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41508 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No.

140 / Friday, July 21, 2006 / Notices

SYSTEMS EXEMPTED FROM CERTAIN PROVISIONS Hollis, Gold Line Corridor Project tax from 0.6% to 1.0% in order to
OF THE ACT: Manager, Denver Regional provide for the expedited build out of
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(6) Transportation District (RTD), 1560 the transit system. FasTracks includes a
records in this system of records may be Broadway, Suite 700, Denver, CO 80202. funding plan for 119 new miles of rail
exempted from 5 U.S.C. Comments may also be offered at the transit, 18 miles of bus rapid transit,
552a(c)(3).(d).(e)(l).(e)(4)(G). (H). and (I) public scoping meetings. The addresses 21,000 new spaces in park n Rides and
and (f). L/LM will review at clearance for the public scoping meetings are as significant improvements to the bus
per Brian Egan. follows: system. The FasTracks projects have
Tuesday, August 22, Arvada Center, been adopted in the current Denver area
[FR Doc. E6–11632 Filed 7–20–06; 8:45 am]
6901 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada, CO Regional Transportation Plan.
BILLING CODE 4710–24–P
80003. Alternatives: The NEPA scoping
Wednesday, August 23, Highlands process will include an evaluation of
Masonic Center, 3550 Federal Blvd., the results of the MIS conducted by RTD
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Denver, CO 80211. between 1998 and 2000 as well as the
For more information for special Three Corridors Scoping Study that was
Federal Transit Administration completed in October 2005. The locally
assistance needs for the scoping
meetings, please contact Dave Hollis at preferred alternative (LPA) of the MIS
Preparation of an Environmental
(303) 299–2404 at least 48 hours before was LRT on the BNSF alignment (or
Impact Statement on Transit
the meeting. All meetings will be Gold Line alignment) from DUS to Ward
Improvements for the Gold Line
conducted in wheelchair accessible Road. These recommendations were
Corridor
locations. approved by the Denver Regional
AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration Council of Governments and included
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
(FTA), U.S. Department of in the fiscally constrained Regional
David Beckhouse, Community Planner, Transportation Plan (RTP) and the
Transportation.
Federal Transit Administration, Region MetroVision 2030 Master Plan.
ACTION: Notice of intent to Prepare an VIII, 12300 West Dakota Ave., Suite 310, FTA and RTD propose that the EIS
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Lakewood, CO 80228–2583, (720) 963– evaluate the following alternatives:
3306. The No-Action alternative is the
SUMMARY: The Federal Transit
Administration (FTA) and the Denver SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: option of implementing nothing more
Regional Transportation District (RTD), The Proposed Project: The project than the existing and committed road
in cooperation with the U.S. Army extends 11 miles from Denver Union and transit improvements.
Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Station (DUS) in downtown Denver to The Transportation System
Colorado Department of Transportation Wheat Ridge. The project proposes Management (TSM) alternative includes
(CDOT), will prepare an Environmental stations at W. 38th Avenue, Pecos various transportation improvements
Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate the Street, Federal Boulevard, Sheridan beyond the existing and committed
impacts of rail transit improvements for Boulevard, Olde Town, Arvada Ridge, projects plus enhanced bus transit
