Draft General Conformity Determination for the California High-Speed Rail System Palmdale to Burbank Section, 22766-22767 [2024-06960]

Download as PDF khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES 22766 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 64 / Tuesday, April 2, 2024 / Notices to the project as of the issuance date of this notice and all laws under which such actions were taken, including but not limited to the following laws (including their implementing regulations): 1. General: National Environmental Policy Act [42 U.S.C. 4321–4370m–12]; Federal-Aid Highway Act [23 U.S.C. 109 and 23 U.S.C. 128]; 23 U.S.C. 139. 2. Air: Clean Air Act [42 U.S.C. 7401– 7671(q)]. 3. Land: Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act of 1966 [23 U.S.C. 138 and 49 U.S.C. 303]; Landscaping and Scenic Enhancement (Wildflowers) [23 U.S.C. 319]. 4. Wildlife: Endangered Species Act [16 U.S.C. 1531–1544], Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act [16 U.S.C. 661–667d]; Migratory Bird Treaty Act [16 U.S.C. 703–712]; Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act [16 U.S.C. 668– 668d]. 5. Historic and Cultural Resources: National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended [54 U.S.C. 300101– 307108]; Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 [16 U.S.C. 470aa– 470mm]; Archeological and Historic Preservation Act [54 U.S.C. 312501– 312508]; Native American Grave Protection and Repatriation Act [25 U.S.C. 3001–3013]. 6. Social and Economic: Title VI of Civil Rights Act of 1964 [42 U.S.C. 2000d–2000d–7]; American Indian Religious Freedom Act [42 U.S.C. 1996]; Farmland Protection Policy Act [7 U.S.C. 4201–4209]. 7. Wetlands and Water Resources: Clean Water Act [33 U.S.C. 1251–1389]; Coastal Zone Management Act [16 U.S.C. 1451–1465]; Land and Water Conservation Fund Act [54 U.S.C. 200301–200310]; Safe Drinking Water Act [42 U.S.C. 300(f)–300(j)(6)]; Rivers and Harbors Appropriation Act of 1899, as amended [33 U.S.C. 401–418]; Emergency Wetlands Resources Act [16 U.S.C. 3921, 3931]; Flood Disaster Protection Act [42 U.S.C. 4001–4128]. 8. Hazardous Materials: Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act [42 U.S.C. 9601–9675]; Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 [42 U.S.C. 9671–9675]; Resource Conservation and Recovery Act [42 U.S.C. 6901–6992k]. 9. Noise: Noise Control Act of 1972 [42 U.S.C. 4901–4918]. 10. Executive Orders: 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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:06 Apr 01, 2024 Jkt 262001 Enhancement of Cultural Resources; E.O. 13287 Preserve America; E.O. 13175 Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments; E.O. 11514 Protection and Enhancement of Environmental Quality; E.O. 13112 Invasive Species; E.O. 13985 Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government; E.O. 13990 Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis; E.O. 14008 Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad. (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. 139 (l)(1). Ivan Marrero, Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, Salt Lake City, Utah. [FR Doc. 2024–06886 Filed 4–1–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–RY–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration [Docket No. FRA–2024–0045] Draft General Conformity Determination for the California HighSpeed Rail System Palmdale to Burbank Section Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice; request for comment. AGENCY: FRA is issuing this notice to advise the public that a draft General Conformity Determination for the Palmdale to Burbank Section of the California High-Speed Rail (HSR) System is available for public and agency review and comment. DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 2, 2024. ADDRESSES: Comments related to Docket No. FRA–2024–0045 may be submitted by going to https://www.regulations.gov and following the online instructions for submitting comments. Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and docket number (FRA–2024–0045). All comments received will be posted without change to https:// www.regulations.gov; this includes any personal information. Please see the Privacy Act Statement heading in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00104 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 this document for Privacy Act information related to any submitted comments or materials. Docket: For access to the docket to read the draft General Conformity Determination, background documents, or comments received, go to https:// www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for accessing the docket. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lana Lau, Supervisory Environmental Protection Specialist, Office of Environmental Program Management, RRD, telephone: (202) 923–5314, email: Lana.Lau@dot.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Privacy Act Statement: FRA will post comments it receives, without edit, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records notice, DOT/ALL– 14 FDMS, accessible through www.dot.gov/privacy. To facilitate comment tracking and response, we encourage commenters to provide their name, or the name of their organization; however, inclusion of names is completely optional. Whether commenters identify themselves or not, all timely comments will be fully considered. If you wish to provide comments containing proprietary or confidential information, please contact the agency for alternate submission instructions. Background: The California HighSpeed Rail Authority (CHSRA) is advancing the environmental review of the Palmdale to Burbank (Project) of the California HSR System pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327, under which it has assumed FRA’s environmental review responsibilities. However, under section 327, FRA remains responsible for making General Conformity Determinations under the Clean Air Act. This draft General Conformity Determination documents FRA’s evaluation of the Project, consistent with the relevant sections of the Clean Air Act and its implementing regulations. FRA conducted the analysis of the Project’s potential emissions consistent with all regulatory criteria and procedures and after coordination with CHSRA. FRA’s analysis and CHSRA’s coordination with relevant entities supports a proposed finding that Project-generated, construction-phase emissions for Nitrogen Dioxide (NOX) and Carbon Monoxide (CO) will be in excess of the General Conformity de minimis threshold in certain calendar years. However, CHSRA proposes to offset its construction-phase NOX exceedances to achieve conformance, consistent with applicable regulatory E:\FR\FM\02APN1.SGM 02APN1 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 64 / Tuesday, April 2, 2024 / Notices requirements in the Statewide Implementation Plan (SIP) for the South Coast Air Basin. In