[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 130 (Friday, July 5, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 35305]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-17109]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
[FHWA Docket No. 96-23]


Utilization of the Private Sector for Surveying and Mapping 
Services

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: Section 306 of title 23, United States Code, requires the 
Secretary of Transportation to issue guidance to encourage States to 
utilize, to the maximum extent practicable, private sector sources for 
surveying and mapping services for projects under title 23 of the 
United States Code. The FHWA requests information from the public, 
State and local transportation agencies, public and private 
professional organizations, private sector firms, and others on the 
appropriate role of the State and private sector in surveying and 
mapping activities.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 3, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Submit written, signed comments to FHWA Docket No. 96-23, 
Federal Highway Administration Room 4232, HCC-10, Office of the Chief 
Counsel, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, D.C. 20590. All comments 
received will be available for examination at the above address between 
8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Felix Rodriguez-Soto, Office of 
Engineering, 202-366-1564, or Wilbert Baccus, (HCC-32), Office of the 
Chief Counsel, 202-366-0780. The address is Federal Highway 
Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, D.C. 20590. Office 
hours are from 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday 
except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 306 of title 23 of the United States 
Code, as amended by the National Highway System Designation Act of 
1995, authorizes, wherever practicable, the use of photogrammetric 
methods in mapping and the utilization of the private sector for such 
services. Section 306(b) requires the Secretary of Transportation to 
issue guidance to encourage States to utilize, to the maximum extent 
practicable, private sector sources for surveying and mapping services 
for projects under title 23 of the United States Code. Interested 
persons are invited to submit information and comments addressing the 
appropriate roles for States and the private sector in mapping and 
surveying activities including the following areas:
    (1) preparation of standards and specifications;
    (2) research in surveying and mapping instrumentation and 
procedures and technology transfer to the private sector;
    (3) providing technical guidance, coordination, and administration 
of State surveying and mapping activities; and
    (4) recommending methods for increasing the use by the States of 
private sector sources for surveying and mapping activities.
    The FHWA will review the information received and consider it in 
the development of the guidance required by the Act.

    Authority: 23 U.S.C. 306, 315; 49 CFR 1.48.

    Issued on: June 25, 1996.
Rodney E. Slater,
Federal Highway Administrator.
[FR Doc. 96-17109 Filed 7-3-96; 8:45 am]
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