Program Guidance for Metropolitan Planning Program and State Planning and Research Program Grants: Availability of Final Circular, 39505-39507 [2018-17032]
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 154 / Thursday, August 9, 2018 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[Docket No. FRA–2018–0008–N–5]
Proposed Agency Information
Collection Activities; Comment
Request
Federal Railroad
Administration (FRA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of information collection;
request for comment.
AGENCY:
Under the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), this notice
announces that FRA is forwarding the
renewal Information Collection Request
(ICR) abstracted below to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for
review and comment. The ICR describes
the information collection and its
expected burden. On April 26, 2018,
FRA published a notice providing a 60day period for public comment on the
ICR.
DATES: Interested persons are invited to
submit comments on or before
September 10, 2018.
ADDRESSES: Submit written comments
on the ICR to the Office of Information
and Regulatory Affairs, Office of
Management and Budget, 725 17th
Street NW, Washington, DC 20503,
Attention: FRA Desk Officer. Comments
may also be sent via email to OMB at
the following address: oira_
submissions@omb.eop.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
Robert Brogan, Information Collection
Clearance Officer, Office of Railroad
Safety, Regulatory Analysis Division,
RRS–21, Federal Railroad
Administration, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE, Room W33–497,
Washington, DC 20590 (Telephone:
(202) 493–6292); or Ms. Kim Toone,
Information Collection Clearance
Officer, Office of Administration, Office
of Information Technology, RAD–20,
Federal Railroad Administration, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE, Room W34–212,
Washington, DC 20590 (Telephone:
(202) 493–6132).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The PRA,
44 U.S.C. 3501–3520, and its
implementing regulations, 5 CFR part
1320, require Federal agencies to issue
two notices seeking public comment on
information collection activities before
OMB may approve paperwork packages.
44 U.S.C. 3506, 3507; 5 CFR 1320.5,
1320.8(d)(1), and 1320.12. On April 26,
2018, FRA published a 60-day notice in
the Federal Register soliciting comment
on the ICR for which it is now seeking
OMB approval. See 83 FR 18391. FRA
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:11 Aug 08, 2018
Jkt 244001
received no comments in response to
this notice.
Before OMB decides whether to
approve this proposed collection of
information, it must provide 30 days for
public comment. 44 U.S.C. 3507(b); 5
CFR 1320.12(d). Federal law requires
OMB to approve or disapprove
paperwork packages between 30 and 60
days after the 30-day notice is
published. 44 U.S.C. 3507(b)–(c); 5 CFR
1320.12(d); see also 60 FR 44978, 44983,
Aug. 29, 1995. OMB believes the 30-day
notice informs the regulated community
to file relevant comments and affords
the agency adequate time to digest
public comments before it renders a
decision. 60 FR 44983, Aug. 29, 1995.
Therefore, respondents should submit
their respective comments to OMB
within 30 days of publication to best
ensure having their full effect.
Comments are invited on the
following ICR regarding: (1) Whether the
information collection activities are
necessary for FRA to properly execute
its functions, including whether the
information will have practical utility;
(2) the accuracy of FRA’s estimates of
the burden of the information collection
activities, including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used to
determine the estimates; (3) ways for
FRA to enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information being
collected; and (4) ways to minimize the
burden of information collection
activities on the public, including the
use of automated collection techniques
or other forms of information
technology.
The summary below describes the ICR
that FRA will submit for OMB clearance
as the PRA requires.
Title: Steam Locomotive Inspection
and Maintenance Standards (Formerly
Steam Locomotive Inspection).
OMB Control Number: 2130–0505.
