Renewal Package From the State of Ohio to the Surface Transportation Project Delivery Program and Proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Assigning Environmental Responsibilities to the State, 38014-38016 [2020-13579]
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38014
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 122 / Wednesday, June 24, 2020 / Notices
the specially designed outrigger pads to
ensure that the corner load is evenly
distributed over three structural pile
caps and directly above the piles
themselves. Additional information on
the mobile harbor crane needed by
MaineDot is available under RFP #
201910181 issued on January 10, 2020,
at https://www.maine.gov/dafs/bbm/
procurementservices/vendors/rfps.
Waiver Request and Supporting
Information: The MaineDOT originally
submitted a Buy America waiver request
to FHWA for the mobile harbor crane on
March 8, 2017. Prior to submitting its
waiver request, MaineDOT sought but
was unable to identify domestic
manufacturers for the crane. The FHWA
initially published a notice of intent to
issue a waiver on its website on March
13, 2017.
On April 18, 2017, President Trump
issued Executive Order (E.O.) 13788
requiring every executive branch agency
to monitor, enforce, and comply with
existing ‘‘Buy American Laws’’ and
minimize the use of waivers. In
addition, E.O. 13788 also set forth a
policy ‘‘to maximize, consistent with
law, . . . the use of goods, products,
and materials produced in the United
States.’’ Consistent with E.O. 13788,
before issuing a waiver, FHWA
requested that MaineDOT seek to
maximize the use of domestic content
on the mobile harbor crane.
Following this request, MaineDOT
spent several months working with
FHWA and MARAD to develop a
request for proposal (RFP) for the
mobile harbor crane seeking to identify
domestic manufacturers or, if full
compliance was not possible, foreign
manufacturers that could maximize use
of domestic content by using greater
quantities of U.S. steel. The RFP was
issued by MaineDOT on January 10,
2020, and is available under RFP
#201910181, at https://www.maine.gov/
dafs/bbm/procurementservices/vendors/
rfps. In that RFP, MaineDOT included
two notable provisions to increase its
use of domestic content. First, the RFP
required bidders to describe domestic
content in their bid and weighted that
information in its best value evaluation.
Second, the RFP stated that a bid would
not be considered responsive, and
therefore could not be selected, unless
the bidder certified compliance with
Buy America or maximized the use of
domestic content to justify a Buy
America waiver. Recognizing the need
for Buy America compliance,
MaineDOT has not awarded a bid while
its waiver request is outstanding.
Following issuance of RFP
#201910181, MaineDOT received a
single bid on February 10, 2020, from
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18:20 Jun 23, 2020
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Liebherr USA, Co., a German
manufacturer, for $5.085 million
including zero American steel content.
The bid requested a Buy America
waiver. Liebherr explained that it
produces its Liebherr Mobile Harbor
Cranes in its existing factory in Rostock,
Germany. Liebherr also explained that
establishing a unique design and order
process to incorporate U.S. steel content
into the crane was technically possible,
but would increase delivery time by 18
months and the cost of the crane by at
least 35 percent to around $7 million (or
more). Although it does not produce
mobile harbor cranes in the U.S.,
Liebherr explained that it does have
other manufacturing facilities in the
U.S. For example, it explained that it
invested $45 million into expanding a
factory and warehouse in Newport
News, Virginia. Liebherr maintains that,
between facilities in Virginia and
Miami, Florida, it has invested over $65
million into U.S. facilities and has over
1,100 U.S. employees. Considering that
MaineDOT originally estimated that a
new mobile harbor crane would cost
$4.5 million, asking Liebherr to develop
a unique design and order process to
incorporate U.S. steel content appears
financially infeasible.
As described above, although
MaineDOT did not identify compliant
products, it provided information to
FHWA supporting its waiver request,
including:
• Information describing the domestic
content characteristics of the
manufactured product needed,
including the sources and assembly
locations of that product;
• information supporting the
technical necessity of this specific
product for operations of the IMT at the
Port of Portland; and
• information documenting efforts to
maximize domestic content even if full
compliance was not possible, including
collaboration with FHWA to develop an
RFP designed to maximize domestic
content.
Public Comments on Waiver Request:
In accordance with the Consolidated
Appropriations Act of 2016 (Pub. L.
114–113) and the Continuing
Appropriations Act of 2017 (Pub. L.
114–223), FHWA published a notice of
intent to issue a waiver on its website,
https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/construction/
contracts/waivers.cfm?id=145, on March
13, 2017. The FHWA received no
comments in response to the
publication.