addition, the Project’s emissions can be accommodated in the SIP, based on localized CO modeling showing that construction-phase CO emissions will not result in an exceedance of the NAAQS. Operation of the Project is expected to result in an overall reduction of regional emissions of all applicable air pollutants and would not cause a localized exceedance of the applicable regulatory requirements. FRA concludes that the Project, as designed, will conform to the SIP, based on a commitment from the CHSRA that construction-phase NOX emissions will be offset consistent with the applicable federal regulations in the South Coast Air Basin, and based on localized CO modeling, which demonstrates that construction-phase CO emissions will not cause or contribute to a violation of the NAAQS. Next Steps: The draft General Conformity Determination for the Project is being issued for public review and comment for 30 days at Docket No. FRA–2024–0045. Comments related to Docket No. FRA–2024–0045 may be submitted by going to https:// www.regulations.gov and following the online instructions for submitting comments. Although CHSRA is assisting FRA by disseminating notice of the availability of the draft General Conformity Determination through its usual outreach methods, CHSRA is not accepting comments on behalf of FRA. FRA cannot ensure consideration of any comment that is not submitted via https://www.regulations.gov. FRA will consider all relevant comments it receives before issuing a Final General Conformity Determination. Issued in Washington, DC. Marlys Ann Osterhues, Director, Office of Environmental Program Management. [FR Doc. 2024–06960 Filed 4–1–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–06–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES [Docket No. FRA–2024–0005] Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment. AGENCY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:06 Apr 01, 2024 Jkt 262001 Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its implementing regulations, FRA will seek approval of the Information Collection Request (ICR) summarized below. Before submitting this ICR to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval, FRA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities identified in the ICR. DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before June 3, 2024. ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed ICR should be submitted on regulations.gov to the docket, Docket No. FRA–2024– 0005. All comments received will be posted without change to the docket, including any personal information provided. Please refer to the assigned OMB control number (2130–NEW) in any correspondence submitted. FRA will summarize comments received in response to this notice in a subsequent notice, made available to the public, and include them in its information collection submission to OMB for approval. FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Arlette Mussington, Information Collection Clearance Officer, at email: arlette.mussington@dot.gov or telephone: (571) 609–1285 or Ms. Joanne Swafford, Information Collection Clearance Officer, at email: joanne.swafford@dot.gov or telephone: (757) 897–9908. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The PRA, 44 U.S.C. 3501–3520, and its implementing regulations, 5 CFR part 1320, require Federal agencies to provide 60-days’ notice to the public to allow comment on information collection activities before seeking OMB approval of the activities. See 44 U.S.C. 3506, 3507; 5 CFR 1320.8–1320.12. Specifically, FRA invites interested parties to comment on the following ICR regarding: (1) whether the information collection activities are necessary for FRA to properly execute its functions, including whether the activities 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 for FRA to minimize the burden of information collection activities on the public, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. See 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A); 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1). SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00105 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 22767 FRA believes that soliciting public comment may reduce the administrative and paperwork burdens associated with the collection of information that Federal regulations mandate. In summary, comments received will advance three objectives: (1) reduce reporting burdens; (2) organize information collection requirements in a ‘‘user-friendly’’ format to improve the use of such information; and (3) accurately assess the resources expended to retrieve and produce information requested. See 44 U.S.C. 3501. The summary below describes the ICR that FRA will submit for OMB clearance as the PRA requires: Title: FRA Workforce Development (WFD) Study on Performance Management Systems and Organizational Culture and Diversity. OMB Control Number: 2130–NEW. Abstract: This project is being conducted in response to a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) topic released in 2020 entitled ‘‘Research in Response to Railroad Systems Issues Strategic Priorities.’’ FRA has released BAAs aimed at workforce training and development, developing educational and vocational pipelines, and addressing issues around equity and inclusivity within the rail industry. Existing research on demographics, organizational practices, and policies, as well as industry culture need to be updated to account for the profound changes in employment practices and workforce dynamics in the last few years, including inflation and supply chain issues. This data collection effort will improve the understanding of the current state of the industry and establish a baseline against which to measure future impacts. The team conducting this research will survey and interview a crosssection of stakeholders familiar with the current culture in rail, about barriers to entry they see and experience as impacting minority populations. Part of the data analysis will examine findings by employment position to determine if the views at the executive or managerial levels are similar or shared by individuals and staff in more entry-level positions. The research team will also review source documents and artifacts which show how the stakeholder’s performance management system was designed and how it is intended to work. Data will be collected and compiled from interviews and focus groups about how well the performance management system functions in practice, whether the intended use differs from actual use, and whether observed differences in use benefit or E:\FR\FM\02APN1.SGM 02APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 64 (Tuesday, April 2, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22766-22767]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-06960]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket No. FRA-2024-0045]


