The deadline to provide comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) associated to the Stanislaus Region’s 2014 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS) has been extended 15 additional days.

A public review and comment period began on March 25, 2014, and will now conclude on May 23, 2014, for both the RTP/SCS and the associated DEIR.

“It is a longer time frame than is required by CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) and Senate Bill 375 but we wanted to allow the public more time to provide their comments on such important documents,” said StanCOG Executive Director Carlos P. Yamzon.

The 2014 RTP/SCS is a long-term coordinated transportation and land use strategy to meet Stanislaus County’s transportation needs until the year 2040. The DEIR document provides an analysis of potential environmental impacts related to the implementation of the RTP/SCS as required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The draft documents are available for review at the StanCOG office, located at 1111 I St., Suite 308 in Modesto, on the StanCOG website at www.stancog.org, or at any of the 13 public libraries in Stanislaus County.

Those interested in commenting can do so in writing by sending to Rosa De Leon Park, Deputy Executive Director, at the address above by 5 p.m. on May 23, 2014. In addition, a public hearing is scheduled for May 21, 2014 at 6 p.m. at the StanCOG Policy Board meeting to be held at the Ceres Community Center, 2701 Fourth St., in Ceres, to receive public comments on the 2014 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS) and the associated Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR). Individuals with disabilities may call Cindy Malekos at (209) 525-4600 (with 72 hours advance notice) to request auxiliary aids necessary to participate in the public hearing. Translation services are available (with 72 hours advance notice) to participants speaking any language with available professional translation services.

After considering all received comments, the documents will be considered for adoption by the StanCOG Policy Board at their regularly scheduled meeting to be held on June 18, 2014, at the StanCOG office in Modesto. The documents will then be submitted to state and federal agencies for approval. Further information regarding this process may be obtained by contacting the StanCOG office, on the StanCOG website at www.stancog.org, or by calling (209) 525-4600.