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Transportation Conformity Basics . What is Transportation Conformity?. Transportation conformity (“conformity”) is a way to ensure that Federal funding and approval goes to those transportation activities that are consistent with air quality (AQ) goals. . What is Transportation Conformity?.
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What is Transportation Conformity? • Transportation conformity (“conformity”) is a way to ensure that Federal funding and approval goes to those transportation activities that are consistent with air quality (AQ) goals.
What is Transportation Conformity? • Conformity applies to: • Long Range Transportation Plans (LRTPs) • Transportation Improvement Programs (TIPs) • Projects funded by FHWA or FTA in nonattainment or maintenance areas
Who makes a conformity determination? • Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO’s) • In metropolitan areas • State Department of Transportation (StateDOT) • Areas outside of MPO’s
How often are conformity determinations required? • Every 3 years • When LRTPs or TIPs are updated
Who is involved in determining conformity? • An interagency consultation process involving: • EPA • FHWA • FTA • State and Local Transportation Agencies • State AQ Agencies
How do we involve the public? • A conformity analysis is made available to the public as part of the MPO and/or State DOT planning process
How do we determine conformity? • Regional emissions are estimated based on highway and transit usage according to LRTPs and TIP’s. • Projected emissions must not exceed emission limits • SIP • Interim Budget Tests
What are emissions budgets? • The State Implementation Plan (SIP) places limits on emissions for each source type (mobile, stationary and area sources). • Budgets are developed as a part of the air quality planning process by State AQ agencies and approved by EPA.
What happens when a conformity determination cannot be made? • The use of Federal aid funds is stopped • Impacts design work, Right-of-Way acquisition, construction, permitting
What Initiates a Conformity Determination? • One year after designation • Adoption or amendment of a LRTP; • Adoption or amendment local TIP or STIP • When the SIP changes; • or every three years.
When Conformity is due? • Designations effective April 5, 2005 • Conformity due one year later by April 5, 2006