[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 221 (Friday, November 17, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 80381-80382]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-25413]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration
[FTA Docket No. FTA 2023-0027]
Agency Information Collection Activity under OMB Review:
Metropolitan and Statewide and Nonmetropolitan Transportation Planning
AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, Department of Transportation
(DOT).
ACTION: Notice of request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this
notice announces that the Information Collection Requirements (ICRs)
abstracted below have been forwarded to the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describe the nature of the
information collection and their expected burdens.
DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before December 18, 2023.
ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed
information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of
this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular
information collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--
Open for Public Comments'' or by using the search function.
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. A comment to OMB is best assured of having its
full effect if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication of this
notice in the Federal Register.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tia Swain, Office of Administration,
Management Planning Division, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Mail Stop TAD-
10, Washington, DC 20590 (202) 366-0354 or [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA),
Public Law 104-13, section 2, 109 stat. 163 (1995) (codified as revised
at 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), and its implementing regulations, 5 CFR part
1320, require Federal agencies to issue two notices seeking public
comment on information collection activities before OMB may approve
paperwork packages. 44 U.S.C. 3506, 3507; 5 CFR 1320.5, 1320.8(d)(1),
1320.12. On September 18, 2023, FTA published a 60-day notice (88 FR
33963) in the Federal Register soliciting comments on the ICR that the
agency was seeking OMB approval. FTA received no comments after issuing
this 60-day notice. Accordingly, DOT announces that these information
collection activities have been re-evaluated and certified under 5 CFR
1320.5(a) and forwarded to OMB for review and approval pursuant to 5
CFR 1320.12(c).
Before OMB decides whether to approve these proposed collections of
information, it must provide 30 days for public comment. 44 U.S.C.
3507(b); 5 CFR 1320.12(d). Federal law requires OMB to approve or
disapprove paperwork packages between 30 and 60 days after the 30-day
notice is published. 44 U.S.C. 3507 (b)-(c); 5 CFR 1320.12(d); see also
60 FR 44978, 44983, Aug. 29, 1995. OMB believes that the 30-day notice
informs the regulated community to file relevant comments and affords
the agency adequate time to digest public comments before it renders a
decision. 60 FR 44983, Aug. 29, 1995. Therefore, respondents should
submit their respective comments to OMB within 30 days of publication
to best ensure having their full effect. 5 CFR 1320.12(c); see also 60
FR 44983, Aug. 29, 1995.
The summaries below describe the nature of the information
collection requirements (ICRs) and the expected burden. The
requirements are being submitted for clearance by OMB as required by
the PRA.
Title: Metropolitan and Statewide and Nonmetropolitan
Transportation Planning.
OMB Control Number: 2132-0529.
Background: The FTA and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
jointly carry out the federal mandate to improve urban and rural
transportation. 49 U.S.C. 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 program provides funding and procedural
requirements for multimodal transportation planning in metropolitan
areas and states. Planning needs to be cooperative, continuous, and
comprehensive, resulting in long-range plans and short-range programs
reflecting transportation investment priorities. Eligible respondents
include State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) and Metropolitan
Planning Organizations (MPOs). Federal planning funds are first
apportioned to State DOTs. State DOTs then allocate planning funding to
MPOs. Funds are available for planning activities that (A) support the
economic vitality of the metropolitan area, especially by
[[Page 80382]]
enabling global competitiveness, productivity, and efficiency; (B)
increase the safety of the transportation system for motorized and
nonmotorized users; (C) increase the security of the transportation
system for motorized and nonmotorized users; (D) increase the
accessibility and mobility of people and for freight; (E) protect and
enhance the environment, promote energy conservation, improve the
quality of life, and promote consistency between transportation
improvements and State and local planned growth, housing, and economic
development patterns; (F) enhance the integration and connectivity of
the transportation system, across and between modes, for people and
freight; (G) promote efficient system management and operation; (H)
emphasize the preservation of the existing transportation system; and
(I) improve the resiliency and reliability of the transportation
system. Funds are apportioned to states by a formula that includes each
state's urbanized area population in proportion to the total urbanized
area population for the nation, as well as other factors. States can
receive no less than .5 percent of the amount apportioned. These funds,
in turn, are sub-allocated by states to MPOs by a formula that
considers each MPO's urbanized area population, their individual
planning needs, and a minimum distribution.
Respondents: State Departments of Transportation and MPOs.
Estimated Annual Burden on Respondents: 11,693 hours for each of
the 502 respondents.
Estimated Total Annual Burden: 5,869,921 hours.
Frequency: Annual.
Nadine Pembleton,
Deputy Associate Administrator, Office of Administration.
[FR Doc. 2023-25413 Filed 11-16-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-57-P