Finding and Request for Comments:
Based on all the information available to
and received by it, FHWA concludes
that there are no domestic
manufacturers of the mobile harbor
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crane. This finding is only for a single
mobile harbor crane for the IMT at the
Port of Portland in the State of Maine.
The MaineDOT and its contractors
and subcontractors involved in the
procurement of the mobile harbor crane
are reminded of the need to comply
with the Cargo Preference Act in 46 CFR
part 38, if applicable.
In accordance with the provisions of
section 117 of the SAFETEA–LU
Technical Corrections Act of 2008 (Pub.
L. 110–244, 122 Stat. 1572), FHWA is
providing this notice as its finding that
a waiver of Buy America requirements
is appropriate. The FHWA invites
public comment on this finding for an
additional 5 days following the effective
date of the finding. Comments may be
submitted to FHWA’s website via the
link provided to the waiver page noted
above.
(Authority: 23 U.S.C. 313; Pub. L. 110–161,
23 CFR 635.410)
Nicole R. Nason,
Administrator, Federal Highway
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2020–13563 Filed 6–23–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
[Docket No. FHWA–2020–0009]
Renewal Package From the State of
Ohio to the Surface Transportation
Project Delivery Program and
Proposed Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) Assigning
Environmental Responsibilities to the
State
Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA), U.S.
Department of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice; request for comments.
AGENCY:
This notice announces that
FHWA has received and reviewed a
renewal package from the Ohio
Department of Transportation (ODOT)
requesting participation in the Surface
Transportation Project Delivery Program
(Program). This Program allows for
FHWA to assign, and States to assume,
responsibilities under the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and
all or part of FHWA’s responsibilities
for environmental review, consultation,
or other actions required under any
Federal environmental law with respect
to one or more Federal highway projects
within the State. The FHWA has
determined the renewal package to be
complete, and developed a draft
renewal MOU with ODOT outlining
SUMMARY:
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 122 / Wednesday, June 24, 2020 / Notices
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how the State will implement the
Program with FHWA oversight. The
public is invited to comment on ODOT’s
request, including its renewal package
and the proposed renewed MOU, which
includes the proposed assignments and
assumptions of environmental review,
consultation, and other activities.
DATES: Please submit comments by July
24, 2020.
ADDRESSES: To ensure that you do not
duplicate your docket submissions,
please submit them by only one of the
following means:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov and follow
the online instructions for submitting
comments.
• Facsimile (Fax): 1–202–493–2251.
• Mail: Docket Management Facility;
U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200
New Jersey Ave. SE, West Building
Ground Floor Room W12–140,
Washington, DC 20590.
• Hand Delivery: West Building
Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200
New Jersey Ave. SE, Washington, DC
20590 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
e.t., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
Instructions: You must include the
agency name and docket number at the
beginning of your comments. All
comments received will be posted
without change to https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information provided.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
For FHWA: Noel Mehlo by email at
noel.mehlo@dot.gov or by telephone at
614–280–6841. The FHWA Ohio
Division Office’s normal business hours
are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time),
Monday–Friday, except for Federal
holidays. For the State of Ohio: Tim Hill
by email at tim.hill@dot.ohio.gov or by
telephone at 614–644–0377. State
business hours are the same as above
although State holidays may not
completely coincide with Federal
holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Electronic Access
You may submit or retrieve comments
online through the Federal eRulemaking
portal at: https://www.regulations.gov.
The website is available 24 hours each
day, 365 days each year. Please follow
the instructions. Electronic submission
and retrieval help and guidelines are
available under the help section of the
website.
An electronic copy of this document
may also be downloaded from the Office
of the Federal Register’s home page at:
https://www.archives.gov and the U.S.
Government Publishing Office’s web
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18:20 Jun 23, 2020
Jkt 250001
page at: https://www.access.gpo.gov/
nara.
Background
Section 327 of title 23, United States
Code (23 U.S.C. 327), allows the
Secretary of DOT to assign, and a State
to assume, the responsibilities under
NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and all or
part of the responsibilities for
environmental review, consultation, or
other actions required under certain
Federal environmental laws with
respect to one or more Federal-aid
highway projects within the State. The
FHWA is authorized to act on behalf of
the Secretary with respect to these
matters.
