Federal Transit Administration April 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is seeking nominees to serve on TRACS. The Advisory Committee meets twice a year to advise FTA on transit safety issues. On February 1, 2010, FTA issued an initial notice (75 FR 5172) soliciting nominations to serve on TRACS. From that solicitation, 21 members were chosen, each representing a broad base of expertise relating to rail transit safety. The FTA Administrator (Administrator) has since determined that he would like to seek additional members to serve on TRACS. Specifically, the Administrator would like to augment the TRACS' existing knowledge base with professionals who have done academic research in the safety field.

The FTA, as the lead Federal agency, and the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) are planning to prepare an EIS for the proposed expansion and improvements to the Downtown San Francisco Ferry Terminal at the Port of San Francisco Ferry Building. The proposed project would serve commuters, visitors, and recreational users desiring an alternative way to cross San Francisco Bay, and reach nearby employment, entertainment, and recreational destinations in San Francisco. The project expands the number of ferry gates and improves ferry patron circulation, boarding, and wayfinding in and around the Ferry Building. In addition, the project enhances emergency response capabilities to evacuate people from San Francisco and/or mobilize first responders to San Francisco via ferries if a catastrophic event occurs. The EIS will be prepared in accordance with Section 102(2)C of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and pursuant to the Council on the Environmental Quality's regulations (40 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] parts 1500-08) as well as provisions of the recently enacted Safe, Accountable, Flexible Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). The purpose of this notice is to alert interested parties regarding the intent to prepare an EIS; provide information on the proposed transit project; invite participation in the EIS process, including comments on the scope of the EIS proposed in this notice; and announce when the public scoping meeting will be conducted.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is issuing Circular 6100.1D to provide comprehensive assistance to grantees on guidance on application procedures and project management responsibilities for FTA's National Research Programs.