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Nebraska

The Rural Context For Transportation Consultations

Nebraska is the 15th largest state in the U.S. in land area, 14th smallest in population, and 9th least densely populated. Approximately 60 percent of Nebraska'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 are not a major factor; they amount to less than one and a half percent of the state's land area.

Nebraska is a slowly growing state, as measured by population, with a declining rate of employment. The portion of the state's jobs in the uniquely rural agriculture sector is moderate and in the mining sector it is small (14 and less than one percent, respectively). Most jobs in Nebraska's rural areas are in sectors also common in urban areas: construction, transportation & utilities (13 percent); manufacturing (13 percent); business & trade (27 percent); and services & government (33 percent).

Demographically, Nebraska's non-urban population is predominately white (98 percent). Compared to the other states, the proportion of Nebraska's non-urban adults who did not graduate from high school is relatively low (15th lowest) and the proportion that did graduate from college is about in the middle (22nd lowest). The 11 percent of Nebraska's non-urban population who are poor is somewhat less than many other states. About 46 percent of the state's non-urban population is in non-working age groups (29 percent 18 years or younger, and 16 percent 65 years or older).

Governmentally, Nebraska has 93 counties, a fairly large number compared to many other states. The state also has 535 municipalities and 455 towns or townships for a total of 990 sub-county divisions. This is the 14th highest number of sub-county governments among all states. Nebraska also has six federally recognized Indian tribes.

In addition, the 1997 U.S. Census of Governments has identified 74 independent, special-purpose governments in Nebraska that have transportation responsibilities. This number is higher than in most other states. These special-purpose governments include 13 for highways, 60 for airports, and one for transit. Nebraska also has 62 other public transit providers serving rural areas and an additional 25 organizations that provide specialized transit services to elderly and disabled populations in those same areas.

Nebraska has 6 regional councils that cover approximately 65 percent of the state, and 2 MPOs. These regional units help to coordinate the large number of other local governments.

Of Nebraska's 92,686 miles of roads, approximately 11 percent are state-controlled, while less than one percent are federal. Of the total miles of non-federal rural roads, 11 percent are state, 69 percent are county, 16 percent are township, and 4 percent are municipal and other.

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

The Nebraska Department of Roads (NDOR) conducts project planning through its eight district offices. Although NDOR is a single-mode agency, the director of NDOR has taken the lead in forming a Transportation Council with an aim of coordinating all transportation planning in Nebraska.

With development of a Long-range (20year) Transportation Plan, NDOR expanded the state highway planning process to include other modes, such as transit and rail. Public participation workshops were held to obtain input. Federal, state, local, public and private agencies/organizations participated in generating a set of issues, goals and priorities for the policy plan, which will be updated as needed. Additionally, NDOR worked with many federal agencies, such as the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Army Corps of Engineers, the National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, as well as tribal officials in developing this plan.

Since 1969, Nebraska law has required the state, each county, and each town to develop a 6-year transportation plan with the first year of projects identified. Those plans, which traditionally focus on highways, roads and streets-but have started to include other modes-make up a one and five year program. The plans are submitted to the State Board of Public Roads, Classification and Standards for acceptance.

The NDOR, along with the Highway Commission, holds annual District Transportation Planning meetings in each of the eight districts. Presented at these meetings are the Nebraska Highway Program, the STIP, and the Long-range Transportation Plan (along with other issues). These meetings are the principal forums in which local elected officials and others can comment on past, present and future NDOR activities, including providing input on projects they would like to see in future programs. County and city officials are among about 2400 individuals invited to attend these meetings. Officials from rural areas, in developing areas of a MPO, are also represented on technical committees and/or executive boards of the MPOs.

The NDOR's Public Participation Process includes many other opportunities for the public, including local elected officials who choose to participate, to have input into planning. Several different kinds of meetings are held, in the capital city and in the areas directly affected by projects, to inform the public about the issues and impacts of projects as early in the life of the projects as possible. These include, for example, Board of Public Roads Classification and Standards Hearings, Nebraska Railway Council Meetings, and Public Information/Open House meetings. Additionally, NDOR staff attend meetings of the Nebraska Association of County Officials to provide information and answer questions.

Rural transportation is funded with federal, state and local funds. A portion of the State motor fuel tax is diverted directly to the city/county road fund for local roadwork. Under state law, after deductions for certain state funds, such as the recreation road fund and the state-aid bridge fund, 46 2/3 percent of the State Highway Trust Fund is directed to cities and counties (23 1/3 percent each). The remainder is directed to the NDOR Highway Cash Fund. Federal funding and state fuel tax revenues are allocated to local jurisdictions by similar formulas, based on road miles, population, agricultural activity and several other factors.

As part of NDOR's quality initiative, the University of Nebraska conducted a telephone survey of over 1800 residents (equally divided among rural and urban). The results showed a high degree of satisfaction with Department performance. Additionally, NDOR conducted a survey of the state legislature to measure their perception of the Department's success in addressing the needs of their constituents. Personal interviews were held with 43 (88 percent) of the state senators in 1998. Among other findings, 98 percent of the legislators indicated the NDOR is responsive to constituent concerns or questions.

Nebraska uses these practices:

State Processes to Compile Transportation Needs: The County/City one and five year plans provide additional input at the local level.
State Hearings: The annual District Transportation Planning meetings to present the STIP and other plans serve this purpose.
State Policy-Making and Advisory Bodies: Nebraska Highway Commission and the State Board of Public Roads, Classification and Standards.
Other Practices: There are a variety of meetings that encourage and facilitate participation by elected officials and transportation customers; NDOR staff attends the NACO meetings.

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