The ODOT entered the Program on
December 28, 2015, after submitting its
application to FHWA, obtaining
FHWA’s approval, and entering into a
MOU in accordance with 23 U.S.C. 327
and FHWA’s application regulations for
the pilot program (23 CFR part 773). The
MOU was amended on June 6, 2018. On
December 6, 2019, after coordination
with FHWA, ODOT submitted the
renewal package in accordance with the
renewal regulations in 23 CFR 773.115.
Under the proposed renewal MOU,
FHWA would assign to the State,
through ODOT, the responsibility for
making decisions on the following types
of highway projects:
1. All Class I, or environmental
impact statement projects, both on the
State Highway System (SHS) and local
government projects off the SHS that are
funded by FHWA or require FHWA
approvals.
2. All Class II, or categorically
excluded projects, both on the SHS and
local government projects off the SHS
that are funded by FHWA or require
FHWA approvals.
3. All Class III, or environmental
assessment projects, both on the SHS
and local government projects off the
SHS that are funded by FHWA or
require FHWA approvals.
4. Projects funded by other Federal
agencies (or projects without any
Federal funding) of any Class that also
include funding by FHWA or require
FHWA approvals. For these projects,
ODOT would not assume the NEPA
responsibilities of other Federal
agencies.
Excluded from assignment are
highway projects authorized under 23
U.S.C. 202 and 203, highway projects
under 23 U.S.C. 204 unless the project
will be designed and constructed by
ODOT, projects that cross State
boundaries, projects that cross or are
adjacent to international boundaries,
projects under the Recreational Trails
Program (23 U.S.C. 206), and programs
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
38015
and projects advanced by direct
recipients of Federal-aid highway
program funds other than ODOT.
The assignment also would give
ODOT the responsibility to conduct the
following environmental review,
consultation, and other related
activities:
Air Quality
• Clean Air Act (CAA), 42 U.S.C.
7401–7671q, with the exception of any
conformity determinations
Noise
• Noise Control Act of 1972, 42
U.S.C. 4901–4918
• Compliance with the noise
regulations in 23 CFR part 772
Wildlife
• Endangered Species Act of 1973, 16
U.S.C. 1531–1544
• Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act,
16 U.S.C. 661–667d
• Anadromous Fish Conservation
Act, 16 U.S.C. 757a–757f
• Migratory Bird Treaty Act, 16
U.S.C. 703–712
Hazardous Materials Management
• Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability
Act (CERCLA), 42 U.S.C. 9601–9675
• Superfund Amendments and
Reauthorization Act (SARA), 42 U.S.C.
9671–9675
• Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act (RCRA), 42 U.S.C. 6901–
6992k
Historic and Cultural Resources
• National Historic Preservation Act
of 1966, as amended, 54 U.S.C. 300101,
et seq.
• Archeological Resources Protection
Act of 1979, 16 U.S.C. 470aa–mm
• Title 54, Chapter 3125—Preservation
of Historical and Archeological Data,
54 U.S.C. 312501–312508
• Native American Grave Protection
and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25
U.S.C. 3001–3013; 18 U.S.C. 1170
Social and Economic Impacts
• American Indian Religious Freedom
Act, 42 U.S.C. 1996
• Farmland Protection Policy Act
(FPPA), 7 U.S.C. 4201–4209
Water Resources and Wetlands
• Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. 1251–1387
(Section 401, 402, 404, 408, and
Section 319)
• Coastal Barrier Resources Act, 16
U.S.C. 3501–3510
• Coastal Zone Management Act, 16
U.S.C. 1451–1466
• Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C.
300f– 300j–26
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38016
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 122 / Wednesday, June 24, 2020 / Notices
• General Bridge Act of 1946, 33 U.S.C.
525–533
• Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, 33
U.S.C. 401–406
• Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, 16 U.S.C.
1271–1287
• Emergency Wetlands Resources Act,
16 U.S.C. 3901 and 3921
• Wetlands Mitigation, 23 U.S.C. 119(g),
133(b)(14)
• FHWA wetland and natural habitat
mitigation regulations, 23 CFR part
777
• Flood Disaster Protection Act, 42
U.S.C. 4001–4130
Parklands
• 23 U.S.C. 138 and 49 U.S.C. 303
(Section 4(f)) and implementing
regulations at 23 CFR part 774
• Land and Water Conservation Fund
(LWCF) Act, 54 U.S.C. 200302–
200310
FHWA-Specific
• Planning and Environmental
Linkages, 23 U.S.C. 168, with the
exception of those FHWA
responsibilities associated with 23
U.S.C. 134 and 135
• Programmatic Mitigation Plans, 23
U.S.C. 169 with the exception of those
FHWA responsibilities associated
with 23 U.S.C. 134 and 135
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Executive Orders (E.O.) Relating to
Highway Projects
• E.O. 11990, Protection of Wetlands
• E.O. 11988, Floodplain Management
(except approving design standards
and determinations that a significant
encroachment is the only practicable
alternative under 23 CFR 650.113 and
650.115)
• E.O. 12898, Federal Actions to
Address Environmental Justice in
Minority Populations and Low
Income Populations
• E.O. 13112, Invasive Species
• E.O. 13807, Establishing Discipline
and Accountability in the
Environmental Review and Permitting
Process for Infrastructure Projects (aka
‘‘One Federal Decision’’).
