[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 236 (Monday, December 8, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 74560]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-29021]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

[FHWA Docket No. FHWA-2008-0158]


Surface Transportation Project Delivery Pilot Program; Caltrans 
Audit Report

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice; request for comment.

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SUMMARY: Section 6005 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient 
Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) established 
the Surface Transportation Project Delivery Pilot Program, codified at 
23 U.S.C. 327. Section 327(g) of Title 23, United States Code mandates 
semiannual audits during each of the first 2 years of State 
participation to ensure compliance by each State participating in the 
Pilot Program. This notice announces and solicits comments on the 
second audit report for the California Department of Transportation 
(Caltrans).

DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 7, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Mail or hand deliver comments to Docket Management Facility: 
U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Room 
W12-140, Washington, DC 20590. You may also submit comments 
electronically at http://www.regulations.gov, or fax comments to (202) 
493-2251.
    All comments should include the docket number that appears in the 
heading of this document. All comments received will be available for 
examination and copying at the above address from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 
e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Those desiring 
notification of receipt of comments must include a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard or you may print the acknowledgment page that appears 
after submitting comments electronically. Anyone is able to search the 
electronic form of all comments in any one of our dockets by the name 
of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if 
submitted on behalf of an association, business, or labor union). You 
may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal 
Register published on April 11, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 70, Pages 
19477-78) or you may visit http://DocketsInfo.dot.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Ruth Rentch, Office of Project 
Development and Environmental Review, (202) 366-2034, 
[email protected], or Mr. Michael Harkins, Office of the Chief 
Counsel, (202) 366-4928, [email protected], Federal Highway 
Administration, Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, 
SE., Washington, DC 20590. Office hours are from 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 
p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Electronic Access

    An electronic copy of this notice may be downloaded from the Office 
of the Federal Register's home page at http://www.archives.gov and the 
Government Printing Office's Web site at http://www.access.gpo.gov.

Background

    Section 6005 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient 
Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) (codified at 
23 U.S.C. 327) established a pilot program to allow up to five States 
to assume the Secretary of Transportation's responsibilities for 
environmental review, consultation, or other actions under any Federal 
environmental law pertaining to the review or approval of highway 
projects. In order to be selected for the pilot program, a State must 
submit an application to the Secretary.
    On June 29, 2007, Caltrans and FHWA entered into a Memorandum of 
Understanding (MOU) establishing the assignments to and assumptions of 
responsibility to Caltrans. Under the MOU, Caltrans assumed the 
majority of FHWA's responsibilities under the National Environmental 
Policy Act, as well as the FHWA's responsibilities under other Federal 
environmental laws for most highway projects in California.
    Section 327(g) of Title 23, United States Code, requires the 
Secretary to conduct semiannual audits during each of the first 2 years 
of State participation, and annual audits during each subsequent year 
of State participation to ensure compliance by each State participating 
in the Pilot Program. The results of each audit must be presented in 
the form of an audit report and be made available for public comment. 
This notice announces the availability of the second audit report for 
Caltrans and solicits public comment on same.

    Authority: Section 6005 of Pub. L. 109-59; 23 U.S.C. 315 and 
327; 49 CFR 1.48.

    Issued on: December 1, 2008.
Thomas J. Madison, Jr.,
Federal Highway Administrator.
 [FR Doc. E8-29021 Filed 12-5-08; 8:45 am]
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