 2014 for public review and comment. The purpose of the plan is to provide roadmap to help the U.S. EPA integrate environmental justice into all of their programs. The goals of Plan EJ 2014 are to: (1) Protect health in communities over-burdened by pollution; (2) Empower communities to take action to improve their health and environment; and (3) Establish
partnerships with local, state, tribal and federal organizations to achieve healthy and sustainable communities. Comments are due October 1.
www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/resources/policy/plan-ej-2014.html  Tour du Port - Sunday, October 3
Join thousands of riders at Baltimore's Canton Waterfront Park to kick off the 17th Annual Tour du Port! Routes to ride: 12, 26, 40, 50 (half century route) and 62 mile option. The Tour routes travel through many historic neighborhoods, waterfront areas and scenic parks. This fully supported Tour includes refreshments at rest stops, map, Support and Gear (SAG) assistance and a post-ride celebration at the Tour's end with lunch supplied by Whole Foods and live music! Tour du Port is One Less Car's (OLC) annual fundraiser - all fees go directly to advancing the programs and advocacy efforts of OLC, a non-profit organization dedicated to walking, bicycling and mass transit alternatives. www.onelesscar.org |
|  | Monica Haines Benkhedda
Public Involvement Coordinator
410-732-0500 x1047 mhaines@baltometro.org | | |   
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