Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review

Nadine Pembleton
Federal Transit Administration
21 August 2020

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 163 (Friday, August 21, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51843-51844]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-18331]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration

[FTA Docket No. FTA 2020-0009]


Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces that the Information Collection Requirements (ICRs) 
abstracted below have been forwarded to the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describe the nature of the 
information collection and their expected burdens.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before September 21, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed 
information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of 
this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular 
information collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--
Open for Public Comments'' or by using the search function.
    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. A comment to OMB is best assured of having its 
full effect if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication of this 
notice in the Federal Register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tia Swain, Office of Administration, 
Management Planning Division, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Mail Stop TAD-

[[Page 51844]]

10, Washington, DC 20590 (202) 366-0354 or tia.swain@dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), 
Public Law 104-13, Section 2, 109 Stat. 163 (1995) (codified as revised 
at 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), and its implementing regulations, 5 CFR part 
1320, require Federal agencies to issue two notices seeking public 
comment on information collection activities before OMB may approve 
paperwork packages. 44 U.S.C. 3506, 3507; 5 CFR 1320.5, 1320.8(d)(1), 
1320.12. On October 18, 2019, FTA published a 60-day notice (84 FR 
56012) in the Federal Register soliciting comments on the ICR that the 
agency was seeking OMB approval. FTA received no comments after issuing 
this 60-day notice. Accordingly, DOT announces that these information 
collection activities have been re-evaluated and certified under 5 CFR 
1320.5(a) and forwarded to OMB for review and approval pursuant to 5 
CFR 1320.12(c).
    Before OMB decides whether to approve these proposed collections of 
information, it must provide 30 days for public comment. 44 U.S.C. 
3507(b); 5 CFR 1320.12(d). Federal law requires OMB to approve or 
disapprove paperwork packages between 30 and 60 days after the 30-day 
notice is published. 44 U.S.C. 3507 (b)-(c); 5 CFR 1320.12(d); see also 
60 FR 44978, 44983, Aug. 29, 1995. OMB believes that the 30-day notice 
informs the regulated community to file relevant comments and affords 
the agency adequate time to digest public comments before it renders a 
decision. 60 FR 44983, Aug. 29, 1995. Therefore, respondents should 
submit their respective comments to OMB within 30 days of publication 
to best ensure having their full effect. 5 CFR 1320.12(c); see also 60 
FR 44983, Aug. 29, 1995.
    The summaries below describe the nature of the information 
collection requirements (ICRs) and the expected burden. The 
requirements are being submitted for clearance by OMB as required by 
the PRA.
    Title: Metropolitan and Statewide and Non-Metropolitan 
Transportation Planning.
    OMB Control Number: 2132-0529.
    Type of Request: Renewal of a previously approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The FTA and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) jointly 
carry out the federal mandate to improve urban and rural 
transportation. 49 U.S.C. 5303 and 5304 and 23 U.S.C. 134 and 135 
authorize the use of federal funds to assist Metropolitan Planning 
Organizations (MPOs), States, and local public bodies in developing 
transportation plans and programs to serve the transportation needs of 
urbanized areas over 50,000 in population and other areas of States 
outside of urbanized areas. The information collection activities 
involved in developing the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), the 
Metropolitan Transportation Plan, the Long-Range 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, the UPWP is 
used by both FTA and FHWA to monitor the transportation planning 
activities of MPOs. It also is needed to establish national out year 
budgets and regional program plans, develop policy on using funds, 
monitor State and local compliance with 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. 5303 and 23 U.S.C.134 (j) require the development of TIPs 
for urbanized areas; STIPs are mandated by 49 U.S.C. 5304 and 23 U.S.C. 
135(g) for an entire State. 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 in 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. 134 and 135 and 49 U.S.C. 5303 and 5304 as a condition of 
eligibility for federal-aid funding. Without these documents, approvals 
and findings, FTA and FHWA cannot provide capital and/or operating 
assistance.
    Respondents: State Departments of Transportation and MPOs.
    Estimated Annual Respondents: 456 respondents.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 4,198,379 hours.
    Frequency: Annual.

Nadine Pembleton,
Director Office of Management Planning.
[FR Doc. 2020-18331 Filed 8-20-20; 8:45 am]
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