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Tape Restoration Project (TRP) Emails
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RECORD TYPE: FEDERAL (TRP NOTES MAIL)
CREATOR: Tregoning.Harriett ([email protected] [ UNKNOWN ] )
CREATION DATE/TIME: 8-SEP-1997 17:34:25.00
SUBJECT: 5 pm draft of Clean Air/Smart Growth Community Trust
TO: Badalamente.Mar ( [email protected] [ UNKNOWN ] )
READ:UNKNOWN
TO: Culler.Mary ( [email protected] [ UNKNOWN 1)
READ:UNKNOWN
TO: Froehlich.Maryann ( [email protected]. [ UNKNOWN ] )
READ:UNKNOWN
TO: jweiss (jweiss [ UNKNOWN )
READ:UNKNOWN
TO: klaughli (klaughli [ UNKNOWN ])
READ:UNKNOWN
TO: linda.lawson ([email protected] [ UNKNOWN D
READ:UNKNOWN
TO: Strauss.Linda ( [email protected] [ UNKNOWN )
READ:UNKNOWN
TO: Tsao.Douglas ([email protected] [ UNKNOWN ])
READ:UNKNOWN
TEXT:
Here is the latest... Some of the changes that have been made reflect a
different name, more detail on the budget, a mention of ISTEA, more on
Commuter Choice, more on NAAQS, less on Brownfields Showcase Communities
(at OSWER's request).
(See attached file: DPC.doc)
Clean Air/Smart Growth Community Trust
Background
The Clinton Administration has made tremendous strides forward in helping
communities grapple with one of the most difficult challenges of the past
20 years --Growth -- how to entice it, how to direct it, and how to manage
both its beneficial and potentially adverse, even devastating side
effects. Many of the Administration efforts reverse decades-long policies
that encouraged disinvestment in existing communities and fueled, even
subsidized diffuse, low-density, land consumptive, environmentally
destructive and inefficient development patterns.
We have further recognize that while federal, state and local subsidies,
as well as private sector practices have helped to fuel a pattern of
disinvestment in existing communities, race has also played a role. This
effort will coordinate with the Administration?s initiative on race to
explore and help remedy some of those causes of flight and abandonment.
This Administration remains steadfastly pro-growth, pro-market and
pro-property rights and the following partial list of policies is a
testament to some great progress that has been made in upholding those
principles and ensuring the prosperity and vitality of America?s existing
neighborhoods and communities.
?
The Vice President?s Community Empowerment Initiative that
designates
empowerment zones and enterprise communities that empower people in those
neighborhoods in developing and implementation strategic plans to create
job opportunity and sustainable community development. Tax benefits have
been combined with substantial investment of federal resources and
enhanced coordination among federal agencies.
?
EPA?s and other Federal agencies? tremendous efforts to encourage the
cleanup and revitalization of brownfields.
?
GSA?s Urban Location Policy, which reinvigorates a Carter-era
Executive Order with new regulations that require Federal agencies to
favor urban office locations.
?
The Administration?s tax reform of inheritance taxes, reducing the
pressure on farmers to sell their land (frequently to suburban developers)
by exempting from inheritance taxes family farms valued at $1.3 million or
less.
?
HUD?s National Homeownership Strategy designed to reverse the
declining trend in the American dream of homeownership. In 1995, the
Strategy helped to accomplish a nearly full percentage point increase in
the homeownership rate, with 1.4 million Americans becoming homeowners,
promoting neighborhood stability, financial security, and community
vitality.
?
The Administration?s revision of the tax code to give commuters more
choice - allowing employers the option of exchanging an employer parking
subsidy with taxable cash (in an amount equivalent to the parking benefit
- i.e., up to $165 per month) that can be used to pay for anything,
including a combination of parking, transit, biking, walking or other
commute options.
?
The Department of Transportation?s Joint Development policy,
designed
to facilitate private investment in transit-oriented real estate
development and community revitalization.
?
The Administration?s change in the capital gains tax for home sales,
which removes a powerful disincentive for many would-be urbanites to
locate in downtown or other urban neighborhoods.
