Renewed and Amended Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Assigning Environmental Responsibilities to the State of Utah, 30686-30687 [2014-12271]

Download as PDF 30686 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 102 / Wednesday, May 28, 2014 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Highway Administration [Docket No. FHWA–2014–0017] Renewed and Amended Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Assigning Environmental Responsibilities to the State of Utah Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Utah Division Office, DOT. ACTION: Notice of MOU renewal and amendments and request for comments. AGENCY: This notice announces that the FHWA and the Utah Department of Transportation (State) plan to renew and amend an existing MOU established pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 326 under which the FHWA has assigned to the State the FHWA’s responsibility for determining whether a project is categorically excluded from preparation of an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. (NEPA) and for carrying out certain other responsibilities for conducting environmental reviews, consultations, and related activities for Federal-aid highway projects. The proposed amendments include removal of language referring to existing programmatic agreements between the State and FHWA concerning categorical exclusions. This change is proposed to make the processing of these documents more clearly defined. The public is invited to comment on any aspect of the proposed MOU, including the scope of environmental review, consultation, and other activities which are assigned. DATES: Please submit comments by June 27, 2014. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments through the U.S. Document Management System (DMS) identified by Docket No. FHWA–2014–0017, or by any of the methods described below. Web site: https://www.udot.utah.gov/ go/environmental Fax: 1–202–493–2251 Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Ground Floor Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. (EST), Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Docket: For access to the docket to view a complete copy of the proposed MOU, or to read background documents emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:58 May 27, 2014 Jkt 232001 or comments received, go to https:// www.regulations.gov at any time or go to the ground floor Room U.S. Department of Transportation, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. (EST), Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Edward Woolford, Environmental Program Manager, Federal Highway Administration, 2520 West 4700 South, Suite 9A, Salt Lake City, UT 84129. Office Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (MST), Edward.Woolford@DOT.gov; Mr. Brandon Weston, Environmental Services Director, Utah Department of Transportation, 4501 South 2700 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84129, Office Hours 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Monday through Friday) (MST), brandonweston@ utah.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Electronic Access An electronic copy of this notice may be downloaded using a computer, modem and suitable communications software from the Government Printing Office’s Electronic Bulletin Board Service at (202) 512–1661. Internet users may reach the Office of the Federal Register’s home page at https:// www.archives.gov and the Government Printing Office’s Web site at https:// www.access.gpo.gov. An electronic version of the proposed MOU may be downloaded by accessing the DMS docket, as described above, at https:// www.regulations.gov. Background Section 6004(a) of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (Pub. L. 109–59), codified as Section 326 of amended Chapter 3 of Title 23, United States Code (23 U.S.C. 326, SAFETEA–LU), allows the Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT Secretary), to assign, and a State to assume, responsibility for determining whether certain designated activities are included within classes of action that are categorically excluded from requirements for environmental assessments or environmental impact statements pursuant to regulations promulgated by the Council on Environmental Quality under part 1500 of Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) (as in effect on October 1, 2003). The FHWA is authorized to act on behalf of the USDOT Secretary with respect to these matters. In July 2008, the FHWA and the State executed a MOU which assigned the PO 00000 Frm 00148 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 responsibility to the State for determining certain designated activities as categorically excluded under Section 6004(a) of SAFETEA–LU. The assignments include: 1. Activities listed in 23 CFR 771.117(c); and 2. The example activities listed in 23 CFR 771.117(d). The MOU had an initial term of 3 years and may be renewed and/or amended. The renewal/amendments are the subject of this Notice. As part of this renewal, proposed changes to the MOU include modification to terminate an existing programmatic agreement between the State and FHWA for processing proposed projects that are candidates for categorical exclusion but that are not included on the lists described in 1–2 above. The MOU assigns to the State the responsibility for conducting Federal environmental review, consultation, and other related activities for projects that are subject to the MOU with respect to the following Federal laws and Executive Orders: 1. Clean Air Act (CAA), 42 U.S.C. 7401–7671q (determinations of projectlevel conformity if required for the project). 2. Compliance with the noise regulations in 23 CFR 772. 3. Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, 16 U.S.C. 1531– 1544, and Section 1536. 4. Marine Mammal Protection Act, 16 U.S.C. 1361. 5. Anadromous Fish Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C. 757a–757g. 6. Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, 16 U.S.C. 661–667d. 7. Migratory Bird Treaty Act, 16 U.S.C. 703–712. 8. Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. 9. Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 470(f) et seq. 10. Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act of 1966, 23 U.S.C. 138 and 49 U.S.C. 303; and 23 CFR Part 774. 11. Archeological and Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 469–469(c). 12. American Indian Religious Freedom Act, 42 U.S.C. 1996. 13. Farmland Protection Policy Act (FPPA), 7 U.S.C. 4201–4209. 14. Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. 1251– 1377 (Section 404, Section 401, Section 319). 15. Coastal Barrier Resources Act, 16 U.S.C. 3501–3510. 