Notice2024-29801
USDOT Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) Interim Guidelines
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
December 17, 2024
Issuing agencies
Transportation Department
Abstract
The impacts of flooding affect the environment, economic prosperity, and public health and safety across the Nation. The Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) seeks to improve the resilience of communities and Federal assets against the impacts of flooding from extreme events and climate change. DOT has developed these FFRMS Interim Guidelines to advance the goals of the FFRMS and to outline the steps DOT is taking to implement the FFRMS across the Department.
Full Text
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 242 (Tuesday, December 17, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 102248-102252]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-29801]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
[Docket Number: DOT-OST-2024-0120]
RIN 2105-AF17
USDOT Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) Interim
Guidelines
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The impacts of flooding affect the environment, economic
prosperity, and public health and safety across the Nation. The Federal
Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) seeks to improve the resilience
of communities and Federal assets against the impacts of flooding from
extreme events and climate change. DOT has developed these FFRMS
Interim Guidelines to advance the goals of the FFRMS and to outline the
steps DOT is taking to implement the FFRMS across the Department.
DATES: Comments due by February 18, 2025.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, identified by docket number DOT-OST-
2024-0120 by the following method:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>.
Follow the instructions for sending comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Heather Holsinger, 202-366-6263,
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#96def3f7e2fef3e4b8def9fae5fff8f1f3e4d6f2f9e2b8f1f9e0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ade5c8ccd9c5c8df83e5c2c1dec4c3cac8dfedc9c2d983cac2db">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
[[Page 102249]]
Contents:
I. Definitions
II. Background
III. Purpose
IV. Interim Guidelines
V. Exemptions And Exceptions
VI. Resources
Authority: Executive Order 11988, Floodplain Management, among
other authorities listed in the interim guidelines.
I. Definitions
For these Interim Guidelines the following definitions apply:
A. Action: The term `action' means the construction,
reconstruction, rehabilitation, or repair of a Federal or federally
financed, licensed, or approved transportation improvement (including
any relocation housing built or moved to a new site); and the
acquisition, management, or disposition of Departmental lands and
facilities. (DOT Order 5650.2)
B. Critical Action: The term `critical action' means any activity
for which even a slight chance of flooding would be too great. (E.O.
13690).
C. Base flood: The term `base flood' means that flood having a 1
percent chance of being exceeded in any given year (commonly known as a
100-year flood). (DOT Order 5650.2)
D. Base floodplain: The term `base floodplain' means the area which
would be inundated by a base flood. (DOT Order 5650.2)
E. Encroachment: The term `encroachment' means an action within the
limits of the base floodplain. (DOT Order 5650.2).
F. Facility: The term `facility' means any element of the built
environment other than a walled or roofed building. (DOT Order 5650.2).
G. FFRMS floodplain: The term `FFRMS floodplain' means the area
subject to flooding as determined by one of the following approaches
(E.O. 13690):
<bullet> Climate-informed Science Approach (CISA): The elevation
and flood hazard area that results from using a climate-informed
science approach that uses the best-available, actionable hydrologic
and hydraulic data and methods that integrate current and future
changes in flooding based on climate science; or
<bullet> Freeboard Value Approach (FVA): The elevation and flood
hazard area that results from adding an additional 2 feet to the Base
Flood Elevation (BFE) and expanding to the corresponding horizontal
extent for non-critical actions, and by adding an additional 3 feet to
the BFE and expanding to the corresponding horizontal extent for
critical actions; or
<bullet> 0.2-percent-annual-chance Flood Approach (0.2PFA): The
area subject to flooding by the 0.2 percent annual chance flood (also
known as the 500-year flood).
H. Natural and Beneficial Floodplain Values: The term ``Natural and
beneficial floodplain values' means values that include but are not
limited to: natural moderation of floods, water quality maintenance,
groundwater recharge, fish, wildlife, plants, open space, natural
beauty, scientific study, outdoor recreation, agriculture, aquaculture,
and forestry. (DOT 5650.2).
I. Practicable: The term `practicable' means capable of being done
within natural, social, and economic constraints. (DOT 5650.2).
