Alternative Transportation in Parks and Public Lands Program, 14772-14775 [E6-4208]

Download as PDF 14772 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 56 / Thursday, March 23, 2006 / Notices • Send an e-mail to rulecomments@sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–Phlx–2005–62 on the subject line. SUMMARY: The proposed information collection described below will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Paper Comments Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C Chapter 35, as • Send paper comments in triplicate amended). The Tennessee Valley to Nancy M. Morris, Secretary, Authority is soliciting public comments Securities and Exchange Commission, on this proposed collection as provided 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC by 5 CFR Section 1320.8(d)(1). Requests 20549–1090. for information, including copies of the All submissions should refer to File information collection proposed and Number SR–Phlx–2005–62. This file supporting documentation, should be number should be included on the directed to the Agency Clearance subject line if e-mail is used. To help the Officer: Alice D. Witt, Tennessee Valley Commission process and review your Authority, 1101 Market Street (EB 5B), comments more efficiently, please use Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402–2801; only one method. The Commission will (423) 751–6832. post all comments on the Commission’s Comments should be sent to the Internet Web site (https://www.sec.gov/ Agency Clearance Officer no later than rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the May 22, 2006. submission, all subsequent SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: amendments, all written statements Type of Request: Regular Submission. with respect to the proposed rule Title of Information Collection: TVA change that are filed with the Accounts Payable Customer Satisfaction Commission, and all written Survey. communications relating to the Frequency of Use: On occasion. proposed rule change between the Small Business or Organizations Commission and any person, other than Affected: Yes. those that may be withheld from the Estimated Number of Annual public in accordance with the Responses: 2,000. provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be Estimated Total Annual Burden available for inspection and copying in Hours: 200. the Commission’s Public Reference Estimated Average Burden Hours Per Room. Copies of the filing also will be Response: 10 minutes. available for inspection and copying at Need For and Use of Information: the principal office of the Phlx. This information collection will be All comments received will be posted distributed by e-mail to TVA’s suppliers without change; the Commission does that receive remittance information by not edit personal identifying e-mail. The information collected will information from submissions. You be used to evaluate current performance should submit only information that of the Accounts Payable Department you wish to make available publicly. All (APD) which will identify areas for submissions should refer to File improvement and enable APD to Number SR–Phlx–2005–62 and should provide better service to suppliers and be submitted on or before April 13, facilitate commerce between TVA and 2006. its suppliers. For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority.12 Nancy M. Morris, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6–4183 Filed 3–22–06; 8:45 am] Jacklyn J. Stephenson, Senior Manager, Enterprise Operations Information Services. [FR Doc. E6–4178 Filed 3–22–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8120–01–P BILLING CODE 8010–01–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY Federal Aviation Administration wwhite on PROD1PC61 with NOTICES Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, as Amended by Pub. L. 104–13; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request Tennessee Valley Authority. ACTION: Proposed Collection; comment request. AGENCY: 12 17 16:54 Mar 22, 2006 Federal Aviation Administration, (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The FAA hereby gives notice of its intention to grant an exclusive CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). VerDate Aug<31>2005 Notice of Intention To Grant Exclusive License in Government-Owned Invention Jkt 208001 PO 00000 Frm 00096 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 license in the invention titled ‘‘Automated System for Assisting Employees to Comply with Filing Requirements’’, Application Number 11/174,642, to HRWorx LLC, a small business located in Herndon, VA. HRWorks is participating in a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with the William J. Hughes Technical Center to further develop and commercialize the Government-owned invention. (Authority: 35 U.S.C. 209, 15 U.S.C. 3710a, 37 CFR part 401) DATES: Comments in response to this notice may be submitted on or before April 7, 2006. ADDRESSES: Comments about this Notice may be mailed or delivered to the FAA at the following address: Office of the Center Counsel, ACT–7, Federal Aviation Administration William J. Hughes Technical Center, Atlantic City International Airport, New Jersey 08405, or by e-mail to james.drew@faa.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Drew, Senior Attorney, ACT–7, Federal Aviation Administration William J. Hughes Technical Center, Atlantic City International Airport, New Jersey 08405, telephone (609) 485–7093 or by e-mail to james.drew@faa.gov. Issued in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on March 17, 2006. James J. Drew, Senior Attorney, Intellectual Property. [FR Doc. E6–4209 Filed 3–22–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Transit Administration Alternative Transportation in Parks and Public Lands Program Federal Transit Administration (FTA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of Funding Availability; Solicitation of Proposals for Funding through the Alternative Transportation in Parks and Public Lands Program. AGENCY: SUMMARY: This solicitation is for proposals for fiscal year 2006 funding through the new Alternative Transportation in Parks and Public Lands program, administered by the Federal Transit Administration in partnership with the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service. The purpose of the program is to enhance the protection of national parks and Federal lands, and increase the enjoyment of those visiting them. The program funds capital and planning expenses for alternative transportation systems in parks and public lands. E:\FR\FM\23MRN1.SGM 23MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 56 / Thursday, March 23, 2006 / Notices Federal land management agencies and State, tribal and local governments acting with the consent of a Federal land management agency are eligible to apply. DATES: Complete proposals must be received by the designated Federal land management agency