USDOT Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) Interim Guidelines, 102248-102252 [2024-29801]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 242 (Tuesday, December 17, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 102248-102252]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-29801]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Docket Number: DOT-OST-2024-0120]
RIN 2105-AF17


USDOT Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) Interim 
Guidelines

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The impacts of flooding affect the environment, economic 
prosperity, and public health and safety across the Nation. The Federal 
Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) seeks to improve the resilience 
of communities and Federal assets against the impacts of flooding from 
extreme events and climate change. DOT has developed these FFRMS 
Interim Guidelines to advance the goals of the FFRMS and to outline the 
steps DOT is taking to implement the FFRMS across the Department.

DATES: Comments due by February 18, 2025.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, identified by docket number DOT-OST-
2024-0120 by the following method:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for sending comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Heather Holsinger, 202-366-6263, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 102249]]

Contents:

I. Definitions
II. Background
III. Purpose
IV. Interim Guidelines
V. Exemptions And Exceptions
VI. Resources

    Authority: Executive Order 11988, Floodplain Management, among 
other authorities listed in the interim guidelines.

I. Definitions

    For these Interim Guidelines the following definitions apply:
    A. Action: The term `action' means the construction, 
reconstruction, rehabilitation, or repair of a Federal or federally 
financed, licensed, or approved transportation improvement (including 
any relocation housing built or moved to a new site); and the 
acquisition, management, or disposition of Departmental lands and 
facilities. (DOT Order 5650.2)
    B. Critical Action: The term `critical action' means any activity 
for which even a slight chance of flooding would be too great. (E.O. 
13690).
    C. Base flood: The term `base flood' means that flood having a 1 
percent chance of being exceeded in any given year (commonly known as a 
100-year flood). (DOT Order 5650.2)
    D. Base floodplain: The term `base floodplain' means the area which 
would be inundated by a base flood. (DOT Order 5650.2)
    E. Encroachment: The term `encroachment' means an action within the 
limits of the base floodplain. (DOT Order 5650.2).
    F. Facility: The term `facility' means any element of the built 
environment other than a walled or roofed building. (DOT Order 5650.2).
    G. FFRMS floodplain: The term `FFRMS floodplain' means the area 
subject to flooding as determined by one of the following approaches 
(E.O. 13690):
     Climate-informed Science Approach (CISA): The elevation 
and flood hazard area that results from using a climate-informed 
science approach that uses the best-available, actionable hydrologic 
and hydraulic data and methods that integrate current and future 
changes in flooding based on climate science; or
     Freeboard Value Approach (FVA): The elevation and flood 
hazard area that results from adding an additional 2 feet to the Base 
Flood Elevation (BFE) and expanding to the corresponding horizontal 
extent for non-critical actions, and by adding an additional 3 feet to 
the BFE and expanding to the corresponding horizontal extent for 
critical actions; or
     0.2-percent-annual-chance Flood Approach (0.2PFA): The 
area subject to flooding by the 0.2 percent annual chance flood (also 
known as the 500-year flood).
    H. Natural and Beneficial Floodplain Values: The term ``Natural and 
beneficial floodplain values' means values that include but are not 
limited to: natural moderation of floods, water quality maintenance, 
groundwater recharge, fish, wildlife, plants, open space, natural 
beauty, scientific study, outdoor recreation, agriculture, aquaculture, 
and forestry. (DOT 5650.2).
    I. Practicable: The term `practicable' means capable of being done 
within natural, social, and economic constraints. (DOT 5650.2).
    J. Resilience: The term `resilience,' with respect to a project, 
means the ability to anticipate, prepare for, or adapt to conditions or 
withstand, respond to, or recover rapidly from disruptions, including 
the ability to: (A) resist hazards or withstand impacts from weather 
events and natural disasters; or reduce the magnitude or duration of 
impacts of a disruptive weather event or natural disaster on a project; 
and (B) have the absorptive capacity, adaptive capacity, and 
recoverability to decrease project vulnerability to weather events or 
other natural disasters. (23 U.S.C. 101(a)(24)).
    K. Significant Encroachment: The term `significant encroachment' 
means an action within the limits of the base floodplain resulting in 
one or more of the following construction or flood-related impacts:
     A considerable probability of loss of human life;
     Likely future damage associated with the encroachment that 
could be substantial in cost or extent, including interruption of 
service on or loss of a vital transportation facility; and
     A notable adverse impact on ``natural and beneficial 
floodplain values'', as defined above.
    It is not contemplated that detailed design would be necessary in 
order to determine whether there is a significant encroachment (DOT 
5650.2; see also 23 CFR 650.105(q)).

