The Calaveras COG has many functions. Our primary activities include:
Regional Coordination
Calaveras COG works closely with the Calaveras County Board of Supervisors, the Angels Camp City Administrator, and both the County and City Public Works and Planning Departments. CCOG staff also works with Caltrans, the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Transit Administration, local social service agencies, and other government entities in surrounding counties and throughout the state.
The CCOG develops planning documents to guide Caltrans, the County and the City of Angels in providing transportation system improvements. These coordination efforts strive to improve funding opportunities for state highway and local road projects. The CCOG holds public hearings as needed and continues to employ an active citizen participation process.
The CCOG, as the Regional Transportation Planning Agency for Calaveras County, also works with the Amador and Alpine County Transportation Commissions under the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding created in 1997.
Transportation Funding and Financing
Calaveras COG assigns and distributes federal and state monies for transportation projects in Calaveras County that improve highway safety, relieve traffic congestion, and promote economic development.
CCOG administers Transportation Development Act (TDA) funding. TDA provides two major sources of funding for public transportation: Local Transportation Fund (LTF) and State Transit Assistance (STA). In Calaveras County, LTF and STA are used to operate Calaveras Transit. LTF money can also be allocated to local roads when appropriate.
Transportation Planning
The Calaveras COG is responsible for creating the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), a 20-year blueprint that serves as a master plan for regional air, highway, public transit, bicycle, pedestrian and other transportation improvement projects. The RTP clearly defines local needs, transportation alternatives, funding sources, transportation project priorities, and alternative modes of transportation. Please see the Regional Transportation Plan Update for more information.
The CCOG also prepares the Regional Transportation Improvement Program (RTIP) document, which nominates priority transportation projects for funding under the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) every two years.
Project Delivery
The Calaveras COG works continuously with our partners at Caltrans and Amador and Alpine Counties to increase the overall efficiency of project delivery and develop specific projects for future funding. CCOG is dedicated to the timely preparation of proposed transportation projects for construction through environmental review processes, engineering and design, and right-of-way acquisition.
Data Services and GIS
Clear and accurate data is a necessary element of effective and efficient transportation planning. CCOG has been integral in the development of a Geographic Information System (GIS) for planning, monitoring, and implementing transportation projects in Calaveras County and the City of Angels.
Air Quality Conformance
Air Quality Conformance is a new realm for the CCOG. In June 2005 Calaveras County was designated as a non-attainment area for air quality under the new federal 8-hour ozone standard. CCOG hired a consultant to monitor and participate in the process of coordinating with Caltrans and other governmental agencies to determine the implications of this new designation.
Grants
Grants are an invaluable source of funding for transportation and community planning projects. Calaveras Council of Governments devotes significant amounts of time and energy to applying for and managing grant money as it becomes available.