Draft General Conformity Determination for the California High-
Speed Rail System Palmdale to Burbank Section

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

ACTION: Notice; request for comment.

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

SUMMARY: FRA is issuing this notice to advise the public that a draft 
General Conformity Determination for the Palmdale to Burbank Section of 
the California High-Speed Rail (HSR) System is available for public and 
agency review and comment.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 2, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Comments related to Docket No. FRA-2024-0045 may be 
submitted by going to https://www.regulations.gov and following the 
online instructions for submitting comments.
    Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and 
docket number (FRA-2024-0045). All comments received will be posted 
without change to https://www.regulations.gov; this includes any 
personal information. Please see the Privacy Act Statement heading in 
the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document for Privacy Act 
information related to any submitted comments or materials.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read the draft General 
Conformity Determination, background documents, or comments received, 
go to https://www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions 
for accessing the docket.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lana Lau, Supervisory Environmental 
Protection Specialist, Office of Environmental Program Management, RRD, 
telephone: (202) 923-5314, email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Privacy Act Statement: FRA will post comments it receives, without 
edit, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records 
notice, DOT/ALL-14 FDMS, accessible through www.dot.gov/privacy. To 
facilitate comment tracking and response, we encourage commenters to 
provide their name, or the name of their organization; however, 
inclusion of names is completely optional. Whether commenters identify 
themselves or not, all timely comments will be fully considered. If you 
wish to provide comments containing proprietary or confidential 
information, please contact the agency for alternate submission 
instructions.
    Background: The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) is 
advancing the environmental review of the Palmdale to Burbank (Project) 
of the California HSR System pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327, under which it 
has assumed FRA's environmental review responsibilities. However, under 
section 327, FRA remains responsible for making General Conformity 
Determinations under the Clean Air Act. This draft General Conformity 
Determination documents FRA's evaluation of the Project, consistent 
with the relevant sections of the Clean Air Act and its implementing 
regulations.
    FRA conducted the analysis of the Project's potential emissions 
consistent with all regulatory criteria and procedures and after 
coordination with CHSRA. FRA's analysis and CHSRA's coordination with 
relevant entities supports a proposed finding that Project-generated, 
construction-phase emissions for Nitrogen Dioxide (NOX) and 
Carbon Monoxide (CO) will be in excess of the General Conformity de 
minimis threshold in certain calendar years. However, CHSRA proposes to 
offset its construction-phase NOX exceedances to achieve 
conformance, consistent with applicable regulatory

[[Page 22767]]

requirements in the Statewide Implementation Plan (SIP) for the South 
Coast Air Basin. In addition, the Project's emissions can be 
accommodated in the SIP, based on localized CO modeling showing that 
construction-phase CO emissions will not result in an exceedance of the 
NAAQS. Operation of the Project is expected to result in an overall 
reduction of regional emissions of all applicable air pollutants and 
would not cause a localized exceedance of the applicable regulatory 
requirements. FRA concludes that the Project, as designed, will conform 
to the SIP, based on a commitment from the CHSRA that construction-
phase NOX emissions will be offset consistent with the 
applicable federal regulations in the South Coast Air Basin, and based 
on localized CO modeling, which demonstrates that construction-phase CO 
emissions will not cause or contribute to a violation of the NAAQS.
    Next Steps: The draft General Conformity Determination for the 
Project is being issued for public review and comment for 30 days at 
Docket No. FRA-2024-0045. Comments related to Docket No. FRA-2024-0045 
may be submitted by going to https://www.regulations.gov and following 
the online instructions for submitting comments. Although CHSRA is 
assisting FRA by disseminating notice of the availability of the draft 
General Conformity Determination through its usual outreach methods, 
CHSRA is not accepting comments on behalf of FRA. FRA cannot ensure 
consideration of any comment that is not submitted via https://www.regulations.gov. FRA will consider all relevant comments it 
receives before issuing a Final General Conformity Determination.

    Issued in Washington, DC.
Marlys Ann Osterhues,
Director, Office of Environmental Program Management.
[FR Doc. 2024-06960 Filed 4-1-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P

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