Office of Planning, Environment, & Realty (HEP)
Planning • Environment • Real Estate
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Partnership Highlights |
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In this issue:
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Program Update - September 1, 2009 |
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Program Information ResourcesFHWA LeadershipThe Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) leadership team is in place. See Biographies of Key Officials.
FY 2009 RescissionsFHWA issued Notice N 4510.711, Rescission of Unobligated Balances of Contract Authority on September 30, 2009, on August 31, 2009, to notify the States that $8,708,000,000 of unobligated Federal-aid highway funds apportioned to States will be rescinded on September 30, 2009, as required by Section 10212 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), Public Law (Pub. L.) 109-59, as amended by Section 1302(b) of the Pension Protection Act of 2006, Pub. L. 109-280 and Section 112 of the SAFETEA-LU Technical Corrections Act of 2008, Pub. L. 110-244, as affected by Title XI, Subtitle D, Section 1132(a) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, Pub. L. 110-140. FHWA has no discretion in the application of the $8,708,000,000 rescission. The Notice should answer most of your questions.
Previously, FHWA issued Notice N 4510.707 on April 13, 2009, to notify the States that $3.150 billion of unobligated Federal-aid highway funds apportioned to States were rescinded as required by Division I, Title I of the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009, Public Law (Pub. L. No.) 111-8. FHWA posted the responses to these rescissions through a link from the Notice (scroll to the bottom of the Rescission Notice webpage). NOTE: Specific rescissions by subprogram and fiscal year are posted at www.fhwa.dot.gov/rescissions/pl111_8/index.htm. Transportation AuthorizationSurface Transportation Authorization discussions are continuing. SAFETEA-LU expires on September 30, 2009, but some kind of extension is expected. The US Department of Transportation proposed to extend the current authorization by 18 months. The U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) approved an 18-Month extension on July 15, 2009. This is a clean extension, with no policy changes. The House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee released the Surface Transportation Authorization Act of 2009: A Blueprint for Investment and Reform. NOTE: This website changes often: Transportation Authorization is on the main page as of September 1, 2009. Several organizations have thoughts about surface transportation authorization considerations. Disclaimer: The links below reflect the views of these organizations. Providing links to these websites does not represent endorsement by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
State Trail Administrators MeetingThe State Trail Administrators Meeting (STAM 2009) took place in Gainesville FL on July 7-9, 2009; see www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/recreational_trails/events/stam_2009/index.htm, including the meeting notes. STAM 2009 took place prior to the Southeastern Equestrian Trails Conference (SETC). SETC has many presentations at www.southeasternequestriantrails.com/ (which will eventually be archived under SETC 2009 - Florida). Transportation Enhancement Professionals SeminarThe Transportation Enhancement (TE) Professionals Seminar took place in Washington DC on August 13-14, 2009. Information will be posted on the National Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse (NTEC) website at www.enhancements.org/seminar/seminarfy09.asp. Exemplary Human Environment Initiatives and Exemplary Ecosystem Initiatives AwardsThe FHWA announced the recipients of the 2009 Exemplary Human Environment Initiatives (EHEI) and Exemplary Ecosystem Initiatives (EEI) on August 2, 2009. This year FHWA recognized projects in Arkansas, California, Delaware, Idaho, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, Nevada, Oregon, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah. The Memorandum briefly describes each of the noteworthy projects receiving recognition this year. Congratulations to all of the EHEI and EEI designees, and thank you to everyone who submitted an application. We know that there are many more great examples of environmental stewardship-both human and ecosystem-that our divisions are working on with their State partners. We encourage you to make note of them and submit them as EHEI/EEI applications next year. Research, Reports, and Technical AssistanceResearchSurface Transportation and Environment Cooperative Research Program ReportsOutdoor Resources Review Group, Great Outdoors America Report National Association of Recreation Resource Planners: Best