16. Coastal Zone Management Act, 16 U.S.C. 1451–1465. E:\FR\FM\28MYN1.SGM 28MYN1 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 102 / Wednesday, May 28, 2014 / Notices 17. Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), 42 U.S.C. 300f–300j–6. 18. Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, 33 U.S.C. 401–406. 19. Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, 16 U.S.C. 1271–1287. 20. Emergency Wetlands Resources Act, 16 U.S.C. 3921–3931. 21. TEA–21 Wetlands Mitigation, 23 U.S.C. 103(b)(6)(m), 133 (b)(11). 22. Flood Disaster Protection Act, 42 U.S.C. 4001–4128. 23. Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), 16 U.S.C. 4601–4604 (known as section 6(f)). 24. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), 42 U.S.C. 9601–9675. 25. Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA). 26. Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), 42 U.S.C. 6901– 6992k. 27. Landscaping and Scenic Enhancement (Wildflowers), 23 U.S.C. 319. 28. Executive Orders Relating to Highway Projects (E.O. 11990, Protection of Wetlands; E.O. 11988, Floodplain Management; E.O. 12898, Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low Income Populations; E.O. 11593, Protection and Enhancement of Cultural Resources; E.O. 13007, Indian Sacred Sites; E.O. 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments; E.O. 13112, Invasive Species). The MOU allows the State to act in the place of the FHWA in carrying out the functions described above, except with respect to government-togovernment consultations with federally recognized Indian tribes. The FHWA will retain responsibility for conducting formal government-to-government consultation with federally recognized Indian tribes, which is required under some of the above-listed laws and executive orders. The State also may assist the FHWA with formal consultations, with consent of a tribe, but the FHWA remains responsible for the consultation. This assignment includes transfer to the State of Utah the obligation to fulfill the assigned environmental responsibilities on any proposed projects meeting the Criteria in Stipulation I(B) of the MOU that were determined to be CEs prior to the effective date of the proposed MOU but that have not been completed as of the effective date of the MOU. A copy of the proposed MOU may be viewed on the DOT DMS Docket, as described above, or may be obtained by contacting the FHWA or the State at the addresses provided above. A copy may VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:58 May 27, 2014 Jkt 232001 also be viewed online at the following URL: https://www.udot.utah.gov/go/ environmental. Once the FHWA makes a decision on the proposed MOU, the FHWA will place in the DOT DMS Docket, a statement describing the outcome of the decision-making process and a copy of the final MOU, if any. Copies of the final documents also may be obtained by contacting the FHWA or the State at the addresses provided above, or by viewing the documents at https://www.udot.utah.gov/go/ environmental. (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205, Highway Planning and Construction. The regulations implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation on Federal programs and activities apply to this program.) Authority: 23 U.S.C. 326; 42 U.S.C. 4331, 4332; 23 CFR 771.117; 40 CFR 1507.3, 1508.4. Issued on: May 21, 2014. Jennifer A. Outhouse, Federal Register Liaison, Federal Highway Administration. [FR Doc. 2014–12271 Filed 5–27–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–22–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Reports, Forms, and Record Keeping Requirements National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Department of Transportation. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstract regarding the Petitions for Exemption from the Theft Prevention Standard below has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the nature of the information collections and their expected burden. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period was published on March 21, 2014 (79 FR 15799). The agency received no comments. DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before June 27, 2014. ADDRESSES: Send comments, within 30 days, to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20503, Attention NHTSA Desk Officer. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00149 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 30687 Comments are invited on: Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Department, including whether the information will have practical utility; the accuracy of the Departments’ estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments to OMB are most effective if OMB receives them within 30 days of publication. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carlita Ballard at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of International Policy, Fuel Economy and Consumer Programs (NVS–131), 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE., West Building, Room W43–439, NVS–131, Washington, DC 20590. Ms. Ballard’s telephone number is (202) 366–5222. Please identify the relevant collection of information by referring to its OMB Control Number. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Title: Petitions for Exemption from the Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard (49 CFR Part 543) OMB Control Number: 2127–0542 Type of Request: Request for public comment on a previously approved collection of information. Abstract: Manufacturers of passenger vehicle lines may petition the agency for an exemption from Part 541 requirements, if the line is equipped with an anti-theft device as standard equipment and meets agency criteria. Device must be as effective as partsmarking. 49 U.S.C. Chapter 331 requires the Secretary of Transportation to promulgate a theft prevention standard to provide for the identification of certain motor vehicles and their major replacement parts to impede motor vehicle theft. 49 U.S.C. 33106 provides for an exemption to this identification process by petitions from manufacturers who equip covered vehicles with standard original equipment antitheft devices, which the Secretary determines are likely to be as effective in reducing or deterring theft as parts-marking. NHTSA may exempt a vehicle line from the parts marking requirement, if the manufacturer installs an antitheft device as standard equipment on the entire vehicle line for which it seeks an exemption and NHTSA determines that E:\FR\FM\28MYN1.SGM 28MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 102 (Wednesday, May 28, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30686-30687]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-12271]



