[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 95 (Wednesday, May 17, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26470-26473]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-12164]



-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration
[FHWA/FTA Docket No. 95-9]


Notification of FY 95 Reviews

AGENCIES: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Federal Transit 
Administration (FTA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: On April 28, 1994, the FHWA and the FTA Administrators jointly 
issued guidance to their respective regional administrators on the 
implementation of the Federal certification of the metropolitan 
planning process in transportation management area (TMA) planning 
areas. This notice announces the schedule of FY 1995 reviews as known 
at this time. The FHWA and the FTA are planning approximately 45 
certification and 12 enhanced planning (EPR) reviews for FY 1995. 
Interested parties are invited to submit comments on the individual 
planning processes to be reviewed.

DATES: Comments on metropolitan planning processes under review must be 
received within sixty (60) days of the scheduled site review in order 
to be considered during the certification review process. Where reviews 
have already been completed prior to the publication of this notice, 
parties interested in commenting on these metropolitan planning 
processes should immediately contact Sheldon Edner (see following 
paragraph for phone number, address, and further instructions). Where 
dates are to be announced, a supplemental notice announcing these dates 
will be issued when the specific dates are confirmed.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For FHWA: Mr. Sheldon Edner, Planning 
[[Page 26471]] Operations Branch (HEP-21), (202) 366-4066 (metropolitan 
planning) or Mr. Reid Alsop, FHWA Office of the Chief Counsel (HCC-31), 
(202) 366-1371. For the FTA: Ms. Deborah Burns, Resource Management 
Division (TGM-21), (202) 366-1637 or Mr. Scott Biehl, FTA Office of the 
Chief Counsel (TCC-40), (202) 366-4063. Office hours for the FHWA are 
from 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., e.t., and for the FTA are from 8:30 a.m. 
to 5 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

ADDRESSES: Submit written, signed comments to Docket Number 95-9, 
Federal Highway Administration, Room 4232, HCC-10, 400 Seventh Street, 
SW., Washington, DC 20590. All comments received will be available for 
examination at this address during the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., 
Monday through Friday. Those desiring notification of receipt of 
comments must enclose a self-addressed, stamped postcard.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Sections 1024, 1025, and 3012 of the 
Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) (Pub. L. 102-
240, 105 Stat. 1914, 1955, 1962, and 2098) amended 23 U.S.C. 134 and 
135 and section 8 of the Federal Transit Act (now codified at 49 U.S.C. 
5303, 5304, and 5305) to require a continuing, comprehensive, and 
coordinated transportation planning process in metropolitan areas and 
States. The FHWA and the FTA metropolitan planning regulations 
implementing these requirements were published on October 28, 1993 (58 
FR 58040). The statutes and the planning regulations cited require the 
FHWA and the FTA to periodically certify that the planning process in 
metropolitan planning areas designated as transportation management 
areas complies with the provisions of the ISTEA and its implementing 
regulations.

General

Public Involvement in Certification Process

    The FHWA and the FTA are soliciting public comment on the planning 
processes of the FY 1995 certification review sites identified below. 
The agencies are particularly interested in input regarding the 
strengths and weaknesses of the planning process in light of the 
requirements identified in 23 CFR 450 Subpart C. Additionally, the 
views of local officials and the public are welcomed regarding the use 
of the planning process in transportation investment decisions.