II. Background

    Flood risks impact our environment, economic prosperity, public 
health, and safety. Floods can lead to damaged roads, bridges, rail 
systems, and other transportation infrastructure, and threaten the 
long-term investments that Federal, State, and local governments are 
making in transportation infrastructure. Flooding may also result in 
disrupted transit service or closed roads, potentially limiting access 
to key evacuation routes during extreme weather events. Climate change 
is expected to continue to have significant impacts on current and 
future flood risks, with associated increases in flood damages and risk 
to human life in many areas of the United States.
    A unified Federal approach to address the impacts of flooding began 
in 1966, with President Johnson's Executive Order (E.O.) 11296 
(Floodplain Management). President Carter's E.O. 11988 (Floodplain 
Management) (May 24, 1977) was executed in order to avoid, to the 
extent possible, the long- and short-term adverse impacts associated 
with the occupancy and modification of floodplains and to avoid direct 
or indirect support of floodplain development wherever there is a 
practicable alternative. E.O. 11988 provided the definitions for ``base 
flood'' as a flood which has a one percent or greater chance of 
occurrence in any given year and ``floodplain'' as the lowland and 
relatively flat areas adjoining inland and coastal waters including 
floodprone areas of offshore islands, including at a minimum, that area 
subject to a one percent or greater chance of flooding in any given 
year. E.O. 11988 requires agencies to take action to reduce the risk of 
flood loss, to minimize the impact of floods on human safety, health 
and welfare, and to restore and preserve the natural and beneficial 
values served by floodplains. This includes avoiding siting an action 
within the base floodplain, unless it is the only practicable 
alternative, and in those cases designing or modifying the action to 
minimize potential harm to or within the floodplain.
    Federal agencies have implemented and complied with E.O. 11988 
through various Orders, regulations, and guidance applicable to their 
specific missions. For example, USDOT Order 5650.2 (Floodplain 
Management) sets forth policies and procedures applicable to all USDOT 
operational agencies for the avoidance and mitigation of adverse 
floodplain impacts in agency actions, planning programs, and budget 
requests. Agency floodplain policies and procedures are closely aligned 
with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process and 
documented within an action's NEPA review. Complying with the 
requirements of USDOT Order 5650.2 (or any USDOT Operating 
Administration equivalent) ensures that USDOT actions and actions of 
recipients of USDOT funds or approvals align with E.O. 11988.
    On January 30, 2015, in order to improve the Nation's resilience to

[[Page 102250]]

current and future flood risk, President Obama issued E.O. 13690 
establishing a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) which is 
a flexible framework to incorporate the most recent climate science 
into planning, NEPA procedures, and other processes for all federally 
funded actions. E.O. 13690 was revoked by E.O. 13807 on August 15, 
2017, by President Trump. On May 20, 2021, President Biden issued E.O. 
14030 that reinstated E.O. 13690 thereby reestablishing the FFRMS. 
Building on existing floodplain management requirements, the FFRMS 
takes into account changing flood hazards due to climate change and 
other processes (e.g., land use), redefining the base floodplain using 
one of three approaches to determine the vertical flood elevation and 
corresponding horizontal extent of the floodplain. (i.e., the FFRMS 
floodplain).

