NARC held the first of a series of workshops on integrating air quality and transportation planning in Omaha, Nebraska, on June 2, 2001. This workshop examined the concept of “conformity” and the federal, state and local role in achieving conformity.

The goal of the workshop was to provide, from the perspectives of both air quality and transportation planning, state and local agencies basic information, best practices, and other resources necessary to understand and achieve conformity. In addition, with the growing number of lawsuits surrounding conformity issues and an anticipated Supreme Court ruling on the issue of conformity at the time of this workshop, several presenters discussed the regional mobility ramifications of these legal rulings.

Presentations:

Tom Helms, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Diane Franks, Maryland Department of Environmental Equality

Lindy Bauer, Maricopa Association of Governments

Daniel Wheeler, Federal Highway Administration

Paul Silva, Rhode Island Department of Transportation

Lilly Wells, Houston-Galveston Area Council

Michael Morris, North Central Texas Council of Governments

Contact: Erika Young, Transportation Director, 202.986.1032 Ext: 212