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West Virginia

The Rural Context For Transportation Consultations

West Virginia is the 10th smallest state in the U.S. in land area, 17th smallest in population, and 29th most densely populated. Approximately 81 percent of West Virginia's population and jobs, and 99 percent of the land, is non-urban. About 96 percent of West Virginia's roads are rural. Federally owned lands amount to just over 7 percent of the state's land area.

West Virginia is a slowly growing state, as measured by population, with a significantly growing rate of employment. The portion of the state's jobs that are in the uniquely rural agriculture and mining sectors is small to moderate (2 and 7 percent, respectively). Most jobs in West Virginia's rural areas are in sectors also common in urban areas: construction, transportation & utilities (16 percent); manufacturing (15percent); business & trade (25 percent); and services & government (36 percent).

Demographically, West Virginia's non-urban population is predominately white (97 percent). Compared to the other states, the proportion of West Virginia's non-urban adult population who did not graduate from high school is high (5th highest), and the proportion who did gradate from college is the lowest of any state. The 20 percent of West Virginia's non-urban people who are poor is greater than in all but five other states. About 42 percent of the state's non-urban population is in non-working age groups (27 percent 18 years or younger, and 14 percent 65 years or older).

Governmentally, West Virginia has 55 counties, a fairly manageable number compared to many other states. The state also has 232 municipalities, but no towns or townships. This is the 15th lowest number of sub-county governments among all states. West Virginia does not have any federally recognized Indian tribes.

In addition, the 1997 U.S. Census of Governments has identified 16 independent, special-purpose governments in West Virginia that have transportation responsibilities. This number is lower than in many other states. These special-purpose governments include 6 for airports and 10 for transit. West Virginia also has 10 other public transit providers serving rural areas and an additional 83 organizations that provide specialized transit services to elderly and disabled populations in those same areas. West Virginia has 11 regional councils that cover approximately 100 percent of the state, and 6 MPOs. These regional units help to coordinate the other local governments.

Of West Virginia's 34,919 miles of roads, approximately 91 percent are state-controlled, while less than two percent are federal. Of the total miles of non-federal rural roads, 98 percent are state, none are county or township, and 2 percent are municipal and other.

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

The West Virginia Department of Transportation (WVDOT) is responsible for all public highway mileage in the state, except that in some municipalities, and oversees transit planning as well. WVDOT prepares the STIP.

Although local officials have no responsibility for transportation, WVDOT maintains an ongoing consultative process. The usual means of interacting with the public is the informal public workshop or meeting. Hearings are much more formal and are held when specifically requested or when required by law or policy. They might typically occur once or twice in the development of a major project or regional study. As funding allows, WVDOT staff work with selected counties and groups of counties on their transportation plans. Additionally, WVDOT and the West Virginia Development Office have, in the recent past, sponsored Transportation/Economic Development Summits, covering all regions of the state. All rural officials are invited to these summits and comments are considered during the development of the Statewide Transportation Policy Plan, the STIP, and other policy and program documents. Public review of the STIP is accomplished with the assistance of the Regional Planning and Development Councils, which make it available to the public and other parties for comments.

The consultation process covers all modes of transportation, and also includes federal land management agencies, as appropriate. Input from local officials, as well as the general public and other transportation stakeholders, is also considered during the planning and development of all WVDOT projects.

WVDOT's Division of Public Transit publishes a planning notification, which notifies local officials, private and public transportation providers, and possible new applicants about the opportunity to comment on the development of local transportation plans and programs. Applicants for grants must also provide notice and allow comment on their applications. Applications also undergo review by either the Local Intergovernmental Council (Regional Planning & Development Councils) or the MPO. Both organizations consist of local elected officials or their appointees.

Rural transportation is funded through federal and state funds. Rural transit is funded primarily with federal funds, with local matches (sometimes funded by the state) where required.

West Virginia uses these practices:

State Processes to Compile Transportation Needs: State Highway Districts develop local priorities and forward to central office for consideration and further handling.
State Hearings: Hearings are held when specifically requested or when required by law or policy. In transit and highway planning, the public is provided notice of opportunity to comment concerning the development of local transportation plans and programs; transit applicants must provide opportunity for public comment.
State Processes for Interactive Exchanges of Views with Local Officials: A variety of meetings and workshops are held in the ongoing consultative process.
Other Practices: The Local Intergovernmental Council reviews applications for transit funds. The Secretary of Transportation accompanies the Governor on tours throughout the State to hear, directly, of local needs. A multitude of meetings with local groups and authorities are held on a scheduled basis, as well as on a requested or as needed basis.

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