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  • Tri-County | Placemaking & Arts

    HOME > PROGRAMS & SERVICES > COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT > PLANNING AREAS > PLACEMAKING & THE ARTS All Program Planning Areas Placemaking & the Arts Community Development Talent & Workforce Development Placemaking & the Arts Urban & Rural Development Housing Recreational Access & Greenspace Hazard Mitigation Economic Resiliency Tri-County recognizes the economic and social value of creating public spaces that are inviting, active, and reflective of those who live in the region. Placemaking promotes better urban design while incorporating cultural and social identities of our region, which improves the quality of life, happiness, and well-being of residents. By collaborating and strategically planning for public spaces, we strengthen the connection between our region's people and the places we share. Additionally, supporting the creative community and incorporating the arts into placemaking efforts creates a sense-of-place that encapsulates the identity of a region. Together - with partners like LEAP , Arts Council of Greater Lansing , Lansing Art Gallery & Education Center , local artists, and others - we can collectively reimagine the vision for our neighborhoods, parks, waterfronts, parks, downtowns, and shared spaces. We have supported a number of initiatives, events, and programs throughout the region with state GLRPI and federal funding, including: The Grand Experience Creative Placemaking Summits Create Place: Arts Council of Greater Lansing Arts Night Out REO Town Art Attack CharlotteRising Pocket Park (seed funding for Charlotte) Various activities and events in Charlotte, Mason, St. Johns, East Lansing, Grand Ledge, DeWitt, Williamston CATALYST Capital Region Prosperity Project

  • Tri-County | Planning for Public Transit

    Our region offers several local and regional bus services, including public transit, paratransit, and private provider services. These transportation services directly link to the economy via businesses and access to jobs, reduce fuel consumption and your carbon footprint, and provide mobility to restricted groups. HOME > PROGRAMS & SERVICES > TRANSPORTATION > PLANNING AREAS > PUBLIC TRANSIT All Program Planning Areas Public Transit Transportation Transportation Improvement Program Metropolitan Transportation Plan Performance Measures Pavement Condition Safety & Operations Non-Motorized Traffic Congestion Public Transit Freight Regional Travel Air Quality (Conformity) Our region offers several local and regional bus services, including public transit, paratransit, and private provider services. These transportation services have many benefits: they directly link to the economy via businesses and access to jobs, reduce fuel consumption and your carbon footprint, and provide mobility for groups who would otherwise be restricted. Part of Tri-County’s role in the region is to support planning efforts and to promote public transit facilities and specialized transportation to connect individuals to their community. Public transportation in the tri-county region includes various modes, such as linehaul, van pool services, paratransit for senior citizens and people with disabilities, and local and express bus service. Tri-County works closely with the staff and leadership of the Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) , the region’s primary transit provider, to plan for the current and future transportation needs of residents across the region. Several efforts are underway to assess the need for transit in new services in the region, as well as to provide enhanced service within existing coverage areas. Additionally, the 2045 MTP reviews all transit services in the region and analyzes possibilities to enhance communities’ quality of life. To learn more about public transit services available for the tri-county region, visit each service providers' website: Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) Clinton Area Transit System ("The Blue Bus") Eaton County Transportation Authority (EATRAN)

