[Federal Register: June 22, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 120)]
[Notices]               
[Page 35986]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22jn06-129]                         


[[Page 35986]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Office of the Secretary

[Docket No. OST-2006-25103]

 
Advisory Committee on Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.7: 
Impacts of Climate Variability and Change on Transportation Systems and 
Infrastructure--Gulf Coast Study

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary (OST), USDOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent to establish an advisory committee.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to duties imposed by law upon the Department, 
including the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App. 2) 
``FACA,'' and DOT Order 1120.3B, the Office of the Secretary, U.S. 
Department of Transportation is establishing an advisory committee to 
provide technical advice and recommendations to a USDOT/USGS Research 
Team investigating the potential impacts of climate change on 
transportation. The committee will include scientists, educators, 
experts, and representatives of State and local governments engaged in 
transportation decision-making. This document describes the role of the 
committee as set forth in the Charter. The purpose of the notice is to 
invite representatives from interested sectors to participate.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Savonis, Air Quality Team 
Leader, Federal Highway Administration Office of Natural and Human 
Environment, at 202-366-2080 (Michael.Savonis@dot.gov). His mailing 
address is at the Department of Transportation, Room 3240 HEPN-10, 400 
7th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590.
    Comment Period: The comment period for this notice extends through 
July 7, 2006. The Department will accept comments received as a result 
of this notice. During the comment period, the Department will file a 
charter for the committee with the General Services Administration, and 
the convener will begin contacting potential participants.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The DOT Center for Climate Change and 
Environmental Forecasting has identified the need for improved 
information about climate variability and change in transportation 
decision making. In consultation with transportation experts, climate 
scientists and Federal partners, the Center developed this study to 
investigate the impacts of climate change and variability on 
transportation through a regional study of the central U.S. Gulf Coast. 
The study will develop decision-support knowledge and tools to assist 
transportation decision-makers in incorporating climate-related trend 
information into transportation system planning, design, engineering, 
and operational decisions. Implications for all transportation modes--
surface, marine, and aviation--will be addressed.
    This study is one of 21 Synthesis and Assessment Products of the 
U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP). The study prospectus has 
been posted by the CCSP for public review in the Federal Register, and 
has been modified to incorporate public comments. The prospectus is 
available at: http://www.climatescience.gov/ Library/sap/sap4-7/ sap4-

7prospectus-final.htm.
    DOT is assisted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in this study. 
DOT and USGS signed a memo of understanding in January 2004 agreeing to 
cooperate on research that will inform decision-makers and the public 
about the potential effects of climate variability and change on the 
Nation's transportation systems. This study is the first project under 
that agreement.
    Charter: A summary of the Charter of the Advisory Committee on 
Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.7: Impacts of Climate Variability 
and Change on Transportation Systems and Infrastructure--Gulf Coast 
Study is provided below.
    The Secretary of Transportation, pursuant to duties imposed by law 
upon the Department, including the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 
U.S.C. App. 2) ``FACA,'' and DOT Order 1120.3B, hereby establishes the 
U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Advisory Committee on 
Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.7 (S&A 4.7): Impacts of Climate 
Variability and Change on Transportation Systems and Infrastructure--
Gulf Coast Study, Phase I.
    The committee will provide technical advice and recommendations to 
DOT in order to develop S&A Product 4.7 for the Climate Change Science 
Program (CCSP). The committee will provide balanced, consensual advice 
on the Study design, research methodology, data sources and quality, 
and Study findings. The committee will function as an advisory body and 
will comply with the requirements of FACA in carrying out its duties.

    Issued this 16th day of June, 2006, at Washington DC.
Tyler Duvall,
Assistant Secretary for Policy, U.S. Department of Transportation.
[FR Doc. E6-9860 Filed 6-21-06; 8:45 am]

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