Agenda - 11-22-2004-d1 - Laserfiche WebLink

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M need to complete the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements and meet basic eligibility requirements for funding under titles 23 and 49 of the United States Code, In cases where specific guidance is not provided, the following should guide CMAQ eligibility decisions, Capital Investment: CMAQ funds should be used for establishment of new or expanded transportation projects and programs to help reduce emissions. In many cases this is likely to be capital investment in transportation infrastructure or establishment of a new demand management strategy or other program, Operating Assistance: There are several general conditions which must be met in order for any type of operating assistance to be eligible under the CMAQ program. • In extending the use of CMAQ funds to operating assistance, the intent is to help start up viable new transportation services which can demonstrate air quality benefits and eventually will be able to cover their costs to the maximum extent possible. Other established funding sources should supplement and ultimately supplant the use of CMAQ funds for operating assistance, • Operating assistance includes all costs related to ongoing provision of new transportation services including, but not limited to, labor, administrative costs and maintenance, • When using CMAQ funds for operating assistance, local share requirements still apply. • Operating assistance is limited to new transit services and new or expanded transportation demand management strategies, • Operating assistance under the CMAQ program is limited to 3 years, except as noted elsewhere in this guidance. Emission Reductions: Projects funded under the CMAQ program must be expected to result in tangible reductions in CO, ozone precursor emissions, or PM -10 pollution. This can be demonstrated by the assessment of anticipated emission reductions that is required under this guidance for most projects, The FHWA and FTA strongly encourage State and local governments to use CMAQ funds for their primary purpose which is to assist nonattainment and maintenance areas to reduce transportation- related emissions, Public Good: CMAQ funded projects should be for the good of the general public. Publicprivate partnerships may be eligible, however, so long as a public good (i,e„ reduced emissions) results from the project (see discussion of public- private partnerships below), Eligible Activities and Projects Eligibility information on activities and projects and program areas is provided below, together with any restrictions. All possible requests for CMAQ funding are not covered; this section