contact listed in this notice by the close of business May 5, 2006. ADDRESSES: Project proposals must be submitted to the designated contact person at the headquarters office of the Federal land management agency that manages the park or public land involved. If the project involves more than one Federal land management agency, a project proposal template must be submitted to all agencies involved. The required project proposal template is available at https:// www.fta.dot.gov. E-mail submission is preferred. Mail and fax submission will also be accepted. • National Park Service: Kevin Percival, Kevin_Percival@nps.gov, tel: 303–969–2429, fax: 303–987–6675, mail: 12795 W. Alameda Parkway, P.O. Box 25287, Denver, CO 80225–0287. • Fish and Wildlife Service: Nathan Caldwell, nathan_caldwell@fws.gov, tel: 703–358–2376, fax: 703–358–2517, mail: 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 634; Arlington, VA 22203. • Forest Service: Ellen LaFayette, elafayette@fs.fed.us, tel: 703–605–4509, fax: 703–605–1542, mail: 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250–1101. • Bureau of Land Management: Linda Force, Linda_Force@blm.gov, tel: 202– 557–3567, fax: 202–452–5046, mail: 1849 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20240. SAFETEA–LU authorizes $98 million in funding for the program for fiscal years 2006 through 2009. For fiscal year 2006, Congress appropriated $21,780,000 for this program. No one project may receive more than 25 percent of funds. B. Background Contact David Vozzolo, Deputy Associate Administrator for Planning and Environment, 202–366–4033, e-mail: atppl@dot.gov. Congestion in and around parks and public lands causes traffic delays and noise and air pollution that substantially detract from the visitor’s experience and the protection of natural resources. In August 2001, the Department of Transportation and the Department of the Interior published a comprehensive study of alternative transportation needs in national parks and related Federal lands. The study identified significant alternative transportation needs at sites managed by the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Additionally, a supplement to this report identified Forest Service sites that would benefit from such services. Section 3021 of SAFETEA–LU (49 U.S.C. § 5320) addresses these needs by establishing a new program to fund alternative transportation projects in national parks and public lands. The goals of the program are to ensure access to all, including persons with disabilities; improve conservation and park and public land opportunities in urban areas through partnering with State and local governments; improve park and public land transportation infrastructure; enhance the environment and prevent or mitigate adverse impacts on natural resources; reduce congestion and pollution; improve visitor mobility and accessibility and the visitor experience; improve Federal land management agency resource management; and conserve natural, historical, and cultural resources. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: C. Eligible Applicants Table of Contents I. General Program Information II. Guidelines for Preparing and Submitting Proposals III. Proposal Review, Selection, and Notification IV. Additional Program Information Eligible applicants are: (1) The following Federal land management agencies: The National Park Service, the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land management, the Forest Service, and the Bureau of Reclamation; and (2) State, tribal and local governments with jurisdiction over land in the vicinity of an eligible area acting with the consent of a Federal land management agency, alone or in partnership with a Federal land management agency or other governmental or non-governmental participant. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: wwhite on PROD1PC61 with NOTICES I. General Program Information A. Authority Section 3021 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act—A Legacy for Users of 2005 (SAFETEA–LU) establishes a new program called the Alternative Transportation in Parks and Public Lands program (49 U.S.C. 5320). VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:54 Mar 22, 2006 Jkt 208001 PO 00000 Frm 00097 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 14773 D. Eligible Expenses SAFETEA–LU defines alternative transportation as ‘‘transportation by bus, rail, or any other publicly or privately owned conveyance that provides to the public general or special service on a regular basis, including sightseeing service. Such term also includes a nonmotorized transportation system (including the provision of facilities for pedestrians, bicycles, and nonmotorized watercraft).’’ A qualified project is a planning or capital project in or in the vicinity of a Federally-owned or managed park, refuge, or recreational area that is open to the general public and meets the goals of the program. Project evaluation will be based on the considerations listed in the law and explained in part F of this notice. The following types of projects are eligible: (1) Planning Projects: Activities to comply with metropolitan and statewide planning provisions. (49 U.S.C. 5320(b)(5)(A) referencing 49 U.S.C. 5303, 5304, and 5305). Activities include planning studies for an alternative transportation system including evaluation of no-build and all other reasonable alternatives, traffic studies, visitor utilization studies, transportation analysis, feasibility studies, and environmental studies. (2) Capital projects for ‘‘acquiring, constructing, supervising, or inspecting equipment or a facility for use in public transportation, expenses incidental to the acquisition or construction (including designing, engineering, location surveying, mapping, and acquiring rights-of-way), payments for the capital portions of rail trackage rights agreements, transit-related intelligent transportation systems, relocation assistance, acquiring replacement housing sites, and acquiring, constructing, relocating, and rehabilitating replacement housing;’’ (49 U.S.C. 5320(b)(5)(A) referencing 49 U.S.C. 5302(a)(1)(A).) (3) Fixed Guideway and Bus Projects: (i) New fixed guideway capital projects including the acquisition of real property, the initial acquisition of rolling stock for the systems, the acquisition of rights-of-way, and relocation, for fixed guideway corridor development for projects in the advanced stages of alternatives analysis or preliminary engineering; (ii) Capital projects to modernize existing fixed guideway systems; (iii) Capital projects to replace, rehabilitate, and purchase buses and related equipment and to construct busrelated facilities, including programs of bus and bus-related projects for E:\FR\FM\23MRN1.SGM 23MRN1 14774 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 56 / Thursday, March 23, 2006 / Notices assistance to subrecipients that are public agencies, private companies engaged in public