81_FR_54816 81 FR 54658 - Notice of Request for the Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection

81 FR 54658 - Notice of Request for the Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 158 (August 16, 2016)

Page Range54658-54659
FR Document2016-19462

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, and its implementing regulations, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) hereby announces that it is seeking renewal of the following currently approved information collection activities. Before submitting this information collection requirements for clearance by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), FTA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities identified below. Title: 49 U.S.C. Section 5307--Urbanized Area Formula Program. OMB Number: 2132-0502. Background: 49 U.S.C. 5307 The Urbanized Area Formula Funding program (49 U.S.C. 5307) makes Federal resources available to urbanized areas and to Governors for transit capital and operating assistance and for transportation related planning in urbanized areas. An urbanized area is a Census-designated area with a population of 50,000 or more as determined by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Funding is made available to designated recipients, which must be public bodies with the legal authority to receive and dispense Federal funds. Governors, responsible local officials and publicly owned operators of transit services are required to designate a recipient to apply for, receive, and dispense funds for urbanized areas pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 5307(a)(2). The Governor or Governor's designee is the designated recipient for urbanized areas between 50,000 and 200,000. Eligible activities include planning, engineering, design and evaluation of transit projects and other technical transportation- related studies; capital investments in bus and bus-related activities such as replacement of buses, overhaul of buses, rebuilding of buses, crime prevention and security equipment and construction of maintenance and passenger facilities; and capital investments in new and existing fixed guideway systems including rolling stock, overhaul and rebuilding of vehicles, track, signals, communications, and computer hardware and software. All preventive maintenance and some Americans with Disabilities Act complementary paratransit service costs are considered capital costs. For urbanized areas with populations less than 200,000, operating assistance is an eligible expense. For urbanized areas with 200,000 in population and over, funds are apportioned and flow directly to a designated recipient selected locally to apply for and receive Federal funds. For urbanized areas under 200,000 in population, the funds are apportioned to the Governor of each state for distribution. With the passing of Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act, the 100 Bus Rule was been expanded to include demand response service, excluding ADA complementary paratransit service. An exception to the 100 Bus Rule has been added as well. If a public transportation system executes a written agreement with one or more other public transportation systems within the urbanized area to allocate funds by a method other than by measuring vehicle revenue hours, each public transportation system that is part of the written agreement may follow the terms of the written agreement instead of the measured vehicle revenue hours. Under Grant Recipient Requirements, a provision has been added that directs recipients to maintain equipment and facilities in accordance with their transit asset management plan. Recipients are no longer required to expend 1% of their funding for associated transit improvements. However, recipients are still required to submit an annual report listing projects that were carried out in the preceding fiscal year. The Passenger Ferry Grant Program is also available to urbanized areas under the authority provided through 49 U.S.C. 5307 (section 5307). This program provides discretionary opportunity to capital projects. Capital projects include, but are not limited to, the purchase, replacement, or rehabilitation of ferries and terminals and related equipment. Funds may not be used to fund operating expenses, planning, or preventive maintenance. Respondents: State and local government, business or other for- profit institutions and non-profit institutions. Estimated Annual Burden on Respondents: Approximately 50 hours for each of the 2,245 respondents. Estimated Total Annual Burden: 67,250 hours. Frequency: Annual.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 158 (Tuesday, August 16, 2016) 
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 158 (Tuesday, August 16, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54658-54659]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-19462]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration

[FTA Docket No. 2016-0028]


Notice of Request for the Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, and 
its implementing regulations, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) 
hereby announces that it is seeking renewal of the following currently 
approved information collection activities. Before submitting this 
information collection requirements for

