HomeMy WebLinkAbout20161810.tiffI
D
US. Department
of Vrnsportation
Federal Highway
Administration
Ms. Jennifer Schaufele
Executive Director, DRCOG
1290 Broadway, Suite 700
Denver, CO 80202
Colorado Division
May 18, 2016
12300 W. Dakota Ave., Ste. 180
Lakewood, Colorado 80228
720-963-3000
RECEIVED
MAY 272016
WELD COUNTY
OOMMISSIONERS
Subject: Conformity Determination for the DRCOG 2040 RTP 2015 Cycle 2 Amendments
and Amended 2016 -2021 TIP
Dear Ms. Schaufele:
In accordance with the Clean Air Act of 1990, as amended, and 23 CFR 450, the U.S.
Department of Transportation is required to make air quality conformity determinations of
Regional Transportation Plans (RTP) and Transportation Improvement Programs (TIP) in non -
attainment and maintenance areas. In Colorado the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
issues the conformity determination on behalf of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
Region VIII office per the current Memorandum of Agreement for Transportation Planning
Oversight (FHWA/FTA Transportation Planning MOA).
On March 16, 2016, the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) adopted an air
quality conformity determination for the Denver, Boulder, and Longmont urbanized areas for the
2015 Cycle 2 Amendments to the 2040 RTP and the Amended 2016-2021 TIP in its capacity as
the Metropolitan Planning Organization. The conformity determination also included the
southern section of the Upper Front Range Transportation Planning Region (Upper Front Range
TPR) 2040 RTP and the portion of the 2016-2019 State Transportation Improvement Program
within the Upper Front Range region. The 2040 RTP and 2016-2021 TIP are the fiscally
constrained RTP and TIP for the DRCOG region.
Based on our evaluation of the 2015 Cycle 2 Amendments to the DRCOG 2040 RTP and
Amended 2016-2021 TIP conformity determination, in coordination with the Environmental
Protection Agency, the DRCOG, the North Front Range Metropolitan Organization (NFRMPO) ,
the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission, the Regional Air Quality Council, and the
Colorado Department of Transportation , we have determined the Denver, Boulder, and
Longmont 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 DRCOG correctly
followed the procedures of the 2008 DRCOG/NFRMPO 8 -Hour Ozone MOA.
A conformity determination for the 2015 Cycle 2 Amendments to the DRCOG 2040 RTP and
the DRCOG Amended 2016-2021 TIP is hereby made. We are also making a conformity
determination for the southern section of the Upper Front Range TPR 2040 RTP. This
conformity determination does not restart the clock for conformity for either the DRCOG
2016-1810
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Amended 2040 RTP or the Amended 2016-2021 TIP. Our action is consistent with the
FHWA/FTA Transportation Planning MOA.
Sincerely yours,
cc: Ms. Terri Blackmore, NFRMPO
Ms. Barbara Kirkmeyer, Upper Front Range TPR
Ms. Ingrid Hewitson, APCD
Ms. Marissa Gaughan, CDOT
Mr. Jeff Sudmeier, CDOT
Mr. Tim Kirby, CDOT
Mr. Darin Allan, FTA
Mr. Tim Russ, EPA
John M. Cater, PE
Division Administrator
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