transportation, or private non-profit organizations; and (iv) The development of corridors to support new fixed guideway capital projects, including protecting rights-ofway through acquisition, construction of dedicated bus and high occupancy vehicle lanes and park and ride lots, and other nonvehicular capital improvements that the Secretary may decide would result in increased public transportation usage in the corridor. (49 U.S.C. 5320(b)(5)(A) referencing 49 U.S.C. 5309(b).) (4) Purchase of rolling stock that incorporates clean fuel technology or the replacement of buses of a type in use on August 10, 2005, with clean fuel vehicles; (5) The deployment of alternative transportation vehicles that introduce innovative technologies or methods; (6) The capital costs of coordinating Federal land management agency public transportation systems with other public transportation systems; (7) Non-motorized transportation systems (including the provision of facilities for pedestrians, bicycles and non-motorized watercraft); and (8) Any other alternative transportation project that: • Enhances the environment; • Prevents or mitigates an adverse impact on a natural resource; • Improves Federal land management agency resource management; • Improves visitor mobility and accessibility and the visitor experience; • Reduces congestion and pollution (including noise pollution and visual pollution); or • Conserves a natural, historical, or cultural resource (excluding rehabilitation or restoration of a nontransportation facility). E. Planning and Coordination Requirements wwhite on PROD1PC61 with NOTICES (1) Planning Requirements Section 5320(e) specifies that if the participant is a Federal land management agency, the project must be consistent with the metropolitan and statewide planning and public participation requirements found in 49 U.S.C. 5303, 5304, and 5307(d). If the qualified participant is a State or local government, or more than one State or local governmental authority in more than one State, the qualified participant must comply with the metropolitan and statewide planning provisions and public participation requirements. FTA cannot award funds to an implementation project if it is not in the VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:54 Mar 22, 2006 Jkt 208001 metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) or State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). If an implementation project is not in the TIP or STIP at the time of submitting a proposal, it can still be selected, but will not receive funds until it is incorporated into the TIP or STIP. In addition, implementation projects not in the TIP or STIP at the time of submitting a proposal should demonstrate intent to be included, such as through a copy of correspondence with the metropolitan or state planning organization. Projects must also be consistent with Federal land management agency plans. (2) Coordination With Federal Land Management Agency If the applicant is a State, tribal, or local government authority, the applicant must have the consent of the Federal land management agency or agencies to be affected. A letter from the unit(s) of the Federal land management agency or agencies affected expressing support for the project should be submitted with the project proposal. F. Proposal Evaluation Criteria Consistent with the considerations identified in Section 5320(g)(2), proposed projects will be evaluated based on the following criteria: • Demonstration of need Æ Documentation of problem in plans and other reports Æ Severity of problem • Protection of natural and cultural resources Æ Protection or improvement of cultural, historical, scenic, and natural resources Æ Environmental benefits—reduction of pollution (including air pollution, noise pollution, and visual pollution) • Operational efficiency and financial sustainability Æ Evaluation of costs and benefits of all reasonable alternatives Æ Financial planning (including for capital, operations, maintenance, and equipment replacement expenses; and revenues, including user fees) Æ Cost effectiveness Æ Innovative financing or joint development strategies Æ Deferred maintenance issues • Public benefits Æ Enhancing visitor experience Æ Mobility issues (reduces congestion, improves intermodal connectivity, improves public access, including access for persons with disabilities) Æ Safety Æ Partnership with public and private entities, and benefits to gateway communities. PO 00000 Frm 00098 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Additional consideration will be given to projects based upon geographic diversity, balance between urban and rural projects, and balance in size of projects. Finally, projects that demonstrate innovative funding mechanisms or partnerships will be given extra consideration. The application template contains specific questions related to each of these areas to guide the applicant in justifying the project. II. Guidelines for Preparing and Submitting Proposals Project proposal templates for the Alternative Transportation in Parks and Public Lands program are available at https://www.fta.dot.gov. Click on the navigational tab for Grant Programs on the right hand side, then click on the Grant Programs link, and then click on the link for the Alternative Transportation in Parks and Public Lands Program. To receive a proposal template by e-mail, please send an email to tina.hodges@dot.gov. There are separate proposal templates for planning and capital projects. A synopsis of this announcement will also be posted in the FIND module of the government-wide electronic grants Web site at https://www.grants.gov. Project proposals must be submitted to the designated contact person at the headquarters office of the Federal land management agency that manages the park or public land involved. This list can be found in the ADDRESSES section of this notice. If the project involves more than one Federal land management agency, a proposal template must be submitted to all agencies involved. The project proposal must be ten or fewer pages in length at ten point font or larger. If a proposal is greater than ten pages, only the first ten pages will be considered during the evaluation process. Submission by email is preferred. Mail and fax submissions will also be accepted. If applicants would like to apply for funds appropriated for future fiscal years, applicants must reapply each year. III. Proposal Review, Selection and Notification Proposals will first be reviewed and screened by the headquarters office of the relevant Federal land management agency (or agencies if the project involves more than one). Following this initial review, proposals will be evaluated by an interagency team which includes representatives from FTA, each of the Federal land management agencies, and the Department of the Interior. After evaluating the projects E:\FR\FM\23MRN1.SGM 23MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 56 / Thursday, March 