Contact:
Daniel Wayne
Senior Planner
Shasta County Regional Transportation Planning Agency
(530) 225-5486

Shasta County Launches Blueprint Planning Project

Redding, CA - Across California, a growing number of regions are participating in California's Regional Blueprint Planning Program.  In an effort to improve regional coordination and the overall effectiveness of future planning decisions, the Shasta County Regional Transportation Planning Agency will launch its own regional blueprint project, entitled ShastaFORWARD>>.

Set to launch October 22, 2007, ShastaFORWARD>> will help local and regional policy-makers evaluate the long-term impacts of growth related decision-making in Shasta County. The new project will allow for more effective planning solutions and lead to a more efficient use of County resources.

"Shasta County is expected to double in population by the year 2050", noted Shasta County Regional Transportation Planning Agency Senior Planner, Daniel Wayne. "The ShastaFORWARD>> project serves to provide regional planners and elected officials with a community-based vision this future growth - a future based on local values and priorities."

Key to the success of ShastaFORWARD>> is the application of alternative growth scenarios, made possible by new regional growth modeling software developed at UC Davis.   Through this state-of-the-art technology, interactive map-based visualizations of future growth and developement in Shasta County will be created.  One scenario will be based on current trends and policies, and several more 'what if' scenarios will be based on communty values identified during the outreach process. These scenarios, in conjunction with a series of focus groups, community surveys, and other community engagement efforts, will help to guide the creation of a 'Preferred Regional Growth Vision for 2050'.

The ShastaFORWARD>> project study area includes all of Shasta County, with a focus on high-growth areas. The project will also consider the potential effects of development trends in north-central Tehama County, along the Interstate 5 corridor.

According to ShastaFORWARD>> officials, there will be numerous opportunities over the next 18 months where the public can play a role in development of the Vision.  For more information about ShastaFORWARD>> and how to participate, please visit www.shastaforward.com or call (530) 225-5486.

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