?
DOT?s implementation of the Intermodal Surface Transportation
Efficiency Act, which has fostered the growing inclusiveness and
creativity of true regional entities, Metropolitan Planning Organizations
and has encouraged new funding flexibility that allows highway funds to be
spent on transit to grow from $5.8 million in 1991 to more than $800
million in 1995. Highway funds spend on bicycle and pedestrian facilities
grew from $15.9 million to $222 million in the same period.
At the same time we apply ourselves diligently to issues of community
empowerment and smart growth, we find it necessary to take some actions to
protect the public health that have the potential to adversely impact our
efforts. The new NAAQS standards, the first update in 20 years for ozone
(smog) and the first in 10 years for particulate matter (soot) represent
just such an environmental and economic challenge. These updated
standards are a major step forward in public health protection, protecting
125 million Americans, including 35 million children. While the timeframe
for implementation of the new NAAQS allows us flexibility in meeting the
standards, it is also true that we have real problems right now that we
can begin working on, while we are planning for the challenges presented
by the new NAAQS.
Further, we are on the eve of a new ISTEA legislation, and at the right
time to begin organizing to integrate Congestion Mitigation and Air
Quality (CMAQ), enhancements, and the planning requirements with our
short-term (existing NAAQS) and long-term (new NAAQS) air quality goals.
Encouraging more compact, pedestrian-oriented, mixed use development
patterns will help to not only revitalize communities, but improve air
quality and transportation efficiency.
Proposal
EPA?s plan to follow through on the President?s commitment that the new
NAAQS standards be implemented in the most flexible, common-sense, and
cost-effective way for communities and businesses is being proposed as one
key component of the Clean Air/Smart Growth Community Trust. At its core
it proposes to establish a long-term, sustainable federal, state and local
partnership which promotes voluntary actions and programs that encourage
community empowerment and economic vitality while improving air quality,
enhancing water quality, facilitating brownfields redevelopment and
increasing access to nature and open space. Key strategies include (1)
using incentives to encourage smart development and transportation; (2)
supporting regional efforts; (3) and encouraging the use of partnerships,
in part to help address issues of racial divisiveness.
The Clean Air/Smart Growth Community Trust contains 3 key components for
achieving healthy air, water, and economies by the year 2010.
I. Creating Incentives
C
Clarifying legal issues and the potential air quality benefits of
various voluntary strategies, providing case studies of successful
strategies, and procedures for obtaining EPA approval or assistance in
utilizing appropriate incentives (e.g., Clean Air Act Credits for Urban
Land Use Changes or Location Efficient Mortgages or Commuter Choice
Programs).
C
Developing Tax Incentives on the sale of Transferable Development
Rights that shift development incentives from open space and prime
agricultural land to urban brownfield sites.
C
Direct all federal agencies that offer subsidized parking to offer
Commuter Choice to help level the playing field among commuter benefits,
support transit systems, reduce parking shortages and congestion in urban
areas, and improve air quality.
?
Initiate a Clean Air/Smart Growth Community Trust demonstration
grant
program for up to 20 -25 communities across the nation by the year 2000 to
serve as a laboratory for developing the best and most viable local and
regional strategies. This demonstration grant program is intended to
provide the Federal government, states, local governments, and federally
recognized Indian tribes with useful information and new strategies for
encouraging smart growth. Eligible communities would include:
C
Communities projected to exceed the new NAAQS
C
Communities in ?serious? non-attainment of existing NAAQS
C
Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities
C
Brownfield Pilot Communities
C
Racially polarized communities
II. Encouraging Regional cooperation and collaboration around smart
growth issues.
C
Predicate the designation of new Empowerment Zones on the formation
of regional collaborations.
C
Collaborate with and leverage Foundation and Philanthropic support
to create Federal-Regional Liaisons that act to reward regional
cooperation with federal one-stop shopping. See Board of Trustees below.
III. Build partnerships among public and private stakeholders by creating
both regional and national ?Boards of Trustees? that have authority to
initiate and manage public outreach campaigns, issue design awards
recognizing excellence in land use, energy or transportation design or
implementation, to gather data regarding the program, to provide feedback
regarding program performance, and to undertake other supportive action.
