Regional responses to issues such as the environment, economic development, population growth, transportation, housing, health, public safety, human relations, and family concerns are developed by the Council. It also is designated by the federal government as the regional planning organization for metropolitan Washington, DC. To assist with planning, the Council provides a regional geographic information system and specialized computer and technical services.
The Council is supported by financial contributions from its participating local governments, federal and state government contracts, and through donations from foundations and the private sector.
The Partnership coordinates work to restore the Anacostia River, which began in 1984 when Maryland and the District of Columbia signed the Anacostia Watershed Restoration Strategy.
CHESAPEAKE BAY & WATER RESOURCES POLICY COMMITTEE
The Committee advises the Board on policy matters relating to the Chesapeake Bay and informs member jurisdictions of Bay restoration activities important to local governments. The Committee monitors, evaluates, and participates in the activities of the Chesapeake Bay Program and works to implement its restoration activities.
CLIMATE, ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT POLICY COMMITTEE
The Committee serves as the Council's primary policy advisor for climate change, energy, green building, alternate fuels, solid waste, recycling, and related environmental issues.
HUMAN SERVICES POLICY COMMITTEE
The Committee develops and maintains policies, plans, agreements, and programs concerning health and human services. Areas of concern cover aging; education; family issues (including child care & foster care); housing; human relations; substance abuse, and health issues. At certain times, the Committee also considers issues of homeland security and emergency preparedness, including epidemiology, prevention, and treatment of pandemics, regional epidemics, or bioterrorism.
METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON AIR QUALITY COMMITTEE
The Committee develops strategies to reduce emissions that pollute the air. The Committee also conducts air quality regional planning to meet federal deadlines mandated for ozone reduction and other requirements to reduce pollution from ozone and carbon monoxide.
NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS COUNCIL
The Council advises the Board on emergency preparedness policy, and oversees and implements the Regional Emergency Coordination Plan. In addition, the Council coordinates activities of regional emergency support workgroups and develops training for and tests of the components of regional emergency preparedness procedures.
NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION TRANSPORTATION PLANNING BOARD
The Board was established to meet transportation planning requirements of the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1962, and, in 1966, became associated with the Council of Governments. The Board serves as the Council's transportation policy committee.
As a condition of eligibility for federal transit and highway assistance, the Board develops and adopts regional transportation plans and programs based on assessing and analyzing data on travel patterns in the Washington metropolitan area. Since 1991, the Board has directed the use of over $500 million annually to reduce traffic congestion, meet air quality requirements, and guide development through highway and transit improvements (federal Transportation Equity Act of 1998).
REGION FORWARD COALITION
The Coalition oversees the next steps recommended in the Region Forward Vision, and advises the Board of Directors on future regional planning and implementation.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Annually, participating local governments and caucuses of state legislative delegations from the region choose the Board of Directors. The Board consists of twenty-eight members: four selected from the District of Columbia; three each from Fairfax County, Virginia, and Montgomery County, Maryland; two from Prince George's County; one from each remaining local jurisdiction; and one member each from the Maryland and Virginia legislatures.
ANACOSTIA WATERSHED RESTORATION PARTNERSHIP
By resolution of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, the Anacostia Watershed Restoration Partnership formed in June 2006.
In 1998, the Chesapeake Bay Policy Committee was created by resolution of the Board of Directors. The Committee reformed as the Chesapeake Bay and Water Resources Policy Committee in 2007.
By resolution of the Board of Governors, the Climate, Energy and Environment Policy Committee was created in April 2009 and convened in July 2009.
In December 2008, the Human Services and Public Safety Policy Committee formed from the merger of the Homeland Security and Public Safety Policy Committee with the Human Services Policy Committee. In November 2017, the Committee was renamed the Human Services Policy Committee.
In 1991, the Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Committee was certified by the mayor of Washington, DC, and the governors of Maryland and Virginia to carry out planning requirements of the federal Clean Air Act amendments of 1990 in the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area.
By a charter adopted by the Board of Directors, the National Capital Region Emergency Preparedness Council was created on November 13, 2002.
In 1965, as a Metropolitan Planning Organization, the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board was created by a memorandum of agreement among officials of Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia, and local governments in the region.
As the Metropolitan Development Policy Committee, the Region Forward Coalition originated. It reformed under its present name in January 2011.
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