Notice2024-00251
Request for Nominations for the Working Group on Covered Resources to the Federal Highway Administration
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
January 9, 2024
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Highway Administration
Abstract
The FHWA announces a request for nominations to the Working Group on Covered Resources (Working Group). The Working Group members will be appointed for a term of 2 years. The Working Group will conduct a study on access to covered resources for infrastructure projects. In carrying out the study, the Working Group shall analyze the use of covered resources in transportation projects funded with Federal dollars; how the proximity of covered resources to such projects affects the cost and environmental impact of those projects; whether and how State, Tribal, and local transportation and planning agencies consider covered resources when developing transportation projects; and any challenges for transportation project sponsors regarding access and proximity to covered resources. The Working Group shall submit to the Secretary of Transportation the findings of its study and any recommendations to preserve access to and reduce the costs and environmental impacts of covered resources in infrastructure projects.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 6 (Tuesday, January 9, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 6 (Tuesday, January 9, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1139-1141]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-00251]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Request for Nominations for the Working Group on Covered
Resources to the Federal Highway Administration
AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice to solicit members for the Working Group on Covered
Resources.
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SUMMARY: The FHWA announces a request for nominations to the Working
Group on Covered Resources (Working Group). The Working Group members
will be appointed for a term of 2 years. The Working Group will conduct
a study on access to covered resources for infrastructure projects. In
carrying out the study, the Working Group shall analyze the use of
covered resources in transportation projects funded with Federal
dollars; how the proximity of covered resources to such projects
affects the cost and environmental impact of those projects; whether
and how State, Tribal, and local transportation and planning agencies
consider covered resources when developing transportation projects; and
any challenges for transportation project sponsors regarding access and
proximity to covered resources. The Working Group shall submit to the
Secretary of Transportation the findings of its study and any
recommendations to preserve access to and reduce the costs and
environmental impacts of covered resources in infrastructure projects.
DATES: The deadline for nominations for the Working Group membership is
March 11, 2024.
ADDRESSES: All nomination materials should be emailed to
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#53013a303b3221377d172625323f13373c277d343c25"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="98caf1fbf0f9eafcb6dcedeef9f4d8fcf7ecb6fff7ee">[email protected]</span></a> or mailed attention to Designated Federal Officer
Mr. Richard Duval c/o Mrs. Gina Ahlstrom, Federal Highway
Administration, Office of Infrastructure, Room E75-332, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. Any person needing accessibility
accommodations should contact Richard Duval at (202) 515-1030.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Richard B. Duval, Office of
Infrastructure, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, (202)
515-1030 or via email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4e1c272d262f3c2a600a3b382f220e2a213a60292138"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b6e4dfd5ded7c4d298f2c3c0d7daf6d2d9c298d1d9c0">[email protected]</span></a>; or Ms. Alissa Dolan,
Office of the Chief Counsel, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC
20590, (202) 631-3393 or via email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#41002d283232206f052e2d202f01252e356f262e37"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="21604d485252400f654e4d404f61454e550f464e57">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 11526 of the Bipartisan
Infrastructure Law (BIL), enacted as the Infrastructure Investment and
Jobs Act (Pub. L. 117-58), requires the establishment of a ``Working
Group on Covered Resources.'' The term ``covered resource'' means a
common variety material used in transportation infrastructure
construction and maintenance, including stone, sand, and gravel. The
Working Group will conduct a study on access to covered resources for
infrastructure projects. Pursuant to BIL section 11526(d), in carrying
out the study, the Working Group shall analyze the use of covered
resources in transportation projects funded with Federal dollars; how
the proximity of covered resources to such projects affects the cost
and environmental impact of those projects; whether and how State,
Tribal, and local transportation and planning agencies consider covered
resources when developing transportation projects; and any challenges
for transportation project sponsors regarding access and proximity to
covered resources.
In conducting this study, BIL section 11526(e) requires the Working
Group to consult, as appropriate, with chief executive officers of
States; State, Tribal, and local transportation and planning agencies;
other relevant State, Tribal, and local agencies, including State
agencies associated with covered resources protection; members of the
public with industry experience with respect to covered resources;
other Federal entities that provide funding for transportation
projects; and any other stakeholder the Working Group determines
appropriate.
[[Page 1140]]
In accordance with BIL section 11526(f)(1), not later than 2 years
after the Working Group is established, it shall submit to the
Secretary the findings of its study, including a summary of comments
received during the consultation process required by section 11526(e),
and any recommendations to preserve access to and reduce the costs and
environmental impacts of covered resources in infrastructure projects.
The Secretary will then submit to Congress a summary of the findings of
the Working Group's report and any recommendations, as appropriate.
In accordance with section 9 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act
(FACA), and as directed by BIL section 11526(b), the Secretary has
established the Working Group on Covered Resources. This document gives
notice of the member nomination process to potential participants and
affords them the opportunity to request representation on the Working
Group. The procedure for requesting such representation is set out
below. FHWA is aware that there are many more potential organizations
and participants than there are membership slots on the Working Group.