  • Tri-County | REO Bus Project

    The Tri-County Regional Planning Commission has launched a project to restore a century-old REO passenger bus back to its former glory and bring this one-of-a-kind piece of local history home. Help us celebrate Lansing's manufacturing and transportation legacy! HOME > PROJECT & DOCUMENT LIBRARY > TRANSPORTATION > REO BUS PROJECT THE REO PASSENGER BUS a restoration project honoring Lansing's automotive legacy LEARN MORE JOIN US... FOR A HISTORIC JOURNEY The Greater Lansing community has a long and proud manufacturing and transportation legacy — and we are always on the lookout for unique ways to honor it! The Tri-County Regional Planning Commission has launched a project to restore a century-old REO passenger bus back to its former glory and bring this one-of-a-kind piece of local history home. This restoration is about more than preservation — it’s about connecting with our community and regional pride, building a bridge between Lansing's industrial past and Tri-County's ongoing role in planning for a sustainable transportation future, and recognizing the innovation, craftsmanship, and vision that helped build Michigan’s transportation identity. Learn more about the project and follow the bus's restoration journey through videos, photos, and interactive storytelling on this webpage and on our social media accounts. HOLY MATER! 97-year-old Lansing bus is hitting the road to restoration The bus represents Lansing’s deep roots in automotive history and its pioneering role in early American transit. The bus’s chassis was built by the REO Motor Car Company, founded in Lansing in 1904 and an early pioneer of automotive innovation. It personifies not only a significant piece of local manufacturing history but also a broader story about how Mid-Michigan helped shape modern transportation. VIEW THE PRESS RELEASE VIEW THE PRESS RELEASE WHAT'S NEXT? Over the next 12 to 18 months, the bus will undergo a meticulous restoration to bring it back to operational condition, a process that combines artisanship, research, and engineering expertise. Once complete, the bus will be returned to Lansing with the goal of making it usable for community events and educational exhibits. Check back for updates! FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS CONTACT US FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What is the project? Tri-County Regional Planning Commission is leading the restoration of a 97-year-old REO Motor Car Company bus with a chassis built in Lansing, and is the last known of its kind. The bus was transported to a specialist facility in Pennsylvania in late October 2025. Experts are beginning detailed restoration work to return it to safe, operational condition. When it returns home, the hope is that the bus will be made operational for community events and educational exhibits. Why are we doing this? Tri-County is responsible for helping people understand the history and importance of our transportation systems. At its core, it is a heritage, educational, and community engagement project. We are taking a fragile piece of local history and turning it into a symbol of our region’s transportation story. The historic bus is a storyteller on wheels. It connects generations of workers, families, and riders who relied on buses to get to jobs, schools, and opportunity. The project creates a powerful tool for public outreach. Connecting history to the work we do today can spark curiosity and invite residents to engage in a memorable way. Few regional planning agencies have a physical, operational piece of history they can use to illustrate why transportation planning matters. This project positions Tri-County as a creative, visible steward of the region’s past and future. What is the timeline for the restoration? On October 29, 2025, the REO bus departed from the Capital Area Transportation Authority's bus garage - where it was generously being stored while awaiting transportation - to make its way to Muncy, Pennsylvania, where it will undergo the restoration process. This process is anticipated to take 12–18 months. Updates will be provided as the project progresses. What do we know about the bus? The bus’s chassis was built by the REO Motor Car Company, founded in Lansing in 1904 and an early pioneer of automotive innovation. Despite nearly a century of wear, the REO-built frame remains remarkably strong. More historical information about the bus will be added as the project progresses. Stay tuned! How is the project supported? Tri-County has dedicated funding to initiate the process, including transportation and restoration of the bus. While the total cost is still being determined, Tri-County will consider additional sources of financing and sponsorship such as grants and private funding. Information on how partners can get involved is forthcoming. Special thanks to the Capital Area Transportation Authority for temporarily storing the bus as it awaited transportation to the restoration facility. How can I get involved? If you have a historical or technical background - or even a personal story - share it with us! More ways to get involved will be provided as the project progresses. This is more than a restoration. It’s a revival. We’re breathing life back into a piece of Michigan’s history, and in doing so, we’re reconnecting our community to the legacy that helped move it forward. Jim Snell, Executive Director

  • Tri-County | Environmental Program

    We strive to protect and enhance our environment's built and natural resources, including ground and surface water, water and sewer infrastructure, and the quality of our air. Our environmental programming focuses on planning for the future and ensuring our region has access to clean water and clean transportation. Environment & Natural Resources Planning Areas Water Resources(https://www.mitcrpc.org/water) Water Trails(https://www.mitcrpc.org/watertrails) Infrastructure Resilience (https://www.mitcrpc.org/infrastructure-resilience) Air Quality (https://www.mitcrpc.org/air) Green Infrastructure(https://www.mitcrpc.org/greeninfrastructure) Energy(https://www.mitcrpc.org/energy) Quick Links & Resources Tri-County RPC Environmental Planning Projects (https://www.mitcrpc.org/news/categories/environment) Greater Lansing Regional Committee for Stormwater Management (GLRC)(http://www.mywatersheds.org) Groundwater Management Board (GMB)(https://www.mitcrpc.org/gmb) Middle Grand River Organization of Watersheds (MGROW)(http://mgrow.org/) Institute of Water Research(http://www.iwr.msu.edu/) Red Cedar River Watershed(https://www.canr.msu.edu/msu-water/red-cedar-river-watershed/) Friends of the Looking Glass River Watershed(http://lookingglassriverfriends.org/) Mid-Michigan Environmental Action Council(http://www.midmeac.org/) Ingham Conservation District(https://www.inghamconservation.com/) Eaton Conservation District(https://www.eatoncd.org/) Clinton Conservation District(https://www.clintonconservation.org/) Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) (https://www.michigan.gov/egle/) Michigan Department of Natural Resources(https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/) EGLE Energy Services (https://www.michigan.gov/egle/about/organization/materials-management/energy) Alternative Fuels Corridors(https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/alternative_fuel_corridors/) About Our Environmental Program The Tri-County Regional Planning Commission is designated by the state as the region's areawide water quality management planning agency under the Clean Water Act. Tri-County strives to protect and enhance our environment's built and natural resources, including ground and surface water, water and sewer infrastructure, and the quality of our air. Our environmental programming focuses on planning for the future and ensuring our region has access to unpolluted surface water, sustainable groundwater resources, healthy and safe drinking water, and an environmentally sustainable transportation system. Tri-County staff manages several technical groups, initiatives, and organizations that work to achieve these goals. We support and guide the region’s vision for sustainability by providing technical assistance to local governments, educating the public and local leaders, hosting forums for peer-to-peer knowledge sharing, and connecting people and places to resources that promote the shared stewardship of our built and natural resources. Greater Lansing Regional Committee for Stormwater Management Guiding communities through the MS4 program. Learn More Water Trails Water trails are a great way to travel in the region and appreciate our natural resources. Check out more information on projects involving the Grand River! Learn More Groundwater Management Board Protecting and preserving our drinking water at its source through research, policy recommendations, and education. Learn More Plans & Documents View plans, projects, tools, technical studies, and operational documents for our environmental programming. Learn More

