Notice of Public COMMENT PERIOD AND PUBLIC Hearing

The Nashua Regional Planning Commission is accepting public comment on the
Draft 2023 - 2026 Transportation Improvement Program
Draft 2019 – 2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan Minor Update

The NRPC, as the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Nashua Region, is holding a public comment period on the draft 2023-2026 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and draft 2019-2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan Minor Update.  The documents can be viewed by clicking the preceding links.

This process is being conducted in accordance with the Public Involvement Process for Transportation Planning (PIP) adopted by the Nashua MPO for the development of the TIP and MTP; the PIP meets Federal and State requirements and satisfies the FTA’s Program of Projects requirements for public involvement activities and time established for public review and comment.

On July 20, 2013, all of New Hampshire became unclassifiable/attainment for the 2008 8-Hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS).  On April 6, 2015, the 1997 8-Hour Ozone NAAQS was revoked for all purposes, including transportation conformity, thus preventing the Boston-Manchester-Portsmouth (SE) NH area from having to demonstrate transportation conformity of transportation plans. 

Due to a decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, as of February 16, 2019, transportation conformity for the 1997 ozone NAAQS will again apply in the Boston-Manchester-Portsmouth (SE) NH “Orphan Area” (South Coast Air Quality Management District v. EPA).  Therefore, NRPC will be required to demonstrate conformity for the 1997 ozone NAAQS for any plans approved after February 16, 2019. 

In addition, on March 10, 2014, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved a limited maintenance plan to address Carbon Monoxide (CO) for the City of Nashua satisfying the need for future regional CO emission analyses.  Also, all other transportation conformity requirements under 40 CFR 93.109(b) continue to apply, including project level conformity determinations based on carbon monoxide hot spot analyses under 40 CFR 93.116.  The Metropolitan Transportation Plan and Transportation Improvement Plan meet all applicable conformity requirements under the conformity rule. The 20-year maintenance period for the Nashua and Manchester CO maintenance areas expired on January 29, 2021. The Nashua MPO is therefore no longer required to demonstrate transportation conformity for the CO maintenance area.

A thirty-day public comment period for these documents begins on January 13, 2023 and runs through February 14, 2023.  Written comments may be submitted through Tuesday, February 14, 2023, via email to mattw@nashuarpc.org or via US mail to: Matt Waitkins, NRPC, 30 Temple Street, Suite 301, Nashua, NH 03060.

A Public Hearing will be held on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, at 7:00 PM at the Nashua Regional Planning Commission, located at 30 Temple Street, Suite 310, Nashua. The public hearing also can be attended via Zoom at the following link: https://nashuarpc.zoom.us/j/85101026233 Or join by telephone by dialing: (929) 205-6099

Following the public hearing, the Nashua MPO will consider adoption of the proposed FY 2023-2026 Transportation Improvement Program and FY 2019-2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan Minor Update.

Note:  Nashua Transit System, which is the FTA Section 5307(c) applicant, has consulted with the MPO and concurs that the public involvement process adopted by the MPO for the development of the TIP satisfies the public hearing requirements that pertain to the development of the Program of Projects for regular Section 5307, Urbanized Area Formula Program, grant applications, including the provision for public notice and the time established for public review and comment.