The proposed renewal MOU would
allow ODOT to continue to act in the
place of FHWA in carrying out the
environmental review-related 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
listed laws and executive orders. The
ODOT also will not assume FHWA’s
responsibilities for conformity
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18:20 Jun 23, 2020
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determinations required under Section
176 of the CAA (42 U.S.C. 7506) or any
responsibility under 23 U.S.C. 134 or
135, or under 49 U.S.C. 5303 or 5304.
A copy of the proposed renewal MOU
and renewal package may be viewed on
the docket at www.regulations.gov, as
described above, or may be obtained by
contacting FHWA or the State at the
addresses provided above. A copy also
may be viewed on ODOT’s website at:
https://transportation.ohio.gov/wps/
portal/gov/odot/programs/nepaassignment. The FHWA will consider
the comments submitted when making
its decision on the proposed MOU
revision. Any final renewal MOU
approved by FHWA may include
changes based on comments and
consultations relating to the proposed
renewal MOU and will be made
publicly available.
Authority: 23 U.S.C. 327; 42 U.S.C. 4331,
4332; 23 CFR 771.117; 40 CFR 1507.3,
1508.4.
Nicole R. Nason,
Administrator, Federal Highway
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2020–13579 Filed 6–23–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–RY–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration
[Docket No. FMCSA–2014–0420]
Hours of Service of Drivers:
Specialized Carriers & Rigging
Association (SC&RA); Application for
Renewal of Exemption
Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration (FMCSA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of final disposition; grant
of application for exemption.
AGENCY:
FMCSA announces its
decision to renew the exemption from
the minimum 30-minute rest break
provision of the Agency’s hours-ofservice (HOS) regulations requested by
the Specialized Carriers & Rigging
Association (SC&RA) for certain
commercial motor vehicle (CMV)
drivers. The exemption covers drivers
for all specialized carriers transporting
loads that exceed normal weight and
dimensional limits—oversize/
overweight (OS/OW) loads—and require
a permit issued by a government
authority. FMCSA has analyzed the
exemption application and the public
comments and has determined that the
exemption, subject to the terms and
conditions imposed, will likely achieve
a level of safety that is equivalent to, or
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00197
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
greater than, the level that would be
achieved absent such exemption.
DATES: The exemption is applicable
from June 18, 2020 through June 17,
2025.
ADDRESSES:
Docket: For access to the docket to
read background documents or
comments, go to www.regulations.gov at
any time or visit Room W12–140 on the
ground level of the West Building, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington,
DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., ET,
Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The on-line Federal Docket
Management System (FDMS) is
available 24 hours each day, 365 days
each year. If you want acknowledgment
that we received your comments, please
include a self-addressed, stamped
envelope or postcard or print the
acknowledgment page that appears after
submitting comments on-line.
Privacy Act: In accordance with 5
U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments
from the public to better inform its
rulemaking process. DOT posts these
comments, without edit, including any
personal information the commenter
provides, to www.regulations.gov, as
described in the system of records
notice (DOT/ALL–14 FDMS), which can
be reviewed at www.dot.gov/privacy.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
information concerning this notice,
contact Ms. Pearlie Robinson, FMCSA
Driver and Carrier Operations Division;
Office of Carrier, Driver and Vehicle
Safety Standards; Telephone: 202–366–
4225. Email: MCPSD@dot.gov. If you
have questions on viewing or submitting
material to the docket, contact Docket
Services, telephone (202) 366–9826.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Public Participation
Viewing Comments and Documents
To view comments, as well as
documents mentioned in this preamble
as being available in the docket, go to
www.regulations.gov and insert the
docket number, ‘‘FMCSA–2020–0420’’
in the ‘‘Keyword’’ box and click
‘‘Search.’’ Next, click the ‘‘Open Docket
Folder’’ button and choose the
document to review. If you do not have
access to the internet, you may view the
docket by visiting the Docket
Management Facility in Room W12–140
on the ground floor of the DOT West
Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. To be sure
someone is there to help you, please call
(202) 366–9317 or (202) 366–9826
before visiting Docket Operations.
