Notice of Availability for Review/Comment the Ohio Department

Notice of Availability for Review/Comment The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is partnering with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to participate in FRA's NEPA Assignment Program. The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) signed into law by President Obama on July 6, 2012, with an effective date of October 1, 2012, created a streamlined and performance-based surface transportation program, promoted accelerating project delivery, and encouraged innovation. Section 1313 of MAP-21 amended 23 U.S.C. 327, to establish a permanent Surface Transportation Project Delivery Program and allows any State to participate, and for a State to renew its participation in the program. In accordance with 23 CFR 773.105, ODOT has declared interest in the Surface Transportation Project Delivery Program in 23 U.S. C. 327 to assume FRA responsibilities for compliance with NEPA and all other Federal environmental laws pertaining to the review or approval of CE, EA, and EIS projects that are sponsored or awarded to ODOT or the Ohio Rail Development Commission's (ORDC) program through the FRA. With this assumption, ODOT will be responsible for complying with all applicable federal environmental laws and with FRA environmental regulations, policies, and guidance and will be legally responsible and liable for the environmental decisions made on all of ODOT's and ORDC's projects. ODOT, in partnership with the FRA, is making its draft application for participation in this program available for public review and comment. Public comments received will be taken into consideration. ODOT's draft Application is available on ODOT's WEB site at: https://transportation.ohio.gov/ programs/nepa-odot The draft Application can also be viewed at ODOT's 12 District Offices and at Ohio's 17 Metropolitan Planning Organization's (MPO) offices. Any comments on ODOT's application can be mailed or emailed to the name/address below or submitted directly through ODOT's website (above) and will be accepted until the close of business on July 2, 2024. Please direct all comments and questions to: Tim Hill, Administrator Office of Environmental Services Ohio Department of Transportation 1980 West Broad Street, Mail Stop 0417 Columbus, OH 43223 (614) 644-0377 Tim.Hill@dot.ohio.gov 6-2/20249/2024