Abstract: The Locomotive Boiler
Inspection Act (LBIA) of 1911 required
each railroad subject to the Act to file
copies of its rules and instructions for
the inspection of locomotives. The
original LBIA was expanded to cover all
steam locomotives and tenders, and all
their parts and appurtenances. As
amended, this Act requires railroads to
inspect and repair steam locomotives to
ensure they operate safely. Per the LBIA,
the Steam Locomotive Inspection and
Maintenance Standards (49 CFR part
230) were established to provide more
specific standards that ensure steam
locomotive safety. Currently, as
amended in 1999, the collection of
information for part 230 is used
primarily by tourist or historic railroads
and by locomotive owners/operators to
track steam locomotive service days and
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39505
show that required inspections and
maintenance are complete. The
collection of information is also used by
FRA and State rail safety inspectors to
verify compliance with required
inspection and maintenance standards,
helping ensure steam locomotives are
‘‘safe and suitable’’ for service.
Type of Request: Extension without
change of a current information
collection.
Affected Public: Steam Locomotive
Owners/Operators.
Form(s): FRA–1; FRA–2; FRA–3;
FRA–4; FRA–5.
Total Estimated Annual Responses:
4,868.
Total Estimated Annual Burden:
18,865 hours.
Under 44 U.S.C. 3507(a) and 5 CFR
1320.5(b) and 1320.8(b)(3)(vi), FRA
informs all interested parties that it may
not conduct or sponsor and a
respondent is not required to respond to
a collection of information unless it
displays a currently valid OMB control
number.
Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501–3520.
Juan D. Reyes III,
Chief Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2018–17076 Filed 8–8–18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–06–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration
Program Guidance for Metropolitan
Planning Program and State Planning
and Research Program Grants:
Availability of Final Circular
Federal Transit Administration
(FTA), U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of availability of final
circular.
AGENCY:
The FTA has placed on its
website final guidance in the form of
FTA Circular 8100.1D, ‘‘Program
Guidance For Metropolitan Planning
and State Planning and Research
Program Grants.’’ The final circular
updates the Circular 8100.1C, ‘‘Program
Guidance For Metropolitan Planning
and State Planning and Research
Program Grants,’’ to reflect various
changes in law and to incorporate
provisions of the U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT) regulations,
‘‘Uniform Administrative Requirements,
Cost Principles, and Audit
Requirements for Federal Awards.
DATES: September 10, 2018.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Victor Austin, Office of Planning and
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\09AUN1.SGM
09AUN1
39506
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 154 / Thursday, August 9, 2018 / Notices
Environment (TPE), Federal Transit
Administration, U.S. Department of
Transportation, phone: 202–366–2996,
or email victor.austin@dot.gov. Legal
questions may be addressed to Helen
Serassio, Office of Chief Counsel (TCC),
Federal Transit Administration, U.S.
Department of Transportation, phone:
202–366–1974, or email helen.serassio@
dot.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Availability of Final Circular
You may download an electronic
copy of the circular from FTA’s website
at https://www.transit.dot.gov. Paper
copies of the circular may be obtained
by calling FTA’s Administrative
Services Help Desk at 202–366–4865.
Table of Contents
I. Overview
II. Updates to Circular 8100.1
A. Chapter I—Introduction and
Background
B. Chapter II—Metropolitan Planning
Program
C. Chapter III—State Planning and
Research Programs
D. Chapter IV—Consolidated Planning
Grants
E. Chapter V—Application Instructions
F. Appendices
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
I. Overview
FTA is updating its Program Guidance
for Metropolitan Planning and State
Planning and Research Program Grants
Circular (Circular) to incorporate
changes to FTA’s programs resulting
from enactment of FTA’s most recent
authorizing legislation, the Fixing
America’s Surface Transportation
(FAST) Act (Pub. L. 114–94, Dec. 4,
2015), as well as the Moving Ahead for
Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP–
21) (Pub. L. 112–141, July 6, 2012);
promulgation of Department of
Transportation (DOT) regulations,
‘‘Uniform Administrative Requirements,
Cost Principles, and Audit
Requirements for Federal Awards,’’ at 2
CFR part 1201, as well as ‘‘Statewide
and Nonmetropolitan Transportation
Planning; Metropolitan Transportation
Planning,’’ at 23 CFR part 450; and
changes in terms as used in FTA’s new
electronic award and application
system, the Transit Award and
Management System (TrAMS).
