Notice and Request for Comment on Benefit-Cost Analysis Guidance for Rail Projects, 35436-35437 [2016-12883]

Download as PDF 35436 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 106 / Thursday, June 2, 2016 / Notices Dated: May 6, 2016. John F. Kerry, Secretary of State. DEPARTMENT OF STATE DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Public Notice: 9594] [Public Notice: 9593] [FR Doc. 2016–12972 Filed 6–1–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4710–AD–P DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Public Notice: 9589] Culturally Significant Objects Imported for Exhibition Determinations: ‘‘Picasso: The Line’’ Exhibition Notice is hereby given of the following determinations: Pursuant to the authority vested in me by the Act of October 19, 1965 (79 Stat. 985; 22 U.S.C. 2459), E.O. 12047 of March 27, 1978, the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 (112 Stat. 2681, et seq.; 22 U.S.C. 6501 note, et seq.), Delegation of Authority No. 234 of October 1, 1999, Delegation of Authority No. 236–3 of August 28, 2000 (and, as appropriate, Delegation of Authority No. 257 of April 15, 2003), I hereby determine that the objects to be included in the exhibition ‘‘Picasso: The Line,’’ imported from abroad for temporary exhibition within the United States, are of cultural significance. The objects are imported pursuant to a loan agreement with the foreign owner or custodian. I also determine that the exhibition or display of the exhibit objects at The Menil Collection, Houston, Texas, from on or about September 16, 2016, until on or about January 8, 2017, and at possible additional exhibitions or venues yet to be determined, is in the national interest. I have ordered that Public Notice of these Determinations be published in the Federal Register. SUMMARY: For further information, including a list of the imported objects, contact the Office of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs in the Office of the Legal Adviser, U.S. Department of State (telephone: 202– 632–6471; email: section2459@ state.gov). The mailing address is U.S. Department of State, L/PD, SA–5, Suite 5H03, Washington, DC 20522–0505. asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dated: May 24, 2016. Mark Taplin, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Department of State. In the Matter of the Designation of Tariq Gidar Group, aka TGG, aka Tehrik-e-Taliban (TTP)-Tariq Gidar Group, aka Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Geedar Group, aka Tariq Geedar Group, aka Commander Tariq Afridi Group, aka Tariq Afridi Group, aka Tariq Gidar Afridi Group, aka The Asian Tigers as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist Acting under the authority of and in accordance with sec. 1(b) of Executive Order 13224 of September 23, 2001, as amended by Executive Order 13268 of July 2, 2002, and Executive Order 13284 of January 23, 2003, I hereby determine that the individual known as Tariq Gidar Group, also known as TGG, also known as Tehrik-e-Taliban (TTP)-Tariq Gidar Group, also known as Tehreek-iTaliban Pakistan (TTP) Geedar Group, also known as Tariq Geedar Group, also known as Commander Tariq Afridi Group, also known as Tariq Afridi Group, also known as Tariq Gidar Afridi Group, also known as The Asian Tigers committed, or poses a significant risk of committing, acts of terrorism that threaten the security of U.S. nationals or the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States. Consistent with the determination in sec. 10 of Executive Order 13224 that ‘‘prior notice to persons determined to be subject to the Order who might have a constitutional presence in the United States would render ineffectual the blocking and other measures authorized in the Order because of the ability to transfer funds instantaneously,’’ I determine that no prior notice needs to be provided to any person subject to this determination who might have a constitutional presence in the United States, because to do so would render ineffectual the measures authorized in the Order. This notice shall be published in the Federal Register. Dated: May 10, 2016. John F. Kerry, Secretary of State. [FR Doc. 2016–12985 Filed 6–1–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4710–AD–P [FR Doc. 2016–12983 Filed 6–1–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4710–05–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:30 Jun 01, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00144 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Determination and Certification Under Section 40A of the Arms Export Control Act Pursuant to section 40A of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2781), and Executive Order 11958, as amended, I hereby determine and certify to the Congress that the following countries are not cooperating fully with United States antiterrorism efforts: Eritrea, Iran, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK, or North Korea), Syria, Venezuela. This determination and certification shall be transmitted to the Congress and published in the Federal Register. Dated: May 10, 2016. John F. Kerry, Secretary of State. [FR Doc. 2016–12976 Filed 6–1–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4710–AD–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration [Docket No. FRA–2016–0040] Notice and Request for Comment on Benefit-Cost Analysis Guidance for Rail Projects Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: Section 11313(b) of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, Public Law 114–94 (December 4, 2015), requires the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) to ‘‘enhance the usefulness of assessments of benefits and costs for intercity passenger rail and freight rail projects.’’ As directed by Section 11313, FRA is issuing benefit-cost analysis (BCA) guidance (BCA Guidance) to fulfill these requirements and is requesting comments on the BCA Guidance. The BCA Guidance is available at https://www.fra.dot.gov/ Page/P0940. DATES: Written Comments: Written comments on the BCA Guidance must be received by August 1, 2016. ADDRESSES: Comments: Comments related to Docket Number FRA–2016– 0040 may be submitted by any of the following methods: • Online: Comments should be filed at the Federal eRulemaking Portal, https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\02JNN1.SGM 02JNN1 asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 106 / Thursday, June 2, 2016 / Notices online instructions for submitting comments. • Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12–140, Washington, DC 20590–0001. • Hand Delivery or Courier: West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12– 140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. • Fax: 202–493–2251. Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and the docket number for this notice. Note that all comments received will be posted without change to https:// www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephanie Lawrence, Office of Railroad Policy and Development, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE., Washington, DC 20590, (202) 493–1376. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 11313(b) of the FAST Act provides that, not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the FAST Act, the Secretary must enhance the usefulness of assessments of benefits and costs for intercity passenger rail and freight rail projects by: (1) Providing ongoing guidance and training on developing benefit and cost information for rail projects; (2) providing more direct and consistent requirements for assessing benefits and costs across transportation funding programs, including the appropriate use of discount rates; (3) requiring applicants to clearly communicate the methodology used to calculate the project benefits and costs; and (4) ensuring that applicants receive clear and consistent guidance on values to apply for key assumptions used to estimate potential project benefits and costs. The BCA Guidance addresses the four requirements specified in the FAST Act and is intended to provide a consistent approach for completing a BCA for intercity passenger rail and freight rail project proposals. In addition to serving as a valuable tool for defining and narrowing investment alternatives, BCAs are also increasingly a prerequisite to receive financial assistance under Federal investment programs, including those that DOT administers. For example, the two competitive railroad infrastructure improvement grant programs authorized in the FAST Act specifically require the Secretary to consider BCA as a project selection criterion (Section 11301, VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:30 Jun 01, 2016 Jkt 238001 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements; and Section 11302, Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair). Moreover, two grant programs administered by the Office of the Secretary that contain rail project eligibilities—the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program and the Fostering Advancements in Shipping and Transportation for the Long-term Achievement of National Efficiencies (FASTLANE) program—either require or request (depending on the size and other characteristics of the project) a BCA as part of the grant application process. FRA drafted the BCA Guidance to be consistent with the DOT BCA guidance, which covers a wide range of surface transportation projects (e.g., highways, transit, rail, and ports) under the TIGER and FASTLANE grant programs. The FRA BCA Guidance is intended to provide greater granularity and specificity to benefit and cost issues associated with intercity passenger rail and freight rail projects. The BCA Guidance is effective upon the publication of this notice. However, project sponsors and potential applicants for FRA financial assistance programs should refer to the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) announcement for further instruction regarding the applicability of the BCA Guidance to a particular application or funding program. Due to the timing of the publication of this notice, the BCA Guidance does not apply to applications to the Railroad Safety Infrastructure Improvement Grant program, for which a NOFO was published in the Federal Register on April 29, 2016, with applications due to FRA by June 14, 2016. As noted, written comments on the BCA Guidance must be received by August 1, 2016. FRA will consider such comments when making potential future revisions to the BCA Guidance. However, FRA will not publically respond to comments received nor will FRA address every comment in potential future revisions to the BCA Guidance. Issued in Washington, DC, on May 26, 2016. Sarah E. Feinberg, Administrator. [FR Doc. 2016–12883 Filed 6–1–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–06–P PO 00000 Frm 00145 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 35437 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration [Docket No. FRA–2016–0053] Categorical Exclusion Survey Review Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: In this notice, FRA is providing the public a review of FRA’s survey of categorical exclusions (CEs) used in railroad transportation projects since 2005. FRA is soliciting public comment on the review of the CE survey, two new categories of activities that may be appropriate for categorical exclusion, and any other new categories of activities for FRA consideration as CEs. SUMMARY: FRA must receive written comments on or before July 5, 2016. FRA will consider comments it receives after this date to the extent practicable. ADDRESSES: Comments: Persons may submit comments related to Docket FRA–2016–0053 by any of the following methods: • Online: Comments should be filed at the Federal eRulemaking Portal, https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. • Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12–140, Washington, DC 20590–0001. • Hand Delivery or Courier: West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12– 140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590–0001 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. • Fax: 202–493–2251. Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name, docket name, and docket number for this notice. Note that FRA will post all comments received without change to https:// www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. Docket: To access the docket or read background documents or comments received, go to https:// www.regulations.gov at any time, or to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M–30, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12– 140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590–0001, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Michael Johnsen, Environmental and DATES: E:\FR\FM\02JNN1.SGM 02JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 106 (Thursday, June 2, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35436-35437]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-12883]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket No. FRA-2016-0040]