J. Resilience: The term `resilience,' with respect to a project,
means the ability to anticipate, prepare for, or adapt to conditions or
withstand, respond to, or recover rapidly from disruptions, including
the ability to: (A) resist hazards or withstand impacts from weather
events and natural disasters; or reduce the magnitude or duration of
impacts of a disruptive weather event or natural disaster on a project;
and (B) have the absorptive capacity, adaptive capacity, and
recoverability to decrease project vulnerability to weather events or
other natural disasters. (23 U.S.C. 101(a)(24)).
K. Significant Encroachment: The term `significant encroachment'
means an action within the limits of the base floodplain resulting in
one or more of the following construction or flood-related impacts:
<bullet> A considerable probability of loss of human life;
<bullet> Likely future damage associated with the encroachment that
could be substantial in cost or extent, including interruption of
service on or loss of a vital transportation facility; and
<bullet> A notable adverse impact on ``natural and beneficial
floodplain values'', as defined above.
It is not contemplated that detailed design would be necessary in
order to determine whether there is a significant encroachment (DOT
5650.2; see also 23 CFR 650.105(q)).
II. Background
Flood risks impact our environment, economic prosperity, public
health, and safety. Floods can lead to damaged roads, bridges, rail
systems, and other transportation infrastructure, and threaten the
long-term investments that Federal, State, and local governments are
making in transportation infrastructure. Flooding may also result in
disrupted transit service or closed roads, potentially limiting access
to key evacuation routes during extreme weather events. Climate change
is expected to continue to have significant impacts on current and
future flood risks, with associated increases in flood damages and risk
to human life in many areas of the United States.
A unified Federal approach to address the impacts of flooding began
in 1966, with President Johnson's Executive Order (E.O.) 11296
(Floodplain Management). President Carter's E.O. 11988 (Floodplain
Management) (May 24, 1977) was executed in order to avoid, to the
extent possible, the long- and short-term adverse impacts associated
with the occupancy and modification of floodplains and to avoid direct
or indirect support of floodplain development wherever there is a
practicable alternative. E.O. 11988 provided the definitions for ``base
flood'' as a flood which has a one percent or greater chance of
occurrence in any given year and ``floodplain'' as the lowland and
relatively flat areas adjoining inland and coastal waters including
floodprone areas of offshore islands, including at a minimum, that area
subject to a one percent or greater chance of flooding in any given
year. E.O. 11988 requires agencies to take action to reduce the risk of
flood loss, to minimize the impact of floods on human safety, health
and welfare, and to restore and preserve the natural and beneficial
values served by floodplains. This includes avoiding siting an action
within the base floodplain, unless it is the only practicable
alternative, and in those cases designing or modifying the action to
minimize potential harm to or within the floodplain.
Federal agencies have implemented and complied with E.O. 11988
through various Orders, regulations, and guidance applicable to their
specific missions. For example, USDOT Order 5650.2 (Floodplain
Management) sets forth policies and procedures applicable to all USDOT
operational agencies for the avoidance and mitigation of adverse
floodplain impacts in agency actions, planning programs, and budget
requests. Agency floodplain policies and procedures are closely aligned
with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process and
documented within an action's NEPA review. Complying with the
requirements of USDOT Order 5650.2 (or any USDOT Operating
Administration equivalent) ensures that USDOT actions and actions of
recipients of USDOT funds or approvals align with E.O. 11988.
On January 30, 2015, in order to improve the Nation's resilience to
[[Page 102250]]
current and future flood risk, President Obama issued E.O. 13690
establishing a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) which is
a flexible framework to incorporate the most recent climate science
into planning, NEPA procedures, and other processes for all federally
funded actions. E.O. 13690 was revoked by E.O. 13807 on August 15,
2017, by President Trump. On May 20, 2021, President Biden issued E.O.
14030 that reinstated E.O. 13690 thereby reestablishing the FFRMS.
Building on existing floodplain management requirements, the FFRMS
takes into account changing flood hazards due to climate change and
other processes (e.g., land use), redefining the base floodplain using
one of three approaches to determine the vertical flood elevation and
corresponding horizontal extent of the floodplain. (i.e., the FFRMS
floodplain).
