RuralTransportation.org

Resource Library
Nevada

The Rural Context For Transportation Consultations

Nevada is the 7th largest in the U.S. in land area, 16th smallest in population, and 8th least densely populated. Approximately 25 percent of Nevada's population and jobs, and just under 100 percent of the land, is non-urban. About 90 percent of Nevada's roads are rural. Federally owned lands amount to just under 83 percent of the state's land area.

Nevada is a rapidly growing 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 small to moderate (4 and 9 percent, respectively). Most jobs in Nevada's rural areas are in sectors also common in urban areas: construction, transportation & utilities (16 percent); manufacturing (8 percent); business & trade (22 percent); and services & government (43 percent).

Demographically, Nevada's non-urban population is predominately white (91 percent). Compared to the other states, the proportion of Nevada's non-urban adult population who did not graduate from high school is in the bottom quarter (13th lowest) while the proportion who did graduate from college is in the top quarter (12th highest). The nine percent of Nevada's non-urban population who are poor is 9th lowest compared to other states. About 39 percent of the state's non-urban population is in non-working age groups (28 percent 18 years or younger, and 11 percent 65 years or older).

Governmentally, Nevada has 16 counties, a fairly manageable number compared to many other states. The state also has 19 municipalities, but no towns or townships. This is the second lowest number of sub-county governments among all states. However, Nevada also has 20 federally recognized Indian tribes.

In addition, the 1997 U.S. Census of Governments has identified 11 independent, special-purpose governments in Nevada that have transportation responsibilities. This number is lower than in many other states. These special-purpose governments include 9 for highways, one for airports, and one for transit. Nevada also has one public transit providers serving rural areas and an additional 49 that provide specialized transit services to elderly and disabled populations in those same areas.

Nevada has 2 regional councils that cover approximately 10 percent of the state, and 3 MPOs. These regional units help to coordinate the other local governments.

Of Nevada's 45,657 miles of roads, approximately 12 percent are state-controlled, while 30 percent are federal. Of the total miles of non-federal rural roads, 18 percent are state, 80 percent are county, less than one percent are township, and 2 percent are municipal and other.

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

The Nevada Department of Transportation's (NDOT) consultation process covers all modes of transportation-highway, transit, air, rail, and alternative modes. Consultation with affected entities and property owners continues through the design and construction of needed projects. Under state law, NDOT must develop balanced transportation plans consistent with the social, economic, and environmental goals of the state.

Prior to drafting the Statewide Long Range Multimodal Transportation Plan, NDOT meets with local entities to discuss needs and issues. Rural officials are requested to identify local transportation needs and issues. The MPOs incorporate rural/developing areas in their technical advisory and citizens advisory committees. Rural entities are also represented on MPO boards of directors. NDOT maintains an open dialogue with local officials concerning local transportation needs, planning and implementing projects and programs, and resolving local transportation issues. NDOT also works with local entities to conduct local transportation studies which lead to locally adopted transportation plans for highway, transit and non-motorized modes.

The locally adopted plans are used as input to the Statewide Plan, the NDOT annual work program, and the STIP. NDOT considers these locally identified needs, along with those identified by NDOT staff, for inclusion in the draft annual work program and STIP. NDOT staff conduct a "county tour" to present to each county the local portion of the STIP to obtain local input and support. The annual work program is the first year of the 3-year STIP. The STIP is part of the 10-year short-term plan, which is part of the 20-year long-range plan.

Several statewide committees advise NDOT: The Statewide Transportation Technical Advisory Committee; the Statewide Aviation Advisory Committee; the Nevada Bicycle Advisory Board; and the Transit Advisory Committee. Local communities are represented on these committees. Indian Tribal Governments are represented by the Intertribal Council of Nevada on the Technical Advisory Committee and the Transit Advisory Committee. Individual tribes also participate in the "county tour" process. NDOT works with the State Lands Division and with public and private entities as economic issues arise, often on a project-by-project basis. Federal land management agencies are represented on MPO transportation advisory committees and on the Statewide Transportation Technical Advisory Committee. NDOT works with the Bureau of Land Management, the US Forest Service, the Bureau of Reclamation, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the National Park Service in providing for transportation needs in areas under their jurisdiction.

NDOT's Planning Process Public Participation Plan (dated August 1994) requires the Statewide Transportation Technical Advisory Committee to hold formal public hearings for the draft and final versions of the Statewide Long Range Multimodal Transportation Plan and the STIP. Public hearings consist of a series of public meetings conducted in each county. Notice of the meetings is published through libraries and in newspapers. Additionally, the plan requires that each incorporated city and Indian Tribe as well as elected community officials within each county be notified and given an opportunity to participate. NDOT must prepare a written summary of the disposition of any and all significant comments.

Rural transportation is supported by federal, state, and local funds. State gas taxes and some property taxes are allotted to counties and other local entities by formula, based on population, lane miles and other factors, for maintenance; other funds are administered by NDOT on a project-by-project basis. County motor fuel taxes include optional taxes imposed and administered by local transportation commissions. Public transit is funded with federal and state funds. Federal transit funds are distributed based on a set-aside and population; state funds are distributed based on road miles after the cities receive 20 percent.

Nevada uses these practices:

State Consultation Tours: NDOT conducts the "county tour" to take the draft STIP to each county.
State Processes to Compile Transportation Needs: Before the county tours, NDOT asks for input and does local transportation studies; local transportation plans are developed.
State Policy-Making and Advisory Bodies: Several advisory committees exist, including the Statewide Transportation Technical Advisory Committee and the Transit Advisory Committee
State Hearings: Public meetings are held on the draft and final long-range plan and STIP.
Other Practices: NDOT maintains an open dialogue with local governments.

Return to the top

National Association of Development Organizations Research Foundation
400 North Capitol St., NW, Suite 390, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 624-7806 • Fax (202) 624-8813 •info@nado.org
www.nado.org