23, 2006 / Notices based on the criteria in the law and further explained in part F of this notice, the team will provide a recommendation to the Secretary of the Interior. The Secretary of the Interior, after consultation with and in cooperation with the Secretary of Transportation, shall determine the final selection and amount of funding for each project. The Department of the Interior plans to announce the projects selected by summer 2006. The Department of the Interior will notify each Federal land management agency of projects awarded for sites under the agency’s jurisdiction. FTA will publish the list of all selected projects and funding levels in the Federal Register, as well as in its annual report to Congress on the Alternative Transportation in Parks and Public Lands program submitted as part of its Annual Report on New Starts in early February 2007. Criteria and application procedures may be reassessed for subsequent years. wwhite on PROD1PC61 with NOTICES IV. Additional Program Information A. Funds Administration and Oversight Once proposals have been reviewed and projects have been chosen based on selection criteria, the cognizant federal agency (or agencies), will award funds to the proposing entity to implement the project. These funds will be administered according to federal requirements as well as the appropriate policies, guidelines and rules of the pertinent agencies. For projects directly administered by a Federal land management agency, these funds will be administered by interagency agreement between the FTA and the respective agency. For programs administered by a State, tribal, or local governmental authority, these funds will be administered through a grant administered by FTA. With regard to interagency agreement and grant requirements, 49 U.S.C. 5320(i) authorizes the Secretary to apply the requirements of 49 U.S.C. 5307 (Urbanized Area Formula Grant) and 5333(a) (Prevailing Wages Requirement) ‘‘to the extent the Secretary deems appropriate.’’ FTA is in the process of developing the interagency agreement and grant requirements for this program and will make these available for public notice and comment in the Federal Register prior to award of program funds. Additionally, each recipient (federal land management agency, and State, tribal, and local governments) of federal funds must comply with requisite federal guidelines governing the management of federal funds and VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:54 Mar 22, 2006 Jkt 208001 specific program requirements. Program Oversight, as defined by FTA, will ensure that projects meet the basic statutory, administrative, and regulatory requirements as stipulated by the conditions for accepting Federal funds. B. Performance Measures Participants may be asked to compile data for use in measuring program performance. C. Technical Assistance, Planning, and Research The Alternative Transportation in Parks and Public lands program allows the Department of Transportation to spend not more than ten percent of program funds to carry out planning, research, and technical assistance activities. FTA will oversee the funds allocated to technical assistance to assist program participants in planning, implementing, and evaluating alternative transportation projects. In addition, FTA will be responsible for the provision of planning guidance and dissemination of research findings. Issued in Washington, DC, this 17th day of March, 2006. Sandra K. Bushue, Deputy Administrator. [FR Doc. E6–4208 Filed 3–22–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–57–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Transit Administration [Docket No. FTA–2006–24063] Disadvantaged Business Enterprises; Western States Guidance for Public Transportation Providers Federal Transit Administration (FTA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of policy implementation and request for comments. AGENCY: SUMMARY: This notice provides the opportunity for public comment on specific issues regarding the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) implementation of Department of Transportation (DOT) guidance for participants of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program. This guidance is applicable to recipients of Federal financial assistance from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) located in the states under the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit (California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Hawaii). DATES: Effective Date: Comments must be received on or before April 24, 2006. PO 00000 Frm 00099 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 14775 Late-filed comments will be considered to the extent practicable. ADDRESSES: Written Comments: Submit written comments to the Docket Management System, U.S. Department of Transportation, Room PL–401, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590–0001. You may submit comments identified by the docket number (FTA– 06–24063) by any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. • Web Site: https://dms.dot.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments on the DOT electronic docket site. • Fax: 1–202–493–2478. • Mail: Docket Management System; U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL–401, Washington, DC 20590– 0001. • Hand Delivery: To the Docket Management System; Room PL–401 on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name (Federal Transit Administration) and Docket number (FTA–2006–24063) for this notice. Note that all comments received will be posted without change to https:// dms.dot.gov including any personal information provided. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scheryl Portee, Attorney Advisor, Office of the Chief Counsel, (202) 366–4011 (telephone) and (202) 366–3809 (fax). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The General Counsel of the Department of Transportation recently reviewed and approved guidance concerning the effects of the Western States Paving Co. v. United States & Washington State Department of Transportation, 407 F. 3d 983 (9th Cir. 2005), court decision on participants in the Department’s disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) program. The guidance applies to recipients of Federal funds authorized under chapter 53 of Title 49 of the United States Code that are located within the states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. The Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, like other Federal courts that have reviewed the Department of Transportation’s DBE program, held that 49 CFR Part 26 and the authorizing statute for the DBE program in TEA–21 E:\FR\FM\23MRN1.SGM 23MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 56 (Thursday, March 23, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14772-14775]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-4208]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration


