[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 9 (Thursday, January 13, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2422-2423]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-727]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Indian Affairs


Nominations for Indian Reservation Roads Program Coordinating 
Committee

AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to form the Indian Reservation Roads Program 
Coordinating Committee under 25 CFR 170.155-158.

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SUMMARY: The Secretary of the Interior is requesting nominations for 
tribal regional representatives to the Indian Reservation Roads (IRR) 
Program Coordinating Committee (Committee) which will be established 
under 25 CFR 170. The IRR final rules amending 25 CFR 170 include 
establishing a Committee to provide input and recommendations to the 
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the Federal Highway Administration 
(FHWA) in developing IRR Program policies and procedures and to 
coordinate with and obtain input from tribes, BIA, and FHWA.
    The Secretary will accept only nominations for tribal 
representatives and alternates officially selected by tribes in each of 
the 12 BIA regions as stated below.

DATES: Nominations for the IRR Program Coordinating Committee tribal 
representatives and alternates must be received no later than February 
28, 2005 at the address below. Nominations received after this date 
will not be considered.

ADDRESSES: Send nominations to Mr. LeRoy Gishi, Chief, Division of 
Transportation, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of the 
Interior, 1951 Constitution Avenue, NW., Mail Stop 320-SIB, Washington, 
DC 20240.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. LeRoy Gishi, Chief, Division of 
Transportation, Bureau of Indian Affairs, 1951 Constitution Avenue, 
NW., Mail Stop 320-SIB, Washington, DC 20240, Telephone (202) 513-7711 
or Fax (202) 208-4696.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The IRR final rules amending 25 CFR Part 
170, effective November 13, 2004, are the result of negotiated 
rulemaking between tribal and Federal representatives under the 
Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21). The IRR final 
rules include the negotiated rulemaking committee's recommendation that 
the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Transportation 
establish an IRR Program Coordinating Committee to provide input and 
recommendations to BIA and FHWA in developing IRR Program policies and 
to coordinate with and obtain input from tribes, BIA, and FHWA. As 
recommended, the Committee will consist of 12 tribal regional 
representatives (one from each BIA region) and two non-voting Federal 
representatives (from BIA and FHWA). In addition to the 12 tribal 
regional representatives, the Committee will include one alternate from 
each BIA region who will attend Committee meetings in the absence of 
the tribal regional representative. Each tribal regional representative 
must be a tribal governmental official or employee with authority to 
act for the tribal government.
    The Secretary must select regional tribal representatives and 
alternates from nominees officially proposed by the region's tribes. 
The Secretary will appoint the initial tribal regional representatives 
and alternates from each BIA region to either a 1-, 2- or 3-year 
appointment in order to establish a yearly, one-third change in tribal 
regional representatives. All appointments thereafter will be for 3-
year terms. To the extent possible, the Secretary must make the 
selection so that there is representation from a broad cross-section of 
large, medium, and small tribes. The Secretary of the Interior will 
provide guidance for the replacement of representatives.

IRR Program Coordinating Committee Responsibilities

    The responsibilities of the Committee are to provide input and 
recommendations to BIA and FHWA during the development or revision of:
     BIA/FHWA IRR Program Stewardship Plan;
     IRR Program policy and procedures;
     IRR Program eligible activities' determinations;
     IRR Program transit policy;
     IRR Program regulations;
     IRR Program management systems policy and procedures;
     IRR Program fund distribution formula (under 25 CFR 
170.157); and
     National tribal transportation needs.
    The Committee also reviews and provides recommendations on IRR 
Program national concerns, including implementation of 25 CFR 170, as 
amended.

IRR Program Coordinating Committee Role in the Funding Process

    The Committee will provide input and recommendations to BIA and 
FHWA for:
     New IRR inventory data format and form;
     Simplified cost to construct (CTC) methodology (including 
formula calculations, formula program and design, and bid tab 
methodology);
     Cost elements;
     Over-design issues;
     Inflation impacts on $1 million cap for the Indian 
Reservation Roads High Priority Project (IRRHPP) and Emergency Projects 
(including the IRRHPP Ranking System and emergency/disaster 
expenditures report); and
     The impact of including funded but non-constructed 
projects in the CTC calculation.

IRR Program Coordinating Committee Conduct of Business

    The Committee will hold two meetings per fiscal year. The Committee 
may call additional meeting(s) with the consent of one-third of 
Committee members or BIA or FHWA may call additional meeting(s). A 
quorum consists of eight voting Committee members. The Committee will 
operate by consensus or majority vote, as the Committee determines in 
its protocols. The Committee must elect from among the Committee 
membership a Chair, Vice-Chair, and other officers. These officers will 
be responsible for preparing for and conducting Committee meetings and 
summarizing meeting results. The Committee may prescribe other duties 
for the officers. Any Committee member can submit an agenda item to the 
Committee Chair.

IRR Program Coordinating Committee Reporting Requirements and Budget

    The Committee must keep the Secretary and tribes informed through 
an annual accomplishment report provided within 90 days after the end 
of each fiscal year. The Committee's budget, funded through the IRR 
Program management and oversight funds, will not exceed $150,000 
annually.

Submitting Nominations

    Tribes may nominate up to three individuals from their respective 
region for the committee. Nominations for alternate positions should 
clearly state such. Nominees must be tribal governmental officials or 
employees with authority to act for the tribal government. Nominations 
must be on official tribal government letterhead signed by a tribal 
governmental official. Nominations must include written authority for 
the nominee to act for the tribal government, if the nominee is 
appointed, and include a resume showing the nominee's relevant 
education and training, current job description, and professional 
experience

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level in the IRR program, transportation, or transit areas. Incomplete 
nominations will not be considered.
    To be considered, nominations must be received by the close of 
business February 28, 2005, at the location indicated in the ADDRESSES 
section.

    Dated: December 29, 2004.
David W. Anderson,
Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 05-727 Filed 1-12-05; 8:45 am]
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