These Trustees would be also be given funding flexibility for up to 10% of
all their Regional Federal grant dollars to direct funds to projects that
the regional partnerships agree upon. That flexibility would be limited
only by the constraints of existing legislation.
Budget Impact
We propose that this initiative be funded at the following levels:
FY Element
Cost
Administration
FY99: Clean Air Credits $2 million
EPA
Commuter Choice $10 million (Awards Program) Jointly by EPA,
DOT
Grants
$30 million
Jointly by EPA, DOT
(Awarded w/ Interagency Panel)
Boards of Trustees $ 2 million
EPA
(with Foundation leverage)
Total
$44 million
Plus Tax Incentives for TDR $10 million - - Estimated loss in Treasury
Revenues
Allternatively, With Multi-year Funding:
FY Element
Cost
Administration
FY99: Clean Air Credits $ 1 million
EPA
Commuter Choice $4 million (Awards Program) Jointly by EPA,
DOT
Grants
$10 million
Jointly by EPA, DOT
(Awarded w/ Interagency Panel)
Boards of Trustees $ 1 million
EPA
(with Foundation leverage)
Total
$16 million
Plus Tax Incentives for TDR $2 million - - Estimated loss in Treasury
Revenues
FY Element
Cost
Administration
FY00: Clean Air Credits $ I million
EPA
Commuter Choice $4 million (Awards Program) Jointly by EPA,
DOT
Grants
$10 million
Jointly by EPA, DOT
(Awarded w/ Interagency Panel)
Boards of Trustees $ 1 million
EPA
(with Foundation leverage)
Total
$16 million
Plus Tax Incentives for TDR $3 million - - Estimated loss in Treasury
Revenues
FY Element
Cost
Administration
FY01: Clean Air Credits $ 0.5 million
EPA
Commuter Choice $ 5 million (Awards Program) Jointly by EPA,
DOT
Grants
$10 million
Jointly by EPA, DOT
(Awarded w/ Interagency Panel)
Boards of Trustees $ 0.5 million
EPA
(with Foundation leverage)
Total
$16 million
Plus Tax Incentives for TDR $4 million - Estimated loss in Treasury
Revenues
- DPC.doc
ATTACHMENT
I
ATT CREATION TIME/DATE: 0 00:00:00.00
TEXT:
Unable to convert ARMS_EXT:[ATTACH.D94JARMSZZ000AMGT.000 to ASCII,
The following is a HEX DUMP:
END ATTACHMENT
I
Clean Air/Smart Growth Community Trust
Background
The Clinton Administration has made tremendous strides forward in helping communities grapple with one of the most
difficult challenges of the past 20 years-Growth -- how to entice it, how to direct it, and how to manage both its
beneficial and potentially adverse, even devastating side effects. Many of the Administration efforts reverse decades-long
policies that encouraged disinvestment in existing communities and fueled, even subsidized diffuse, low-density, land
consumptive, environmentally destructive and inefficient development patterns.
We have further recognize that while federal, state and local subsidies, as well as private sector practices have helped to
fuel a pattern of disinvestment in existing communities, race has also played a role. This effort will coordinate with the
Administration's initiative on race to explore and help remedy some of those causes of flight and abandonment.
This Administration remains steadfastly pro-growth, pro-market and pro-property rights and the following partial list of
policies is a testament to some great progress that has been made in upholding those principles and ensuring the prosperity
and vitality of America's existing neighborhoods and communities.
The Vice President's Community Empowerment Initiative that designates empowerment zones and enterprise
communities that empower people in those neighborhoods in developing and implementation strategic plans to create
job opportunity and sustainable community development. Tax benefits have been combined with substantial
investment of federal resources and enhanced coordination among federal agencies.
EPA's and other Federal agencies' tremendous efforts to encourage the cleanup and revitalization of brownfields.
GSA's Urban Location Policy, which reinvigorates a Carter-era Executive Order with new regulations that require
Federal agencies to favor urban office locations.