Alternative Transportation in Parks and Public Lands Program

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Funding Availability; Solicitation of Proposals for 
Funding through the Alternative Transportation in Parks and Public 
Lands Program.

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

SUMMARY: This solicitation is for proposals for fiscal year 2006 
funding through the new Alternative Transportation in Parks and Public 
Lands program, administered by the Federal Transit Administration in 
partnership with the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Department 
of Agriculture's Forest Service. The purpose of the program is to 
enhance the protection of national parks and Federal lands, and 
increase the enjoyment of those visiting them. The program funds 
capital and planning expenses for alternative transportation systems in 
parks and public lands.

[[Page 14773]]

Federal land management agencies and State, tribal and local 
governments acting with the consent of a Federal land management agency 
are eligible to apply.

DATES: Complete proposals must be received by the designated Federal 
land management agency contact listed in this notice by the close of 
business May 5, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Project proposals must be submitted to the designated 
contact person at the headquarters office of the Federal land 
management agency that manages the park or public land involved. If the 
project involves more than one Federal land management agency, a 
project proposal template must be submitted to all agencies involved. 
The required project proposal template is available at https://
www.fta.dot.gov. E-mail submission is preferred. Mail and fax 
submission will also be accepted.
     National Park Service: Kevin Percival, Kevin--
Percival@nps.gov, tel: 303-969-2429, fax: 303-987-6675, mail: 12795 W. 
Alameda Parkway, P.O. Box 25287, Denver, CO 80225-0287.
     Fish and Wildlife Service: Nathan Caldwell, nathan_
caldwell@fws.gov, tel: 703-358-2376, fax: 703-358-2517, mail: 4401 N. 
Fairfax Drive, Suite 634; Arlington, VA 22203.
     Forest Service: Ellen LaFayette, elafayette@fs.fed.us, 
tel: 703-605-4509, fax: 703-605-1542, mail: 1400 Independence Avenue, 
SW., Washington, DC 20250-1101.
     Bureau of Land Management: Linda Force, Linda--
Force@blm.gov, tel: 202-557-3567, fax: 202-452-5046, mail: 1849 C 
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20240.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Contact David Vozzolo, Deputy Associate 
Administrator for Planning and Environment, 202-366-4033, e-mail: 
atppl@dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