Schedule of FY 1995 Certification Reviews

    The following schedule is subject to revision. Changes will be 
announced in the Federal Register. Parties interested in providing 
comments on the metropolitan transportation planning processes in the 
identified areas should submit them directly to FHWA/FTA Docket No. 95-
9 identified above, clearly identifying the metropolitan area that the 
comments address. Alternatively, interested parties may choose to 
provide comments through the individual procedures adopted for each 
metropolitan area. Information concerning the citizen input process to 
be utilized for each review may be obtained from the appropriate FHWA 
division or FTA region office.
    Except where the certification review was completed prior to the 
publication of this notice, comments on metropolitan planning processes 
under review must be received within 60 days after the scheduled review 
in order to be considered during the certification review process. The 
FHWA and the FTA will make every effort to review comments received 
after this period and address them in their findings as long as final 
action has not been taken on the certification review. To ensure 
consideration of comments, commenters should submit their written 
comments as soon as possible.
    Where a review was completed prior to publication of this notice, 
interested parties wishing to make comments on a particular 
certification must contact Sheldon Edner within two weeks of the date 
of publication of this notice. Where dates for a planned certification 
review have not been established, please contact the appropriate FHWA 
Division or FTA region office for the dates. The FHWA and the FTA will 
publish a second notice of scheduled fiscal year 1996 review dates as 
the remaining review schedules are finalized.
    The site visits are intended to provide an opportunity for the FHWA 
and FTA review team to solicit information from the metropolitan 
planning organizations (MPO), State DOTs and transit agencies regarding 
the implementation of the planning process. In addition, the team will 
solicit input from the public and local officials. Each relevant MPO is 
being asked to provide public notice, through its regular public notice 
processes, of the review and the opportunity to provide public input to 
the review team. Public officials should contact the appropriate MPO to 
identify processes set up to solicit local government input.
    The results of the certification reviews will be made public 
through the regular MPO public information process at a time to be set 
by each MPO policy board.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Region/State/TMA                  Oct.     Nov.     Dec.     Jan.     Feb.     Mar.     Apr.     May      June     July     Aug.    Sept. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Region \1/2\                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                        
Connecticut:                                                                                                                                            
    New Haven-Meriden.......................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......
    Hartford-Springfield (MA)...............  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......      7-9  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......
Massachusetts:                                                                                                                                          
    Boston (EPR* Week of May 15, 1995)......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......
    Lawrence-Haverhill......................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......        X  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......
    Springfield.............................  .......  .......  .......    10-11  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......
New Hampshire:                                                                                                                                          
    Lawrence-Haverhill......................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......        X  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......
New York:                                                                                                                                               
    Buffalo-Niagra Falls....................  .......  .......  .......  .......    15-17  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......
    New York (EPR Week of September 11,                                                                                                                 
     1995)..................................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......
Puerto Rico: San Juan.......................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......      1-5  .......  .......  .......  .......
                                                                                                                                                        
[[Page 26472]]
                                                                                                                                                        
                  Region 3                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                        
District of Columbia: DC (EPR Week of                                                                                                                   
 December 12, 1994).........................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......
Maryland: Baltimore.........................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......    27-29  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......
Pennsylvania:                                                                                                                                           
    Philadelphia (EPR Week of January 17,                                                                                                               
     1995)..................................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......
    Scranton/Wilkes Barre...................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......    24-26  .......  .......  .......  .......
Virginia: Hampton Roads.....................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......    19-21  .......  .......  .......
                                                                                                                                                        
                  Region 4                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                        
Alabama:                                                                                                                                                
    Birmingham..............................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......        X
    Mobile..................................  .......  .......    12-16  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......
    Montgomery..............................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......    14-19  .......
Florida:                                                                                                                                                
    Fort Myers..............................  .......  .......  .......  .......   27-3-3  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......
    Melbourne...............................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......    17-21  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......
    Miami (EPR March 20-23, 1995)...........  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......
    Pensacola...............................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......      5-9  .......  .......  .......
Georgia:                                                                                                                                                
    Atlanta.................................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......    18-22
    Augusta.................................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......    19-23  .......  .......  .......
    Columbus................................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......    27-31  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......
Kentucky: Lexington.........................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......        X  .......
Mississippi: Jackson........................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......    24-28  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......
North Carolina:                                                                                                                                         
    Charlotte...............................  .......  .......  .......  .......    13-17  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......
    Durham..................................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......    10-14  .......  .......
South Carolina                                                                                                                                          
    Charleston..............................  .......  .......  .......    23-27  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......
    Greenville..............................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......    11-15
Tennessee: Memphis..........................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......    22-25  .......  .......  .......  .......
                                                                                                                                                        
