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Metro respects civil rights

About Metro › Civil rights

In order to ensure that your civil rights are protected, Metro follows Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Executive Order on Environmental Justice and the social equity elements of the region's values statements.

Federal and state laws and Metro policies ensure that the agency’s activities respect the rights of all residents and that access to transportation options and other public facilities is shared equally among all communities in the region.

Notice to the public of rights under Title VI

Metro hereby gives public notice that it is the policy of the Metro Council to assure full compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, Executive Order 12898 on Environmental Justice and related statutes and regulations in all programs and activities.
Title VI requires that no person in the United States of America shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity for which Metro receives federal financial assistance.
Any person who believes they have been aggrieved by an unlawful discriminatory practice under Title VI has a right to file a formal complaint with Metro. Any such complaint must be in writing and filed with Metro’s Title VI Coordinator within one hundred eighty (180) days following the date of the alleged discriminatory occurrence.
For more information on Metro’s civil rights program and/or the procedures to file a complaint, call 503-797-1536; email valerie.cuevas@oregonmetro.gov; or visit Metro's administrative office at 600 NE Grand Ave. in Portland. Metro employees seeking information or complaint procedures for employment related issues should see contact information below for Metro's labor & employee relations manager.

Metro Title VI notice
Metro Title VI complaint procedures
Metro Title VI complaint form

If information is needed in another language, contact 503-797-1536.

Read Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Environmental justice

On February 11, 1994, President Clinton issued Executive Order 12898, "Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice (EJ) in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations." The EJ Executive Order requires federal agencies, to the greatest extent practicable, and as permitted by law, to achieve environmental justice by identifying and addressing disproportionately high and adverse human health and environmental effects, including interrelated social and economic effects, of their programs, policies and activities on minority populations and low-income populations.

While the Executive Order was intended to improve the internal management of the executive branch of the federal government and not to create legal rights by any party against the United States, federal agencies are required to implement its provisions “consistent with, and to the extent permitted by, existing law.” (Sections 6-608 and 6-609, 59 Fed. Reg. At 7632-33)

Read Executive Order 12898

Equity, diversity as core values

Metro's leaders care about their employees and the community. To successfully preserve and enhance the quality of life for current and future generations in the region, Metro is committed to ensuring that all employees and customers are treated with respect. The organizational value of respect states that Metro encourages and appreciates diversity in people and ideas and commits to maintaining an atmosphere of equality and personal integrity, understanding of the perspective of others, and honesty and trust.

In 2010, as part of the region’s growth management policies, the Metro Policy Advisory Committee recommended and the Metro Council adopted six desired outcomes for communities throughout the region. Identifying these regional values ensures agency actions and decisions are guided by a clear focus. One of the outcomes is "Equity: The benefits and burdens of growth and change are distributed equitably."

Learn more about the region’s six desired outcomes

Metro defines diversity as the variance or difference among people. This variance includes race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, nationality, language preference, socioeconomic status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and diversity of thought. These differences are tied to a variety of other characteristics such as experience, work styles, life experience, education, beliefs and ideas.

Metro recognizes that the diversity of the region’s population will increase over time and that it is essential to remain relevant and accountable to the community it serves.

For information on how to file an employment related discrimination complaint at Metro, contact Lisa Colling, labor and employee relations manager, at 503-797-1513.

Metro's state and federal compliance reports show civil rights activities

Because Metro receives federal funds for use in transportation planning, the agency is required to comply with civil rights regulations adopted by the Federal Transit Administration and the Federal Highway Administration.

Metro complies with federal civil rights rules in a variety of ways. The agency uses the best available data to understand the populations that could be affected by its projects. Staff engage minorities, low-income and other traditionally underserved populations – and stakeholder groups that serve them – to better understand community needs. Planning projects often produce elaborate maps to show the public where sensitive populations are located relative to planned projects.

The following reports show Metro's policies and practices:

Title VI Compliance Report for ODOT

Metro provides this report annually to the Oregon Department of Transportation, because Metro receives FHWA funds passed through the state agency.

Title VI Compliance Report (with Exhibit A)

Exhibit B to Title VI Compliance Report (Limited English Proficiency Plan produced for FTA)

Title VI Program

Metro provides this report to the FTA because Metro is a direct recipient of transit administration funds for use in planning high capacity transit service and other projects. In 2012, the FTA adopted a new rule calling for agencies such as Metro to provide this report every three years. It includes Metro's Limited English Proficiency Plan, Public Involvement Policy for Transportation Planning and a copy of the draft Diversity Action Plan.

Title VI Program with Exhibits B-E

Exhibit A to Title VI Program: Metro's LEP Access Needs Assessment and Implementation Plan