III. Purpose

    The USDOT is implementing E.O. 11988, as amended by E.O. 13690, by 
integrating the principles of all Executive Orders and the FFRMS into 
the Department's activities, policies, and programs, consistent with 
applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. USDOT 
is taking the following steps to implement the FFRMS in USDOT actions 
and programs:
     Including the FFRMS in applicable USDOT discretionary 
grant criteria or selection considerations: USDOT has included language 
in many BIL discretionary grant Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) 
indicating that applications should describe if projects will be 
constructed consistent with the FFRMS, to the extent consistent with 
current law. This provides applicants with an opportunity to better 
understand the potential risks from future flooding for these projects, 
as well as to demonstrate the steps they are taking to address those 
risks for proposed projects. (Timeframe: Ongoing)
     New USDOT Floodplains Management and Protection 
Rulemaking: USDOT is initiating a rulemaking, to provide the 
requirements that USDOT actions must consider when evaluating proposed 
transportation infrastructure located within a designated floodplain, 
including avoidance and mitigation of adverse floodplain impacts using 
the FFRMS. (Timeframe: Expected completion in 2025)
     Updating USDOT Order 5620.2: USDOT will revise DOT Order 
5650.2 to reflect E.O. 13690 and the FFRMS along with the anticipated 
Floodplains Management and Protection Final Rule. Anticipated revisions 
include updating the overall policy to reflect USDOT's intent to 
improve the resilience of transportation infrastructure against the 
impacts of current and future flooding; to use the Climate-informed 
Science Approach (CISA), where appropriate, to determine floodplain 
risk; and, where possible, to use natural systems, ecosystem processes, 
and nature-based approaches when developing alternatives for 
consideration. USDOT will update Order 5650.2 concurrently with the new 
USDOT Floodplains Management and Protection rulemaking (Timeframe: 
Expected completion in 2025).
     Operating Administration Updates to Policies and Programs: 
As the Department proceeds with its update to USDOT Order 5650.2 and 
the new USDOT Floodplains Management and Protection rulemaking, USDOT's 
Operating Administrations are reviewing their existing programs and 
policies to incorporate the FFRMS, as appropriate, and to identify any 
additional resources or guidance that may be needed.
    USDOT is issuing these Interim Guidelines to advance the goals of 
the FFRMS as we complete the steps outlined above to fully implement 
the FFRMS and all relevant provisions included in E.O. 14030 and E.O. 
13690. USDOT anticipates that these Interim Guidelines will be 
superseded by the forthcoming USDOT Floodplains Management and 
Protection rulemaking and the update to USDOT Order 5620.2.
    USDOT encourages the use of currently available USDOT and other 
Federal resources and tools (such as FHWA's HEC-17 and HEC-25, and 
other resources referenced in these Interim Guidelines) to apply FFRMS 
approaches to improve the resilience of projects. Moreover, the 
Department intends to conduct extensive stakeholder engagement to 
ensure that our resilience initiatives are responsive to the needs of 
our partners as we work toward full implementation of the FFRMS in our 
actions and programs. During this interim period, USDOT encourages the 
public to submit questions and provide feedback via https://www.regulations.gov/.

IV. Interim Guidelines

    The USDOT is committed to integrating climate resilience and risk 
management approaches into all phases of transportation decision 
making, including planning, environmental review/NEPA, final design, 
construction, operations, and monitoring and maintenance. As part of 
this commitment, the USDOT encourages all actions (i.e., the 
construction or reconstruction of a Federal or federally financed, 
licensed, or approved transportation improvement) to determine if that 
action is within the FFRMS floodplain, to adopt measures that address 
and manage identified flood risk, and to document these analyses in the 
NEPA \1\ environmental review process for the action. In developing 
these analyses, the FFRMS floodplain should be established using one of 
the following approaches:
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    \1\ 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.
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     Climate-informed Science Approach (CISA). The elevation 
and flood hazard area (i.e., geographic extent of the elevation's 
corresponding floodplain) that results from using a climate-informed 
science approach that uses the best-available, actionable hydrologic 
and hydraulic data and methods that integrate current and future 
changes in flooding based on climate science. This approach will also 
include an emphasis on whether the action is a significant encroachment 
as one of the factors to be considered when conducting the analysis.
     Freeboard Value Approach (FVA). The elevation and flood 
hazard area that results from adding an additional 2 feet to the Base 
Flood Elevation (BFE) and expanding to the corresponding horizontal 
extent for non-critical actions, and by adding an additional 3 feet to 
the BFE and expanding to the corresponding horizontal extent for 
critical actions.
     0.2-Percent-annual-chance Flood Approach (0.2PFA) The area 
subject to flooding by the 0.2 percent annual chance flood (also known 
as the 500-year flood).
    Consistent with USDOT's support for incorporating future climate 
risk exposure within our overall programs, USDOT prefers the CISA to 
establish the FFRMS floodplain when data to support such an analysis is 
available.
    USDOT recognizes that each action may necessitate application of 
the approach best suited for its location, taking into consideration 
unique characteristics and risks associated with that action, as well 
as available data. For example, where CISA data is not available or is 
not actionable, projects may use the FVA or the 0.2 PFA to identify the 
FFRMS floodplain. In using the FVA instead of CISA, project proponents 
and reviewers should consider whether the application of two feet (or 
three feet) of freeboard suitably