[[Page 30686]]

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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

[Docket No. FHWA-2014-0017]


Renewed and Amended Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Assigning 
Environmental Responsibilities to the State of Utah

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Utah Division Office, 
DOT.

ACTION: Notice of MOU renewal and amendments and request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: This notice announces that the FHWA and the Utah Department of 
Transportation (State) plan to renew and amend an existing MOU 
established pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 326 under which the FHWA has assigned 
to the State the FHWA's responsibility for determining whether a 
project is categorically excluded from preparation of an environmental 
assessment or an environmental impact statement under the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. (NEPA) and for 
carrying out certain other responsibilities for conducting 
environmental reviews, consultations, and related activities for 
Federal-aid highway projects. The proposed amendments include removal 
of language referring to existing programmatic agreements between the 
State and FHWA concerning categorical exclusions. This change is 
proposed to make the processing of these documents more clearly 
defined. The public is invited to comment on any aspect of the proposed 
MOU, including the scope of environmental review, consultation, and 
other activities which are assigned.

DATES: Please submit comments by June 27, 2014.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments through the U.S. Document Management 
System (DMS) identified by Docket No. FHWA-2014-0017, or by any of the 
methods described below.
    Web site: https://www.udot.utah.gov/go/environmental
    Fax: 1-202-493-2251
    Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, 
DC 20590.
    Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Ground Floor Room 
W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m. (EST), Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    Docket: For access to the docket to view a complete copy of the 
proposed MOU, or to read background documents or comments received, go 
to https://www.regulations.gov at any time or go to the ground floor 
Room U.S. Department of Transportation, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey 
Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. (EST), 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Edward Woolford, Environmental 
Program Manager, Federal Highway Administration, 2520 West 4700 South, 
Suite 9A, Salt Lake City, UT 84129. Office Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 
p.m. (MST), Edward.Woolford@DOT.gov; Mr. Brandon Weston, Environmental 
Services Director, Utah Department of Transportation, 4501 South 2700 
West, Salt Lake City, UT 84129, Office Hours 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 
(Monday through Friday) (MST), brandonweston@utah.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Electronic Access

    An electronic copy of this notice may be downloaded using a 
computer, modem and suitable communications software from the 
Government Printing Office's Electronic Bulletin Board Service at (202) 
512-1661. Internet users may reach the Office of the Federal Register's 
home page at https://www.archives.gov and the Government Printing 
Office's Web site at https://www.access.gpo.gov. An electronic version 
of the proposed MOU may be downloaded by accessing the DMS docket, as 
described above, at https://www.regulations.gov.

