Founded in 1965, SCAG is a joint powers authority under California state law, established as an association of local governments and agencies that voluntarily convene as a forum to address regional issues. Under federal law, SCAG is designated as a metropolitan planning organization. Under state law, SCAG is designated as a regional transportation planning agency and a council of governments.
The SCAG region encompasses six counties (Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura) and 191 cities in an area covering more than 38,000 square miles. The agency develops long-range regional transportation plans, including a sustainable communities strategy and a growth forecast, regional transportation improvement programs, regional housing needs allocations, and a portion of the South Coast Air Quality Management Plan. SCAG’s 86-member governing board, the Regional Council, conducts the affairs of SCAG; implements the General Assembly’s policy decisions; acts upon policy recommendations from SCAG policy committees and external agencies; appoints committees to study specific problems and programs; and amends, decreases or increases the proposed budget to be reported to the General Assembly. Learn more about the SCAG’s governing bodies on the Governing Structure website.
Vision, Mission, and Values
Responsibilities
Federal Certification
Overall Work Plan
Financial Reports
Vision, Mission, and Values
Vision Statement
Southern California’s catalyst for a brighter future
Mission Statement
To foster innovative regional solutions that improve the lives of Southern Californians through inclusive collaboration, visionary planning, regional advocacy, information sharing, and promoting best practices.
Core Values
Be Open
Be accessible, candid, collaborative, and transparent in the work we do.
Lead by Example
Commit to integrity and equity in working to meet the diverse needs of all people and communities in our region.
Make an Impact
In all endeavors, effect positive and sustained outcomes that make our region thrive.
Be Courageous
Have confidence that taking deliberate, bold, and purposeful risks can yield new and valuable benefits.
Cultivate Belonging
Embrace differences, foster equity, champion inclusion, and empower all.
Responsibilities
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Maintain a continuous, comprehensive, and coordinated planning process resulting in a regional transportation plan (RTP) and a federal transportation improvement program (FTIP).
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Develop a sustainable communities strategy (SCS) to address greenhouse gas emissions as an element of the RTP.
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Develop demographic projections.
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Develop integrated land use, housing, employment, transportation programs, and strategies for the South Coast Air Quality Management Plan.
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Co-lead agency for air quality planning in the Central Coast and Southeast Desert air basin districts.
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Responsible for developing and ensuring that the RTP and the FTIP conform to the purposes of the state implementation plans for specific transportation-related criteria pollutants, per the federal Clean Air Act.
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Authorized regional agency for intergovernmental review of proposed programs for federal financial assistance and direct development activities.
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Review environmental impact reports for projects having regional significance to ensure they are in line with approved regional plans.
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Develop an area-wide, waste treatment management plan.
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Responsible for preparation of the Regional Housing Needs Assessment.
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Along with the San Diego Association of Governments and the Santa Barbara County/Cities Area Planning Council, SCAG is responsible for preparing the Southern California Hazardous Waste Management Plan.
Federal Certification
Every four years, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) must jointly certify the metropolitan planning process (the Federal Certification Review process) in designated transportation management areas.
The SCAG region is such a designated area, and the FHWA and FTA most recently conducted this review with SCAG in April 2022.
View the certification final report.
Overall Work Plan
Each year, SCAG develops an Overall Work Program (OWP), which describes proposed transportation planning activities for the upcoming fiscal year. The OWP also includes those transportation planning activities and studies required by federal and state law and authorized by the Regional Council. These related planning studies address the overall social, economic, and environmental effects of transportation decisions in the region.
Financial Reports
The Comprehensive Annual Financial Report consists of required financial statements and other supplementary financial information prescribed by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board. The Comprehensive Annual Financial Report is a representation by management concerning SCAG’s finances.