the Gold Line Corridor which extends and Ward Road. service in the Gold Line Corridor.
Purposes of and Need for the The MIS LPA will be evaluated as the
from downtown Denver, Colorado west
Proposed Project: The Gold Line area is proposed project. The EIS will also
to Ward Road in Wheat Ridge, Colorado.
forecast to be one of the fastest growing consider any additional reasonable
The EIS will be prepared in accordance
areas of the region over the next 20 alternatives identified during scoping
with regulations implementing the
years. Growth rates for both population that provide similar transportation
National Environmental Policy Act
and employment are forecast to increase benefits while reducing or avoiding
(NEPA), as well as provisions of the
significantly by 2030. Congestion along adverse impacts.
recently enacted Safe, Accountable, The EIS Process and the Role of
north I–25 and I–70 West is already
Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Participating Agencies and the Public:
severe, with forecasts indicating
Act: A Legacy of Users. The purpose of The purpose of the EIS process is to
increasing severity and duration of
this Notice of Intent is to alert interested explore in a public setting potentially
congestion. In addition to increasing
parties regarding the plan to prepare the significant effects of implementing the
congestion, access through and from the
EIS, to provide information on the proposed action and alternatives on the
corridor area to other areas in the metro
nature of the proposed transit project, to physical, human, and natural
region is difficult. Many roadways are
invite participation in the EIS process, environment. Areas of investigation
not continuous, requiring circuitous
including comments on the scope of the include, but are not limited to, land use,
travel. Existing transit service in the
EIS proposed in this notice, and to development potential, land acquisition
area is minimal and often requires a
announce that public scoping meetings and displacements, historic resources,
transfer in Downtown Denver for service
will be conducted. visual and aesthetic qualities, air
to other areas. The project will provide
DATES: Written comments on the scope a new rail transportation facility to quality, noise and vibration, energy use,
of the EIS should be sent to Dave Hollis, improve local and regional mobility and safety and security, and ecosystems,
RTD Project Manager, by September 25, accessibility for the west metropolitan including threatened and endangered
2006. Public scoping meetings will be area. species. Measures to avoid, minimize, or
held on August 22nd and 23rd from This transit project is included as part mitigate any significant adverse impacts
5:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. at the locations of RTD’s FasTracks Program, a 12-year will be identified. Regulations
indicated below. comprehensive plan for transit service implementing NEPA, as well as
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An interagency scoping meeting will and facilities in the Denver region. The provisions of the recently enacted Safe,
be scheduled after agencies with an FasTracks Plan is a $4.7 billion program Accountable, Flexible, Efficient
interest in the proposed project have that was endorsed by the voters of the Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for
been identified. Denver metropolitan area in 2004. The Users (SAFETEA–LU), call for public
ADDRESSES: Written comments on the voters of the region approved an involvement in the EIS process. Section
scope of the EIS should be sent to Dave increase in the regional sales and use 6002 of SAFETEA–LU requires that FTA

