Kern Council of Governments 2026 Regional Transportation Plan

Kern Council of Governments 2026 Regional Transportation Plan

Pursuant to the federal FAST ACT authorization, Kern COG must prepare and update a transportation plan for its metropolitan planning area every four years to ensure that the plan adequately addresses future travel needs and is consistent with the federal Clean Air Act. Kern COG’s last RTP/SCS is currently pending CARB approval. The 2026 RTP is the culmination of a multi-year effort with the intent to improve the balance between land use and transportation systems. Kern COG is required by federal law to develop an RTP that determines the needs of the transportation system and prioritizes proposed transportation projects. The RTP is also necessary to obtain and allocate federal funding for regional transportation projects. Kern COG does not implement individual projects in the RTP; these projects will be implemented by local jurisdictions and other agencies. FAST ACT modifies existing state and MPO transportation planning processes and requires discussion of the types of potential environmental mitigation activities. Consultation activities are a part of the 2026 RTP and Program EIR development processes.

Arvin, Bakersfield, California City, Delano, Maricopa, McFarland, Ridgecrest, Shafter, Taft, Tehachapi, Wasco

Kern

Countywide

California Air Resources Board (ARB), California Department of Conservation (DOC), California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Central Region 4 (CDFW), California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Habitat Conservation Planning (CDFW), California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), California Department of Justice, Attorney General's Office, California Department of Parks and Recreation, California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), California Department of Transportation, District 6 (DOT), California Department of Transportation, District 9 (DOT), California Department of Transportation, Division of Aeronautics (DOT), California Department of Transportation, Division of Transportation Planning (DOT), California Department of Water Resources (DWR), California Fish and Game Commission (CDFGC), California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES), California Highway Patrol (CHP), California Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC), California Natural Resources Agency, California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD), California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Central Valley Fresno Region 5 (RWQCB), California State Lands Commission (SLC), California Transportation Commission (CATC), Central Valley Flood Protection Board, Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), Office of Historic Preservation, Sierra Nevada Conservancy, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water, District 5, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water, District 6, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Water Quality, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Water Rights, State Water Resources Control Board, Divison of Financial Assistance, University of California Natural Reserve System (UCNRS)

Transportation:Other (Regional Transportation Plan)

Regional Transportation Plan

Air Quality, Cumulative Effects, Economics/Jobs, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Growth Inducement, Land Use/Planning, Mandatory Findings of Significance, Population/Housing, Public Services, Transportation