On December 26, 2014, DOT adopted
the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) regulatory guidance, ‘‘Uniform
Administrative Requirements, Cost
Principles, and Audit Requirements for
Federal Awards’’ (Uniform Guidance), 2
CFR part 200, now incorporated by
reference in DOT regulations, 2 CFR
part 1201. The Uniform Guidance
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:11 Aug 08, 2018
Jkt 244001
streamlines and adds to the guidance
formerly found in eight OMB circulars,
which have been superseded by 2 CFR
part 200. While 2 CFR part 1201 adopts
most of the Uniform Guidance, part
1201 does contain several DOT-specific
provisions.
DOT regulations, 2 CFR part 1201,
apply to any FTA award and any
amendments thereto signed by an
authorized FTA official on or after
December 26, 2014. These regulations
supersede 49 CFR part 18, ‘‘Uniform
Administrative Requirements for Grants
and Cooperative Agreements to State
and Local Governments,’’ and 49 CFR
part 19, ‘‘Uniform Administrative
Requirements for Grants and
Agreements with Institutions of Higher
Education, Hospitals, and Other NonProfit Organizations,’’ except that grants
and cooperative agreements executed
before December 26, 2014, continue to
be subject to 49 CFR parts 18 and 19 as
in effect on the date of such grants or
agreements.
MAP–21 established a performancebased management approach to the
statewide and metropolitan
transportation planning process to
ensure the most efficient investment of
Federal transportation funds. Although
MAP–21 made several changes to the
planning process, the legislation did not
make substantive changes to the
eligibilities for the Metropolitan
Planning Program (MPP). MAP–21 did
change the eligibilities of the State
Planning and Research Program (SPRP)
to include only funds for grants and
contracts to carry out 49 U.S.C. 5304,
5305, and 5306.
Sections 5303 and 5304, as amended
by the FAST Act, require metropolitan
planning organizations (MPOs) and
States to develop transportation plans
and transportation improvement
programs through a performance-driven,
outcome-based approach to planning.
Under the FAST Act, MPOs continue to
develop Unified Planning Work
Programs, Metropolitan Transportation
Plans, Transportation Improvement
Programs, and Public Participation
Plans.
On May 27, 2016, FTA and FHWA
published in the Federal Register the
Final Rule on Statewide and
Nonmetropolitan Transportation
Planning; Metropolitan Transportation
Planning (81 FR 34049), 23 CFR part
450, to implement the changes to the
planning process established by MAP–
21 and the FAST Act. This Circular uses
the joint regulations at 23 CFR part 450
as the foundation for its program
guidance.
In addition to addressing changes to
Federal law, the final Circular reflects
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Sfmt 4703
terminology changes for consistency
with FTA’s new electronic award and
management system, TrAMS.
This notice provides a summary of
changes to FTA Circular 8100.1,
‘‘Program Guidance for Metropolitan
Planning and State Planning and
Research Program Grants.’’ Given that
this update reflects existing statute and
regulations developed with notice and
comment, contains no additional
interpretation of statute or regulations,
and imposes no new requirements on
grantees, FTA is not soliciting public
comments. The final Circular 8100.1D
becomes effective on September 10,
2018 and supersedes Circular 8100.1C.
II. Updates to Circular 8100.1
A. Chapter I—Introduction and
Background
Chapter I covers general information
regarding FTA, FTA’s authorizing
legislation, Grants.gov, and how to
contact FTA; this chapter also includes
definitions and acronyms used in the
Circular. In Section 5, FTA added and
amended numerous definitions and
acronyms to be consistent with other
FTA circulars, 49 U.S.C. chapter 53 as
amended by the FAST Act and MAP–
21, the Uniform Guidance, and TrAMS.
For example, TEAM references are
replaced by TrAMS references
throughout the document. In Section 6,
FTA added programmatic changes
triggered by MAP–21 and the FAST Act,
discussing the performance-based
management approach to the statewide
and metropolitan transportation
planning process.