Organizations and participants should be prepared to support their
request for representation on the Working Group.
Members serve at the pleasure of the Secretary. Members will be
appointed for a 2-year term with the potential for reappointment. The
Secretary may extend appointments and may appoint replacements for
members who have resigned outside of a stated term, as necessary.
Members may continue to serve until their replacements have been
appointed. The Working Group shall terminate 180 days after the date on
which the Secretary receives the report required under BIL section
11526(f)(1).
FHWA is hereby soliciting nominations for members of the Working
Group. Members will have knowledge and expertise in the production and
transportation of covered resources. As prescribed by BIL Section
11526(c)(2), the Secretary will appoint not less than one
representative of each of the following:
(1) State departments of transportation.
(2) State agencies associated with covered resources protection.
(3) State planning and geologic survey and mapping agencies.
(4) Commercial motor vehicle operators, including small business
operators and operators who transport covered resources.
(5) Covered resources producers.
(6) Construction contractors.
(7) Labor organizations.
(8) Metropolitan planning organizations and regional planning
organizations.
(9) Indian Tribes, including Tribal elected leadership or Tribal
transportation officials.
(10) Any other stakeholders that the Secretary determines
appropriate.
Process and Deadline for Submitting Nominations: Qualified
individuals can self-nominate or be nominated by any individual or
organization. To be considered for the Working Group, nominators should
submit the following information:
(1) Name, title, and relevant contact information (including phone,
and email address) of the nominee.
(2) A letter of support containing a brief description of why the
nominee should be considered for membership.
(3) A short biography of the nominee, including any relevant
professional and academic credentials and any prior experience with
covered resources.
(4) For nominees seeking to serve in their individual capacity (and
not seeking appointment to represent the interests of a nongovernmental
entity, a recognizable group of persons or nongovernmental entities
such as an industry sector or labor union, or State or local
governments), an affirmative statement that the nominee is not a
federally registered lobbyist, and that the nominee understands that if
appointed, the nominee will not be allowed to continue to serve as a
Working Group member if the nominee becomes a federally registered
lobbyist.
(5) An affirmative statement from the nominee of their availability
and willingness to serve on the Working Group. Initially, board members
will be expected to participate in quarterly meetings and are expected
to attend at least three-quarters of all meetings during their 2-year
term. Additional meetings may be required.
(6) An affirmative statement from the nominee of their willingness
and ability to serve as the chairperson for the Working Group, which
will require additional time commitment beyond simple membership.
Chairperson duties are described in DOT Order 1120.3 D, ``Committee
Management Policy and Procedures.''
Please do not send company, trade association, or organization
brochures, or any other information. Materials submitted should total
three pages or less, not including any letter(s) of support. Should
more information be needed, DOT staff will contact the nominee, obtain
information from the nominee's past affiliations, or obtain information
from publicly available sources, such as the internet.
It is important to recognize that interested parties who are not
selected for membership on the Working Group can make valuable
contributions to the work of the Working Group in several ways.
Interested persons shall be permitted to attend, appear before, or file
statements with any advisory committee, subject to such reasonable
rules or regulations as the FHWA Administrator may prescribe.
Any member of the public is welcome to attend Working Group
meetings, and, as provided in FACA, speak to the Working Group. Time
will be set aside during each meeting for this purpose, consistent with
the Working Group's need for sufficient time to complete its
deliberations.
All nomination materials should be emailed to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#fba99298939a899fd5bf8e8d9a97bb9f948fd59c948d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f4a69d979c958690dab081829598b4909b80da939b82">[email protected]</span></a>
or mailed attention to Mr. Richard Duval c/o Mrs. Gina Ahlstrom,
Federal Highway Administration, Office of Infrastructure, Room E75-332,
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. Any person needing
accessibility accommodations should contact Richard Duval at (202) 515-
1030. Nominations must be received by March 11, 2024. Nominees selected
for appointment to the Working Group will be notified by return email
and by a letter of appointment.
A selection team comprising representatives from DOT offices and
member(s) of the U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey
will review the nomination packages. The selection team will make
recommendations regarding membership to the Secretary through the FHWA
Administrator based on evaluation criteria including: (1) professional
or academic expertise, experience, and knowledge; (2) stakeholder
representation; and (3) skills working on committees and advisory
panels. The FHWA Administrator will submit a list of recommended
candidates to the Secretary for review and selection of Working Group
members.
Nominations are open to all individuals without regard to race,
color, religion, sex, national origin, age, mental or physical
handicap, marital status, or sexual orientation. To ensure that
recommendations to the Secretary consider the needs of the diverse
groups served by DOT, membership shall include, to the extent
practicable, individuals with demonstrated ability to
[[Page 1141]]
represent disadvantaged and under-represented groups.
Shailen P. Bhatt,
Administrator, Federal Highway Administration.
[FR Doc. 2024-00251 Filed 1-8-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P
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