I. General Program Information
II. Guidelines for Preparing and Submitting Proposals
III. Proposal Review, Selection, and Notification
IV. Additional Program Information

I. General Program Information

A. Authority

    Section 3021 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient 
Transportation Equity Act--A Legacy for Users of 2005 (SAFETEA-LU) 
establishes a new program called the Alternative Transportation in 
Parks and Public Lands program (49 U.S.C. 5320). SAFETEA-LU authorizes 
$98 million in funding for the program for fiscal years 2006 through 
2009. For fiscal year 2006, Congress appropriated $21,780,000 for this 
program. No one project may receive more than 25 percent of funds.

B. Background

    Congestion in and around parks and public lands causes traffic 
delays and noise and air pollution that substantially detract from the 
visitor's experience and the protection of natural resources. In August 
2001, the Department of Transportation and the Department of the 
Interior published a comprehensive study of alternative transportation 
needs in national parks and related Federal lands. The study identified 
significant alternative transportation needs at sites managed by the 
National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service. Additionally, a supplement to this report 
identified Forest Service sites that would benefit from such services.
    Section 3021 of SAFETEA-LU (49 U.S.C. Sec.  5320) addresses these 
needs by establishing a new program to fund alternative transportation 
projects in national parks and public lands. The goals of the program 
are to ensure access to all, including persons with disabilities; 
improve conservation and park and public land opportunities in urban 
areas through partnering with State and local governments; improve park 
and public land transportation infrastructure; enhance the environment 
and prevent or mitigate adverse impacts on natural resources; reduce 
congestion and pollution; improve visitor mobility and accessibility 
and the visitor experience; improve Federal land management agency 
resource management; and conserve natural, historical, and cultural 
resources.

C. Eligible Applicants

    Eligible applicants are:
    (1) The following Federal land management agencies: The National 
Park Service, the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land 
management, the Forest Service, and the Bureau of Reclamation; and
    (2) State, tribal and local governments with jurisdiction over land 
in the vicinity of an eligible area acting with the consent of a 
Federal land management agency, alone or in partnership with a Federal 
land management agency or other governmental or non-governmental 
participant.

D. Eligible Expenses

    SAFETEA-LU defines alternative transportation as ``transportation 
by bus, rail, or any other publicly or privately owned conveyance that 
provides to the public general or special service on a regular basis, 
including sightseeing service. Such term also includes a non-motorized 
transportation system (including the provision of facilities for 
pedestrians, bicycles, and non-motorized watercraft).''
    A qualified project is a planning or capital project in or in the 
vicinity of a Federally-owned or managed park, refuge, or recreational 
area that is open to the general public and meets the goals of the 
program. Project evaluation will be based on the considerations listed 
in the law and explained in part F of this notice. The following types 
of projects are eligible:
    (1) Planning Projects: Activities to comply with metropolitan and 
statewide planning provisions. (49 U.S.C. 5320(b)(5)(A) referencing 49 
U.S.C. 5303, 5304, and 5305). Activities include planning studies for 
an alternative transportation system including evaluation of no-build 
and all other reasonable alternatives, traffic studies, visitor 
utilization studies, transportation analysis, feasibility studies, and 
environmental studies.
    (2) Capital projects for ``acquiring, constructing, supervising, or 
inspecting equipment or a facility for use in public transportation, 
expenses incidental to the acquisition or construction (including 
designing, engineering, location surveying, mapping, and acquiring 
rights-of-way), payments for the capital portions of rail trackage 
rights agreements, transit-related intelligent transportation systems, 
relocation assistance, acquiring replacement housing sites, and 
acquiring, constructing, relocating, and rehabilitating replacement 
housing;'' (49 U.S.C. 5320(b)(5)(A) referencing 49 U.S.C. 
5302(a)(1)(A).)
    (3) Fixed Guideway and Bus Projects:
    (i) New fixed guideway capital projects including the acquisition 
of real property, the initial acquisition of rolling stock for the 
systems, the acquisition of rights-of-way, and relocation, for fixed 
guideway corridor development for projects in the advanced stages of 
alternatives analysis or preliminary engineering;
    (ii) Capital projects to modernize existing fixed guideway systems;
    (iii) Capital projects to replace, rehabilitate, and purchase buses 
and related equipment and to construct bus-related facilities, 
including programs of bus and bus-related projects for