B. Chapter II—Metropolitan Planning
Program
Chapter II provides an overview of the
entire MPP with regard to its statutory
authority and program goals. It defines
the role of the individual States, MPOs,
and FTA, and explains the program’s
relationship to other FTA funded
programs. The chapter also provides
information on eligible planning
activities, steps required in developing
a Unified Planning Work Program
(UPWP), the MPP assistance formula
and notification, the grant agreement,
and the administration of MPP grants. In
Section 1, FTA added a suggestion that
to the extent possible, a single
agreement among all responsible parties
should be developed. In Section 2,
eligible grant activities under the MPP,
FTA added ‘‘studies relating to . . .
performance-based planning, safety, and
transit asset management,’’ ‘‘developing
and updating the metropolitan planning
agreements between the MPO, the
State(s), and the providers of public
E:\FR\FM\09AUN1.SGM
09AUN1
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 154 / Thursday, August 9, 2018 / Notices
transportation serving the metropolitan
planning area,’’ and ‘‘peer reviews and
exchanges of . . . performance-based
planning.’’ FTA removed ‘‘arts and
artistic design’’ from the list of eligible
grant activities to comply with 49 U.S.C.
5323, as amended by the FAST Act. In
Section 4, FTA reordered subsections
identifying the components of a UPWP.
In Section 9, FTA added programs
created by MAP–21 and the FAST Act,
and removed references to programs
repealed by MAP–21 and the FAST Act.
C. Chapter III—State Planning and
Research Program
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
D. Chapter IV—Consolidated Planning
Grants
Chapter IV provides information on
the Consolidated Planning Grant (CPG)
Program, a program administered by
FTA and FHWA. The CPG Program
allows FTA and FHWA funding that
supports metropolitan and statewide
transportation planning to be combined
into a single consolidated grant, which
fosters a cooperative effort between the
Federal agencies and the participating
States to streamline the delivery of their
planning programs by providing the
flexibility to transfer the planning funds
to either FTA or FHWA for processing.
In Section 1, FTA clarified that FTA
funds used for metropolitan planning in
a CPG are allowed to have the same
match ratio as the FHWA Metropolitan
Planning funds.
E. Chapter V—Application Instructions
Chapter V details the application
process of MPOs and States that apply
for and receive funds from MPP and
SPRP grants. FTA made no substantive
changes to this chapter.
18:11 Aug 08, 2018
Jkt 244001
Issued in Washington, DC.
K. Jane Williams,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2018–17032 Filed 8–8–18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration
authorizes user fees on operators of
these facilities, and directs PHMSA to
prescribe procedures to collect those
fees upon appropriation. Section 2 of
the PIPES Act of 2016 authorizes $8
million per year to be appropriated from
those fees for each of FY 2017–2019 for
the newly established Underground
Natural Gas Storage Facility Safety
Account in the Pipeline Safety Fund.
After Congress appropriates funds to
this account for fiscal year (FY) 2018
and beyond, PHMSA will collect user
fees from the operators of the facilities.
On December 8, 2017,
PHMSA published a notice and request
for comments in the Federal Register
titled: ‘‘Underground Natural Gas
Storage Facility User Fee’’ seeking
comments from underground natural
gas storage facility (UNGS) operators on
a proposal to use UNGS annual report
data in the user fee rate structure.
PHMSA received two comments in the
docket. We are publishing this notice to
address the comments received and to
announce that PHMSA has used UNGS
annual report data about the number of
wells in the user fee rate structure for
the Pipeline Safety Fund’s Underground
Natural Gas Storage Facility Safety
Account.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Crystal Stewart by telephone at 202–
366–1524, by fax at 202–366–4566, by
email at Crystal.Stewart@dot.gov, or by
mail at U.S. Department of
Transportation, PHMSA, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., PHP–2, Washington,
DC 20590–0001.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Summary of Comments
The December 8, 2017 notice advised
all UNGS facility operators of a
proposed PHMSA pipeline user fee
assessment and rate structure (82 FR
58045). During the one-month response
period, PHMSA received comments
from two commenters on the proposed
UNGS user fee billing methodology:
WBI Energy Transmission Inc., and
National Fuel Gas Supply Corporation.