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 122 (Wednesday, June 24, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38014-38016]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-13579]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
[Docket No. FHWA-2020-0009]
Renewal Package From the State of Ohio to the Surface
Transportation Project Delivery Program and Proposed Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) Assigning Environmental Responsibilities to the
State
AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This notice announces that FHWA has received and reviewed a
renewal package from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT)
requesting participation in the Surface Transportation Project Delivery
Program (Program). This Program allows for FHWA to assign, and States
to assume, responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA), and all or part of FHWA's responsibilities for environmental
review, consultation, or other actions required under any Federal
environmental law with respect to one or more Federal highway projects
within the State. The FHWA has determined the renewal package to be
complete, and developed a draft renewal MOU with ODOT outlining
[[Page 38015]]
how the State will implement the Program with FHWA oversight. The
public is invited to comment on ODOT's request, including its renewal
package and the proposed renewed MOU, which includes the proposed
assignments and assumptions of environmental review, consultation, and
other activities.
DATES: Please submit comments by July 24, 2020.
ADDRESSES: To ensure that you do not duplicate your docket submissions,
please submit them by only one of the following means:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for submitting
comments.
Facsimile (Fax): 1-202-493-2251.
Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, West Building Ground Floor
Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140,
1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20590 between 9:00 a.m. and
5:00 p.m. e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Instructions: You must include the agency name and docket number at
the beginning of your comments. All comments received will be posted
without change to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal
information provided.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
For FHWA: Noel Mehlo by email at [email protected] or by telephone
at 614-280-6841. The FHWA Ohio Division Office's normal business hours
are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time), Monday-Friday, except for
Federal holidays. For the State of Ohio: Tim Hill by email at
[email protected] or by telephone at 614-644-0377. State business
hours are the same as above although State holidays may not completely
coincide with Federal holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Electronic Access
You may submit or retrieve comments online through the Federal
eRulemaking portal at: https://www.regulations.gov. The website is
available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. Please follow the
instructions. Electronic submission and retrieval help and guidelines
are available under the help section of the website.
An electronic copy of this document may also be downloaded from the
Office of the Federal Register's home page at: https://www.archives.gov
and the U.S. Government Publishing Office's web page at: https://www.access.gpo.gov/nara.
Background
Section 327 of title 23, United States Code (23 U.S.C. 327), allows
the Secretary of DOT to assign, and a State to assume, the
responsibilities under NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and all or part of
the responsibilities for environmental review, consultation, or other
actions required under certain Federal environmental laws with respect
to one or more Federal-aid highway projects within the State. The FHWA
is authorized to act on behalf of the Secretary with respect to these
matters.
The ODOT entered the Program on December 28, 2015, after submitting
its application to FHWA, obtaining FHWA's approval, and entering into a
MOU in accordance with 23 U.S.C. 327 and FHWA's application regulations
for the pilot program (23 CFR part 773). The MOU was amended on June 6,
2018. On December 6, 2019, after coordination with FHWA, ODOT submitted
the renewal package in accordance with the renewal regulations in 23
CFR 773.115.
Under the proposed renewal MOU, FHWA would assign to the State,
through ODOT, the responsibility for making decisions on the following
types of highway projects:
1. All Class I, or environmental impact statement projects, both on
the State Highway System (SHS) and local government projects off the
SHS that are funded by FHWA or require FHWA approvals.
2. All Class II, or categorically excluded projects, both on the
SHS and local government projects off the SHS that are funded by FHWA
or require FHWA approvals.
3. All Class III, or environmental assessment projects, both on the
SHS and local government projects off the SHS that are funded by FHWA
or require FHWA approvals.
4. Projects funded by other Federal agencies (or projects without
any Federal funding) of any Class that also include funding by FHWA or
require FHWA approvals. For these projects, ODOT would not assume the
NEPA responsibilities of other Federal agencies.
Excluded from assignment are highway projects authorized under 23
U.S.C. 202 and 203, highway projects under 23 U.S.C. 204 unless the
project will be designed and constructed by ODOT, projects that cross
State boundaries, projects that cross or are adjacent to international
boundaries, projects under the Recreational Trails Program (23 U.S.C.
