PSRC Functions and Mandates                              PDF version

  Federal Law State Law Interlocal Agreement Court Cases/Notes
Organizational Structure The PSRC is designated as a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) under federal law. (23 U.S.C. §134) The metropolitan planning process must be followed in order for federal transportation funds to be distributed to the region. (23 U.S.C. §134) The PSRC is designated as a Regional Transportation Planning Organization (RTPO) under state law. (RCW 47.80)

In urbanized areas, the RTPO is the same as the MPO designated for federal planning purposes.
(RCW 47.80.020)

The Interlocal Agreement provides the PSRC with the authority to carry out MPO and RTPO functions.  
Long-range Transportation Plans and Programs Develop a long-range transportation plan, consistent with federal law. (23 U.S.C. §134)

The plan must:

  • Identify transportation facilities, including major roadways, transit and multi-modal and intermodal facilities;
  • Include a financial plan;
  • Assess capital investment and other measures necessary to ensure the preservation of the system and make the most efficient use of the existing transportation facilities; and
  • Indicate proposed transportation enhancement activities.
    		•  Prepare and update a transportation strategy and a regional transportation plan for the region.
    (RCW 47.80.023,
    RCW 47.80.030)

    The strategy must:

  • Identify existing or planned transportation facilities;
  • Include a financial plan and be based on least-cost planning methodology;
  • Assess regional development patterns, capital investment and other measures necessary to make the most efficient use of existing transportation facilities;
  • Address alternate transportation modes and transportation measures in regional corridors;
  • Recommend preferred transportation policies to implement adopted growth strategies; and
  • Set forth the relationship between high capacity transit providers and other public transit providers regarding coordination of services and facilities.
  • The plan must be consistent with countywide planning policies, local comprehensive plans and the state transportation plan.

    • Submit to the Regional Transportation Improvement District (RTID) a list of transportation improvement priorities, based on the plan. (RCW 36.120.040)

    Adopt a commute trip reduction plan for the region. Submit the plan to the commute trip reduction board. (RCW 70.94.527)

    		Produce a Regional Transportation Plan, as prescribed by Federal and State law.

    Through this plan, establish a regional transportation policy and in cooperation with WSDOT, set minimum standards for state government to integrate in its transportation planning, and for local governments to reflect and include in the preparation of transportation elements of local comprehensive plans.

    		If the coordinated planning process does not result in consistency between regional and local plans, the regional plan will prevail. The City of Des Moines v. The Puget Sound Regional Council, 97 Wash. App. 920 (1999)

    The Regional Council has the power to place mitigating conditions on planning decisions, but it does not have a duty to impose such conditions at the planning stage. The City of Des Moines v. The Puget Sound Regional Council, 97 Wash. App. 920 (1999)

    Short-range Transportation Plans and Programs Develop and maintain a transportation improvement program, consistent with federal law. This program must include all regionally significant projects, regardless of funding source. Projects in this program must be consistent with the long-range plan. Both the Governor and the USDOT must approve this program. (23 U.S.C. §134, WAC 173-420, and 40 CFR §93)

    Allocate certain federal funds, including CMAQ, STP and FTA funds, consistent with federal law. (23 U.S.C. §134)

    		 Develop a six-year regional transportation improvement program. (RCW 47.80.023) Determine categories for priorities for the region among recommended regionally significant transportation projects, and forward those to WSDOT.  
    Growth Management Policy   Requires Multi-County Planning Policies
    (RCW 36.70A.210)    		 Maintain VISION 2020 as the adopted regional growth management strategy. Local comprehensive plans must be consistent with the Multi-County Planning Policies. Lawrence Michael Investments, L.L.C., et. al. v. Town of Woodway, CPSGMHB Case No. 98-3-0012 (January 8, 1999
    Congestion Management As an MPO located within the boundaries of a transportation management area, the PSRC must include a congestion management process within the adopted regional transportation plan. (23 U.S.C. §134)      
    Monitoring and Review of Local Plans   Establish regional guidelines and principles to provide direction for developing and evaluating transportation elements of local plans. (RCW 47.80.026)

    Certify the transportation elements of comprehensive plans adopted by cities and counties.
    (RCW 47.80.023)

    Certify that countywide plans are consistent with the adopted regional transportation plan. (RCW 47.80.023)

    Review level of service methodologies used by cities and counties. (RCW 47.80.023)

    Work with cities, counties, transit agencies, WSDOT and others to develop level of service standards or alternative transportation performance measures. (RCW 47.80.023)

    Include regional HCT plans in the transportation plan review and update process
    (RCW 81.104.080)

    Review local commute trip reduction plans. Review and certify designated growth and transportation efficiency center programs. (RCW 70.94.527)

    		Review countywide plans for consistency with the adopted regional growth strategy.  
    Technical Assistance and Research     Establish and maintain a regional database.

    Provide technical assistance to local, state and federal governments.

    		 
    Environmental Comply with NEPA, as appropriate during the planning process.
    (42 U.S.C. §4331)

    Perform certain Air Quality Conformity activities under the Clean Air Act.
    (42 U.S.C. §7401)

    Consult as appropriate with environmental and natural resource agencies in developing the long range plan. Discuss types of potential environmental mitigation activities in the long range plan, in consultation with environmental and natural resource agencies. (23 U.S.C. §134)

    		Comply with SEPA, as appropriate during the planning process. (RCW 43.21C)

    Perform certain Air Quality Conformity activities under the state Clean Air Act. (RCW 70.94)

    		Review and comment on NEPA/SEPA proposals on proposed actions with a potential significant impact on the implementation of the RTP.  
    Other Develop a unified planning work program (UPWP).
    (23 U.S.C. §134)

    Under the MOA with the Economic Development District, staff the functions of the EDD consistent wit federal law and EDA guidance. (42 U.S.C. §3211;
    13 C.F.R. §302)

    		Serve as a coordinator for the high-capacity transit right-of-way preservation review process. (RCW 81.104.080) Provide a discussion forum for local and state officials and other interested parties on common regional issues.

    Contract on a fee-for-service basis with member and non-member agencies which request special services.

    		 

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