The comments can be found at https://
www.regulations.gov in Docket Number
PHMSA–2017–0129. WBI Energy
Transmission Inc., submitted comments
supporting the rate structure proposed
by PHMSA in the December 8, 2017
notice. The remaining comment is
summarized below with PHMSA’s
response:
Comment: National Fuel Gas Supply
Corporation stated that well count alone
is not an appropriate measure for
determining a user fee since larger wells
will require more regulatory oversight
than smaller wells.
Response: Each well penetrating an
underground natural gas storage
reservoir represents a risk. Currently,
PHMSA intends to apply a consistent
level of regulatory oversight to all wells,
regardless of size. As PHMSA
implements its underground storage
inspection program, we may gain
insights leading to a user fee
methodology more reflective of
regulatory oversight effort.
Background
The Consolidated Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation Act of 1986 (COBRA)
(Pub. L. 99–272, sec. 7005), codified in
part at section 60301 of title 49, United
States Code, authorizes the assessment
and collection of user fees to fund the
pipeline safety activities conducted
under chapter 601 of title 49. On June
22, 2016, President Obama signed into
law the ‘‘Protecting our Infrastructure of
Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act of
2016’’ (Pub. L. 114–183) (PIPES Act of
2016). Section 12 of the PIPES Act of
2016 mandates that PHMSA issue
regulations for UNGS facilities,
Underground Natural Gas Storage
Facility User Fee Plan
During the FY 2018 user fee process,
PHMSA has used calendar year (CY)
2016 annual report data for gas
transmission pipelines, hazardous
liquid pipelines, and liquefied natural
gas facilities. Using CY 2016 data
ensures adequate time to verify annual
report data quality and still be able to
send user fee assessments promptly
after appropriation. PHMSA does not
have CY 2016 annual report data for
underground natural gas storage
facilities. Congress appropriated UNGS
funds for FY 2018, and PHMSA has
[Docket No. PHMSA–2017–0129]
Chapter III provides an overview of
the SPRP in terms of its statutory
authority and program goals, and
explains the program’s relationship to
and coordination with other FTAfunded programs. The chapter also
defines the role of the individual States
and FTA, and provides information on
eligible grant activities, SPRP assistance
formula and notification, and State
planning activities. In Section 2, FTA
removed ‘‘training and educational
activities’’ and ‘‘human resource
program activities’’ from the list of
eligible grant activities for the SPRP
because the statutory basis for their
eligibility was removed by MAP–21. In
Section 5, FTA added programs created
by MAP–21 and the FAST Act, and
removed references to programs
repealed by MAP–21 and the FAST Act.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
F. Appendices
FTA made minor, clarifying edits to
the appendices.
39507
Pipeline Safety: Underground Natural
Gas Storage Facility User Fee
Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety Administration
(PHMSA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of agency action.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY:
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E:\FR\FM\09AUN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 154 (Thursday, August 9, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39505-39507]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-17032]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration
Program Guidance for Metropolitan Planning Program and State
Planning and Research Program Grants: Availability of Final Circular
AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of availability of final circular.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FTA has placed on its website final guidance in the form
of FTA Circular 8100.1D, ``Program Guidance For Metropolitan Planning
and State Planning and Research Program Grants.'' The final circular
updates the Circular 8100.1C, ``Program Guidance For Metropolitan
Planning and State Planning and Research Program Grants,'' to reflect
various changes in law and to incorporate provisions of the U.S.
Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, ``Uniform
Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements
for Federal Awards.
DATES: September 10, 2018.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Victor Austin, Office of Planning and
[[Page 39506]]
Environment (TPE), Federal Transit Administration, U.S. Department of
Transportation, phone: 202-366-2996, or email [email protected].