Practices in Recreation Resources Planning FHWA Manual Outlines Best Practices, Tools To Reduce Wildlife-Vehicle Collisions Technical AssistanceForest Service Trail-Related PublicationsThe Federal Highway Administration's Recreational Trails Program works with the USDA Forest Service Technology and Development Program to develop trail-related technology and to provide publications to the public, available at www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/recreational_trails/publications/fs_publications/. There are also publications that may not necessarily be directly trail-related, may be helpful for trail users. International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association: Safe Riders! Information Newsletters and News MagazinesFHWA Pedestrian Forum NewsletterFHWA's quarterly Pedestrian Forum newsletter has articles to promote pedestrian safety. The Pedestrian Forum-Summer 2009 newsletter has information on:
FHWA Public Roads MagazineFHWA's Public Roads is the bimonthly magazine of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Reading Public Roads is the easiest way to keep up-to-date on developments in Federal highway policies, programs, and research and technology. The July/August 2009 issue has article on Safe Routes to School, pedestrian safety, highway projects, training, and more. Of course, the Safe Routes to School article begins, "Ever hear someone say, "In my day, I walked to school 5 miles, barefoot, uphill both ways, in the snow . . ."?" FHWA Office of Real Estate ServicesThe FHWA Office of Real Estate Services Newsletter for July 2009 has articles on FHWA's Project Development Guide, Ecological Workshop, junkyards, realty-related information systems, and more. FHWA Resource Center Centered on Service NewsletterThe FHWA Resource Center's quarterly Centered on Service newsletter has a wide variety of useful articles about the FHWA Resource Center's activities. The July 2009 issue has articles on pedestrian safety, pavement testing, roadside safety audits, training opportunities (ranging from concrete pavement and bridgework safety to accessible pedestrian design), and partnerships. America's Byways Bulletin, www.bywaysonline.org/program/bulletin/, has information related to the National Scenic Byways Program, including conferences and training resources. The August edition has articles for grant applicants, sustaining byways, and international travelers. Disclaimer: The links below reflect the views of these organizations. Providing links to these publications does not represent endorsement by the U.S. Department of Transportation. National Park Service Conservation and Recreation Newsletter The National Park Service has a monthly Conservation and Recreation Newsletter.
American Trails publishes the American Trails Magazine and the Trail Tracks newsletter. American Trails Magazine covers trail-related news, legislation, action items, trainings, success stories, events, people making a difference, creative funding ideas, resources, and information on products and services. It even has pages to turn! Trail Tracks is a more typical newsletter with current trail information and "Action Alerts". The Magazine and Trail Tracks archives share the same webpage: www.americantrails.org/trailtracks/. Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals has an e-newsletter available to members. It provides information on professional development webinars, transportation policy, conferences, member collaboration groups, and more. See www.apbp.org. The August 2009 edition has articles about Safe Routes to School planning and programs, and links to the National Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project. League of American Bicyclists: American Bicyclist Update National Center for Bicycling and Walking: Centerlines Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
Transportation Research Board: TR News
Training ResourcesPublic Lands Advocacy Trail Management: Plans, Projects, and People Wyoming's Helmet Safety Campaign Videos Conferences and CalendarsWalk21, the international walking conference, October 7-9, New York NY. www.walk21.com/newyork/newyork.html Southeastern Water Trails Forum, October 29-30, 2009, Chattanooga TN. www.southeastwaterforum.org/roundtables/default.asp 2010 IMBA World Summit, May 5-8, 2010, Augusta GA. http://imba.com/summit/2010_World_Summit.html Bridging Conservation and Recreation: 2010 River Management Society (RMS) and National Association of Recreation Resource Planners (NARRP) Symposium, May 18-20, 2010, Portland OR. See the Symposium Overview and Call for Papers at www.narrp.org/clubportal/ClubStatic.cfm?clubID=1431&pubmenuoptID=28658. See more events at:
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National Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse
National Trails Training Partnership