[[Page 102251]]

captures any associated flood risk \2\ and consider modifications as 
appropriate.\3\ In addition, when considering the 0.2 PFA approach, 
note that (1) approximately only 20 percent of FEMA Flood Insurance 
Rate Maps (FIRMs) maps include the 500-year floodplain and (2) in the 
coastal scenario, the 500-year floodplain may not include the added 
risk of wave effects. Sponsors of Departmental actions should consider 
these elements as they select a particular approach to establishing the 
FFRMS floodplain.
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    \2\ The FVA does not account for differences in local conditions 
or future flood risks associated with climate change.
    \3\ See FHWA's HEC-17 and HEC-25 for examples of considerations 
to take into account with regards to extreme weather and climate 
change when siting transportation infrastructure in the riverine and 
coastal environment.
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    USDOT has existing resources in place to advance the goals of the 
FFRMS and assist sponsors of USDOT-funded actions in establishing the 
FFRMS floodplain. These resources and tools, combined with existing 
floodplain regulations, provide options on the many opportunities to 
build resilience to flooding into the planning and construction of 
transportation projects. For example, FHWA has developed and continues 
to refine a range of procedures, tools, and guidance documents to help 
transportation agencies address climate change when designing roads, 
bridges, culverts, and drainage infrastructure. This includes revising 
projected climate risks associated with floods and severe storms. USDOT 
encourages sponsors of USDOT-funded actions to consult these and other 
resources for technical guidance on incorporating resilience principles 
in transportation infrastructure design (See Section F on Resources). 
In addition, USDOT is coordinating with the Council on Environmental 
Quality and other Federal agencies in the development of additional 
guidance and tools to assist sponsors of federally funded actions in 
implementing the FFRMS.
    These interim guidelines do not have the force and effect of law 
and are not meant to bind the public in any way. This document is 
intended only to provide interim guidance to the public regarding how 
to establish the FFRMS floodplain under E.O. 13690 and to describe the 
steps USDOT is taking to fully implement the FFRMS across its actions 
and programs. It will not be deemed to create any right, benefit or 
trust obligation either substantive or procedural, enforceable by any 
person, or entity in any court against USDOT agencies, its officers, or 
any other person. Compliance with this guidance will not be justiciable 
in any proceedings for judicial review of USDOT agency action.

V. Exceptions and Simplified Reviews for Certain Classes of Actions

    The head of a USDOT Operating Administration (e.g., Federal Highway 
Administration, Federal Transit Administration, etc.) may except an 
agency action from the FFRMS floodplain requirement where it is in the 
interest of national security, where the agency action is an emergency 
action, where application to a Federal facility or structure is 
demonstrably inappropriate, or where the agency action is a mission-
critical requirement related to a national security interest or an 
emergency action. When an agency action is excepted because it is in 
the interest of national security, it is an emergency action, or it is 
a mission-critical requirement related to a national security interest 
or an emergency action, the Operating Administration head shall rely on 
the area of land subject to the base flood. (i.e., 1 percent annual 
chance).
    In addition, with the promulgation of a USDOT floodplain management 
and protection regulation and update to Order 5650.2 that incorporates 
the FFRMS, USDOT Operating Administrations may identify individual 
actions, or categories of actions, which would have shortened or 
altered decision making processes (for example, those with limited 
potential to adversely affect the floodplain). USDOT Operating 
Administration may also conduct general review of activities in lieu of 
site-specific reviews for certain actions and class reviews of certain 
repetitive actions.

