Federal Transit Administration September 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has placed in the docket and on its Web site guidance in the form of a Circular to assist recipients in complying with various Equal Employment Opportunity regulations and statutes. The purpose of this Circular is to provide recipients of FTA financial assistance with instructions and guidance necessary to carry out the U.S. Department of Transportation's Equal Employment Opportunity regulations. FTA is updating its Equal Employment Opportunity Circular to clarify the requirements for compliance.

The FHWA and FTA are reopening the comment period for the NPRM that was published on June 27, 2016, at 81 FR 41473, in order to receive additional public comment on targeted issues. The NPRM proposes revisions to the transportation planning regulations to promote more effective regional planning by States and metropolitan planning organizations (MPO). The original comment period closed on August 26, 2016. The FHWA and FTA received a number of requests to extend the comment period. The FHWA and FTA recognize that those interested in commenting on this important program may not have had the opportunity to provide comments and that the comment period should be reopened. Therefore, the comment period is being reopened.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Metro (the regional government and metropolitan planning organization that serves the cities and counties of the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area) and the Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) intend to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate the benefits and impacts of the proposed Southwest Corridor Light Rail Project (Project). The Project would improve public transportation between and through southwest Portland, Tigard and Tualatin. FTA may provide funding for the Project through its Capital Investment Grant program. FTA, Metro and TriMet will prepare the EIS in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), FTA environmental regulations, and the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act). This Notice initiates formal scoping for the EIS, provides information on the nature of the proposed transit Project, invites participation in the EIS process, and identifies potential environmental effects to be considered. It also invites comments from interested members of the public, tribes, and agencies on the scope of the EIS and announces upcoming public scoping meetings. Comments should address (1) feasible alternatives that may better achieve the Project's need and purposes with fewer adverse impacts and (2) any significant environmental impacts relating to the alternatives.