206), and programs and projects advanced by direct recipients of
Federal-aid highway program funds other than ODOT.
The assignment also would give ODOT the responsibility to conduct
the following environmental review, consultation, and other related
activities:
Air Quality
Clean Air Act (CAA), 42 U.S.C. 7401-7671q, with the
exception of any conformity determinations
Noise
Noise Control Act of 1972, 42 U.S.C. 4901-4918
Compliance with the noise regulations in 23 CFR part 772
Wildlife
Endangered Species Act of 1973, 16 U.S.C. 1531-1544
Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, 16 U.S.C. 661-667d
Anadromous Fish Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C. 757a-757f
Migratory Bird Treaty Act, 16 U.S.C. 703-712
Hazardous Materials Management
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act (CERCLA), 42 U.S.C. 9601-9675
Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA), 42
U.S.C. 9671-9675
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), 42 U.S.C.
6901-6992k
Historic and Cultural Resources
National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, 54
U.S.C. 300101, et seq.
Archeological Resources Protection Act of 1979, 16 U.S.C.
470aa-mm
Title 54, Chapter 3125--Preservation of Historical and
Archeological Data, 54 U.S.C. 312501-312508
Native American Grave Protection and Repatriation Act
(NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C. 3001-3013; 18 U.S.C. 1170
Social and Economic Impacts
American Indian Religious Freedom Act, 42 U.S.C. 1996
Farmland Protection Policy Act (FPPA), 7 U.S.C. 4201-4209
Water Resources and Wetlands
Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. 1251-1387 (Section 401, 402, 404,
408, and Section 319)
Coastal Barrier Resources Act, 16 U.S.C. 3501-3510
Coastal Zone Management Act, 16 U.S.C. 1451-1466
Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. 300f- 300j-26
[[Page 38016]]
General Bridge Act of 1946, 33 U.S.C. 525-533
Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, 33 U.S.C. 401-406
Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, 16 U.S.C. 1271-1287
Emergency Wetlands Resources Act, 16 U.S.C. 3901 and 3921
Wetlands Mitigation, 23 U.S.C. 119(g), 133(b)(14)
FHWA wetland and natural habitat mitigation regulations, 23
CFR part 777
Flood Disaster Protection Act, 42 U.S.C. 4001-4130
Parklands
23 U.S.C. 138 and 49 U.S.C. 303 (Section 4(f)) and
implementing regulations at 23 CFR part 774
Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Act, 54 U.S.C. 200302-
200310
FHWA-Specific
Planning and Environmental Linkages, 23 U.S.C. 168, with the
exception of those FHWA responsibilities associated with 23 U.S.C. 134
and 135
Programmatic Mitigation Plans, 23 U.S.C. 169 with the
exception of those FHWA responsibilities associated with 23 U.S.C. 134
and 135
Executive Orders (E.O.) Relating to Highway Projects
E.O. 11990, Protection of Wetlands
E.O. 11988, Floodplain Management (except approving design
standards and determinations that a significant encroachment is the
only practicable alternative under 23 CFR 650.113 and 650.115)
E.O. 12898, Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice
in Minority Populations and Low Income Populations
E.O. 13112, Invasive Species
E.O. 13807, Establishing Discipline and Accountability in the
Environmental Review and Permitting Process for Infrastructure Projects
(aka ``One Federal Decision'').
The proposed renewal MOU would allow ODOT to continue to act in the
place of FHWA in carrying out the environmental review-related
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 listed laws and executive orders. The
ODOT also will not assume FHWA's responsibilities for conformity
determinations required under Section 176 of the CAA (42 U.S.C. 7506)
or any responsibility under 23 U.S.C. 134 or 135, or under 49 U.S.C.
5303 or 5304.
A copy of the proposed renewal MOU and renewal package may be
viewed on the docket at www.regulations.gov, as described above, or may
be obtained by contacting FHWA or the State at the addresses provided
above. A copy also may be viewed on ODOT's website at: https://transportation.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odot/programs/nepa-assignment.
The FHWA will consider the comments submitted when making its decision
on the proposed MOU revision. Any final renewal MOU approved by FHWA
may include changes based on comments and consultations relating to the
proposed renewal MOU and will be made publicly available.
Authority: 23 U.S.C. 327; 42 U.S.C. 4331, 4332; 23 CFR 771.117;
40 CFR 1507.3, 1508.4.
Nicole R. Nason,
Administrator, Federal Highway Administration.
[FR Doc. 2020-13579 Filed 6-23-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-RY-P