                  Region 5                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                        
Illinois: Rockford..........................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......    23-25  .......  .......  .......
Indiana:                                                                                                                                                
    Fort Wayne..............................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......        X
    South Bend..............................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......        X  .......
Michigan:                                                                                                                                               
    Detroit.................................  .......        X  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......
    Flint...................................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......        X  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......
Ohio:                                                                                                                                                   
    Canton..................................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......        X  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......
    Cleveland (EPR Week of August 7, 1995)..  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......
    Columbus................................  .......  .......  .......        X  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......
    Toledo..................................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......        X  .......  .......  .......  .......
    Youngstown..............................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......        X
Wisconsin: Milwaukee........................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......        X  .......  .......  .......  .......
                                                                                                                                                        
                  Region 6                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                        
Arkansas: Little Rock.......................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......    10-13  .......
Louisiana: Shreveport.......................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......     7-10  .......
Oklahoma: Oklahoma City.....................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......        X  .......  .......  .......  .......
Texas:                                                                                                                                                  
    Austin..................................  .......  .......  .......        X  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......
    23/26Dallas (EPR Week of June 12, 1995).  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......
    Houston.................................  .......  .......  .......  .......     27-3  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......
                                                                                                                                                        
                  Region 7                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                        
Iowa: Davenport.............................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......      2-4  .......  .......  .......  .......
Missouri: St. Louis (EPR September, 1995)...  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......
                                                                                                                                                        
                  Region 8                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                        
Colorado: Denver............................  .......  .......  .......     31-2  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......
Utah: Salt Lake.............................  .......  .......  .......  .......        X  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......
                                                                                                                                                        
[[Page 26473]]
                                                                                                                                                        
                  Region 9                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                        
California:                                                                                                                                             
    Fresno..................................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......    14-15  .......  .......  .......
    Los Angeles.............................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......    12-14
    Stockton................................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......    13-14  .......  .......
Hawaii: Honolulu (EPR January 9-12, 1995)     .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......
                                                                                                                                                        
                  Region 10                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                                        
Oregon: Portland............................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......    19-21  .......  .......  .......
Washington:                                                                                                                                             
    Seattle (EPR Week of May 8-12, 1995)....  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......
    Vancouver...............................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......    19-21  .......  .......  .......
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: ``X'' indicates month of certification review; dates are specified where they are scheduled.                                                      
*Enhanced Planning Reviews (EPR) generally are scheduled for approximately 3-4 days during a given week.                                                

Guidance and Responsibility

    The FHWA and the FTA published guidance on the certification of 
planning processes (59 FR 42873). The guidance indicated that the 
primary responsibility for the certification process rested with the 
respective regional offices of the FHWA and the FTA. The preparatory 
work and analysis would be conducted by the appropriate division office 
of the FHWA or regional office of FTA, as a prelude to a site visit by 
representatives of both agencies to the metropolitan planning area to 
be certified. During the site visit, the FHWA and FTA representatives 
would, in addition to meeting with representatives of the MPO, State 
DOTs, and transit agencies serving the metropolitan planning area, also 
provide an opportunity to meet with citizens and elected local 
officials of the principal local governments in the area. The purpose 
of these meetings is to afford the officials and citizens an 
opportunity to provide input to the certification decision in terms of 
the performance of the planning process.
    As indicated above, the MPO and/or State DOT or transit operator 
may make arrangements for these meetings through their normal 
procedures. Other alternatives are acceptable based on arrangements 
between the Federal agencies and the appropriate transportation 
planning agencies. Officials and citizens wishing to obtain information 
regarding the process of providing input should contact the MPO for the 
metropolitan planning areas identified above. Alternatively, the 
Transportation Planner or Planning and Research Engineer for the 
appropriate Division office of the FHWA also can provide this 
information. Each FHWA Division office is located in or near the 
capitol of each State.

    Authority: 23 U.S.C. 315; 49 CFR 1.48; Pub. L. 102-240, Sections 
1024, 1025 and 3012; 105 Stat. 1914, 1955, 1962, and 2098.

    Issued on: May 10, 1995.
Gordon J. Linton,
Administrator, Federal Transit Administration.
Rodney E. Slater,
Administrator, Federal Highway Administration.
[FR Doc. 95-12164 Filed 5-16-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P