[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 24 (Thursday, February 5, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 5654]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-2452]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration

[FTA Docket No. FTA-2004-17004]


Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) this notice announces the intention the 
Information Collection Request (ICR) for extension of the currently 
approved information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-
day comment period soliciting comments was published on September 9, 
2003.

DATES: Comments must be submitted before March 8, 2004. A comment to 
OMB is most effective if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sylvia L. Marion, Office of 
Administration, Office of Management Planning, (202) 366-6680.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Metropolitan and Statewide Transportation Planning (OMB 
Number: 2132-0529).
    Abstract: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Federal 
Highway Administration (FHWA) jointly carry out the federal mandate to 
improve urban and rural transportation. 49 U.S.C. 5303 and 23 U.S.C. 
134 and 135 authorize the use of federal funds to assist Metropolitan 
Planning Organizations (MPOs), states, and local public bodies in 
developing transportation plans and programs to serve the 
transportation needs of urbanized areas over 50,000 in population. The 
information collection activities involved in developing the Unified 
Planning Work Program (UPWP), the Metropolitan Transportation Plan, the 
Statewide Transportation Plan, the Transportation Improvement Program 
(TIP), and the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) are 
necessary to identify and evaluate the transportation issues and needs 
in each urbanized area and throughout every state. These products of 
the transportation planning process are essential elements in the 
reasonable planning and programming of federally funded transportation 
investments.
    In addition to serving as a management tool for MPOs and state 
DOTs, the UPWP is used by both FTA and FHWA to monitor the 
transportation planning activities of those agencies. It is also needed 
to establish national outyear budgets and regional program plans, 
develop policy on using funds, monitor state and local compliance with 
national technical emphasis areas, respond to Congressional inquiries, 
prepare congressional testimony, and ensure efficiency in the use and 
expenditure of federal funds by determining that planning proposals are 
both reasonable and cost-effective. 49 U.S.C. 5303 and 23 U.S.C. 134(h) 
require the development of TIPs for urbanized, STIPs are mandated by 23 
U.S.C. 235(f). After approval by the Governor and MPO, metropolitan 
TIPs in attainment areas are to be incorporated directly into the STIP. 
For nonattainment areas, FTA/FHWA must make a conformity finding on the 
TIPs before including them into the STIP. The complete STIP is then 
jointly reviewed and approved or disapproved by FTA and FHWA. These 
conformity findings and approval actions constitute the determination 
that states are complying with the requirement of 23 U.S.C. 235 and 49 
U.S.C. section 5303 as a condition of eligibility for federal-aid 
funding. Without these documents, approvals and findings, capital and/
or operating assistance cannot be provided.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 314,900 hours.
    ADDRESSES: All written comments must refer to the docket number 
that appears at the top of this document and be submitted to the Office 
of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 
725 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503, Attention: FTA Desk 
Officer.
    Comments Are Invited On: Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the Department, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; the accuracy of the Department's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility, 
and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize 
the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including 
the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology.

    Issued: January 30, 2004.
Ann M. Linnertz,
Special Projects Officer.
[FR Doc. 04-2452 Filed 2-4-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-57-M