[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 88 (Monday, May 7, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26785-26786]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-10948]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Indian Affairs
Implementation of Indian Reservation Roads Program and
Streamlining the Federal Delivery of Tribal Transportation Services
AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Tribal Consultations and Informational Meetings.
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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is announcing tribal
consultations to discuss the following topics: (1) Changes in
calculation of the Relative Needs Distribution Formula (RNDF) used to
allocate Indian Reservation Roads (IRR) funding among tribes; (2)
streamlining BIA delivery of transportation program services to tribal
governments; and (3) update on implementation of ``Question 10.'' The
BIA and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will also present an
update on legislation involving the Indian Reservation Roads program.
DATES: See the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice for
consultation dates.
ADDRESSES: See the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice for
locations where the consultations will be held.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: LeRoy M. Gishi, Chief, Division of
Transportation, Bureau of Indian Affairs, 1849 C Street NW., MS-4513,
Washington, DC 20240, telephone (202) 513-7711; or Robert W. Sparrow,
Jr., IRR Program Manager, Federal Highway Administration, 1200 New
Jersey Ave. SE., Room E61-311, Washington, DC 20159, telephone (202)
366-9483.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Federally recognized tribes are invited to
attend consultation and informational sessions regarding:
A joint BIA and FWHA recommendation for changing how the
Proposed Roads and Access Roads will contribute to the calculation of
the RNDF for IRR Program funds. The recommendation is significant
because it clarifies the criteria required for certain transportation
facilities to generate RNDF funding and may affect the allocation of
IRR Program funding among tribes. Proposed roads are defined by 25 CFR
170.5 as, ``a road which does not currently exist and needs to be
constructed.'' A primary access route is the shortest feasible route
connecting two points, including roads between villages, roads to
landfills, roads to drinking water sources, roads to natural resources
identified for economic development, and roads that provide access to
intermodal termini, such as airports, harbors, or boat landings. See 23
U.S.C. 202(d)(2)(G).
Your recommendations on how BIA could streamline its
delivery and efficiency of transportation program services provided to
tribal governments. Changes enacted in the Safe, Accountable, Flexible,
Efficient Transportation Equity Act--A Legacy for Users, Public Law
109-59 (SAFETEA-LU), expanded options for tribes to carry out the IRR
program, including entering into agreements directly with FHWA.
Recently, BIA has developed an additional method for tribes to carry
out the IRR program that is similar to FHWA's agreements. These changes
have affected certain aspects of how the Federal functions of the IRR
program are carried out by BIA. As a result, BIA has begun considering
options for changing its IRR program management structure and
oversight, as well as how technical assistance is provided to tribal
transportation entities.
An update on the implementation of ``Question 10'' from
appendix C to subpart C of 25 CFR part 170. This question addresses the
weight assigned a transportation facility's costs to construct (CTC)
and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in calculating the RNDF. In 2010, BIA
and FHWA presented a joint recommendation for how a transportation
facility should be calculated at the non-Federal share under Question
10 and consulted with tribes over three months at ten locations across
the country on this subject. Question 10 states, in part:
10. Do All IRR Transportation Facilities in the IRR Inventory
Count at 100 Percent of their CTC and VMT?
No. The CTC and VMT must be computed at the non-Federal share
requirement for matching funds for any transportation facility that
is added to the IRR inventory and is eligible for funding for
construction or reconstruction with Federal funds, other than
Federal Lands Highway Program funds.
After consulting with tribes in 2010, BIA and FHWA began
clarification of Question 10, including a review of the IRR inventory
and its compatibility with the Federal-aid highways functional
classification system. For additional information regarding the
Question 10 consultations, please see 75 FR 40849 (July 14, 2010). The
update will include discussion about implementation of the Question 10
recommendation since 2010, and BIA and FHWA will invite additional
input from tribal leaders and the public about their views on its
effectiveness.
Meeting Dates and Locations
The consultation sessions will be held on the following dates, at
the following locations:
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Meeting date Location Time
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June 5, 2012................... Anchorage, AK...... 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
June 7, 2012................... Spokane, WA........ 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
June 12, 2012.................. Albuquerque, NM.... 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
[[Page 26786]]
June 13, 2012.................. Phoenix, AZ........ 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
June 14, 2012.................. Sacramento, CA..... 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
June 19, 2012.................. Nashville, TN...... 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
June 20, 2012.................. Oklahoma City, OK.. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
June 21, 2012.................. Lincoln, NE........ 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
June 26, 2012.................. Billings, MT....... 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
June 27, 2012.................. Rapid City, SD..... 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
June 28, 2012.................. Mount Pleasant, MI. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
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Meeting Agenda (All Times Local)
9:00 a.m.-9:15 a.m. Welcome and Introductions
9:15 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Proposed/Access Roads (Recommendation,
Expectations, Implementation)
10:45 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Break
11:00 a.m.-11:45 a.m. Reauthorization Update
11:45 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Tribal Transportation Program Streamlining
3:00 p.m.-3:15 p.m. Break
3:15 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Question 10 Update
4:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Closing Comments
4:30 p.m. Adjourn
Dated: May 1, 2012.
Donald E. Laverdure,
Acting Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2012-10948 Filed 5-4-12; 8:45 am]
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