Federal Transit Administration September 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has placed in the docket and on its Web site, proposed guidance in the form of a circular to assist grantees in implementing the Urbanized Area Formula Program (Section 5307). The Urbanized Area Formula Program provides grants for capital, planning, and some operating projects in urbanized areas. By this notice, FTA invites public comment on the proposed circular 9030.1D, Urbanized Area Formula Program: Program Guidance and Application Instructions for the program.

The Federal Transit Administration and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) are planning to prepare a Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed 2.3 mile extension of light rail along Capitol Expressway from the existing Alum Rock Station to Eastridge Transit Center in the City of San Jose. Pursuant to 23 C.F.R 771.129(a) and 771.130, the Supplemental Draft EIS will replace the Draft EIS that was made available for public review in April 2004. The Final EIS required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et. seq.) (NEPA) was never completed for this project as a result of limited opportunities for securing federal funds at that time. Due to dramatic declines in local and state funding sources as a result of the global economic recession, VTA is now preparing a Supplemental Draft EIS in order to be eligible for federal funds for this project. A Supplemental Draft EIS is needed to

In an effort toward greater transparency and to ensure integrity in public investments, FTA today publishes an advance notice of proposed rulemaking on capital project management. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is considering a revision of its Project Management Oversight (PMO) rule, shifting its focus from project oversight only to project management and oversight. A revised Part would more clearly identify necessary project management skills needed to be demonstrated by project sponsors for all fixed guideway capital projects, as well as additional requirements that would apply only to the more complex major capital projects, and distinguish project characteristics that would require documentation of project plans and implementation strategies in a project management plan, as well as the use of FTA's Project Management Oversight Contractors (PMOCs). Beginning the rulemaking process to update its project management rule will aid some key agency priorities. It will help ensure integrity and accountability in its construction grant programs, and it will provide data the agency can use in its efforts to streamline its discretionary capital project approval process. FTA seeks to elicit a broad array of comments from project sponsors, the industry, other stakeholders, and the public on a number of subjects.

The purpose of this notice is to convey additional 2009 final guidance on New Starts/Small Starts policies and procedures. On July 29, 2009, FTA announced in the Federal Register the availability of proposed guidance and requested public comment. FTA received a total of 15 comments from transit agencies, metropolitan planning organizations, labor unions, advocacy groups, and other interested parties. After reviewing the public comments, FTA is issuing final guidance, which is included at the end of this notice.

The FTA, as the Federal lead agency, and the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) intend to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Yellow Line Extension Project in Cook County, Illinois. CTA operates the rapid transit system in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. The proposed project, described more completely within, would extend the Yellow Line, a heavy rail transit line, to connect the Dempster Street Station to Old Orchard Road. The purpose of this Notice of Intent is to alert interested parties regarding the intent to prepare the EIS, to provide information on the nature of the proposed project and possible alternatives and to invite public participation in the EIS process.