2. MetroCOG bike/pedestrian plan

'1, ::' Technically sound projects are those improvements identified by the Metro Trails Committee which were intended to resolve major conflicts and/or provide necessary links to major trip generators. 2. Environmental Sensitivit}' Environmental sensitivity was evaluated based on known environmental issues in the area, which had the potential to be impacted, such as cultural issues, wetlands, archaeological siles; impacts to trees and historical significance. The projects that are recognized to have impacts require more detailed evaluation during the project concept report or other reports that analyze the project at a greater-level of detail prior to engineering and design activities. Three special environmental factors analyzed during the screening process were: Environmental Justice: Metro COG used data from the 2000 census to create a map (refer to Appendix A.II) noting areas with 250;;1 or more of the population with incomes less than 125% of poverty level. and with 25% or more of the population of a minority race, Metro COG staff compared future recommended bicycle and pedestrian facilities to this map and identified the projects, as shown in Tables 5.6 10 5.19, which may need 10 be examined in more detail based on this information. lVetlalld.\': Metro COG also produced a map of known wetlands (Appendix A.ll) using information from the National \Vetland Database Inventory. Projects which were seen to have a potential effect of \\:etlands were noted, and may need further examination during the project development phase. HistoriclIl site,\'; Numerous historical sites exist within the metropolitan area as shown on the Historical Sile Map in Appendix A. J I. Most of these recognized areas are located near the Red River Corridor and in the downtown areas in the cities of Fargo and Moorhead. Projects which potentially affect these sites may need further examination during the project development phase. 3. Financial Feasibility To delermine if a project was financially feasible, an assessment of existing financial conditions was perfomled. This involved meeting with local jurisdictions 10 detemline existing and anticipated funding sources thai could "reasonably be expected" to be available for implementing proposed improvements to the bicycle and pedestrian system. All short range projects were required to be financially constrained. Projects without an identified funding source were recommended for the Plan's long range element. 4, Social Acceptability Social acceptabilily was detemlined by local elected ofticials based on their review of public input. Public input opportunities were made available at times throughout the development of the Plan, including the local review of the Draft document. After receipt and consideration of public comments on the Public Comments 011 the draft plan, the final Metropolitan Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan was prepared and presented for adoption by all local jurisdictions and the COG Policy Board. This step completed the planning process, and authorized the local implementation of the plan. FM METROPOLlTANSICYC&AN.:I'PEIJESTRIA.N PLAN 2005 '" g;, ' IgFllrgo~Moorhead MetropolitanCouncn;ofG()ver!l~ents.1 ,..' ,. 13- . . "", ..... " ",