[[Page 14774]]

assistance to subrecipients that are public agencies, private companies 
engaged in public transportation, or private non-profit organizations; 
and
    (iv) The development of corridors to support new fixed guideway 
capital projects, including protecting rights-of-way through 
acquisition, construction of dedicated bus and high occupancy vehicle 
lanes and park and ride lots, and other nonvehicular capital 
improvements that the Secretary may decide would result in increased 
public transportation usage in the corridor. (49 U.S.C. 5320(b)(5)(A) 
referencing 49 U.S.C. 5309(b).)
    (4) Purchase of rolling stock that incorporates clean fuel 
technology or the replacement of buses of a type in use on August 10, 
2005, with clean fuel vehicles;
    (5) The deployment of alternative transportation vehicles that 
introduce innovative technologies or methods;
    (6) The capital costs of coordinating Federal land management 
agency public transportation systems with other public transportation 
systems;
    (7) Non-motorized transportation systems (including the provision 
of facilities for pedestrians, bicycles and non-motorized watercraft); 
and
    (8) Any other alternative transportation project that:
     Enhances the environment;
     Prevents or mitigates an adverse impact on a natural 
resource;
     Improves Federal land management agency resource 
management;
     Improves visitor mobility and accessibility and the 
visitor experience;
     Reduces congestion and pollution (including noise 
pollution and visual pollution); or
     Conserves a natural, historical, or cultural resource 
(excluding rehabilitation or restoration of a non-transportation 
facility).

E. Planning and Coordination Requirements

(1) Planning Requirements
    Section 5320(e) specifies that if the participant is a Federal land 
management agency, the project must be consistent with the metropolitan 
and statewide planning and public participation requirements found in 
49 U.S.C. 5303, 5304, and 5307(d). If the qualified participant is a 
State or local government, or more than one State or local governmental 
authority in more than one State, the qualified participant must comply 
with the metropolitan and statewide planning provisions and public 
participation requirements. FTA cannot award funds to an implementation 
project if it is not in the metropolitan Transportation Improvement 
Program (TIP) or State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). If an 
implementation project is not in the TIP or STIP at the time of 
submitting a proposal, it can still be selected, but will not receive 
funds until it is incorporated into the TIP or STIP. In addition, 
implementation projects not in the TIP or STIP at the time of 
submitting a proposal should demonstrate intent to be included, such as 
through a copy of correspondence with the metropolitan or state 
planning organization.
    Projects must also be consistent with Federal land management 
agency plans.
(2) Coordination With Federal Land Management Agency
    If the applicant is a State, tribal, or local government authority, 
the applicant must have the consent of the Federal land management 
agency or agencies to be affected. A letter from the unit(s) of the 
Federal land management agency or agencies affected expressing support 
for the project should be submitted with the project proposal.

F. Proposal Evaluation Criteria

    Consistent with the considerations identified in Section 
5320(g)(2), proposed projects will be evaluated based on the following 
criteria:
     Demonstration of need
    [cir] Documentation of problem in plans and other reports
    [cir] Severity of problem
     Protection of natural and cultural resources
    [cir] Protection or improvement of cultural, historical, scenic, 
and natural resources
    [cir] Environmental benefits--reduction of pollution (including air 
pollution, noise pollution, and visual pollution)
     Operational efficiency and financial sustainability
    [cir] Evaluation of costs and benefits of all reasonable 
alternatives
    [cir] Financial planning (including for capital, operations, 
maintenance, and equipment replacement expenses; and revenues, 
including user fees)
    [cir] Cost effectiveness
    [cir] Innovative financing or joint development strategies
    [cir] Deferred maintenance issues
     Public benefits
    [cir] Enhancing visitor experience
    [cir] Mobility issues (reduces congestion, improves intermodal 
connectivity, improves public access, including access for persons with 
disabilities)
    [cir] Safety
    [cir] Partnership with public and private entities, and benefits to 
gateway communities.
    Additional consideration will be given to projects based upon 
geographic diversity, balance between urban and rural projects, and 
balance in size of projects. Finally, projects that demonstrate 
innovative funding mechanisms or partnerships will be given extra 
consideration. The application template contains specific questions 
related to each of these areas to guide the applicant in justifying the 
project.