  • Tri-County | Community Development Program

    Tri-County works to ensure the economic vitality and meaningful development of the region's urban and rural communities through inclusive, comprehensive, and strategic planning. We collaborate and exchange resources with a variety of regional stakeholders from public, private, and nonprofit industries. Economic Growth & Quality of Life Planning Areas Talent & Workforce Development(https://www.mitcrpc.org/talent) Placemaking & the Arts(https://www.mitcrpc.org/placemaking) Urban & Rural Development(https://www.mitcrpc.org/urban-rural-development) Housing(https://www.mitcrpc.org/housing) Recreational Access & Greenspace(https://www.mitcrpc.org/recreation) Hazard Mitigation (Disaster Preparedness)(https://www.mitcrpc.org/hazard-mitigation) Economic Resiliency(https://www.mitcrpc.org/resiliency) Quick Links & Resources Tri-County RPC Community Development Planning Projects (https://www.mitcrpc.org/news/categories/community-development) MI Capital Region (https://www.mitcrpc.org/micapitalregion)Data Dashboard(https://www.mitcrpc.org/micapitalregion) Greater Lansing Regional Prosperity Initiative (GLRPI)(https://www.mitcrpc.org/glrpi) Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP)(http://www.purelansing.com/) Michigan Small Business Development Center(https://sbdcmichigan.org/) MSU Center for Regional Economic Innovation(https://reicenter.org/) Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce(https://www.lansingchamber.org/) Capital Area Michigan Works!(https://www.camw.org/) U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA)(https://www.eda.gov/) Michigan Economic Developers Association (MEDA)(https://www.medaweb.org/) Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA)(https://www.michigan.gov/mshda/developers/statewide-housing-plan) Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)(https://www.michiganbusiness.org/) Teach. Talent. Thrive. (T3)(https://www.camw.org/t3) Lansing 5:01(http://www.lansing501.com/) Arts Council of Greater Lansing(http://lansingarts.org/) Largest Employers in the Region(https://www.purelansing.com/find-a-site/workforce-data/top-employers/) Greater Lansing Michigan Convention & Visitors Bureau(http://www.lansing.org/) Pure Michigan(https://www.michigan.org/) About Our Community Development Program The Tri-County Regional Planning Commission works to ensure the economic vitality and meaningful development of the region's urban and rural communities through inclusive, comprehensive, and strategic planning. We collaborate and exchange resources with a variety of regional stakeholders from public, private, and nonprofit industries to enhance the quality of life for those who live, work, and play throughout the Greater Lansing area. Tri-County takes a different approach to planning for our economy and community development, connecting partners in transit, land use, environment, local government, talent and workforce development, and the arts to bring new ideas to the table and build a regional blueprint that will create prosperous, resilient, and sustainable communities. Since 1986, Tri-County has been designated as an Economic Development District (EDD) by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA). This designation allows Tri-County to receive planning grant dollars from EDA and provides every municipality within the three-county region eligibility for EDA's different investment programs : Public Works and Economic Development Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Research and National Technical Assistance Local Technical Assistance Planning Program University Center Economic Development, and Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms MI Capital Region Data Dashboard Your hub for the latest demographic, economic, and workforce data for Michigan's capital region. Learn More Regional Housing Plan & Data Learn how we're assessing our regional housing trends and working with partners to address our needs! Learn More Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy We are updating our 5-year strategy for the region's economic prosperity! View our current plan now. Learn More Plans & Documents View plans, projects, tools, technical studies, and operational documents for our economic and land use programming. Learn More

