The policy board of a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) must formally make a conformity determination on its transportation
plans and TIPs prior to submitting them to FHWA/FTA for an independent review and conformity determination. The conformity process is done in accordance with the required interagency consultation process described below. For individual projects including those in rural areas, the State Department of Transportation (DOT) or project sponsor usually prepares the conformity analysis. FHWA or FTA must make a project-level conformity determination prior to project approval and/or funding. Exhibit 6 shows the typical roles and responsibilities of the various involved agencies.
Exhibit 4
Emissions from On-Road Vehicles and Fugitive Dust as a % of All Emissions
2002
Source: U.S. EPA Emission Trends Report, 2002
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Exhibit 5
National Emissions Trends
PM10 Emissions
2002
National Emissions Trends
PM2.5 Emissions
2002
National Emissions Trends
Nitrogen Oxide (NOX) Emissions
2002
National Emissions Trends
Volitile Organic Compound (VOC) Emissions
2002
National Emissions Trends
Carbon Monoxide (CO) Emissions
2002
Source: U.S. EPA Emission Trends Report, 2002
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EXHIBIT 6
Roles and Responsibilities of Federal, State, and Local Transportation and Air Quality Agencies in Transportation Conformity and SIP Development Process*
(*Specific States and metropolitan areas may have negotiated different assignments of responsibility tailored to local conditions.)
| Agencies |
Action Required |
When |
| MPO |
- Conduct analysis on regional plan/TIP and projects
- Incorporate latest emissions factors, planning assumptions, and emissions models
- Circulate draft plan/TIP for interagency and public comment
- Ensure public involvement procedures are followed
- Ensure timely implementation of TCMs
- Respond to significant comments on TIP/plan conformity documents
- In CO and PM10 nonattainment areas, conduct "hot-spot" analysis as part of the NEPA process
- Consult with agencies throughout the conformity determination process
- Consult on the development of the SIP and motor vehicle emissions budgets
|
- At least every 3 years, when a new plan, TIP or amendments to a plan/TIP are proposed, or as needed based on SIP submittal
|
| State Transportation Agency |
- Consult with agencies throughout the conformity determination process
- Conduct regional conformity analysis on projects not in metropolitan areas, based on interagency consultation
- In CO and PM10 nonattainment areas, conduct "hot-spot" analysis as part of the NEPA process
- Provide for public involvement/respond to significant comments
- Ensure timely implementation of TCMs
- Review and approve staff regional and hot-spot analysis
- Consult on the development of the SIP and motor vehicle emissions budget
|
|
| State Air Quality/Environmental Agency |
- Prepare SIP for each relevant pollutant
- Ensure interagency involvement during SIP development (including the state DOT and MPO(s))
- Hold public hearings prior to SIP adoption
- Ensure SIPs are complete and control measures are enforceable under the 1990 CAA, prior to board approval action
- Ensure latest emissions factors and planning assumptions are used for SIP development
- Review and approve staff recommendation, forward to EPA for Federal approval
- Participate in the interagency consultation process for plan/TIP development and conformity determinations
|
|
| State Legislature |
- Adopt State legislation to develop and enforce applicable CAA provisions
- Ensure funding available for implementation of programs and projects
|
|
| U.S. DOT - FHWA/FTA |
- Make joint conformity determinations on MPO plans/TIPs amendments and projects
- Participate in the interagency consultation process for plan/TIP development and conformity determinations
- Ensure timely implementation of TCMs
- Ensure adequate public involvement as part of the metropolitan planning process
- Ensure that all other conformity and transportation planning requirements are met
- Develop technical guidance on traffic demand and forecasting, and Federal-aid program guidance
- Consult on the development of the SIP and motor vehicle emissions budgets
|
- At least every 3 years for each conformity determination or as needed
- For each plan/TIP or plan/TIP amendment conformity determination
- As needed
|
| EPA |
- Consult on the development of the SIP and motor vehicle emissions budgets
- Review submitted budgets for adequacy and implement adequacy process
- Provide technical guidance on TCMs and SIP development
- Review and comment on draft and submitted control strategy and maintenance SIPs
- Review, comment, and approve SIPs
- Participate in the interagency consultation process for plan/TIP development and conformity determinations
- Review and comment on proposed conformity determinations
- Designate approved emissions models for use in SIP development and conformity determinations
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Conformity determinations must be made at least once every three years, or when a transportation plan or TIP is updated or amended.
In addition, certain SIP actions relating to motor vehicle emissions budgets may also require an updated conformity determination within 18 months. Also, conformity must be demonstrated within 12-months of EPA's designation of an area as nonattainment for any criteria pollutant.