[[Page 54659]]

clearance by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), FTA is 
soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities 
identified below.
    Title: 49 U.S.C. Section 5307--Urbanized Area Formula Program.
    OMB Number: 2132-0502.
    Background: 49 U.S.C. 5307 The Urbanized Area Formula Funding 
program (49 U.S.C. 5307) makes Federal resources available to urbanized 
areas and to Governors for transit capital and operating assistance and 
for transportation related planning in urbanized areas. An urbanized 
area is a Census-designated area with a population of 50,000 or more as 
determined by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. 
Funding is made available to designated recipients, which must be 
public bodies with the legal authority to receive and dispense Federal 
funds. Governors, responsible local officials and publicly owned 
operators of transit services are required to designate a recipient to 
apply for, receive, and dispense funds for urbanized areas pursuant to 
49 U.S.C. 5307(a)(2). The Governor or Governor's designee is the 
designated recipient for urbanized areas between 50,000 and 200,000. 
Eligible activities include planning, engineering, design and 
evaluation of transit projects and other technical transportation-
related studies; capital investments in bus and bus-related activities 
such as replacement of buses, overhaul of buses, rebuilding of buses, 
crime prevention and security equipment and construction of maintenance 
and passenger facilities; and capital investments in new and existing 
fixed guideway systems including rolling stock, overhaul and rebuilding 
of vehicles, track, signals, communications, and computer hardware and 
software. All preventive maintenance and some Americans with 
Disabilities Act complementary paratransit service costs are considered 
capital costs. For urbanized areas with populations less than 200,000, 
operating assistance is an eligible expense. For urbanized areas with 
200,000 in population and over, funds are apportioned and flow directly 
to a designated recipient selected locally to apply for and receive 
Federal funds. For urbanized areas under 200,000 in population, the 
funds are apportioned to the Governor of each state for distribution. 
With the passing of Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act, the 
100 Bus Rule was been expanded to include demand response service, 
excluding ADA complementary paratransit service. An exception to the 
100 Bus Rule has been added as well. If a public transportation system 
executes a written agreement with one or more other public 
transportation systems within the urbanized area to allocate funds by a 
method other than by measuring vehicle revenue hours, each public 
transportation system that is part of the written agreement may follow 
the terms of the written agreement instead of the measured vehicle 
revenue hours. Under Grant Recipient Requirements, a provision has been 
added that directs recipients to maintain equipment and facilities in 
accordance with their transit asset management plan. Recipients are no 
longer required to expend 1% of their funding for associated transit 
improvements. However, recipients are still required to submit an 
annual report listing projects that were carried out in the preceding 
fiscal year. The Passenger Ferry Grant Program is also available to 
urbanized areas under the authority provided through 49 U.S.C. 5307 
(section 5307). This program provides discretionary opportunity to 
capital projects. Capital projects include, but are not limited to, the 
purchase, replacement, or rehabilitation of ferries and terminals and 
related equipment. Funds may not be used to fund operating expenses, 
planning, or preventive maintenance.
    Respondents: State and local government, business or other for-
profit institutions and non-profit institutions.
    Estimated Annual Burden on Respondents: Approximately 50 hours for 
each of the 2,245 respondents.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 67,250 hours.
    Frequency: Annual.

DATES: Comments must be submitted before October 17, 2016.

ADDRESSES: To ensure that your comments are not entered more than once 
into the docket, submit comments identified by the docket number by 
only one of the following methods:
    1. Web site: www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for 
submitting comments on the U.S. Government electronic docket site. 
(Note: The U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT's) electronic 
docket is no longer accepting electronic comments.) All electronic 
submissions must be made to the U.S. Government electronic docket site 
at www.regulations.gov. Commenters should follow the directions below 
for mailed and hand-delivered comments.
    2. Fax: 202-493-2251.
    3. Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue 
SE., Docket Operations, M-30, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12-
140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    4. Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Docket Operations, M-30, West Building, Ground 
Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001 between 9:00 a.m. and 
5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal holidays.
    Instructions: You must include the agency name and docket number 
for this notice at the beginning of your comments. Submit two copies of 
your comments if you submit them by mail. For confirmation that FTA has 
received your comments, include a self-addressed stamped postcard. Note 
that all comments received, including any personal information, will be 
posted and will be available to Internet users, without change, to 
www.regulations.gov. You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act 
Statement in the Federal Register published April 11, 2000, (65 FR 
19477), or you may visit www.regulations.gov. Docket: For access to the 
docket to read background documents and comments received, go to 
www.regulations.gov at any time. Background documents and comments 
received may also be viewed at the U.S. Department of Transportation, 
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Docket Operations, M-30, West Building, 
Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001 between 9:00 a.m. 
and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
Section 5307--Tara Clark, Office of Program Management (202) 366-2623, 
or email: [email protected].
Passenger Ferry Program--Vanessa Williams, Office of Program Management 
(202) 366-4818 or email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Interested parties are invited to send 
comments regarding any aspect of this information collection, 
including: (1) The necessity and utility of the information collection 
for the proper performance of the functions of the FTA; (2) the 
accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the collected information; and (4) ways to 
minimize the collection burden without reducing the quality of the 
collected information. Comments submitted in response to this notice 
will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of 
this information collection.

