LCTI: Manzanita Mobility Project Needs Assessment
Clean Mobility Options Voucher Pilot Program
Community Transportation Needs Assessment
Native American Environmental Protection Coalition | Manzanita Mobility Project Needs Assessment
January 2021 – October 2021
Project Details
The Native American Environmental Protection Coalition's (NAEPC) needs assessment involved the use of a variety of culturally appropriate methods, such as community events, in-person or one-on-one interviews, and educational forums, and sessions with tribal leaders to engage and do outreach with the community groups and community members to collect information about travel needs and preferences. Outreach events included all residents and tribal leaders from the proposed area and provided the traditional concept of cultural reciprocity around transportation and mobility options. NAEPC also engaged contacts known to the community and staff to ensure all residents and tribal leaders were included in this process.
To learn more about project implementation, watch this video.
Project Highlights
- Culturally appropriate approaches work best with tribal communities.
- Tribal Leadership likes to be involved in all the details.
Lessons Learned
- Tribal communities still rely on the one-to-one communication.
- State programs do not make it easy for tribes to apply for funding.
Funding Details
Voucher Total: $50,000
By the Numbers
Community Engagement Activities
- 4-5 One-on-one interviews
- 2-3 Education forums
- 2-3 Sessions with tribal leaders
Estimated Quantifiable Benefits
- Direct Jobs: 1
- Indirect Jobs: 1
- Induced Jobs: 1
Community Details
The project focuses on the Manzanita Band of Diegueno Mission Indians (Manzanita Band) aka Manzanita Band of Kumeyaay Nation and the Manzanita Reservation, which is located in the remote area of eastern San Diego county near Interstate-8. Manzanita like many tribes is underserved by local, state and federal programs. Manzanita like other similarly located tribes is in the remote mountains of San Diego County. Transportation planning is only now a discussion with local government agencies. Tribal citizens have faced discrimination due to poverty and race. County Transportation Authorities have not adequately addressed the needs of the rural residents which is exemplified by the twice a week bus service to this area and no other transportation services are made available. If tribal members do not have transportation, they cannot maintain employment, attend to health care or meet other basic needs. Current vehicles used by both the tribal government and individuals are aging. Access to education, health and employment is impacted by the current state of transportation.
Community Benefits
The main project goal was to increase knowledge of clean transportation and mobility options, and identify problems, solutions, and opportunities for transportation for both the community and tribal government. The tribe learned the existing constructs regarding clean mobility and its compatibility and usefulness on the reservation. Through the project, tribal leadership would understand how many and what types of vehicles used by community members and its governmental departments, typical distances driven and purpose of use. This assessment also documented any of other types of transportation used by the community such as shared rides or shared vehicles.
Outreach & Engagement Strategies
- Interviews
- Educational forums
- Sessions with tribal leaders
- Text campaign
- Gift card incentives
Target Populations
- Underserved and under-represented populations
- Tribal and community members of the reservation
- People without internet access
- People without a personal vehicle
- Low-income
- Families with children
Partnership Structure
Voucher Recipient
Native American Environmental Protection Coalition (NAEPC) is a non-profit organization formed, guided and directed by its member tribes and provides technical assistance to its member tribes for the preservation, protection and restoration of the environment on or near their reservation and other lands and to take the necessary actions for the health of their environment and safety of their tribal members.
Project Partners
- The Manzanita Band of Diegueno Mission Indians
Contact
Jill Sherman-Warne | (619) 957-7467 | NAEPC