III. Purpose
The USDOT is implementing E.O. 11988, as amended by E.O. 13690, by
integrating the principles of all Executive Orders and the FFRMS into
the Department's activities, policies, and programs, consistent with
applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. USDOT
is taking the following steps to implement the FFRMS in USDOT actions
and programs:
<bullet> Including the FFRMS in applicable USDOT discretionary
grant criteria or selection considerations: USDOT has included language
in many BIL discretionary grant Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs)
indicating that applications should describe if projects will be
constructed consistent with the FFRMS, to the extent consistent with
current law. This provides applicants with an opportunity to better
understand the potential risks from future flooding for these projects,
as well as to demonstrate the steps they are taking to address those
risks for proposed projects. (Timeframe: Ongoing)
<bullet> New USDOT Floodplains Management and Protection
Rulemaking: USDOT is initiating a rulemaking, to provide the
requirements that USDOT actions must consider when evaluating proposed
transportation infrastructure located within a designated floodplain,
including avoidance and mitigation of adverse floodplain impacts using
the FFRMS. (Timeframe: Expected completion in 2025)
<bullet> Updating USDOT Order 5620.2: USDOT will revise DOT Order
5650.2 to reflect E.O. 13690 and the FFRMS along with the anticipated
Floodplains Management and Protection Final Rule. Anticipated revisions
include updating the overall policy to reflect USDOT's intent to
improve the resilience of transportation infrastructure against the
impacts of current and future flooding; to use the Climate-informed
Science Approach (CISA), where appropriate, to determine floodplain
risk; and, where possible, to use natural systems, ecosystem processes,
and nature-based approaches when developing alternatives for
consideration. USDOT will update Order 5650.2 concurrently with the new
USDOT Floodplains Management and Protection rulemaking (Timeframe:
Expected completion in 2025).
<bullet> Operating Administration Updates to Policies and Programs:
As the Department proceeds with its update to USDOT Order 5650.2 and
the new USDOT Floodplains Management and Protection rulemaking, USDOT's
Operating Administrations are reviewing their existing programs and
policies to incorporate the FFRMS, as appropriate, and to identify any
additional resources or guidance that may be needed.
USDOT is issuing these Interim Guidelines to advance the goals of
the FFRMS as we complete the steps outlined above to fully implement
the FFRMS and all relevant provisions included in E.O. 14030 and E.O.
13690. USDOT anticipates that these Interim Guidelines will be
superseded by the forthcoming USDOT Floodplains Management and
Protection rulemaking and the update to USDOT Order 5620.2.
USDOT encourages the use of currently available USDOT and other
Federal resources and tools (such as FHWA's HEC-17 and HEC-25, and
other resources referenced in these Interim Guidelines) to apply FFRMS
approaches to improve the resilience of projects. Moreover, the
Department intends to conduct extensive stakeholder engagement to
ensure that our resilience initiatives are responsive to the needs of
our partners as we work toward full implementation of the FFRMS in our
actions and programs. During this interim period, USDOT encourages the
public to submit questions and provide feedback via <a href="https://www.regulations.gov/">https://www.regulations.gov/</a>.
IV. Interim Guidelines
The USDOT is committed to integrating climate resilience and risk
management approaches into all phases of transportation decision
making, including planning, environmental review/NEPA, final design,
construction, operations, and monitoring and maintenance. As part of
this commitment, the USDOT encourages all actions (i.e., the
construction or reconstruction of a Federal or federally financed,
licensed, or approved transportation improvement) to determine if that
action is within the FFRMS floodplain, to adopt measures that address
and manage identified flood risk, and to document these analyses in the
NEPA \1\ environmental review process for the action. In developing
these analyses, the FFRMS floodplain should be established using one of
the following approaches:
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\1\ 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.
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<bullet> Climate-informed Science Approach (CISA). The elevation
and flood hazard area (i.e., geographic extent of the elevation's
corresponding floodplain) that results from using a climate-informed
science approach that uses the best-available, actionable hydrologic
and hydraulic data and methods that integrate current and future
changes in flooding based on climate science. This approach will also
include an emphasis on whether the action is a significant encroachment
as one of the factors to be considered when conducting the analysis.