  • Tri-County | Committee on Stormwater Management

    The Greater Lansing Regional Committee for Stormwater Management (GLRC) provides a forum for stormwater program managers to discuss challenges, share solutions, and collaboratively address MS4 Phase II permit requirements. Back to Committees Greater Lansing Regional Committee on Stormwater Management The Greater Lansing Regional Committee for Stormwater Management (GLRC) provides a forum for stormwater program managers to discuss challenges, share solutions, and collaboratively address MS4 Phase II permit requirements. The GLRC is guided by elected officers and an Executive Committee, which provide direction to the committee and Tri-County staff. Three subcommittees – the Public Education Plan Committee, the Total Maximum Daily Load Committee, and Illicit Discharge Elimination Program Committee – make recommendations and assist the GLRC membership in achieving permit compliance. Check the calendar for upcoming meetings of GLRC's membership. Membership Agendas & Minutes Meetings Calendar MOA

  • Tri-County | Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy

    As the Economic Development District for the region, Tri-County develops a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) every five years to provide goals and actions for communities within the region that promote economic prosperity and improve quality of life. HOME > PROJECTS & DOCUMENTS > COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & QUALITY OF LIFE > CEDS Document Library Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy As the Economic Development District for the region, Tri-County develops a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) every five years to provide goals and actions for communities within the region that promote economic prosperity and improve quality of life. Management of the CEDS enables municipalities in the tri-county region to compete for federal project funding. To complete the CEDS, Tri-County brings economic development professionals together to collaborate with transportation and land use planners, elected officials, educational universities and school systems, nonprofits, workforce development agencies, housing experts, community and business leaders, tourism representatives, and environmental groups to update the region's planning strategy for community and economic vitality, prosperity, growth, and sustainability. The CEDS contributes to effective economic development in America’s communities and regions through a locally-based, regionally-driven economic development planning process. Economic development planning – as implemented through the CEDS – is not only a cornerstone of the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) programs, but successfully serves as a means to engage community leaders, leverage the involvement of the private sector, and establish a strategic blueprint for regional collaboration. The CEDS provides the capacity-building foundation by which the public sector, working in conjunction with other economic actors (individuals, firms, industries), creates the environment for regional economic prosperity. Simply put, a CEDS is a strategy-driven plan for regional economic development. The CEDS provides a vehicle for individuals, organizations, local governments, institutes of learning, and private industry to engage in a meaningful conversation and debate about what capacity building efforts would best serve economic development in the region. Annually, Tri-County publishes updated data metrics and trends (appendix reports) to monitor the progress of our region. Tri-County is currently updating the region's 5-year CEDS for 2023-2028 in coordination with the Regional Economic Collaborative and a supporting leadership team. It is anticipated to be completed in September 2023.

  • Tri-County | Current Projects

    Tri-County produces and coordinates a variety of plans, studies, and other special projects to keep improving our region's transportation system, economy, and built and natural environment. CURRENT PROJECTS What's Underway Tri-County produces and coordinates a variety of plans, studies, and other special projects to keep improving our region's transportation system, economy, and built and natural environment. Explore active and recently completed projects below. TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM The region's 4-year TIP invests over $390 million into projects that improve our roads, public transit services, and bicycle and pedestrian networks. Follow along as we implement these projects from October 2025 through September 2029! Learn More REO PASSENGER BUS RESTORATION PROJECT Nearly a century after it first rolled off the line at Lansing’s REO Motor Car Company, a rare 97-year-old bus is beginning a remarkable new journey, one that will bring history home. We've launched an ambitious restoration effort to return the last known version of this bus model to its former glory! Learn More GREATER LANSING REGIONAL TRAILS NETWORK Having completed a feasibility plan to identify routes that will connect our region’s trail system and other recreational amenities to major trails in the state, we’ve now initiated a $2.5 million pilot project to further analyze and prepare these routes for future grants! Learn More TRI-COUNTY VIRTUAL TRAIL EXPLORER Embark on a virtual exploration of over 140 miles of hiking, biking, and water trails — including the Lansing River Trail, Middle Grand River Water Trail, Clinton-Ionia-Shiawassee Trail, and more — with our 360° tour of the region's major trail routes! Use our Explorer to plan your trip today. Learn More METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION PLAN This long-range plan sets a vision and funding strategy for investing in projects that will meet our transportation needs over the next 25 years. We’re currently implementing our 2045 MTP and updating it to extend its planning horizon to 2050! Learn More EAST LANSING/CLINTON FREEWAY ACCESS STUDY We're conducting a study to analyze ways to improve access to the northern East Lansing/ southern Clinton County area and surrounding local road and freeway systems. The study will examine current transportation needs and changing travel patterns in the area. Learn More AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY Every five years, we work with local and state agencies to coordinate a regionwide flyover, providing ou r counties, local municipalities, and public utilities with aerial data and photography. This geospatial orthoimagery helps our partner communities monitor, map, and plan for land use, infrastructure, transportation, and other needs. Learn More THE VISION FOR MICHIGAN'S AVENUE Michigan Avenue connects world-class talent at Michigan State University in East Lansing to our State Capitol in Lansing, where decisions about the lives of Michiganders are made every day. This is Michigan's Avenue , and it's time we have a shared, unified vision for it. Learn More MI CAPITAL REGION: DATA DASHBOARD Are we moving the needle? Check out our data center for the latest demographic, economic, and workforce data for Michigan's capital region and sign up for our monthly data newsletter to follow economic trends and learn about key regional metrics! Learn More REGIONAL HOUSING PARTNERSHIP Following the completion of HousingDrives , a data assessment of the trends and barriers of the housing market in Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties, we developed a 5-year action plan and are coordinating the South Central Regional Housing Partnership to implement its goals. Learn More COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY We recently completed an update to the CEDS, which is our region’s strategic blueprint and action plan for promoting economic prosperity. Its goals focus on improving transportation and infrastructure, culture and lifestyle, and education and talent. Learn More REGIONAL WATER QUALITY EDUCATION SURVEY A public survey is conducted every six years to determine the effectiveness of environmental education campaigns, identify knowledge gaps, and guide the Greater Lansing Regional Committee for Stormwater Management's outreach activities. The results are in! Learn More View Past Projects More Project Updates Library of Plans & Documents

