[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 150 (Thursday, August 6, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39375-39376]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-18772]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration

[FTA Docket No. FTA-2009-0037]


Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration invites public comment 
about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's 
(OMB) approval to renew the following information collection: 
Metropolitan and Statewide Transportation Planning (OMB Number: 2132-
0529). The information to be collected for this program is to evaluate 
proposed New and Small Starts projects. The Federal Register Notice 
with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments was published on April 
27, 2009.

DATES: Comments must be submitted before September 8, 2009. A comment 
to OMB is most effective if OMB receives it within 30 days of 
publication.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: LaStar Matthews, Office of 
Administration, Office of Management Planning, (202) 366-2295.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Metropolitan and Statewide Transportation Planning.
    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. Sections 5303 and 
5304 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 
and other areas of States outside of urbanized areas. The information 
collection activities involved in developing the Unified Planning Work 
Program (UPWP), the Metropolitan Transportation Plan, the Long Range 
Statewide Transportation Improvement 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 management tools for MPOs and State DOTs, 
the UPWP and State Planning and Research (SP&R) Work Program are used 
by both FTA and FHWA to monitor the transportation planning activities 
of those agencies. It is also needed to establish national out year 
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. Section 5303 and 23 U.S.C.134(h) require the 
development of TIPs for urbanized areas; STIPs are mandated by 49 
U.S.C. Section 5304 and 23 U.S.C. 235(f) for an entire State. 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 Sates are complying 
with the requirements of 23 U.S.C. 235 and 49 U.S.C. Section 5304 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: 38,760 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.


[[Page 39376]]


    Issued: July 31, 2009.
Ann M. Linnertz,
Associate Administrator for Administration.
[FR Doc. E9-18772 Filed 8-5-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-57-P