<bullet> Freeboard Value Approach (FVA). The elevation and flood
hazard area that results from adding an additional 2 feet to the Base
Flood Elevation (BFE) and expanding to the corresponding horizontal
extent for non-critical actions, and by adding an additional 3 feet to
the BFE and expanding to the corresponding horizontal extent for
critical actions.
<bullet> 0.2-Percent-annual-chance Flood Approach (0.2PFA) The area
subject to flooding by the 0.2 percent annual chance flood (also known
as the 500-year flood).
Consistent with USDOT's support for incorporating future climate
risk exposure within our overall programs, USDOT prefers the CISA to
establish the FFRMS floodplain when data to support such an analysis is
available.
USDOT recognizes that each action may necessitate application of
the approach best suited for its location, taking into consideration
unique characteristics and risks associated with that action, as well
as available data. For example, where CISA data is not available or is
not actionable, projects may use the FVA or the 0.2 PFA to identify the
FFRMS floodplain. In using the FVA instead of CISA, project proponents
and reviewers should consider whether the application of two feet (or
three feet) of freeboard suitably
[[Page 102251]]
captures any associated flood risk \2\ and consider modifications as
appropriate.\3\ In addition, when considering the 0.2 PFA approach,
note that (1) approximately only 20 percent of FEMA Flood Insurance
Rate Maps (FIRMs) maps include the 500-year floodplain and (2) in the
coastal scenario, the 500-year floodplain may not include the added
risk of wave effects. Sponsors of Departmental actions should consider
these elements as they select a particular approach to establishing the
FFRMS floodplain.
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\2\ The FVA does not account for differences in local conditions
or future flood risks associated with climate change.
\3\ See FHWA's HEC-17 and HEC-25 for examples of considerations
to take into account with regards to extreme weather and climate
change when siting transportation infrastructure in the riverine and
coastal environment.
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USDOT has existing resources in place to advance the goals of the
FFRMS and assist sponsors of USDOT-funded actions in establishing the
FFRMS floodplain. These resources and tools, combined with existing
floodplain regulations, provide options on the many opportunities to
build resilience to flooding into the planning and construction of
transportation projects. For example, FHWA has developed and continues
to refine a range of procedures, tools, and guidance documents to help
transportation agencies address climate change when designing roads,
bridges, culverts, and drainage infrastructure. This includes revising
projected climate risks associated with floods and severe storms. USDOT
encourages sponsors of USDOT-funded actions to consult these and other
resources for technical guidance on incorporating resilience principles
in transportation infrastructure design (See Section F on Resources).
In addition, USDOT is coordinating with the Council on Environmental
Quality and other Federal agencies in the development of additional
guidance and tools to assist sponsors of federally funded actions in
implementing the FFRMS.
These interim guidelines do not have the force and effect of law
and are not meant to bind the public in any way. This document is
intended only to provide interim guidance to the public regarding how
to establish the FFRMS floodplain under E.O. 13690 and to describe the
steps USDOT is taking to fully implement the FFRMS across its actions
and programs. It will not be deemed to create any right, benefit or
trust obligation either substantive or procedural, enforceable by any
person, or entity in any court against USDOT agencies, its officers, or
any other person. Compliance with this guidance will not be justiciable
in any proceedings for judicial review of USDOT agency action.
V. Exceptions and Simplified Reviews for Certain Classes of Actions
The head of a USDOT Operating Administration (e.g., Federal Highway
Administration, Federal Transit Administration, etc.) may except an
agency action from the FFRMS floodplain requirement where it is in the
interest of national security, where the agency action is an emergency
action, where application to a Federal facility or structure is
demonstrably inappropriate, or where the agency action is a mission-
critical requirement related to a national security interest or an
emergency action. When an agency action is excepted because it is in
the interest of national security, it is an emergency action, or it is
a mission-critical requirement related to a national security interest
or an emergency action, the Operating Administration head shall rely on
the area of land subject to the base flood. (i.e., 1 percent annual
chance).
In addition, with the promulgation of a USDOT floodplain management
and protection regulation and update to Order 5650.2 that incorporates
the FFRMS, USDOT Operating Administrations may identify individual
actions, or categories of actions, which would have shortened or
altered decision making processes (for example, those with limited
potential to adversely affect the floodplain). USDOT Operating
Administration may also conduct general review of activities in lieu of
site-specific reviews for certain actions and class reviews of certain
repetitive actions.
