Title
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN INCREASED SET-ASIDE OF TRIBAL TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM FUNDING FOR TRANSIT PROJECTS
Body
WHEREAS, the Cherokee Nation since time immemorial has exercised the sovereign rights of self-government on behalf of the Cherokee people;
WHEREAS, the Cherokee Nation is a federally recognized Indian Nation with a historic and continual government to government relationship with the United States of America;
WHEREAS, Title 23 United States Code provides for tribal determination of its own needs and priorities for the allocation of Tribal Transportation Program funding to include roadway and transit projects (formerly Indian Reservation Roads Program);
WHEREAS, Cherokee Nation has conducted extensive research to document its transportation needs and in doing so has adopted a long-range transit plan and recommendations for the implementation of future transit systems;
WHEREAS, Cherokee Nation provides a low-cost transportation service for Native Americans and Tribal Employees needing access to work and other essential facilities; and
WHEREAS, the ridership levels within the Nation's boundary have exceeded expectations and therefore any further utilization of the Nation's low-cost transportation service will require additional budget authority to accommodate such expansion.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CHEROKEE NATION, that this resolution affirms the set-aside of roadway funding for transit projects authorized by resolution 74-09 and hereby increases the percentage of the Nation's Tribal Transportation Program allocation that is set-aside for transit projects to an amount not to exceed 5%. The intent of this resolution shall be reflected in the next update of the Transportation Improvement Program.