William Hyre,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Administration.
[FR Doc. 2016-19462 Filed 8-15-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-57-P

54658 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 158 / Tuesday, August 16, 2016 / Notices internal (QC) review (beyond the Core performance measure difficult to would like to see conducted for TxDOT Team concept for project address for TxDOT and may be a staff. Previously, USACE staff said that documentation) for NEPA process- recurring FHWA observation until it is TxDOT needed Section 404 training. related checks by TxDOT before the resolved. The TxDOT scheduled and completed decisions were made would add value 13. TxDOT Reliance on the California Section 404 training in two different to the process, help ensure NEPA Department of Transportation locations during October 2015. The compliance, and assist with FHWA’s (Caltrans) Training Plan TxDOT will continue to schedule requirement to make informed and fully The team’s Observation #13 was that Section 404 training. compliant project authorization the Caltrans training plan, which served decisions. as a basis for the TxDOT training plan, Finalization of Report 11. Narrow Definition of the QA/QC may not adequately meet the needs of The FHWA received one response Performance Measure TxDOT. The team urged TxDOT to from the TxDOT during the 30-day The team’s Observation #11 was that consider other State DOT approaches to comment period for the draft report. The the QA/QC measure for NEPA decisions training. The TxDOT staff said in a team has considered the TxDOT focused only on EA and EIS projects. recent interview that they had reviewed comments in finalizing this audit report. The team urges TxDOT to consider training plans from Virginia, Ohio, The TxDOT’s comments reflect actions evaluating a broader range of NEPA Alaska, and Florida. They also indicated it has taken in response to the report’s related decisions (including, but not that prior to Audit #2, TxDOT had observations. The FHWA will address limited to CEs, re-evaluations, Section completed a survey of staff in District these follow up actions in the third 4(f), and STIP/Transportation offices and at ENV to assess training audit report, now in preparation. Only Improvement Program (TIP) needs. The team was told that the one comment has resulted in a non- consistency). Note that the recurring surveys would be used to update the substantial change in this report. non-compliance observations occurred training plan in the spring of 2016. Observation #1 mentioned a possible on CEs with either STIP/TIP or Section 14. Adequacy of Training for non- communication issue with the THC. The 4(f) items that were not ready for a TxDOT Staff FHWA agrees that the comment may not decision to be made. In recent Observation #14 urged TxDOT to reflect the official position of the agency interviews with TxDOT staff, the team assess whether the proposed training and has deleted the sentence learned that TxDOT will examine other approach for non-TxDOT staff (relying mentioning the THC. measures on an ongoing basis for heavily upon the annual ECC) is The TxDOT made several comments internal use. The team believes that if adequate and responsive enough to disputing non-compliance observation the QA/QC refocuses attention not only address a need to quickly disseminate #1. Representatives from FHWA and on the documentation, but also on the newly developed procedures and TxDOT met to discuss non-compliance required sequential NEPA process policy. Through interviews, the team observation #1 on May 11, 2016. The related items, that improved efficiencies learned that TxDOT does not prioritize TxDOT, via an email, has subsequently related to TxDOT’s NEPA decision and training classes specifically for non- decided to withdraw their comments on FHWA project authorization could TxDOT staff. The Director of ENV this non-compliance observation. The result. The team believes that a more acknowledged that the training session final report discussion of non- relevant focus on process could at the recent ENV conference for LPA compliance observation #1 has not been potentially help avoid non-compliance staff was not well attended and was revised. actions by TxDOT under the MOU and thinking of reaching out to large The FHWA has finalized the draft FHWA non-compliance observations in planning organizations. The TxDOT Audit #2 report previously published in future audits. concluded that its priority for training is the Federal Register without 12. Performance Measure Utility first for TxDOT staff internally (ENV substantive changes. Observation #12 was that the utility of and District staff), second for [FR Doc. 2016–19476 Filed 8–15–16; 8:45 am] several of the performance measures consultants that TxDOT hires for was difficult to determine. Also, the BILLING CODE 4910–22–P environmental work, and third for team was concerned that the measure LPAs. In years three and beyond of the for the TxDOT relationship with the TxDOT NEPA Assignment, the training public may be too limited by focusing DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION plan may start to focus on the second, on the number of complaints. Through and eventually third, priority groups of Federal Transit Administration recent interviews, the team learned that individuals. TxDOT staff agree with FHWA’s 15. What Training is Mandatory [FTA Docket No. 2016–0028] concerns about utility. Quantifying Observation #15 resulted in a team changes in relationships with the public Notice of Request for the Extension of suggestion that the progressive training or agencies is possible, but the number a Currently Approved Information plan clearly identify the training is hard to interpret. Regarding the Collection required for each job classification. The survey of agencies, TxDOT staff TxDOT training coordinator told the AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, indicated that they did not know if team that the progressive training plan DOT. agencies have higher expectations of will address training required to meet ACTION: Notice of request for comments. TxDOT compared with other agencies. State law (16 hours of training) and job Considering the TxDOT relationship SUMMARY: In accordance with the asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES task certification. This plan will be with the public, staff told the team that, developed at the end of 2015. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, and during the preparation of their 16. Training Plan, Consideration of its implementing regulations, the application, they considered various Resource Agency Recommendations Federal Transit Administration (FTA) sorts of surveys and social media The team learned in a recent hereby announces that it is seeking outreach. Given the cost of these interview that in the fall of 2015 (as in renewal of the following currently approaches, TxDOT was not convinced the fall of 2014), TxDOT subject matter approved information collection of their utility and so decided not to use experts planned to reach out to resource activities. Before submitting this any of them. This leaves the agencies to ask what training they information collection requirements for VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:36 Aug 15, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00109 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\16AUN1.SGM 16AUN1