  • Tri-County | Wellhead Protection Viewer

    The Wellhead Protection Viewer is an interactive online mapping application that provides a variety of data – including well locations, time of travel areas, brownfields, potential contamination source locations, and more – to help protect our region's groundwater resources. HOME > PROGRAMS & SERVICES > DATA & MAPPING > WELLHEAD PROTECTION VIEWER The Wellhead Protection Viewer is an interactive online mapping application that provides a variety of data – including well locations, time of travel areas, brownfields, potential contamination source locations, and more – so communities and organizations can be better informed when making development decisions that may affect our groundwater throughout Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties. This tool is a useful resource for planners looking to identify locations at greatest risk for groundwater contamination when preparing site plan reviews, emergency response plans, and risk and resilience assessments, all of which help protect our drinking water at its source! Since its creation in 1999, the Viewer has undergone numerous updates to provide this data and continues to be made available for public use thanks to a combined effort of grant funding, cost sharing, and regional collaboration between Tri-County and member communities of the Groundwater Management Board (GMB) . To utilize the full application, click here . Training Videos Check out the gallery below to view the full collection of training videos about the various features of the Viewer. Please note that these materials were created as part of the latest update to the Viewer in August 2025 and may not reflect changes to layers or capabilities added after that date. If you have further questions or require technical assistance, contact Lauren Schnoebelen, our Environmental Planner, at lschnoebelen@mitcrpc.org . WPV History History of Regional Groundwater Protection & The Wellhead Protection Viewer As a region that relies primarily on groundwater for our drinking water supply, wellhead protection plans play a vital role in our communities’ efforts to ensure our water is safe and clean. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) (https://www.michigan.gov/egle/)assists local municipalities through their Wellhead Protection Program (https://www.michigan.gov/egle/0,9429,7-135-3313_3675_3695---,00.html)by helping them to identify and protect areas that contribute to their water supply and prevent or minimize groundwater contamination to avoid costly cleanup efforts. One of the major focuses of these plans are Potential Contaminant Source Inventories (PCSI): a detailed list of locations that pose a high risk of pollution for our groundwater resources, such as leaking storage tanks, oil and gas spills, septic systems, or abandoned wells, just to name a few. By providing a database for these PCSI locations like the Wellhead Protection Viewer, Tri-County and the GMB are able to offer communities access to this information so they may appropriately plan for projects to reduce the risk of groundwater pollution. To assist with funding for a wide range of these wellhead protection projects – including the maintenance of PSCI data, wellhead delineation studies, outreach and education materials, training opportunities, and more – EGLE’s Wellhead Protection Program provides communities with the opportunity to apply for the Source Water Protection Grant (https://www.michigan.gov/egle/0,9429,7-135-3313_3675_3695-31531--,00.html)each year. The Wellhead Protection Viewer was created thanks to this grant opportunity in 1999 and has continued to utilize its funding for updates in subsequent years. The latest improvements (https://www.mitcrpc.org/post/wpv-project-annoucement)to the Wellhead Protection Viewer were completed in August 2025, funded in part by the Source Water Protection Grant awarded to the East Lansing Meridian Water Sewer Authority. Thanks to an opportunity presented to Tri-County through our consultants at OHM Advisors, the Wellhead Protection Viewer was updated to include data for the entire tri-county region in addition to the originally included communities of Meridian Township and the City of East Lansing. Distinguishing Between Delineation Layers & When To Use Them There are two categories of groundwater delineation layers included in the Wellhead Protection Viewer: the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission Wellhead Protection Areas (TCRPC WHPA), and the Time of Travel (TOT) Areas. Each of these layers represent slightly different methods of modeling our region’s groundwater systems and it is important to understand the background of their creation when determining which layer will provide you and your community with the most relevant delineations. The first type of delineation layer, the TCRPC WHPA, was created using the Michigan Groundwater Management Tool (MGMT). This tool, developed by faculty at the Michigan State University Civil and Environmental Engineering Department and staff at Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (now the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy [EGLE]), analyzed groundwater flow using available well record data for delineating wellhead protection areas, contaminant migration, and groundwater flow direction from the statewide Wellogic database and inputting it into a 2D groundwater modeling software program. Given a few parameters, such as current groundwater levels, hydraulic conductivity of the pumped aquifer, well locations, and pumping rate, the tool was able to demarcate provisional delineations of the public groundwater supply. Providing this data to local communities offered those without the resources to produce delineations themselves a place to start when creating wellhead protection plans or developing other groundwater protection initiatives. The second type of delineation layer, the TOT Areas, was created using a United States Geologic Survey (USGS) model that utilized MODFLOW-2000 to create a 10-layer, grid-based, 3D model (composed of 3 layers in the glacial package; 6 layers in the Saginaw Formation [of which there are 3 aquifer units and 3 confining units]; and 1 layer to represent the bedrock beneath the Saginaw Formation). The data in these layers covers a select portion of the tri-county region and has undergone various updates over the years. As of August 2020, the TOT data for Michigan State University and Delta Township is from 2007, and the TOT data for Lansing Board of Water and Light and East Lansing Meridian Water Sewer Authority is from 2017. https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined It is important to note that in almost all cases, the MGMT/TCRPC WHPA layers matched the traditional USGS/TOT layers very closely when compared by an EGLE modeler. However, because of the more in-depth modeling method used to create the USGS/TOT delineations, it is recommended that USGS/TOT layers are used wherever they do exist. Where they are not available, the MGMT/TCRPC WHPA layers should be used to provide a baseline delineation to work from. The photo on the left illustrates the two types of layers, with the TOT layers in orange, yellow, and green transparent shapes; and the WHPA layers in red and blue-dotted shapes. Report an Error in the Wellogic Well Records Because individual well records are maintained by the state and not Tri-County, we ask that any identified errors in your well records are reported directly to Wellogic.(https://www.egle.state.mi.us/wellogic/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fwellogic%2fdefault.aspx) To report an error in the well log on the Viewer's Wellogic layer, please email Wellogic Help at wellogic@michigan.gov (mailto:wellogic@michigan.gov?subject=Well Record Error - Well ID:)with the Well ID and the reason for the change. For more information about the Wellogic system, check out their FAQ page here.(https://www.michigan.gov/egle/faqs/drinking-water/wellogic)

