Training and Workshops

Linking Transportation and Conservation Planning Workshop
November 13 & 14, 2007
Summary Report prepared for Federal Highway Administration and North Central Texas Council of Governments

Items for Follow-up

Introduction
Results from Day One
    Key Points
    Breakout Groups
Results from Day Two
    Key Points
    Breakout Groups
Items for Follow-up
Appendix A
Appendix B

The items below are actions that in the short term would help keep the integrated planning effort moving forward. These items are based on the above summary. As a first step, each item below needs a lead identified to help implement the action.

1. Process Steps
   • Identify appropriate structure (committee or agency) to lead and continue this integrated planning effort in the future ("umbrella effort").
   • It was identified that TERS effort needs to be reinvigorated and include more stakeholders including transportation planners.
   • Identify and engage additional agencies that have not been involved in these dialogs so far including local and county representatives.
   • Establish follow-up monthly or quarterly meetings to continue the momentum established at this workshop. These meetings should include both policy and technical representatives. May need technical team to provide input into overarching integrated planning team. Hold an annual summit or forum of all the involved agencies.
   • Inventory current planning efforts across the region and state, and relationships between each initiative. Include in the inventory goals and objectives from the various plans and programs.
   • Meet with agencies to identify how the transportation planning processes mapped out by NCTCOG and TxDOT at the workshop might be modified to interject conservation considerations.
   • Educate and inform the higher levels within the organizations as well as locally elected and appointed officials.
   • Listserv should be developed to connect transportation planning communication.
   • Identify cross training needs/opportunities.
2. Data Steps
   • Consider establishing a coordinating committee to identify and address data needs for all of the partners.
   • Identify and prioritize data needs and gaps including the need for timely data and the sharing of data among interested agencies.
   • Consider using NEPA documents to help decide on data priorities.
   • Determine who will lead coordination of data aggregation. Currently there is duplication of effort in aggregating datasets for planning.
   • Integrate data from TWAP into TPWD database to make data usable for integrated planning.
   • TPWD will develop a proposal (short term and long term needs) to fill data gaps to prioritize funding from multiple agencies. Also, they will consider funding a position at TPWD to input data and respond to transportation related requests.
   • Interest in predictive range mapping in combination with field work to assist in filling data gaps.
   • Collaborate with universities to get their help in gathering data including conducting wildlife or other surveys.
   • Consider pooling resources to purchase and organize key data.
3. Conservation Planning Steps
   • Consider and discuss the idea raised by TPWD, TNC, and Vision North about conservation planning approaches that utilize roadsides as corridors.
   • Consider integrating planning activities and objectives of TPWD, TNC, and Vision North to create a single conservation plan that meets the objectives of each organization.

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