Federal Highway Administration April 14, 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This notice announces that the FHWA and the State of California, acting by and through its Department of Transportation (State), propose a time extension with minor changes to the MOU pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 326. The MOU would extend the duration of use by three years, transferring to the State the FHWA's authority and responsibility for determining whether certain designated activities within the geographic boundaries of the State, as specified in the proposed MOU, are categorically excluded from preparation of an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. (NEPA). Aside from editorial changes to the MOU, the following minor changes would also be incorporated: (1) The State would be required to submit a list of CE determinations annually as opposed to quarterly; (2) the Federal Register notice of availability period would be modified from 45 days to 30 days, where applicable; (3) upon termination of the MOU, reversion of Federal responsibility back to FHWA would become effective in 60 days as opposed to 30 days; (4) FHWA would provide the State 24 hour notice, where practicable, prior to attending meetings whereby another Federal agency has requested FHWA's participation; (5) removal of E.O. 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments from the list of assigned responsibilities.