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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 140 / Friday, July 21, 2006 / Notices 41509

and RTD do the following: (1) Extend an scoping process at the public meetings DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
invitation to other Federal and non- announced in this notice.
Federal agencies and Indian tribes that National Highway Traffic Safety
In accordance with 23 CFR 771.105(a)
may have an interest in the proposed Administration
and 771.133, FTA will comply with all
project to become ‘‘participating Federal environmental laws, [Docket Nos. NHTSA–2003–15428 and
agencies,’’ (2) provide an opportunity NHTSA–2003–16401]
regulations, and executive orders
for involvement by participating
applicable to the proposed project
agencies and the public in helping to Decision That Nonconforming 2002
define the purpose and need for a during the environmental review
Through 2004 Smart Car Fortwo Coupe
proposed project, as well as the range of process to the maximum extent and Cabriolet (Including Trim Levels
alternatives for consideration in the practicable. These requirements Passion, Pulse and Pure) Passenger
impact statement, and (3) establish a include, but are not limited to, the Cars Are Eligible for Importation
plan for coordinating public and agency regulations of the Council on
participation in and comment on the Environmental Quality and FTA AGENCY: National Highway Traffic
environmental review process. An implementing NEPA (40 CFR parts Safety Administration, DOT.
invitation to become a participating 1500–1508, and 23 CFR part 771), the ACTION: Notice of decision by the
agency, with the scoping information project-level air quality conformity National Highway Traffic Safety
packet appended, will be extended to regulation of the U.S. Environmental Administration that nonconforming
other Federal and non-Federal agencies Protection Agency (EPA) (40 CFR part 2002 through 2004 Smart Car Fortwo
and Indian tribes that may have an 93), the section 404(b)(1) guidelines of Coupe and Cabriolet (including trim
interest in the proposed project. It is EPA (40 CFR part 230), the regulation levels Passion, Pulse and Pure)
possible that we may not be able to implementing section 106 of the passenger cars are eligible for
identify all Federal and non-Federal National Historic Preservation Act (36 importation.
agencies and Indian tribes that may CFR part 800), the regulation SUMMARY: This notice announces the
have such an interest. Any Federal or implementing section 7 of the decision by NHTSA that 2002 through
non-Federal agency or Indian tribe Endangered Species Act (50 CFR part 2004 Smart Car Fortwo Coupe and
interested in the proposed project that 402), section 4(f) of the DOT Act (23 Cabriolet (including trim levels Passion,
does not receive an invitation to become CFR 771.135), and Executive Orders Pulse and Pure) passenger cars not
a participating agency should notify at 12898 on environmental justice, 11988 originally manufactured to comply with
the earliest opportunity the Project on floodplain management, and 11990 all applicable Federal motor vehicle
Manager identified above under on wetlands. safety standards (FMVSS) are eligible
ADDRESSES.
In accordance with 36 CFR 800.8(c), for importation into the United States
A comprehensive public involvement because they have safety features that
program will be developed and a public RTD will utilize the NEPA/Section 106
merger process for documentation to comply with, or are capable of being
and agency involvement Coordination altered to comply with, all applicable
Plan will be created. The program will comply with section 106. RTD will
utilize the Memorandum of Agreement FMVSS.
include outreach to local and county
officials and community and civic between the FTA, Region VIII and the DATES: This decision was effective
groups; a public scoping process to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), January 1, 2004. The agency notified the
define the issues of concern among all dated January, 2006 for documentation petitioners at that time that the subject
parties interested in the project; to comply with section 404 mandates. vehicles are eligible for importation.
organizing periodic meetings with This document provides public notice
In addition, RTD may seek Section
various local agencies, organizations of the eligibility decision.
5309 New Starts funding for the project.
and committees; a public hearing on As provided in the FTA New Starts FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
release of the draft environmental regulation (49 CFR part 611), New Starts Coleman Sachs, Office of Vehicle Safety
impact statement (DEIS); and Compliance, NHTSA (202–366–3151).
funding requires the submission of
development and distribution of project SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
certain specific information to FTA to
newsletters.
support a request to initiate preliminary Background
The purposes of and need for the
engineering, which is normally done in
proposed project have been Under 49 U.S.C. 30141(a)(1)(A), a
conjunction with the NEPA process.
preliminarily identified in this notice. motor vehicle that was not originally
We invite the public and participating Issued on: July 13, 2006. manufactured to conform to all
agencies to consider the preliminary Lee O. Waddleton, applicable FMVSS shall be refused
statement of purposes of and need for Regional Administrator, Region VIII, Federal admission into the United States unless
the proposed project, as well as the Transit Administration. NHTSA has decided that the motor
alternatives proposed for consideration. [FR Doc. E6–11629 Filed 7–20–06; 8:45 am] vehicle is substantially similar to a
Suggestions for modifications to the motor vehicle originally manufactured
BILLING CODE 4910–57–P
statement of purposes of and need for for importation into and sale in the
the proposed project and any other United States, certified as required
alternatives that meet the purposes of under 49 U.S.C. 30115, and of the same
and need for the proposed project are model year as the model of the motor
welcomed and will be given serious vehicle to be compared, and is capable
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consideration. Comments on potentially of being readily altered to conform to all


significant environmental impacts that applicable FMVSS.
may be associated with the proposed Where there is no substantially
project and alternatives are also similar U.S.-certified motor vehicle, 49
welcomed. There will be additional U.S.C. 30141(a)(1)(B) permits a
opportunities to participate in the nonconforming motor vehicle to be

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