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Oklahoma

The Rural Context For Transportation Consultations

Oklahoma is the 19th largest state in the U.S. in land area, 27th largest in population, and 34th most densely populated. Approximately 58 percent of Oklahoma's population and jobs, and 98 percent of the land, is non-urban. About 92 percent of Oklahoma's roads are rural. Federally owned lands amount to less than two percent of the state's land area.

Oklahoma is a slowly growing state, as measured by population, with a quickly growing rate of employment. The portion of the state's jobs that are in the uniquely rural agriculture and mining sectors is fairly small (6 and 4 percent, respectively). Most jobs in Oklahoma's rural areas are in sectors also common in urban areas: construction, transportation & utilities (14 percent); manufacturing (16 percent); business & trade (25 percent); and services & government (36 percent).

Demographically, Oklahoma's non-urban population is predominately white with a significant portion of Native Americans (84 and 11 percent, respectively). Compared to the other states, Oklahoma has the 15th highest proportion of non-urban adults who did not graduate from high school and the 10th lowest proportion who did graduate from college. The 18 percent of Oklahoma's non-urban population who are poor is higher than in most other states. About 44 percent of the state's non-urban population is in non-working age groups (28 percent 18 years or younger, and 15 percent 65 years or older).

Governmentally, Oklahoma has 77 counties, a fairly manageable number compared to many other states. Oklahoma also has 592 municipalities, but no towns or townships. This is the 16th highest number of sub-county governments among the states. Oklahoma also has 36 federally recognized Indian tribes.

In addition, the 1997 U.S. Census of Governments has identified one independent, special-purpose government in Oklahoma that has transportation (water transport) responsibilities. This number is considerably lower than in most other states. Oklahoma also has 16 other public transit providers serving rural areas and an additional 133 organizations that provide specialized transit services to elderly and disabled populations in those same areas.

Oklahoma has 11 regional councils that cover approximately 100 percent of the state, and 3 MPOs. These regional units help to coordinate the large number of other local governments.

Of Oklahoma's 112,432 miles of roads, approximately 12 percent are state-controlled, while less than one percent are federal. Of the total miles of non-federal rural roads, 12 percent are state, 87 percent are county, none are township, and one percent are municipal and other.

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

In response to ISTEA, Oklahoma has revised its transportation planning process. For the first time, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) has developed a policy-oriented long-range plan covering all modes of transportation and providing a vision for statewide transportation for the next 25 years. Also, a Public Participation Plan was developed.

Development of the Statewide Intermodal Transportation Plan included a variety of events at which ODOT informed the public about the plan or obtained input on the plan. Each of those events specifically included local officials in the list of those notified or invited. The Oversight (steering) Committee included, among others, county agencies (Association of County Commissioners). Likewise, meetings were held around the state to obtain input from citizens on their priorities. These meetings were coordinated with transit providers, local elected officials, other organizations, and the general public. Once the draft was developed, local officials were among those specifically invited to a second round of meetings to comment on the draft.

ODOT develops the STIP and a 5-year construction program based on a needs assessment study and input from locally elected officials, Tribes, and other interests lobbying ODOT's management, the Transportation Commission, and the state legislature. All of the state's 77 counties develop 5-year plans with the assistance of ODOT. There is a long-standing process for soliciting review and comment on the STIP. It includes circulating the plan to many individuals and agencies, including all county commissions, Indian Tribal leaders, and the public. The plan is made available for review for 30 days at the ODOT field offices.

In addition to the STIP and long-range plan, a variety of modal plans are developed. ODOT works with the Indian Tribes and appropriate federal land management agencies in transportation planning and project development. Issues such as land use and economic development are considered in transportation planning, but there is no formal integration of these issues into the plans. There are no statewide land use controls and, therefore, these types of issues are usually addressed on a project-by-project basis.

Local elected officials have several ways to affect planning decisions. They have access to ODOT's management, planning, and engineering staffs for information and expert assistance in planning, as well as a voice in planning and project decisions. They also have access to both the Transportation Commission and the State Legislature. In addition, substantial interest groups have been formed--by non-metropolitan officials and groups--that also have access to ODOT, the Commission, and the legislature. (Officials from rural areas in MPO boundaries are represented on the MPO policy and technical committees.)

Rural transportation is financed with federal, state and local funds. The Oklahoma Transportation Commission is responsible for state appropriated funds and for most federal funds. Counties, cities, and towns all receive dedicated tax revenues from the state that can be used for transportation. For example, counties receive two percent of fuel tax revenue for maintenance and operations. The counties' share is given to the Association of County Commissioners of Oklahoma. The Association distributes the money to the eight transportation districts, which then allocate it to the counties.

Oklahoma uses these practices:

State Processes for Compiling Transportation Needs: The state conducts a needs assessment; counties submit local plans to ODOT.
State Hearings: Meetings are held around the state to obtain public input and to obtain comments on the draft plan; the draft STIP is circulated to ODOT regional offices and made available for comment by local officials, agencies, and the public.
Processes for Interactive Exchanges of Views with Local Officials: A series of public meetings was held both before and after drafting the long-range plan to obtain public comments.
State Policy-Making and Advisory Bodies: Oklahoma Transportation Commission.
Allocation of Transportation Funds and Responsibilities: Counties and cities receive dedicated tax revenues that can be used for transportation.
Other Practices: There is open access to ODOT staff and access to the Commission and Legislature; interest groups represent rural interests.

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