VI. Resources
Executive Office of the President
<bullet> E.O. 11988 Floodplain Management. Available at: <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/executive-order/11988">https://www.federalregister.gov/executive-order/11988</a> Last accessed November
1, 2024.
<bullet> E.O. 13690 Establishing Federal Flood Risk Management
Standard and a Process for Further Soliciting and Considering
Stakeholder Input. Available at: <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2015/02/04/2015-02379/establishing-a-federal-flood-risk-management-standard-and-a-process-for-further-soliciting-and">https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2015/02/04/2015-02379/establishing-a-federal-flood-risk-management-standard-and-a-process-for-further-soliciting-and</a> Last
accessed November 1, 2024
<bullet> E.O. 13990 Protecting Public Health and the Environment and
Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis. Available at:
<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/25/2021-01765/protecting-public-health-and-the-environment-and-restoring-science-to-tackle-the-climate-crisis">https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/25/2021-01765/protecting-public-health-and-the-environment-and-restoring-science-to-tackle-the-climate-crisis</a> Last accessed November 1, 2024
<bullet> E.O. 14008 Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad.
Available at: <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/02/01/2021-02177/tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad">https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/02/01/2021-02177/tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad</a> Last
accessed November 1, 2024
<bullet> E.O. 14030 Climate-Related Financial Risk. Available at:
<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/05/25/2021-11168/climate-related-financial-risk">https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/05/25/2021-11168/climate-related-financial-risk</a> Last accessed November 1, 2024.
<bullet> Climate Mapping for Resilience and Adaptation (CMRA). CMRA
integrates information from across the federal government on local
exposure to climate-related hazards, including flood risk and sea
level rise projections. Available at: <a href="https://resilience.climate.gov/">https://resilience.climate.gov/</a>. Last accessed November 1, 2024.
<bullet> Federal Flood Risk Management Standard, Appendix G of
October 2015 Implementation Guidelines. Available at: <a href="https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_IGA-appendices-a-h_10082015.pdf">https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_IGA-appendices-a-h_10082015.pdf</a>. Last accessed November 1, 2024.
<bullet> Federal Flood Risk Management Standard Climate-Informed
Science Approach (CISA)--State of the Science Report. This report
provides a review and update of the best-available, actionable
science that can support application of the Climate-Informed Science
Approach (CISA), reflecting science and technology advancements made
since E.O. 13690 was issued in 2015. Available at: <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Federal-Flood-Risk-Management-Standard-Climate-Informed-Science-Approach-CISA-State-of-the-Science-Report.pdf">https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Federal-Flood-Risk-Management-Standard-Climate-Informed-Science-Approach-CISA-State-of-the-Science-Report.pdf</a>. Last accessed November 1, 2024.
<bullet> FFRMS Floodplain Determination Job Aid. The Flood
Resilience Interagency Working Group released this FFRMS Floodplain
Determination Job Aid to support agencies' implementation of federal
flood programs and regulations, including FFRMS. Available at:
<a href="https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_ffrms-floodplain-determination-job-aid.pdf">https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_ffrms-floodplain-determination-job-aid.pdf</a>. Last accessed November 1,
2024.
<bullet> Federal Flood Standard Support Tool. The White House Flood
Resilience Interagency Working Group developed a Federal Flood
Standard Support Tool (FFSST) to enable users to identify the FFRMS
floodplain more easily. Available at: <a href="https://floodstandard.climate.gov/">https://floodstandard.climate.gov/</a>. Last accessed November 1, 2024.
United States Department of Transportation
<bullet> USDOT Order 5650.2. Floodplain Management and Protection.
Available at: <a href="https://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/docs/Floodplain.pdf">https://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/docs/Floodplain.pdf</a>. Last accessed November 1, 2024.
<bullet> FAA Order 1050.1F Desk Reference (v2), Chapter 14 Water
Resources, Section 14.2 Floodplains. Available at: <a href="https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/apl/14-water-resources.pdf">https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/apl/14-water-resources.pdf</a>. Last accessed
November 1, 2024.