Legal questions may be addressed to Helen Serassio, Office of Chief
Counsel (TCC), Federal Transit Administration, U.S. Department of
Transportation, phone: 202-366-1974, or email [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Availability of Final Circular
You may download an electronic copy of the circular from FTA's
website at https://www.transit.dot.gov. Paper copies of the circular may
be obtained by calling FTA's Administrative Services Help Desk at 202-
366-4865.
Table of Contents
I. Overview
II. Updates to Circular 8100.1
A. Chapter I--Introduction and Background
B. Chapter II--Metropolitan Planning Program
C. Chapter III--State Planning and Research Programs
D. Chapter IV--Consolidated Planning Grants
E. Chapter V--Application Instructions
F. Appendices
I. Overview
FTA is updating its Program Guidance for Metropolitan Planning and
State Planning and Research Program Grants Circular (Circular) to
incorporate changes to FTA's programs resulting from enactment of FTA's
most recent authorizing legislation, the Fixing America's Surface
Transportation (FAST) Act (Pub. L. 114-94, Dec. 4, 2015), as well as
the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) (Pub. L.
112-141, July 6, 2012); promulgation of Department of Transportation
(DOT) regulations, ``Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost
Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards,'' at 2 CFR part
1201, as well as ``Statewide and Nonmetropolitan Transportation
Planning; Metropolitan Transportation Planning,'' at 23 CFR part 450;
and changes in terms as used in FTA's new electronic award and
application system, the Transit Award and Management System (TrAMS).
On December 26, 2014, DOT adopted the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) regulatory guidance, ``Uniform Administrative
Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal
Awards'' (Uniform Guidance), 2 CFR part 200, now incorporated by
reference in DOT regulations, 2 CFR part 1201. The Uniform Guidance
streamlines and adds to the guidance formerly found in eight OMB
circulars, which have been superseded by 2 CFR part 200. While 2 CFR
part 1201 adopts most of the Uniform Guidance, part 1201 does contain
several DOT-specific provisions.
DOT regulations, 2 CFR part 1201, apply to any FTA award and any
amendments thereto signed by an authorized FTA official on or after
December 26, 2014. These regulations supersede 49 CFR part 18,
``Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative
Agreements to State and Local Governments,'' and 49 CFR part 19,
``Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with
Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit
Organizations,'' except that grants and cooperative agreements executed
before December 26, 2014, continue to be subject to 49 CFR parts 18 and
19 as in effect on the date of such grants or agreements.
MAP-21 established a performance-based management approach to the
statewide and metropolitan transportation planning process to ensure
the most efficient investment of Federal transportation funds. Although
MAP-21 made several changes to the planning process, the legislation
did not make substantive changes to the eligibilities for the
Metropolitan Planning Program (MPP). MAP-21 did change the
eligibilities of the State Planning and Research Program (SPRP) to
include only funds for grants and contracts to carry out 49 U.S.C.
5304, 5305, and 5306.
Sections 5303 and 5304, as amended by the FAST Act, require
metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) and States to develop
transportation plans and transportation improvement programs through a
performance-driven, outcome-based approach to planning. Under the FAST
Act, MPOs continue to develop Unified Planning Work Programs,
Metropolitan Transportation Plans, Transportation Improvement Programs,
and Public Participation Plans.
On May 27, 2016, FTA and FHWA published in the Federal Register the
Final Rule on Statewide and Nonmetropolitan Transportation Planning;
Metropolitan Transportation Planning (81 FR 34049), 23 CFR part 450, to
implement the changes to the planning process established by MAP-21 and
the FAST Act. This Circular uses the joint regulations at 23 CFR part
450 as the foundation for its program guidance.
In addition to addressing changes to Federal law, the final
Circular reflects terminology changes for consistency with FTA's new
electronic award and management system, TrAMS.
