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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20170715.tiff• ?' t D ofTr nsportafon Federal Highway Administration Terri Blackmore Executive Director, NFRMPO 419 Canyon Avenue, Suite 300 Fort Collins, CO 80521 Colorado Division 12300 W. Dakota Ave., Ste. 180 Lakewood, Colorado 80228 March 3, 2017 720-963-3000 RECEIVED MAR 0 9 2017 WELD COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Subject: Conformity Determination for the NFRMPO 2040 RTP Amendment and Amended 2016-2019 TIP Dear Ms. Blackmore: In accordance with the Clean Air Act of 1990, as amended, and 23 CFR 450, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is required to make air quality conformity determinations of Regional Transportation Plans (RTP) and Transportation Improvement Programs (TIP) in non -attainment and maintenance areas. Consistent with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)/ Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Region 8 Memorandum of Agreement for Transportation Planning Oversight (MOA), the FHWA Colorado Division office signs the letter on behalf of FTA Region 8. The North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization (NFRMPO) adopted an air quality conformity determination for the Fort Collins and Greeley urbanized areas for the 2040 RTP Amendment, as well as for the northern subarea of the Upper Front Range Transportation Planning Region (Upper Front Range TPR) 2040 RTP and the portion of the 2017-2020 State Transportation Improvement Program within the Upper Front Range region on February 2, 2017. On March 2, 2017, NFRMPO adopted a conformity determination for the Amended 2016-2019 TIP. The NFRMPO adopted both conformity determinations in its capacity as the Metropolitan Planning Organization. Based on our evaluation of the NFRMPO 2040 RTP Amendment and Amended 2016-2019 TIP conformity determinations, in coordination with the EPA, the Denver Regional Council of Governments , the NFRMPO, the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission, the Regional Air Quality Council, and the Colorado Department of Transportation , we have determined that Fort Collins and Greeley urbanized areas have met the requirements of 40 CFR 51 and 93, 23 CFR 450, and 49 CFR 613 along with FHWA/FTA policies and guidance. Furthermore, the NFRMPO conformity determination is consistent with the 2008 DRCOG/NFRMPO 8 -Hour Ozone MOA. CornN-\ u ca -4; o r S 3113111 cG PwCER/GHlJM,CIc HLCrn(4), PLC MR1/ TP) 31q/i7 2017-0715 A conformity determination for the NFRMPO 2040 RTP Amendment and Amended 2016-2019 TIP is hereby made. We are also making a conformity determination for the northern subarea of the Upper Front Range TPR 2040 RTP and the Upper Front Range portion of the 2017-2020 State Transportation Improvement Program. This conformity determination does not restart the clock for conformity for either the NFRMPO Amended 2040 RTP or the Amended 2016-2019 TIP. Our action is consistent with the FHWA/FTA Transportation Planning MOA. Sincerely, John M. Cater, P.E. Division Administrator cc: Doug Rex, DRCOG Barbara Kirkmeyer, Upper Front Range TPR Paul Lee, APCD Marissa Gaughan, CDOT Tim Kirby, CDOT Larry Squires, FTA Range Tunison, FTA Tim Russ, EPA Hello