[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 75 (Thursday, April 19, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19752-19753]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-7435]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Office of the Secretary

[OST-2007-27909]


Advisory Committee on Impacts of Climate Variability and Change 
on Transportation Systems and Infrastructure--Gulf Coast Case Study

AGENCY:  Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of meeting of advisory committee.

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

SUMMARY: This document announces the second meeting of the Advisory 
Committee on Impacts of Climate Variability and Change on 
Transportation Systems and Infrastructure--Gulf Coast Case Study to the 
U.S. Department of Transportation (the ``Advisory Committee''). The 
purpose of this meeting is to advise the Secretary of Transportation on 
the design, implementation and final report of Synthesis and Assessment 
Product 4.7, which examines how a changing climate might affect 
transportation infrastructure and services in the Gulf Coast. This 
research is being conducted under the Climate Change Science Program.

DATES: The second meeting of the Advisory Committee is scheduled for 
May 16-17, 2007, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Tremont House, 2300 Ship's 
Mechanic Row, Galveston, Texas 77550. Phone: 409-763-0300.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Michael Savonis, the Designated 
Federal Official, Office of Natural and Human Environment, 202-366-
2080, ([email protected]), Federal Highway Administration, 400 
Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Through consultation with transportation professionals, 
researchers, and partners, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) 
has identified a need within the transportation community for improved 
information about climate variability and change when making 
transportation decisions. A sound transportation system is vital to the 
nation's social and economic future. Investments in transportation are 
substantial, and result in infrastructure that is designed to last for 
decades. Transportation plans and designs should therefore be carefully 
considered and well informed by a range of factors, including 
consideration of climate variability and change. Climate also affects 
the safety, operations, and maintenance of transportation 
infrastructure and systems. This research will investigate the 
potential impacts of climate variability and change on transportation 
infrastructure and its operation, and provide guidance as to how 
transportation planners and decision makers may incorporate this 
information into transportation planning decisions to ensure a reliable 
and robust future transportation network.
    The Gulf Coast Study was selected by DOT as the first of a series 
of research activities that the Center will pursue to address these 
research priorities. This initial product will focus on the low-lying 
Gulf of Mexico coastal region, which has little topographic relief but 
it is heavily populated. In addition, the area's transportation modes 
are both unique and economically significant. For example, the Ports of 
New Orleans and Houston are the top two ranking U.S. ports in tonnage. 
Roughly two thirds of all U.S. oil imports are transported through this 
region. Pipelines traversing the region transport over 90 percent of 
domestic Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas. Almost half of the 
Nation's repetitive flood damage claims are paid to homeowners and 
businesses in this region, and the efficacy of evacuation during storms 
is an important determinant of the safety and well-being of the 
region's population. This region is subject to the direct effects of 
hurricanes and tropical storms. Given its low elevation, the area is 
also particularly vulnerable to flooding and storm surges that 
accompany hurricanes and tropical storms. These effects may be 
exacerbated by global sea level rise and local land subsidence.
    To carry out this study, the U.S. DOT published a notice of intent 
to form an Advisory Committee in the Federal Register on June 22, 2006 
(71 FR 35986). That notice, consistent with the requirements of the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), announced the establishment of 
the Committee and invited comments on the nominations for membership.

[[Page 19753]]

    The U.S. DOT anticipates that this will be the last meeting of this 
Advisory Committee. Interested persons shall be permitted to attend, 
appear before, or file statements for the record. Attendance will 
necessarily be limited by the size of the meeting room.
    The agenda topic for this meeting will include a review of the 
draft report.

    Issued this 13th Day of April, 2007 in Washington, DC.
Robert DeHaan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy.
[FR Doc. E7-7435 Filed 4-18-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-9X-P