Federal Highway Administration April 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This notice announces actions taken by the FHWA and other Federal agencies that are final within the meaning of 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1). The actions relate to the proposed Aroostook County Transportation Study Tier II Presque Isle Bypass FEIS located in the Town of Presque Isle, Aroostook County, Maine. Those actions grant approvals for the project.

The FHWA, on behalf of Caltrans, is issuing this notice to announce actions taken by Caltrans, that are final within the meaning of 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1). The actions relate to a Locally Administered federal aid project (RPSTPLE 5914 (042) and (043)) being carried out by Lake County with NEPA oversight being conducted by the State of California. The project takes place in Lake County, immediately adjacent to the town of Lakeport on South Main Street and Soda Bay Rd. Those actions grant licenses, permits, and approvals for the project.

The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared for the proposed transportation project (State Route 20) located in Cherokee and Forsyth Counties, Georgia.

This notice announces that FHWA and the State of California, acting by and through its Department of Transportation (State), propose to renew and amend an MOU between the parties dated June 7, 2010, pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 326. The MOU would extend the duration of the agreement by three years, continuing the assignment to the State of 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 semi-annually as opposed to quarterly, including Section 4(f) decisions; (2) the Federal Register notice of availability and comment period would be modified from 45 days to 30 days, where applicable; (3) language would be included clarifying that the presence of unusual circumstances and significant environmental impacts must be considered in CE findings; (4) inclusion of language to clarify that the State coordinate with the Department of Justice and FHWA in the event of litigation, (5) FHWA program reviews would be at no sooner than the 19th month and no later than the 31st month in order to give the State adequate time to implement corrective action plans; (6) future changes to 23 CFR 771.117(c) and (d), in addition to Appendix A resulting from rulemaking would be automatically incorporated into the MOU; (7) the termination provisions of the MOU would be changed to comply with the provisions of Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21).