Proposed Renewed and Amended Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Assigning Environmental Responsibilities to the State of Alaska

요약

This notice announces that the FHWA and the State of Alaska, acting by and through its Department of Transportation (State), propose to renew and amend a MOU between the parties dated September 22, 2009, pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 326. The MOU would extend the duration of the agreement by three years, continuing the assignment to the State of the FHWA's authority and responsibility for determining whether certain designated activities within the geographic boundaries of the State, as specified in the proposed MOU, are categorically excluded from preparation of an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. (NEPA). Aside from editorial changes to the MOU, the following minor changes would also be incorporated: (1) The State would be required to submit a list of CE determinations semi-annually as opposed to quarterly, including Section 4(f) decisions; (2) the Federal Register notice of availability period would be modified from 45 days to 30 days, where applicable; (3) language would be included clarifying that the presence of unusual circumstances and significant environmental impacts must be co