II. Guidelines for Preparing and Submitting Proposals

    Project proposal templates for the Alternative Transportation in 
Parks and Public Lands program are available at https://www.fta.dot.gov. 
Click on the navigational tab for Grant Programs on the right hand 
side, then click on the Grant Programs link, and then click on the link 
for the Alternative Transportation in Parks and Public Lands Program. 
To receive a proposal template by e-mail, please send an e-mail to 
tina.hodges@dot.gov. There are separate proposal templates for planning 
and capital projects. A synopsis of this announcement will also be 
posted in the FIND module of the government-wide electronic grants Web 
site at https://www.grants.gov.
    Project proposals must be submitted to the designated contact 
person at the headquarters office of the Federal land management agency 
that manages the park or public land involved. This list can be found 
in the Addresses section of this notice. If the project involves more 
than one Federal land management agency, a proposal template must be 
submitted to all agencies involved. The project proposal must be ten or 
fewer pages in length at ten point font or larger. If a proposal is 
greater than ten pages, only the first ten pages will be considered 
during the evaluation process. Submission by e-mail is preferred. Mail 
and fax submissions will also be accepted.
    If applicants would like to apply for funds appropriated for future 
fiscal years, applicants must reapply each year.

III. Proposal Review, Selection and Notification

    Proposals will first be reviewed and screened by the headquarters 
office of the relevant Federal land management agency (or agencies if 
the project involves more than one). Following this initial review, 
proposals will be evaluated by an interagency team which includes 
representatives from FTA, each of the Federal land management agencies, 
and the Department of the Interior. After evaluating the projects

[[Page 14775]]

based on the criteria in the law and further explained in part F of 
this notice, the team will provide a recommendation to the Secretary of 
the Interior. The Secretary of the Interior, after consultation with 
and in cooperation with the Secretary of Transportation, shall 
determine the final selection and amount of funding for each project.
    The Department of the Interior plans to announce the projects 
selected by summer 2006. The Department of the Interior will notify 
each Federal land management agency of projects awarded for sites under 
the agency's jurisdiction. FTA will publish the list of all selected 
projects and funding levels in the Federal Register, as well as in its 
annual report to Congress on the Alternative Transportation in Parks 
and Public Lands program submitted as part of its Annual Report on New 
Starts in early February 2007. Criteria and application procedures may 
be reassessed for subsequent years.

IV. Additional Program Information

A. Funds Administration and Oversight

    Once proposals have been reviewed and projects have been chosen 
based on selection criteria, the cognizant federal agency (or 
agencies), will award funds to the proposing entity to implement the 
project. These funds will be administered according to federal 
requirements as well as the appropriate policies, guidelines and rules 
of the pertinent agencies.
    For projects directly administered by a Federal land management 
agency, these funds will be administered by interagency agreement 
between the FTA and the respective agency. For programs administered by 
a State, tribal, or local governmental authority, these funds will be 
administered through a grant administered by FTA. With regard to 
interagency agreement and grant requirements, 49 U.S.C. 5320(i) 
authorizes the Secretary to apply the requirements of 49 U.S.C. 5307 
(Urbanized Area Formula Grant) and 5333(a) (Prevailing Wages 
Requirement) ``to the extent the Secretary deems appropriate.'' FTA is 
in the process of developing the interagency agreement and grant 
requirements for this program and will make these available for public 
notice and comment in the Federal Register prior to award of program 
funds.
    Additionally, each recipient (federal land management agency, and 
State, tribal, and local governments) of federal funds must comply with 
requisite federal guidelines governing the management of federal funds 
and specific program requirements. Program Oversight, as defined by 
FTA, will ensure that projects meet the basic statutory, 
administrative, and regulatory requirements as stipulated by the 
conditions for accepting Federal funds.

B. Performance Measures

    Participants may be asked to compile data for use in measuring 
program performance.

C. Technical Assistance, Planning, and Research

    The Alternative Transportation in Parks and Public lands program 
allows the Department of Transportation to spend not more than ten 
percent of program funds to carry out planning, research, and technical 
assistance activities. FTA will oversee the funds allocated to 
technical assistance to assist program participants in planning, 
implementing, and evaluating alternative transportation projects. In 
addition, FTA will be responsible for the provision of planning 
guidance and dissemination of research findings.

    Issued in Washington, DC, this 17th day of March, 2006.
Sandra K. Bushue,
Deputy Administrator.
[FR Doc. E6-4208 Filed 3-22-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-57-P
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