[[Page 102252]]
<bullet> FHWA Hydraulic Engineering Circular (HEC) 25, ``Highways in
the Coastal Environment''. Provides technical guidance and methods
for assessing the vulnerability of roads and bridges to extreme
events and climate change in coastal areas, focusing on sea level
rise, storm surge, and waves. Available at <a href="https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/engineering/hydraulics/pubs/hif19059.pdf">https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/engineering/hydraulics/pubs/hif19059.pdf</a>. Last accessed November 1,
2024.
<bullet> FHWA Hydraulic Engineering Circular (HEC) 17, ``Highways in
the River Environment--Floodplains, Extreme Events, Risk and
Resilience''. Provides technical guidance and methods for assessing
the vulnerability of transportation facilities to extreme events and
climate change in riverine environments. Available at <a href="https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/engineering/hydraulics/pubs/hif16018.pdf">https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/engineering/hydraulics/pubs/hif16018.pdf</a>. Last
accessed November 1, 2024.
<bullet> FHWA Nature-Based Solutions for Coastal Highway Resilience:
An Implementation Guide. This guide follows the steps in the
transportation project delivery process, providing information on
planning, site assessment, design, permitting, construction,
monitoring, maintenance, and adaptive management of nature-based
solutions in the transportation context. Available at: <a href="https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/sustainability/resilience/ongoing_and_current_research/green_infrastructure/implementation_guide/fhwahep19042.pdf">https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/sustainability/resilience/ongoing_and_current_research/green_infrastructure/implementation_guide/fhwahep19042.pdf</a>. Last accessed November 1,
2024.
<bullet> FHWA Transportation Engineering Approaches to Climate
Resiliency (TEACR) Synthesis report and case studies. This report
synthesizes lessons learned and innovations from recent FHWA studies
and pilots to help transportation agencies address changing climate
conditions and extreme weather events at the asset level. It is
designed to provide needed information to a range of engineering
disciplines to integrate climate considerations into transportation
project development. Available at: <a href="https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/sustainability/resilience/ongoing_and_current_research/teacr/synthesis/">https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/sustainability/resilience/ongoing_and_current_research/teacr/synthesis/</a>. Last accessed November 1, 2024.
<bullet> US DOT Gulf Coast 2 Study. The Gulf Coast Study produced
tools and lessons learned that transportation agencies across the
country are using to assess vulnerabilities and build resilience to
climate change. Available at: <a href="https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/sustainability/resilience/ongoing_and_current_research/gulf_coast_study/index.cfm">https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/sustainability/resilience/ongoing_and_current_research/gulf_coast_study/index.cfm</a>. Last accessed November 1, 2024.
<bullet> FHWA Post-Hurricane Sandy Transportation Resilience Study
in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Study intended to inform
transportation agency efforts to address changing climate conditions
and extreme weather events from a regional planning level to
facility level assessments. Available at: <a href="https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/sustainability/resilience/publications/hurricane_sandy/fhwahep17097.pdf">https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/sustainability/resilience/publications/hurricane_sandy/fhwahep17097.pdf</a>. Last accessed November 1, 2024.
<bullet> FHWA Resilience Pilots. FHWA has partnered with State
Departments of Transportation (DOTs), Metropolitan Planning
Organizations (MPOs) and others on 46 pilot projects to develop and
deploy resilience solutions to current and future extreme weather
events. Available at: <a href="https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/sustainability/resilience/pilots/">https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/sustainability/resilience/pilots/</a>Last accessed November 1, 2024.
<bullet> CMIP Climate Data Processing Tool 2.1. Accesses and
calculates climate projections for temperature and precipitation
variables. Available at: <a href="https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/engineering/hydraulics/software/cmip_processing_tool_version2.cfm">https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/engineering/hydraulics/software/cmip_processing_tool_version2.cfm</a>. Last accessed
November 1, 2024.
<bullet> FHWA NHI course FHWA-NHI-135082 Highways in the Coastal
Environment. Available at: <a href="https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/course-search?tab=0&key=135082&sf=0&course_no=135082">https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/course-search?tab=0&key=135082&sf=0&course_no=135082</a>. Last accessed
November 1, 2024.
