Circular No. A-95 Revised REGULATIONS UNDER SECTION 204 OF THE DEMONSTRATION 5. Subject matter of comments and recommendations. Comments and recommendations made by or through clearinghouses with respect to any project are for the purpose of assuring maximum consistency of such project with State, regional and local comprehensive plans. They are also intended to assist the Federal agency (or State agency, in the case of projects for which the State under certain Federal grants has final project approval) administering such a program in determining whether the project is in accord with applicable Federal law. Comments or recommendations, as may be appropriate, may include information about: 49 USC 1653. (b) Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act (80 Stat. 931; Public Law 89-670) is amended to read as follows: "(f) It is hereby declared to be the national policy that special effort should be made to preserve the natural beauty of the countryside and public park and recreation lands, wildlife and waterfowl refuges, and historic sites. The Secretary of Transportation shall cooperate and consult with the Secretaries of the Interior, Housing and Urban Development, and Agriculture, and with the States in developing transportation plans and programs that include measures to maintain or enhance the natural beauty of the lands traversed. After the effective date of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1968, the Secretary shall not approve any program or project which requires the use of any publicly owned land from a public park, recreation area, or wildlife and waterfowl refuge of national, State, or local significance as determined by the Federal, State, or local officials having jurisdiction thereof, or any land from an historic site of national, State, or local significance as so determined by such officials unless (1) there is no feasible and prudent alternative to the use of such land, and (2) such program includes all possible planning to minimize harm to such park, recreational area, wildlife and waterfowl refuge, or historic site resulting from such use." 83 Stat. 852. 82 Stat. 824. 78 Stat. 252. 42 USC 2000d. 82 Stat. 81. 84 Stat. 1894. "§ 117. Certification acceptance "(a) The Secretary may discharge any of his responsibilities under this title relative to projects on Federal-aid systems, except the Interstate System, upon the request of any State, by accepting a certification by the State highway department, or that department, commission, board, or official of any State charged by its laws with the responsibility for highway construction, of its performance of such responsibilities, if he finds such projects will be carried out in accordance with State laws, regulations, directives, and standards establishing requirements at least equivalent to those contained in, or issued pursuant to, this title. "(b) The Secretary shall make a final inspection of each such project upon its completion and shall require an adequate report of the estimated, and actual, cost of construction as well as such other information as he determines necessary. "(c) The procedure authorized by this section shall be an alternative to that otherwise prescribed in this title. The Secretary shall promulgate such guidelines and regulations as may be necessary to carry out this section. "(d) Acceptance by the Secretary of a State's certification under this section may be rescinded by the Secretary at any time if, in his opinion, it is necessary to do. "(e) Nothing in this section shall affect or discharge any responsibility or obligation of the Secretary under any Federal law, including the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.), section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. 1653 (f)), title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000 (d), et seq.), title VIII of the Act of April 11, 1968 (Public Law 90-284, 42 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.), and the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Land Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 4601, et seq.), other than this title." (b) The analysis of chapter 1, of title 23, United States Code, is amended by striking out "117. Secondary road responsibilities." and inserting in lieu thereof the following: "117. Certification acceptance.". |