1 Regional VMT Mitigation Program
2 History Of This Effort2021 Executive Committee authorized WRCOG Staff to being work on a VMT Mitigation ProgramSince 2022, we have been working collaboratively with RCTC, RTA, and RCA to develop a Regional VMT Mitigation Program15 Meetings with WRCOG Agencies during the process2 Executive Committee Meetings2 Technical Advisory Committee Meetings6 Public Works Committee5 Planning Directors Committee2 VMT specific workshops for member agencies Developed a Final Program Manual that enables implementation of a Regional VMT Mitigation Program 3 Why Are We Doing This?SB 743 requires transportation and development projects to analyze and mitigate VMT impactsAny project which requires the preparation of a CEQA document (EIR, Negative Declaration, etc.) must address this issueDifficult for an individual project to mitigate VMT as transportation is a regional issueA regional VMT program will ensure that these projects can progress State of California has concluded that any capacity enhancing transportation improvement automatically generates a VMT impact that needs to be mitigatedNew roads/roadway wideningNew/upgraded interchanges4 Key Elements of the VMT Mitigation Program Voluntary program, not mandatory like impact fee programsProgram is an Exchange, not a bank or a feeWRCOG is the Program AdministratorAgencies would identify potential VMT reduction items (credit generating items)Agencies or private developers who have CEQA VMT impacts will purchase these items from the ProgramWRCOG collects an administrative fee (4%) on the transaction to support the ProgramRemainder of the funding collected goes back to the agency implementing the credit-generating itemFormal Program Manual and agreements 5 Regional Program: Mitigation Exchange
6 Regional Program: Mitigation Exchange
Credit Generator: A public agency that implements a project or program that produces a VMT reduction credit. Credit generators will enter into a Participation Agreement with the Program Administrator. This agreement enables public agencies to submit credit-generating items to the Program that are eligible to receive funding through the Program.
Credit-generating Item: A specific project or program that has produced or may produce a credit.
Credit User: Land development or transportation project administrator that needs VMT reduction credits for CEQA mitigation. Can be a project applicant or lead agency.
VMT Impact: The generation of VMT above the applicable threshold of significance by a project, which may require a Credit User to seek a mitigating credit(s). 7 Regional Program: Mitigation ExchangeMany projects screen from VMT assessmentAvailable VMT screening toolsDe minimus criteria for small projects in progressmitigationProjects with significant impacts do not have to use the exchange, they can pursue other mitigation options. This program is optional.On-site or other VMT mitigation options can still be used8 Regional Program: Mitigation ExchangeProjects (lead agency or applicant) that pursue mitigation through the exchange will have options, and can choose which items they want to fund through the exchangeMitigation options will depend on what is submitted to the exchange, and will vary over time, but will likely include a mix of active transportation (bike lanes, sidewalks), transit service, bus shelters, transit passes, funding for affordable housing, and other strategiesPROGRAM IS NOT A FEE OR A BANKCost of credits will not be uniform and will depend on the cost of the credit-generating item chosen for purchase How Does the WRCOG Program Relate to Other VMT Programs?WRCOG Program allows agencies to participate in multiple VMT mitigation programsLimitation is that a proposed VMT mitigation program/project cannot be included in another program and the WRCOG program simultaneouslyWhat Is Not Allowed:City of Temecula is implementing a 1-mile Class II bicycle lane on a major roadwayCity of Temecula enrolls this project in the WRCOG programCity of Temecula separately sells credits based on this same project (overlap)What is Allowed:City of Temecula is implementing a 1-mile Class II bicycle lane on a major roadwayCity enrolls this project in the WRCOG programCity has other bicycle lane projects that it sells credits separately (no overlap)10 How Would the WRCOG Program Interact with Any State Efforts?Parties needing VMT credits can choose to participate in either the WRCOG effort, the proposed Statewide effort, local programs, or develop their own strategiesWRCOG worked with CalCOG and others to ensure that recent legislation does not preclude regional programs from operating even if a Statewide program is availableEach party that needs VMT credits will have the flexibility to find the solution that works best for themThe WRCOG Program is deliberately designed to offer options to those needing credits and provide those credits in a cost-effective manner 11 Why Have WRCOG Administer the Program?WRCOG Partner agencies (RTA, RCTC, and RCA) have asked us toWRCOG has an extensive TUMF fee collection online systems that could easily be adapted to implement the VMT Mitigation ProgramWRCOG has direct contacts with agencies implementing transportation projects (TUMF)WRCOG has contacts with private developers who will need VMT credits through TUMFRequires knowledge of land use, transportation, affordable housing, transit, and program administration, which WRCOG has12 Submitting Credit-Generating Items
13 Purchasing Credits from the Exchange
14 Purchasing Credits from the Exchange
15 Q&AQuestions? We are here to helpVisit https://wrcog.us/356/VMT-Mitigation-Programfor more information