This notice provides a summary of changes to FTA Circular 8100.1,
``Program Guidance for Metropolitan Planning and State Planning and
Research Program Grants.'' Given that this update reflects existing
statute and regulations developed with notice and comment, contains no
additional interpretation of statute or regulations, and imposes no new
requirements on grantees, FTA is not soliciting public comments. The
final Circular 8100.1D becomes effective on September 10, 2018 and
supersedes Circular 8100.1C.
II. Updates to Circular 8100.1
A. Chapter I--Introduction and Background
Chapter I covers general information regarding FTA, FTA's
authorizing legislation, Grants.gov, and how to contact FTA; this
chapter also includes definitions and acronyms used in the Circular. In
Section 5, FTA added and amended numerous definitions and acronyms to
be consistent with other FTA circulars, 49 U.S.C. chapter 53 as amended
by the FAST Act and MAP-21, the Uniform Guidance, and TrAMS. For
example, TEAM references are replaced by TrAMS references throughout
the document. In Section 6, FTA added programmatic changes triggered by
MAP-21 and the FAST Act, discussing the performance-based management
approach to the statewide and metropolitan transportation planning
process.
B. Chapter II--Metropolitan Planning Program
Chapter II provides an overview of the entire MPP with regard to
its statutory authority and program goals. It defines the role of the
individual States, MPOs, and FTA, and explains the program's
relationship to other FTA funded programs. The chapter also provides
information on eligible planning activities, steps required in
developing a Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), the MPP assistance
formula and notification, the grant agreement, and the administration
of MPP grants. In Section 1, FTA added a suggestion that to the extent
possible, a single agreement among all responsible parties should be
developed. In Section 2, eligible grant activities under the MPP, FTA
added ``studies relating to . . . performance-based planning, safety,
and transit asset management,'' ``developing and updating the
metropolitan planning agreements between the MPO, the State(s), and the
providers of public
[[Page 39507]]
transportation serving the metropolitan planning area,'' and ``peer
reviews and exchanges of . . . performance-based planning.'' FTA
removed ``arts and artistic design'' from the list of eligible grant
activities to comply with 49 U.S.C. 5323, as amended by the FAST Act.
In Section 4, FTA reordered subsections identifying the components of a
UPWP. In Section 9, FTA added programs created by MAP-21 and the FAST
Act, and removed references to programs repealed by MAP-21 and the FAST
Act.
C. Chapter III--State Planning and Research Program
Chapter III provides an overview of the SPRP in terms of its
statutory authority and program goals, and explains the program's
relationship to and coordination with other FTA-funded programs. The
chapter also defines the role of the individual States and FTA, and
provides information on eligible grant activities, SPRP assistance
formula and notification, and State planning activities. In Section 2,
FTA removed ``training and educational activities'' and ``human
resource program activities'' from the list of eligible grant
activities for the SPRP because the statutory basis for their
eligibility was removed by MAP-21. In Section 5, FTA added programs
created by MAP-21 and the FAST Act, and removed references to programs
repealed by MAP-21 and the FAST Act.
D. Chapter IV--Consolidated Planning Grants
Chapter IV provides information on the Consolidated Planning Grant
(CPG) Program, a program administered by FTA and FHWA. The CPG Program
allows FTA and FHWA funding that supports metropolitan and statewide
transportation planning to be combined into a single consolidated
grant, which fosters a cooperative effort between the Federal agencies
and the participating States to streamline the delivery of their
planning programs by providing the flexibility to transfer the planning
funds to either FTA or FHWA for processing. In Section 1, FTA clarified
that FTA funds used for metropolitan planning in a CPG are allowed to
have the same match ratio as the FHWA Metropolitan Planning funds.
E. Chapter V--Application Instructions
Chapter V details the application process of MPOs and States that
apply for and receive funds from MPP and SPRP grants. FTA made no
substantive changes to this chapter.
F. Appendices
FTA made minor, clarifying edits to the appendices.
Issued in Washington, DC.
K. Jane Williams,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2018-17032 Filed 8-8-18; 8:45 am]
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