[Federal Register: July 9, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 130)]
[Notices]
[Page 37305-37306]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09jy07-137]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Announcement of Solicitation and Application Procedure for State
Participation in the Surface Transportation Project Delivery Pilot
Program
AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice; solicitation of applications.
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SUMMARY: Section 6005 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient
Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) provided
FHWA the authority to allow up to five States to assume the Secretary's
responsibilities for the environmental review, consultation, and other
actions pertaining to the review or approval of highway projects. In
selecting States for the five available slots in the pilot program,
Congress gave priority to the selection of the States of Alaska,
California, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Texas. However, at this time, two
States, Ohio and Texas, have declined to participate in the pilot
program. Accordingly, this notice solicits applications from all other
States for participation in this pilot program.
DATES: Letters that indicate interest by the State to be considered for
participation in the pilot program should be sent to the FHWA Division
Office no later than September 7, 2007.
ADDRESSES: The FHWA Division Office locations can be found at the
following URL: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/field.html#fieldsites.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Ruth Rentch, Office of Project
Delivery and Environmental Review, (202)-366-2034, Ruth.Rentch@dot.gov,
or Mr. Michael Harkins, Office of the Chief Counsel, (202) 366-4928,
Michael.Harkins@dot.gov, 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.
[[Page 37306]]
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. In selecting States for the
five available slots in the pilot program, Congress gave priority to
the selection of the States of Alaska, California, Ohio, Oklahoma, and
Texas.
On February 12, 2007, the FHWA published a final rule at 72 FR 6464
establishing requirements concerning the information required to be
contained in an application by the State for the pilot program. These
regulations, contained in 23 CFR Part 773, required the States of
Alaska, California, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Texas to submit a statement of
interest to the FHWA by May 14, 2007, in order to retain their priority
status. If any of these States failed to submit a statement of interest
to the FHWA by May 14, or decline to participate, another State may be
selected. In response to this requirement, the FHWA has received
statements of interest from California, Oklahoma, and Alaska indicating
that they wish to participate in the pilot program. FHWA received
letters from Ohio and Texas declining the opportunity to participate in
the pilot program. Accordingly, the FHWA currently has two open slots
for other State departments of transportation (State DOT). These slots
will be awarded on a competitive basis based on such factors as
legislative authority to waive the State's sovereign immunity,
financial and personnel capabilities to assume responsibilities, and
description of plan and processes for carrying out assumed roles and
responsibilities. If any State DOT has an interest in applying for this
program, that State DOT should contact the FHWA Division Administrator
in that State and should begin working with the FHWA in developing its
application in accordance with the regulations found at 23 CFR Part
773.
Authority: Section 6005 of Pub. L. 109-59; 23 U.S.C. 315 and
327; 49 CFR 1.48
Issued on: June 28, 2007.
J. Richard Capka,
Federal Highway Administrator.
[FR Doc. E7-13149 Filed 7-6-07; 8:45 am]
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