2.2.2. Identifying Project Stakeholders

 “Public involvement and a systematic interdisciplinary approach are essential parts of the development process for proposed actions.” 
23CFR § 771.105(c)

 

Targeting stakeholders who represent the segments of the affected community will enhance your ability to best define the community and its unique issues, opportunities and constraints—essentially, the context of your project. 

Stakeholder: any person or group that is or will be affected by the project.  This includes those who may not be aware that they will be affected and those who are typically underrepresented.  This also includes those who are likely to support the project as well as those likely to oppose it.

The following list represents the various stakeholders that may be present within a community, who may have an interest in the project, and/or have knowledge about the community.  At a minimum, your checklist of project stakeholders should include the following types of individuals, organizations, and agencies, to ensure broad representation: 

• Public Officials
• Agency Representatives
• Transportation Professionals
• Community Representatives
• Non-Profit / Non-Governmental Organizations
• Facility Users
• Those Traditionally Underrepresented

Refer to Appendix A for additional details on the above-listed stakeholders.  A comprehensive listing of required stakeholders for the purpose of public notification is provided in the GDOT Public Involvement Guidelines.

The Process of Developing Resources

Resources should be considered from a number of groups and organizations. The following groups should generally be considered for contact:

• Local governments
• City and regional planning agencies
• Regional Development Centers (RDCs) for rural, small town projects
• Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (MPOs) for urbanized areas
• Chambers of Commerce
• Development Authorities
• Educational or religious institutions
• Civic, neighborhood and business associations (local to the project/study area)
• Others as agreed

Neighborhood, civic, business, non-profit, institutional and residential representatives, as well as representatives of local governments and the Department, will generally provide for an adequate cross-section of persons and points-of-view.  It is important that the stakeholders group not be too large, or unwieldy.   It is also advisable to request that the MPO provide some names when developing a Stakeholders group in an urban area with an organized MPO.  For a more rural area or in a small town, the RDC may be contacted for possible participant names.