  • Tri-County | Our Team

    We have a dedicated staff of 11 professionals working to serve our member communities and make the Greater Lansing area more prosperous. HOME > ABOUT > OUR TEAM Tri-County Staff James Snell Executive Director 517-999-8906 jsnell@mitcrpc.org Meet Jim Jim Koenig, AICP, PTP Senior Transportation Planning Manager 517-999-8909 jkoenig@mitcrpc.org Meet Jim Shanice Tan Data Analyst 517-393-0343 stan@mitcrpc.org Meet Shanice Nicole Baumer Deputy Director 517-999-8900 nbaumer@mitcrpc.org Meet Nicole Lauren Schnoebelen Environmental Planner 517-999-8912 lschnoebelen@mitcrpc.org Meet Lauren Laura Tschirhart Senior Transportation Planner, GIS Coordinator 517-999-8910 Ltschirhart@mitcrpc.org Meet Laura Amanda Hathaway Frattarelli Environmental Planner 517-999-8905 ahathawayfrattarelli@mitcrpc.org Meet Amanda Valonda Sesi Marketing & Community Engagement Manager 517-999-8903 vsesi@mitcrpc.org Meet Valonda ©

  • About the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission

    We are a public planning agency established in 1956, serving Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties in Mid-Michigan. Tri-County makes our region a more prosperous community by planning for a strong economy, reliable transportation, and sustainable infrastructure and natural resources. WHO IS TRI-COUNTY? Who We Are The Tri-County Regional Planning Commission is a public planning agency established in 1956, serving Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties in Mid-Michigan. Tri-County makes our region a more prosperous community by planning for a strong economy , reliable transportation , and sustainable infrastructure and natural resources . We are dedicated leaders and innovators, connecting local organizations and governments to funding, technical assistance, data resources, and opportunities to discuss trends and challenges affecting the Greater Lansing area. Our Mission & Vision The Tri-County Regional Planning Commission leads innovative public planning for Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties to foster prosperity in Mid-Michigan's communities. We believe in developing a sustainable future for our region's economy, natural resources, and transportation system and infrastructure. Leadership Tri-County is directed by a board of 19 commissioners representing the three counties, City of Lansing, and public transportation agencies. They come together to resolve problems and guide development of the Greater Lansing area with a regional perspective, looking past county and municipal boundaries for the greatest good of our region’s citizens. News & Events Request for Proposals: Regional Traffic Safety & Operations Program Request for Proposals: Community Engagement Campaign Tri-County Seeking Economic Development Planner History & Designations The Tri-County Regional Planning Commission was formed under the Regional Planning Act, PA 281 of 1945. It was established pursuant to resolutions adopted by the Boards of Supervisors of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties on July 18, 1956. Membership was expanded to include the City of Lansing in 1974. Tri-County serves 75 jurisdictions within the three-county region. Tri-County is designated as the region’s Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) to coordinate federally funded transportation projects. The Commission is also certified by the U.S. Department of Commerce as the Economic Development District (EDD) to facilitate federally funded economic development programs and initiatives, particularly in public infrastructure, in support of business locations and expansions. Learn more about our federal and state designations and legal responsibilities below. What is a Regional Planning Commission? Regional planning commissions have been around in some parts of the country since near the start of the last century. State Planning & Development Regions (https://www.miregions.com/aboutregions.asp)(SPDRs) look at planning issues from a larger geography than that examined by counties or local units of government in the region. That allows them to identify issues and opportunities that are not apparent at a smaller geography. They also can help local governments resolve issues of overlapping services, help fill gaps in services through service sharing arrangements, and help find resources from the federal and state governments to address unmet needs. Over the past 65 years the Michigan Legislature has created three separate, but different statutory approaches to addressing regional planning through voluntary sub-state units of government known variously as state planning and development regions, regional planning commissions, regional planning and development commissions, and councils of government. These acts are: • Regional Planning Act, PA 281 of 1945(https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-Act-281-of-1945) • The regional planning portion of the County or Regional Economic Development Commission Act, PA 46 of 1966(https://legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-Act-46-of-1966&highlight=project,entity) • The regional planning portion of Metropolitan Councils Act, PA 292 of 1989(https://legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-Act-292-of-1989&highlight=legislature,pa) SPDRs are voluntary organizations comprised of local governments dedicated to serving the regional planning needs of multi-county areas in all parts of Michigan. They are a form of local government voluntarily created by their members, which are largely representative of local governments in the region; although membership also includes road authorities, nonprofit organizations and representatives of the business community in many regions. What is a Metropolitan Planning Organization? The Tri-County Regional Planning Commission was designated by the Governor as the Metropolitan Planning Organization (https://www.transit.dot.gov/regulations-and-guidance/transportation-planning/metropolitan-planning-organization-mpo)(MPO) in 1973, responsible for fulfilling all federally required transportation planning requirements in the Lansing-East Lansing Metropolitan area throughout Clinton, Eaton and Ingham Counties in the state of Michigan. Federal funding for transportation projects throughout the three counties are channeled through Tri-County. MPOs are policy-making and planning bodies formed under federal legislation (23 USC 134 & 49 USC 1603, 1605, and 1607). Specifically, an MPO is the policy board of an organization created and designated to carry out the metropolitan transportation planning process. They are required to represent localities in all urbanized areas (UZAs) with populations over 50,000, as determined by the U.S. Census, to ensure federal spending on transportation planning projects and programs are based on a continuing, cooperative and comprehensive (3-C) planning process. An urbanized area with a population over 200,000, as defined by the Bureau of the Census and designated by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), is called a Transportation Management Area (TMA). As described in 49 U.S.C. 5303(k), and in recognition of the greater complexity of transportation issues in large urban areas, an MPO in a TMA has a stronger voice in setting priorities for implementing projects listed in the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) (https://www.mitcrpc.org/tip)and is responsible for additional planning products. The planning processes in MPOs in TMAs also must be certified by the Secretary of DOT as being in compliance with federal requirements. MPOs are designated by agreement between the governor and local governments that together represent at least 75 percent of the affected population (including the largest incorporated city, based on population) or in accordance with procedures established by applicable state or local law. When submitting a TIP to the state for inclusion in the statewide program, MPOs self-certify that they have met all federal requirements. In accordance with federal regulations, Tri-County is required to carry out metropolitan transportation planning in cooperation with the state and operators of publicly owned transit services. View MPO policies and procedures that address these regulations and requirements here.(https://www.mitcrpc.org/mpo-policies) 66.37% of Michigan’s population are represented by MPOs; nationally, 85% of the population lives inside a MPO. What is an Economic Development District? Economic Development Districts (https://www.eda.gov/edd/)(EDDs) are multi-jurisdictional entities, commonly composed of multiple counties and in certain cases, cross-state borders. They help lead the locally based, regionally driven economic development planning process that leverages the involvement of the public, private, and non-profit sectors to establish a strategic blueprint (known as a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy)(https://www.mitcrpc.org/ceds) for regional collaboration. Since 1986, the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission has been an EDD, as designated by the US Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA). This designation allows Tri-County to receive planning grant dollars from the EDA and provides every municipality within the three-county region eligibility for the EDA's different investment programs. These programs include: • Public Works and Economic Development • Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) • Research and National Technical Assistance • Local Technical Assistance • Planning Program • University Center Economic Development • Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms What is a Regional Clearinghouse & Intergovernmental Review? As of July 1, 2018, the State of Michigan and the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments,(https://semcog.org/Clearinghouse-Review) acting on behalf of the State as the Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for regional coordination, no longer participate in the clearinghouse review process for federal grants. Therefore, the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission no longer reviews proposed projects subject to Executive Order 12372 of 1982 requesting federal funds. As a local government organization engaged in promoting intergovernmental coordination, we encourage applicants for federal financial assistance to coordinate with other governments and organizations impacted by their work. We continue to maintain a regional inventory of land use and master plans for better coordination and collaboration across jurisdictional boundary lines. For more information on the Michigan Federal Project Review System and Regional Clearinghouse process, visit semcog.org/Clearinghouse-Review.(https://semcog.org/Clearinghouse-Review) What is Public Planning? Public planning is just that - planning for our region's future needs and making a plan to tackle them. It aims to optimize the effectiveness of how our community uses land and develops infrastructure to improve the connectivity, quality of life, safety, economic success, and sustainability of our communities. Public planning looks at the development and design of land use and the built environment, including air, water, and the infrastructure passing into and out of urban areas, particularly transportation networks. We formulate plans for the development and management of the region's urban, suburban, and rural areas, analyzing land use compatability and economic, environmental, travel demand, and social trends. These plans provide guidance for elected officials, planners, and local units of government to make informed decisions about how to best use our communities' land, maintain our infrastructure, and responsibility utilize our resources and assets. MPO EDD Clearinghouse History&Designations