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 158 / Tuesday, August 16, 2016 / Notices 54659 clearance by the Office of Management If a public transportation system 4. Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of and Budget (OMB), FTA is soliciting executes a written agreement with one Transportation, 1200 New Jersey public comment on specific aspects of or more other public transportation Avenue SE., Docket Operations, M–30, the activities identified below. systems within the urbanized area to West Building, Ground Floor, Room Title: 49 U.S.C. Section 5307— allocate funds by a method other than W12–140, Washington, DC 20590–0001 Urbanized Area Formula Program. by measuring vehicle revenue hours, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., OMB Number: 2132–0502. each public transportation system that is Monday through Friday, except federal Background: 49 U.S.C. 5307 The part of the written agreement may holidays. Urbanized Area Formula Funding follow the terms of the written Instructions: You must include the program (49 U.S.C. 5307) makes Federal agreement instead of the measured agency name and docket number for this resources available to urbanized areas vehicle revenue hours. Under Grant notice at the beginning of your and to Governors for transit capital and Recipient Requirements, a provision has comments. Submit two copies of your operating assistance and for been added that directs recipients to comments if you submit them by mail. transportation related planning in maintain equipment and facilities in For confirmation that FTA has received urbanized areas. An urbanized area is a accordance with their transit asset your comments, include a self- Census-designated area with a management plan. Recipients are no addressed stamped postcard. Note that population of 50,000 or more as longer required to expend 1% of their all comments received, including any determined by the U.S. Department of funding for associated transit personal information, will be posted Commerce, Bureau of the Census. improvements. However, recipients are and will be available to Internet users, Funding is made available to designated still required to submit an annual report without change, to www.regulations.gov. recipients, which must be public bodies listing projects that were carried out in You may review DOT’s complete with the legal authority to receive and the preceding fiscal year. The Passenger Privacy Act Statement in the Federal dispense Federal funds. Governors, Ferry Grant Program is also available to Register published April 11, 2000, (65 responsible local officials and publicly urbanized areas under the authority FR 19477), or you may visit owned operators of transit services are provided through 49 U.S.C. 5307 www.regulations.gov. Docket: For access required to designate a recipient to (section 5307). This program provides to the docket to read background apply for, receive, and dispense funds discretionary opportunity to capital documents and comments received, go for urbanized areas pursuant to 49 projects. Capital projects include, but to www.regulations.gov at any time. U.S.C. 5307(a)(2). The Governor or are not limited to, the purchase, Background documents and comments Governor’s designee is the designated replacement, or rehabilitation of ferries received may also be viewed at the U.S. recipient for urbanized areas between and terminals and related equipment. Department of Transportation, 1200 50,000 and 200,000. Eligible activities Funds may not be used to fund New Jersey Avenue SE., Docket include planning, engineering, design operating expenses, planning, or Operations, M–30, West Building, and evaluation of transit projects and preventive maintenance. Ground Floor, Room W12–140, other technical transportation-related Respondents: State and local Washington, DC 20590–0001 between studies; capital investments in bus and government, business or other for-profit 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday bus-related activities such as institutions and non-profit