Notice and Request for Comment on Benefit-Cost Analysis Guidance 
for Rail Projects

AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: Section 11313(b) of the Fixing America's Surface 
Transportation (FAST) Act, Public Law 114-94 (December 4, 2015), 
requires the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) to ``enhance the 
usefulness of assessments of benefits and costs for intercity passenger 
rail and freight rail projects.'' As directed by Section 11313, FRA is 
issuing benefit-cost analysis (BCA) guidance (BCA Guidance) to fulfill 
these requirements and is requesting comments on the BCA Guidance. The 
BCA Guidance is available at https://www.fra.dot.gov/Page/P0940.

DATES: Written Comments: Written comments on the BCA Guidance must be 
received by August 1, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Comments: Comments related to Docket Number FRA-2016-0040 
may be submitted by any of the following methods:
     Online: Comments should be filed at the Federal 
eRulemaking Portal, https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the

[[Page 35437]]

online instructions for submitting comments.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building, Ground 
Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery or Courier: West Building, Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
    Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and the 
docket number for this notice. Note that all comments received will be 
posted without change to https://www.regulations.gov, including any 
personal information provided.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephanie Lawrence, Office of Railroad 
Policy and Development, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New 
Jersey Ave. SE., Washington, DC 20590, (202) 493-1376.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 11313(b) of the FAST Act provides 
that, not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the FAST 
Act, the Secretary must enhance the usefulness of assessments of 
benefits and costs for intercity passenger rail and freight rail 
projects by: (1) Providing ongoing guidance and training on developing 
benefit and cost information for rail projects; (2) providing more 
direct and consistent requirements for assessing benefits and costs 
across transportation funding programs, including the appropriate use 
of discount rates; (3) requiring applicants to clearly communicate the 
methodology used to calculate the project benefits and costs; and (4) 
ensuring that applicants receive clear and consistent guidance on 
values to apply for key assumptions used to estimate potential project 
benefits and costs.
    The BCA Guidance addresses the four requirements specified in the 
FAST Act and is intended to provide a consistent approach for 
completing a BCA for intercity passenger rail and freight rail project 
proposals.
    In addition to serving as a valuable tool for defining and 
narrowing investment alternatives, BCAs are also increasingly a 
prerequisite to receive financial assistance under Federal investment 
programs, including those that DOT administers. For example, the two 
competitive railroad infrastructure improvement grant programs 
authorized in the FAST Act specifically require the Secretary to 
consider BCA as a project selection criterion (Section 11301, 
Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements; and Section 
11302, Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair). Moreover, 
two grant programs administered by the Office of the Secretary that 
contain rail project eligibilities--the Transportation Investment 
Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program and the Fostering 
Advancements in Shipping and Transportation for the Long-term 
Achievement of National Efficiencies (FASTLANE) program--either require 
or request (depending on the size and other characteristics of the 
project) a BCA as part of the grant application process.
    FRA drafted the BCA Guidance to be consistent with the DOT BCA 
guidance, which covers a wide range of surface transportation projects 
(e.g., highways, transit, rail, and ports) under the TIGER and FASTLANE 
grant programs. The FRA BCA Guidance is intended to provide greater 
granularity and specificity to benefit and cost issues associated with 
intercity passenger rail and freight rail projects.
    The BCA Guidance is effective upon the publication of this notice. 
However, project sponsors and potential applicants for FRA financial 
assistance programs should refer to the Notice of Funding Opportunity 
(NOFO) announcement for further instruction regarding the applicability 
of the BCA Guidance to a particular application or funding program. Due 
to the timing of the publication of this notice, the BCA Guidance does 
not apply to applications to the Railroad Safety Infrastructure 
Improvement Grant program, for which a NOFO was published in the 
Federal Register on April 29, 2016, with applications due to FRA by 
June 14, 2016.
    As noted, written comments on the BCA Guidance must be received by 
August 1, 2016. FRA will consider such comments when making potential 
future revisions to the BCA Guidance. However, FRA will not publically 
respond to comments received nor will FRA address every comment in 
potential future revisions to the BCA Guidance.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on May 26, 2016.
Sarah E. Feinberg,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2016-12883 Filed 6-1-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-06-P

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