  • Tri-County | Water Quality

    Tri-County houses and staffs several water resource groups that work to educate the public, exchange knowledge about best practices, and assist local governments to keep our drinking and surface water resources clean. Stormwater and groundwater management and watershed protection are our core programming areas. HOME > PROGRAMS & SERVICES > ENVIRONMENT > PLANNING AREAS > WATER QUALITY All Program Planning Areas Water Resources Environment & Natural Resources Water Resources Water Trails Infrastructure Resilience Air Quality Green Infrastructure Energy Our Tri-County Water Policies & Programs Guide is an informational tool and guidance document for decision makers and citizens looking to to protect the region's water resources. It offers a full programming analysis of what's being done to maintain clean and sustainable drinking and surface waters. Learn more about how we protect and enhance our water resources above and below the surface and promote stewardship of our built and natural assets below. STORMWATER MANAGEMENT & WATERSHED PROTECTION We all live in a watershed and can help care for it by keeping our stormwater clean! Learn more about your role in water protection here. Learn More GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT & WELLHEAD PROTECTION Groundwater is used for drinking water by more than 50% of the people in the U.S., including almost everyone who lives in rural areas. Learn More Tri-County houses and staffs several water resource groups that work to educate the public, exchange knowledge about best practices, and assist local governments to keep our water resources clean. One group is the Greater Lansing Regional Committee for Stormwater Management (GLRC) , a guiding body comprised of Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) communities within the Greater Lansing region. The Committee was established to guide the implementation of the stormwater program for participating communities within the Grand River, Red Cedar River and Looking Glass River watersheds. The GLRC framework of engaged membership provides a forum to collaboratively address surface water issues and regulatory requirements. Tri-County staff assist in the development and implementation of municipal stormwater management plans, provide training and professional development opportunities, and perform required public education on behalf of the GLRC. Tri-County's and GLRC’s regional approach provides uniform messaging to the public and consistent development standards throughout the permit area. Tri-County also manages the Groundwater Management Board , a group of communities in the Greater Lansing area working together to protect our drinking water at its source - groundwater. Interested in the recreational use of our surface waters? Tri-County partnered with the Middle Grand River Organization of Watersheds (MGROW) to create a water trail development plan to improve the connectivity, accessibility, and quality of our region's main water trail, the Middle Grand River. The plan has led to the Middle Grand River becoming one of the first state-designated water trails, strengthening our region's opportunities for future project funding.

CONTACT INFORMATION

3135 Pine Tree Rd. | Suite 2C | Lansing, MI 48911 | Directions

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