institutions. through Friday, except federal holidays. replacement of buses, overhaul of buses, Estimated Annual Burden on FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: rebuilding of buses, crime prevention Respondents: Approximately 50 hours Section 5307—Tara Clark, Office of and security equipment and for each of the 2,245 respondents. Program Management (202) 366–2623, construction of maintenance and Estimated Total Annual Burden: or email: Tara.Clark@dot.gov. passenger facilities; and capital 67,250 hours. Passenger Ferry Program—Vanessa investments in new and existing fixed Frequency: Annual. Williams, Office of Program guideway systems including rolling stock, overhaul and rebuilding of DATES: Comments must be submitted Management (202) 366–4818 or email: vehicles, track, signals, before October 17, 2016. Vanessa.Williams@dot.gov. communications, and computer ADDRESSES: To ensure that your SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Interested hardware and software. All preventive comments are not entered more than parties are invited to send comments maintenance and some Americans with once into the docket, submit comments regarding any aspect of this information Disabilities Act complementary identified by the docket number by only collection, including: (1) The necessity paratransit service costs are considered one of the following methods: and utility of the information collection capital costs. For urbanized areas with 1. Web site: www.regulations.gov. for the proper performance of the populations less than 200,000, operating Follow the instructions for submitting functions of the FTA; (2) the accuracy assistance is an eligible expense. For comments on the U.S. Government of the estimated burden; (3) ways to urbanized areas with 200,000 in electronic docket site. (Note: The U.S. enhance the quality, utility, and clarity population and over, funds are Department of Transportation’s (DOT’s) of the collected information; and (4) apportioned and flow directly to a electronic docket is no longer accepting ways to minimize the collection burden designated recipient selected locally to electronic comments.) All electronic without reducing the quality of the apply for and receive Federal funds. For submissions must be made to the U.S. collected information. Comments urbanized areas under 200,000 in Government electronic docket site at submitted in response to this notice will population, the funds are apportioned to www.regulations.gov. Commenters asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES be summarized and/or included in the the Governor of each state for should follow the directions below for request for OMB approval of this distribution. With the passing of Fixing mailed and hand-delivered comments. information collection. America’s Surface Transportation Act, 2. Fax: 202–493–2251. the 100 Bus Rule was been expanded to 3. Mail: U.S. Department of William Hyre, include demand response service, Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Deputy Associate Administrator for excluding ADA complementary Avenue SE., Docket Operations, M–30, Administration. paratransit service. An exception to the West Building, Ground Floor, Room [FR Doc. 2016–19462 Filed 8–15–16; 8:45 am] 100 Bus Rule has been added as well. W12–140, Washington, DC 20590–0001. BILLING CODE 4910–57–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:36 Aug 15, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00110 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\16AUN1.SGM 16AUN1


Document Created: 2016-08-16 03:20:29
Document Modified: 2016-08-16 03:20:29
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice of request for comments.
DatesComments must be submitted before October 17, 2016.
ContactSection 5307--Tara Clark, Office of Program Management (202) 366-2623, or email: [email protected] Passenger Ferry Program--Vanessa Williams, Office of Program Management (202) 366-4818 or email: [email protected]
FR Citation81 FR 54658 
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