VI. Resources

Executive Office of the President

 E.O. 11988 Floodplain Management. Available at: https://www.federalregister.gov/executive-order/11988 Last accessed November 
1, 2024.
 E.O. 13690 Establishing Federal Flood Risk Management 
Standard and a Process for Further Soliciting and Considering 
Stakeholder Input. Available at: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2015/02/04/2015-02379/establishing-a-federal-flood-risk-management-standard-and-a-process-for-further-soliciting-and Last 
accessed November 1, 2024
 E.O. 13990 Protecting Public Health and the Environment and 
Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis. Available at: 
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/25/2021-01765/protecting-public-health-and-the-environment-and-restoring-science-to-tackle-the-climate-crisis Last accessed November 1, 2024
 E.O. 14008 Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad. 
Available at: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/02/01/2021-02177/tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad Last 
accessed November 1, 2024
 E.O. 14030 Climate-Related Financial Risk. Available at: 
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/05/25/2021-11168/climate-related-financial-risk Last accessed November 1, 2024.
 Climate Mapping for Resilience and Adaptation (CMRA). CMRA 
integrates information from across the federal government on local 
exposure to climate-related hazards, including flood risk and sea 
level rise projections. Available at: https://resilience.climate.gov/. Last accessed November 1, 2024.
 Federal Flood Risk Management Standard, Appendix G of 
October 2015 Implementation Guidelines. Available at: https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_IGA-appendices-a-h_10082015.pdf. Last accessed November 1, 2024.
 Federal Flood Risk Management Standard Climate-Informed 
Science Approach (CISA)--State of the Science Report. This report 
provides a review and update of the best-available, actionable 
science that can support application of the Climate-Informed Science 
Approach (CISA), reflecting science and technology advancements made 
since E.O. 13690 was issued in 2015. Available at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Federal-Flood-Risk-Management-Standard-Climate-Informed-Science-Approach-CISA-State-of-the-Science-Report.pdf. Last accessed November 1, 2024.
 FFRMS Floodplain Determination Job Aid. The Flood 
Resilience Interagency Working Group released this FFRMS Floodplain 
Determination Job Aid to support agencies' implementation of federal 
flood programs and regulations, including FFRMS. Available at: 
https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_ffrms-floodplain-determination-job-aid.pdf. Last accessed November 1, 
2024.
 Federal Flood Standard Support Tool. The White House Flood 
Resilience Interagency Working Group developed a Federal Flood 
Standard Support Tool (FFSST) to enable users to identify the FFRMS 
floodplain more easily. Available at: https://floodstandard.climate.gov/. Last accessed November 1, 2024.

United States Department of Transportation

 USDOT Order 5650.2. Floodplain Management and Protection. 
Available at: https://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/docs/Floodplain.pdf. Last accessed November 1, 2024.
 FAA Order 1050.1F Desk Reference (v2), Chapter 14 Water 
Resources, Section 14.2 Floodplains. Available at: https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/apl/14-water-resources.pdf. Last accessed 
November 1, 2024.

