California’s Department of Transportation, known as Caltrans, will host eight public workshops between June 17 and July 24 to solicit input on the draft California Freight Mobility Plan, which lays out a vision for all the ways freight is moved, including seaports, air cargo, railroads, and trucking.

Caltrans is developing the CFMP in partnership with the California State Transportation Agency, the freight industry, public agencies, Native American tribal governments, and advocacy groups. The plan will be finalized by the end of this year.

“To maintain and improve California’s status as the eighth-largest economy in the world, we must create a multimodal freight plan that sustains freight jobs, improves transportation, protects the environment and our communities,” said Caltrans director Malcolm Dougherty.

The U.S. Department of Transportation will rely on the CFMP and other state freight plans as it shapes a national freight plan, according to Caltrans. Projects identified in California’s plan will be eligible to apply for a higher percentage of federal funding.

Caltrans says this plan is especially important because California is a national and global trade leader. Of the country’s internationally traded consumer products, about 40% is transported through California’s 12 seaports, giving it an unparalleled geographic trade position on the Pacific Rim.

California has also set aggressive goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve a sustainable environment. The freight plan’s goal is to transition the freight industry to zero or near zero emissions by 2050.

To review the draft plan and comment, you can attend any of these eight public workshops:

Sacramento: June 17, 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., California State Railroad Museum, Stanford Gallery, 125 I Street.

Redding: June 19, 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Caltrans District 2 office building, Lassen Training Room, 1031 Butte Street.

Marina (Monterey): June 23, 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Marina Public Library, 190 Seaside Circle.

Oakland: June 24, 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Caltrans District 4 office building, cafeteria, 111 Grand Avenue.

Fresno: June 30, 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Caltrans District 6 office building, Yosemite Room, 2015 E. Shields, Suite 100.

Los Angeles: July 22, 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Caltrans District 7 office building, Rooms 01.040 A, B, & C, 100 S. Main Street.

San Bernardino: July 23, 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Caltrans District 8 office building, Basement Training Room, 464 W. Fourth Street.

San Diego: July 24, 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Caltrans District 11 San Diego office building, Garcia Room, 4050 Taylor Street.

To view the draft plan, informational materials, and to receive more details on the public workshops, please visit: www.cfmp.dot.ca.gov.

Those unable to attend a meeting in person, can comment by email at cfmp@dot.ca.gov or send a letter or a completed comment card to: California Department of Transportation, Division of Transportation Planning, Office of System, Freight, and Rail Planning, 1120 N Street, MS 32, Sacramento, CA 95814.

Comments must be submitted by July 31, 2014.