Home  Non-Discrimination  Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Plan

Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Plan

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) ensures that individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) have meaningful access to all SRBC programs which are supported by financial assistance from the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Policy guidance published by the USEPA defines LEP as “Individuals who do not speak English as their primary language and who have a limited ability to read, write, speak, or understand English.”

SRBC staff will consider the following four factors when determining the language access resources to provide when interacting with LEP communities.

  1. The number of LEP individuals likely to be served or affected by the project or program.

  2. The frequency in which LEP individuals may come in contact with the program or project.

  3. The nature and importance of the project or program for the LEP community.

  4. The availability and costs of language translation resources.

SRBC staff may utilize the American Communities Survey, LEP Community Mapping Tool , or other resources to determine which communities are considered LEP. SRBC will use these resources to determine the most common languages spoken. Data will be updated annually, and will be utilized to inform SRBC decisions and actions related to USEPA supported projects and programs.

At least annually, population data will be updated using these resources. Data for race, color, national origin, sex, age and disability status for the population that the SRBC serves will be updated using census block groups. Data for “specific language spoken at home” will be updated using census tracts because it is not provided at the block group scale. Where a census block/tract covers areas outside of the basin, the statistics are estimated for the basin using a change in area ratio and assuming equal distribution across the census block group/tract (i.e. if half of the area of the block group is within the basin, then only half of the particular census value is counted).

Written and oral communication regarding a project affecting LEP communities shall be translated and interpreted in the most effective way possible. Language access services will be provided by a third-party vendor. If necessary, language access services may also be provided by volunteer interpreters. Independently, SRBC may also undertake its own analysis on a project-by-project basis, depending on the demographic analysis of any area potentially impacted by a project and translate vital documents.

SRBC will provide written translation for vital documents for each eligible LEP language group that constitutes either:

  1. 5% of the affected community’s population; or

  2. Includes 1,000 people within the community who are likely to be encountered or affected by the project, program, or activity.

SRBC staff will use whichever of these two options comprises the least amount of people to determine document translation. If there are fewer than 50 people in a language group that reaches the 5% of the affected communities population threshold, SRBC is not required to translate vital documents, but may choose to do so. SRBC will provide written notice in the primary language of the LEP language group of their right to receive oral or written translation of these vital documents free of cost. LEP community members may also request a translation of these vital documents.

Vital documents could include:

  1. Nondiscrimination notices

  2. Complaint forms

  3. Information about SRBC projects and activities

  4. Notices advising LEP persons of free language assistance

Oral interpretation services may be provided for interactions with LEP individuals or communities. Oral interpretation services may also be provided for public meetings in LEP communities.

Requesting Translation Services

SRBC will also provide interpretation and translation services upon request to LEP individuals and communities. Services may include:

  1. in-person interactions

  2. public meetings

  3. phone calls with SRBC staff

  4. interactions with SRBC programs or activities

  5. translation of specific documents or webpages

SRBC staff will also assess the need for language access services at the point of first contact with an LEP individual, and will engage such services if needed.

All interpretation and translation services will be provided free of charge to the LEP individual or community.