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North Dakota

The Rural Context For Transportation Consultations

North Dakota is the 17th largest state in the U.S. in land area, 4th smallest in population, and 4th least densely populated. Approximately 71 percent of North Dakota's population and jobs, and just under 100 percent of the land, is non-urban. About 97 percent of its roads are rural. Federally owned lands amount to 4 percent of the state's land area.

North Dakota is a stable state, as measured by population, with a slowly growing rate of employment. The portion of the state's jobs in the uniquely rural agriculture and mining sectors is moderate to small (17 and 2 percent, respectively). Most jobs in North Dakota's rural areas are in sectors also common in urban areas: construction, transportation & utilities (12 percent); manufacturing (6 percent); business & trade (26 percent); and services & government (38 percent).

Demographically, North Dakota's non-urban population is predominately white (94 percent). The proportion of North Dakota's non-urban adult population who did not graduate from high school is near the middle, compared to other states, as is the proportion that did graduate from college. The 15 percent of North Dakota's non-urban population who are poor is greater than in most other states. About 46 percent of the state's non-urban population is in non-working age groups (30 percent 18 years or younger, and 16 percent 65 years or older).

Governmentally, North Dakota has 53 counties, a fairly manageable number compared to many other states. The state also has 363 municipalities and 1,341 towns or townships for a total of 1,704 sub-county divisions. This is the 8th highest number of sub-county governments among the states. North Dakota also has five federally recognized Indian tribes.

In addition, the 1997 U.S. Census of Governments has identified 80 independent, special-purpose governments in North Dakota that have transportation (airport) responsibilities. This number is higher than in many other states. North Dakota also has 30 other public transit providers serving rural areas and an additional 11 organizations that provide specialized transit services to elderly and disabled populations in those same areas.

North Dakota has 8 regional councils that cover approximately 100 percent of the state, and 3 MPOs. These regional units help to coordinate the other local governments.

Of North Dakota's 66,648 miles of roads, approximately 11 percent are state-controlled, while just over one percent are federal. Of the total miles of non-federal rural roads, 8 percent are state, 12 percent are county, 77 percent are township, and 3 percent are municipal and other.

Processes For Consultation And Cooperation With Local Officials In Non-Metropolitan Areas

Most rural transportation planning is conducted through the North Dakota Department of Transportation's (NDDOT's) eight districts. The Director of NDDOT reports to the Governor; there is no transportation commission. NDDOT develops a 20-year Statewide Inter-modal Transportation Plan and a 3-year STIP, as well as other mode-specific plans.

The Statewide Inter-modal Transportation Plan was developed in 1995 with the assistance of a consultant. It identifies transportation needs for the next 20 years and sets guidelines for formation of the STIP. Input was sought from MPOs, cities, special interest groups, counties, Tribal councils, and the general public. In addition to internal and external (statewide) advisory committees, the consultative process included public information forums and call-in televison broadcasts in which local officials could participate, as well as meetings with Tribal councils. There also is a Statewide Transportation Advisory Group. The Group's membership includes locally elected officials, Indian tribe representation, state and federal agencies, private sector transportation users and providers, and representatives of various modal interests.

The NDDOT meets periodically with economic development parties to discuss future transportation needs. In 2001, the state will begin developing a strategic planning model to use with their cities and counties for land use, economic development and transportation.

The STIP includes all urban, county, transportation enhancement, and combined railroad crossing projects, as well as projects submitted to FHWA by BIA, the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service. NDDOT holds periodic meetings with Tribal Councils, and also includes federal land management agencies in the consultative process.

Until recently, the NDDOT central office prepared the STIP with input from two NDDOT regions as well as the districts. The district staffs evaluated needs in their area and received input from local elected officials and citizens. Districts developed draft plans, which were combined and prioritized at the NDDOT regional level. NDDOT then developed the draft STIP that was released for public comment.

Recently the state eliminated the two regional offices and is currently reevaluating what type and level of transportation planning and programming will be done at the district level. There is no plan, currently, to develop a strategic planning process for the districts. District staff will still be involved in evaluating needs in their respective areas, will receive input from the public and will develop potential project lists. However, since the regions have been eliminated, input and potential project lists will be submitted directly to the central office for consideration.

Rural elected officials are encouraged to participate in the planning process by contacting NDDOT with needs and recommendations. Rural entities are invited to attend public meetings and provide comments on the long-range plan, the STIP and the MPO plans. The STIP is made available to locally elected officials, Tribal Councils and other rural stakeholders. One of the main goals of the NDDOT Strategic Business Plan was to get closer to the customer, decentralizing and creating regional offices, and empowering regional and district engineers to consult with local stakeholders and decision-makers. Rural areas included in MPOs are invited to attend public meetings and comment on the MPO plan; NDDOT also can represent the needs of rural areas on the MPOs.

Monies from the Federal Highway Trust are split 75/25 between the North Dakota Department of Transportation and local governments. In addition, local funds are raised from a variety of sources, including fuel taxes, license fees and property taxes. Most counties have taxes to fund locally controlled transportation activities. NDDOT administers all federal and state funding. The revenue in the state highway distribution fund is allocated as follows: 63 percent to NDDOT, 23 percent to counties, and 14 percent to cities. NDDOT also administers federal and state transit program funds. Applications for transit funds are reviewed, ranked, and selected by a selection committee.

North Dakota uses these practices:

State Hearings: Although not called hearings, in the process of forming the long-range plan, NDDOT holds "public information forums" in each of the 8 districts. Also there are public meetings about the STIP and MPO plans.
Processes for Interactive Exchanges of Information with Local Officials: In forming the long-range plan, NDDOT met with Tribal Councils and MPOs, and held public information forums.
State Policy-Making and Advisory Bodies: State-wide Transportation Advisory Group.
Other Practices: NDDOT districts and central office have an "open door policy" with regard to access by local officials and others. Also, in the process of forming the long-range plan, six call-in television shows were held to allow public input.

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