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 FHWA Hydraulic Engineering Circular (HEC) 25, ``Highways in 
the Coastal Environment''. Provides technical guidance and methods 
for assessing the vulnerability of roads and bridges to extreme 
events and climate change in coastal areas, focusing on sea level 
rise, storm surge, and waves. Available at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/engineering/hydraulics/pubs/hif19059.pdf. Last accessed November 1, 
2024.
 FHWA Hydraulic Engineering Circular (HEC) 17, ``Highways in 
the River Environment--Floodplains, Extreme Events, Risk and 
Resilience''. Provides technical guidance and methods for assessing 
the vulnerability of transportation facilities to extreme events and 
climate change in riverine environments. Available at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/engineering/hydraulics/pubs/hif16018.pdf. Last 
accessed November 1, 2024.
 FHWA Nature-Based Solutions for Coastal Highway Resilience: 
An Implementation Guide. This guide follows the steps in the 
transportation project delivery process, providing information on 
planning, site assessment, design, permitting, construction, 
monitoring, maintenance, and adaptive management of nature-based 
solutions in the transportation context. Available at: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/sustainability/resilience/ongoing_and_current_research/green_infrastructure/implementation_guide/fhwahep19042.pdf. Last accessed November 1, 
2024.
 FHWA Transportation Engineering Approaches to Climate 
Resiliency (TEACR) Synthesis report and case studies. This report 
synthesizes lessons learned and innovations from recent FHWA studies 
and pilots to help transportation agencies address changing climate 
conditions and extreme weather events at the asset level. It is 
designed to provide needed information to a range of engineering 
disciplines to integrate climate considerations into transportation 
project development. Available at: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/sustainability/resilience/ongoing_and_current_research/teacr/synthesis/. Last accessed November 1, 2024.
 US DOT Gulf Coast 2 Study. The Gulf Coast Study produced 
tools and lessons learned that transportation agencies across the 
country are using to assess vulnerabilities and build resilience to 
climate change. Available at: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/sustainability/resilience/ongoing_and_current_research/gulf_coast_study/index.cfm. Last accessed November 1, 2024.
 FHWA Post-Hurricane Sandy Transportation Resilience Study 
in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Study intended to inform 
transportation agency efforts to address changing climate conditions 
and extreme weather events from a regional planning level to 
facility level assessments. Available at: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/sustainability/resilience/publications/hurricane_sandy/fhwahep17097.pdf. Last accessed November 1, 2024.
 FHWA Resilience Pilots. FHWA has partnered with State 
Departments of Transportation (DOTs), Metropolitan Planning 
Organizations (MPOs) and others on 46 pilot projects to develop and 
deploy resilience solutions to current and future extreme weather 
events. Available at: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/sustainability/resilience/pilots/Last accessed November 1, 2024.
 CMIP Climate Data Processing Tool 2.1. Accesses and 
calculates climate projections for temperature and precipitation 
variables. Available at: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/engineering/hydraulics/software/cmip_processing_tool_version2.cfm. Last accessed 
November 1, 2024.
 FHWA NHI course FHWA-NHI-135082 Highways in the Coastal 
Environment. Available at: https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/course-search?tab=0&key=135082&sf=0&course_no=135082. Last accessed 
November 1, 2024.
 FHWA NHI course FHWA-NHI-135082A Future Sea Levels for the 
Design of Highways in the Coastal Environment. Available at: https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/course-search?tab=0&key=FHWA-NHI-135082&sf=0&course_no=135082A Last accessed November 1, 2024.
 FHWA NHI Course FHWA-NHI-135082C Water Levels for the 
Design of Highways in the Coastal Environment. Available at: https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/course-search?tab=0&key=FHWA-NHI-135082&sf=0&course_no=135082C Last accessed November 1, 2024.
 FHWA NHI Course FHWA-NHI-142085A Addressing Climate 
Resilience in Highway Project Development and Preliminary Design. 
Available at: https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/course-search?tab=0&key=FHWA-NHI-135082&sf=0&course_no=135082C Last 
accessed November 1, 2024.
 FHWA NHI Course FHWA-NHI-142081 Understanding Past, Current 
and Future Climate Conditions. Available at: https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/course-search?tab=0&key=142081&sf=0&course_no=142081 Last accessed November 
1, 2024.
 FHWA NHI Course FHWA-NHI-142082 Introduction to Temperature 
and Precipitation Projections. Available at: https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/course-search?tab=0&key=142082&sf=0&course_no=142082 Last accessed November 
1, 2024.
 FHWA NHI Course FHWA-NHI-142083 Systems Level Vulnerability 
Assessments. Available at: https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/course-search?tab=0&key=142083&sf=0&course_no=142083 Last accessed November 
1, 2024.
 FHWA NHI Course FHWA-NHI-142084 Adaptation Analysis for 
Project Decision Making. Available at: https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/course-search?tab=0&key=142084&sf=0&course_no=142084 Last accessed 
November 1, 2024.
 FTA Hazard Mitigation Cost Effectiveness Tool. Resilience 
benefit cost tool enables transit agencies to conduct a robust cost-
benefit analysis of resilience projects being considered for 
funding, leading to informed decisions on the benefits of investing 
in resilience projects. Available at: https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grant-programs/emergency-relief-program/hazard-mitigation-cost-effectiveness-hmce-tool Last accessed November 1, 2024.
 FTA Emergency Relief Manual. Available at: https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grant-programs/emergency-relief-program/emergency-relief-manual-reference-manual-states Last accessed 
November 1, 2024.
 FTA Transit and Climate Change Adaptation: Synthesis of 
FTA-Funded Pilot Projects. Available at: https://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/FTA_Report_No._0069_0.pdf Last accessed November 1, 2024.
 FTA Transit Resilience Guidebook. Presents recommendations 
and examples of how to identify and address climate vulnerabilities 
and risks and build resilience into transit assets throughout the 
life-cycle process. Available at: https://www.transit.dot.gov/research-innovation/ftas-transit-resilience-guidebook Last accessed 
November 1, 2024.

    December 12, 2024.
Ann Shikany,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2024-29801 Filed 12-16-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-9X-P