<bullet> FHWA NHI course FHWA-NHI-135082A Future Sea Levels for the
Design of Highways in the Coastal Environment. Available at: <a href="https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/course-search?tab=0&key=FHWA-NHI-135082&sf=0&course_no=135082A">https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/course-search?tab=0&key=FHWA-NHI-135082&sf=0&course_no=135082A</a> Last accessed November 1, 2024.
<bullet> FHWA NHI Course FHWA-NHI-135082C Water Levels for the
Design of Highways in the Coastal Environment. Available at: <a href="https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/course-search?tab=0&key=FHWA-NHI-135082&sf=0&course_no=135082C">https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/course-search?tab=0&key=FHWA-NHI-135082&sf=0&course_no=135082C</a> Last accessed November 1, 2024.
<bullet> FHWA NHI Course FHWA-NHI-142085A Addressing Climate
Resilience in Highway Project Development and Preliminary Design.
Available at: <a href="https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/course-search?tab=0&key=FHWA-NHI-135082&sf=0&course_no=135082C">https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/course-search?tab=0&key=FHWA-NHI-135082&sf=0&course_no=135082C</a> Last
accessed November 1, 2024.
<bullet> FHWA NHI Course FHWA-NHI-142081 Understanding Past, Current
and Future Climate Conditions. Available at: <a href="https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/course-search?tab=0&key=142081&sf=0&course_no=142081">https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/course-search?tab=0&key=142081&sf=0&course_no=142081</a> Last accessed November
1, 2024.
<bullet> FHWA NHI Course FHWA-NHI-142082 Introduction to Temperature
and Precipitation Projections. Available at: <a href="https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/course-search?tab=0&key=142082&sf=0&course_no=142082">https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/course-search?tab=0&key=142082&sf=0&course_no=142082</a> Last accessed November
1, 2024.
<bullet> FHWA NHI Course FHWA-NHI-142083 Systems Level Vulnerability
Assessments. Available at: <a href="https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/course-search?tab=0&key=142083&sf=0&course_no=142083">https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/course-search?tab=0&key=142083&sf=0&course_no=142083</a> Last accessed November
1, 2024.
<bullet> FHWA NHI Course FHWA-NHI-142084 Adaptation Analysis for
Project Decision Making. Available at: <a href="https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/course-search?tab=0&key=142084&sf=0&course_no=142084">https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/course-search?tab=0&key=142084&sf=0&course_no=142084</a> Last accessed
November 1, 2024.
<bullet> FTA Hazard Mitigation Cost Effectiveness Tool. Resilience
benefit cost tool enables transit agencies to conduct a robust cost-
benefit analysis of resilience projects being considered for
funding, leading to informed decisions on the benefits of investing
in resilience projects. Available at: <a href="https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grant-programs/emergency-relief-program/hazard-mitigation-cost-effectiveness-hmce-tool">https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grant-programs/emergency-relief-program/hazard-mitigation-cost-effectiveness-hmce-tool</a> Last accessed November 1, 2024.
<bullet> FTA Emergency Relief Manual. Available at: <a href="https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grant-programs/emergency-relief-program/emergency-relief-manual-reference-manual-states">https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grant-programs/emergency-relief-program/emergency-relief-manual-reference-manual-states</a> Last accessed
November 1, 2024.
<bullet> FTA Transit and Climate Change Adaptation: Synthesis of
FTA-Funded Pilot Projects. Available at: <a href="https://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/FTA_Report_No._0069_0.pdf">https://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/FTA_Report_No._0069_0.pdf</a> Last accessed November 1, 2024.
<bullet> FTA Transit Resilience Guidebook. Presents recommendations
and examples of how to identify and address climate vulnerabilities
and risks and build resilience into transit assets throughout the
life-cycle process. Available at: <a href="https://www.transit.dot.gov/research-innovation/ftas-transit-resilience-guidebook">https://www.transit.dot.gov/research-innovation/ftas-transit-resilience-guidebook</a> Last accessed
November 1, 2024.
December 12, 2024.
Ann Shikany,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2024-29801 Filed 12-16-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-9X-P
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