97-3574. Reports, Forms and Recordkeeping Requirements, Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review

[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 30 (Thursday, February 13, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 6829]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-3574]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Reports, Forms and Recordkeeping Requirements, Agency Information 
Collection Activity Under OMB Review

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 
et seq.), this notice announces that the Information Collection Request 
(ICR) abstracted below has been forwarded to the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) for extension of currently approved collections. The 
ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected 
burden. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period 
soliciting comments on the following collection of information was 
published on October 8, 1996 [FR 61, page 52837].

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before March 17, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Paul Verchinski, [phone] or 
Mr. Sheldon Edner [phone] and refer to the OMB Control Number.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Federal Transit Administration (FTA)

    1. Title: Metropolitan Planning and Statewide Planning.
    Type of Request: Extension to a currently approved information 
collection.
    OMB Control Number: 2132-0529.
    Form(s): N/A.
    Affected Public: State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) and 
Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs).
    Abstract: The FTA and FHWA jointly carry out the Federal mandate to 
improve urban and rural transportation. 49 U.S.C. 5303 and 23 U.S.C. 
134 and 135 require metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) and 
States to develop transportation plans and programs. The information 
collection activities involved in developing the Unified Planning Work 
Program (UPWP), the Metropolitan Transportation Plan, the Statewide 
Transportation Plan, the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), and 
the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) are necessary 
to identify and evaluate the transportation issues and needs in each 
urbanized area and throughout every State. These products of the 
transportation planning process are essential elements in the 
reasonable planning and programming of federally-funded transportation 
investments.
    In addition to serving as a management tool for MPOs and State 
DOTs, the UPWP is used by both FTA and FHWA to monitor the 
transportation planning activities of those agencies. It is also needed 
to develop policy on using funds, monitor State and local compliance 
with national technical emphasis areas, respond to congressional 
inquiries, prepare congressional testimony, and ensure efficiency in 
the use and expenditure of Federal funds by determining that planning 
proposals are both reasonable and cost-effective. 49 U.S.C. 5304 and 23 
U.S.C. 134(h) require the development of TIPs for urbanized areas; 
STIPS are mandated by 23 U.S.C. 135(f). After approval by the Governor 
and MPO, metropolitan TIPs in attainment areas are to be incorporated 
directly into the STIP. For nonattainment areas, FTA/FHWA must make a 
conformity finding on the TIPs before including them into the STIP. The 
complete STIP is then jointly reviewed and approved or disapproved by 
FTA and FHWA. These conformity findings and approval actions constitute 
the determination that States are complying with the requirements of 23 
U.S.C. 135 and 49 U.S.C. Section 5303 as a condition of eligibility for 
Federal-aid funding. Without these documents, approvals and findings, 
capital and/or operating assistance, cannot be provided.
    Estimated Annual Burden: The estimated annual burden is 241,850 
hours.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to the Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725-17th Street, NW, 
Washington, DC 20503, Attention OST Desk Officer.
    Comments are Invited on: whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the Department, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; the accuracy of the Department's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility 
and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize 
the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including 
the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on February 6, 1997.
Phillip A. Leach,
Clearance Officer, United States Department of Transportation.
[FR Doc. 97-3574 Filed 2-12-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-62-P