Background

    Section 6004(a) of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient 
Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (Pub. L. 109-59), 
codified as Section 326 of amended Chapter 3 of Title 23, United States 
Code (23 U.S.C. 326, SAFETEA-LU), allows the Secretary of the United 
States Department of Transportation (USDOT Secretary), to assign, and a 
State to assume, responsibility for determining whether certain 
designated activities are included within classes of action that are 
categorically excluded from requirements for environmental assessments 
or environmental impact statements pursuant to regulations promulgated 
by the Council on Environmental Quality under part 1500 of Title 40, 
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) (as in effect on October 1, 2003). 
The FHWA is authorized to act on behalf of the USDOT Secretary with 
respect to these matters.
    In July 2008, the FHWA and the State executed a MOU which assigned 
the responsibility to the State for determining certain designated 
activities as categorically excluded under Section 6004(a) of SAFETEA-
LU. The assignments include:
    1. Activities listed in 23 CFR 771.117(c); and
    2. The example activities listed in 23 CFR 771.117(d).
    The MOU had an initial term of 3 years and may be renewed and/or 
amended. The renewal/amendments are the subject of this Notice. As part 
of this renewal, proposed changes to the MOU include modification to 
terminate an existing programmatic agreement between the State and FHWA 
for processing proposed projects that are candidates for categorical 
exclusion but that are not included on the lists described in 1-2 
above.
    The MOU assigns to the State the responsibility for conducting 
Federal environmental review, consultation, and other related 
activities for projects that are subject to the MOU with respect to the 
following Federal laws and Executive Orders:
    1. Clean Air Act (CAA), 42 U.S.C. 7401-7671q (determinations of 
project-level conformity if required for the project).
    2. Compliance with the noise regulations in 23 CFR 772.
    3. Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, 16 U.S.C. 1531-
1544, and Section 1536.
    4. Marine Mammal Protection Act, 16 U.S.C. 1361.
    5. Anadromous Fish Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C. 757a-757g.
    6. Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, 16 U.S.C. 661-667d.
    7. Migratory Bird Treaty Act, 16 U.S.C. 703-712.
    8. Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 
1976, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    9. Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, 
as amended, 16 U.S.C. 470(f) et seq.
    10. Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act of 1966, 
23 U.S.C. 138 and 49 U.S.C. 303; and 23 CFR Part 774.
    11. Archeological and Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as 
amended, 16 U.S.C. 469-469(c).
    12. American Indian Religious Freedom Act, 42 U.S.C. 1996.
    13. Farmland Protection Policy Act (FPPA), 7 U.S.C. 4201-4209.
    14. Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. 1251-1377 (Section 404, Section 401, 
Section 319).
    15. Coastal Barrier Resources Act, 16 U.S.C. 3501-3510.
    16. Coastal Zone Management Act, 16 U.S.C. 1451-1465.

[[Page 30687]]

    17. Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), 42 U.S.C. 300f-300j-6.
    18. Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, 33 U.S.C. 401-406.
    19. Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, 16 U.S.C. 1271-1287.
    20. Emergency Wetlands Resources Act, 16 U.S.C. 3921-3931.
    21. TEA-21 Wetlands Mitigation, 23 U.S.C. 103(b)(6)(m), 133 
(b)(11).
    22. Flood Disaster Protection Act, 42 U.S.C. 4001-4128.
    23. Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), 16 U.S.C. 4601-4604 
(known as section 6(f)).
    24. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and 
Liability Act (CERCLA), 42 U.S.C. 9601-9675.
    25. Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA).
    26. Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), 42 U.S.C. 6901-
6992k.
    27. Landscaping and Scenic Enhancement (Wildflowers), 23 U.S.C. 
319.
    28. Executive Orders Relating to Highway Projects (E.O. 11990, 
Protection of Wetlands; E.O. 11988, Floodplain Management; E.O. 12898, 
Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority 
Populations and Low Income Populations; E.O. 11593, Protection and 
Enhancement of Cultural Resources; E.O. 13007, Indian Sacred Sites; 
E.O. 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal 
Governments; E.O. 13112, Invasive Species).
    The MOU allows the State to act in the place of the FHWA in 
carrying out the functions described above, except with respect to 
government-to-government consultations with federally recognized Indian 
tribes. The FHWA will retain responsibility for conducting formal 
government-to-government consultation with federally recognized Indian 
tribes, which is required under some of the above-listed laws and 
executive orders. The State also may assist the FHWA with formal 
consultations, with consent of a tribe, but the FHWA remains 
responsible for the consultation. This assignment includes transfer to 
the State of Utah the obligation to fulfill the assigned environmental 
responsibilities on any proposed projects meeting the Criteria in 
Stipulation I(B) of the MOU that were determined to be CEs prior to the 
effective date of the proposed MOU but that have not been completed as 
of the effective date of the MOU.
    A copy of the proposed MOU may be viewed on the DOT DMS Docket, as 
described above, or may be obtained by contacting the FHWA or the State 
at the addresses provided above. A copy may also be viewed online at 
the following URL: https://www.udot.utah.gov/go/environmental. Once the 
FHWA makes a decision on the proposed MOU, the FHWA will place in the 
DOT DMS Docket, a statement describing the outcome of the decision-
making process and a copy of the final MOU, if any. Copies of the final 
documents also may be obtained by contacting the FHWA or the State at 
the addresses provided above, or by viewing the documents at https://www.udot.utah.gov/go/environmental.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205, 
Highway Planning and Construction. The regulations implementing 
Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation on 
Federal programs and activities apply to this program.)

    Authority:  23 U.S.C. 326; 42 U.S.C. 4331, 4332; 23 CFR 771.117; 
40 CFR 1507.3, 1508.4.

    Issued on: May 21, 2014.
Jennifer A. Outhouse,
Federal Register Liaison, Federal Highway Administration.
[FR Doc. 2014-12271 Filed 5-27-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.