The Administration's tax reform of inheritance taxes, reducing the pressure on farmers to sell their land (frequently to
suburban developers) by exempting from inheritance taxes family farms valued at $1.3 million or less.
HUD's National Homeownership Strategy designed to reverse the declining trend in the American dream of
homeownership. In 1995, the Strategy helped to accomplish a nearly full percentage point increase in the
homeownership rate, with 1.4 million Americans becoming homeowners, promoting neighborhood stability, financial
security, and community vitality.
The Administration's revision of the tax code to give commuters more choice allowing employers the option of
exchanging an employer parking subsidy with taxable cash (in an amount equivalent to the parking benefit - i.e., up to
$165 per month) that can be used to pay for anything, including a combination of parking, transit, biking, walking or
other commute options.
The Department of Transportation's Joint Development policy, designed to facilitate private investment in transit-
oriented real estate development and community revitalization.
The Administration's change in the capital gains tax for home sales, which removes a powerful disincentive for many
would-be urbanites to locate in downtown or other urban neighborhoods.
DOT's implementation of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act, which has fostered the growing
inclusiveness and creativity of true regional entities, Metropolitan Planning Organizations and has encouraged new
funding flexibility that allows highway funds to be spent on transit to grow from $5.8 million in 1991 to more than
$800 million in 1995. Highway funds spend on bicycle and pedestrian facilities grew from $15.9 million to $222
million in the same period.
At the same time we apply ourselves diligently to issues of community empowerment and smart growth, we find it
necessary to take some actions to protect the public health that have the potential to adversely impact our efforts The new
NAAQS standards, the first update in 20 years for ozone (smog) and the first in 10 years for particulate matter (soot)
represent just such an environmental and economic challenge. These updated standards are a major step forward in public
health protection, protecting 125 million Americans, including 35 million children. While the timeframe for
implementation of the new NAAQS allows us flexibility in meeting the standards, it is also true that we have real
problems right now that we can begin working on, while we are planning for the challenges presented by the new
NAAQS.
Further, we are on the eve of a new ISTEA legislation, and at the right time to begin organizing to integrate
Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ), enhancements, and the planning requirements with our short-term
(existing NAAQS) and long-term (new NAAQS) air quality goals
Tape Restoration Project
Hex-Dump Conversion
Proposal
EPA's plan to follow through on the President's commitment that the new NAAQS standards be implemented in the most
flexible, common-sense, and cost-effective way for communities and businesses is being proposed as one key component
of the Clean Air/Smart Growth Community Trust At its core it proposes to establish a long-term, sustainable federal,
state and local partnership which promotes voluntary actions and programs that encourage community empowerment and
economic vitality while improving air quality, enhancing water quality, facilitating brownfields redevelopment and
increasing access to nature and open space. Key strategies include (1) using incentives to encourage smart development
and transportation; (2) supporting regional efforts; (3) and encouraging the use of partnerships, in part to help address
issues of racial divisiveness.
The Clean Air/Smart Growth Community Trust contains 3 key components for achieving healthy air, water, and
economies by the year 2010.
I.
Creating Incentives
C
Clarifying legal issues and the potential air quality benefits of various voluntary strategies, providing
case studies of successful strategies, and procedures for obtaining EPA approval or assistance in
utilizing appropriate incentives (e.g., Clean Air Act Credits for Urban Land Use Changes or Location
Efficient Mortgages or Commuter Choice Programs).
C
Developing Tax Incentives on the sale of Transferable Development Rights that shift development
incentives from open space and prime agricultural land to urban brownfield sites.
C
Direct all federal agencies that offer subsidized parking to offer Commuter Choice to help level the
playing field among commuter benefits, support transit systems, reduce parking shortages and
congestion in urban areas, and improve air quality.
Initiate a Clean Air/Smart Growth Community Trust demonstration grant program for up to 20 -25
communities across the nation by the year 2000 to serve as a laboratory for developing the best and most
viable local and regional strategies. This demonstration grant program is intended to provide the
Federal government, states, local governments, and federally recognized Indian tribes with useful
information and new strategies for encouraging smart growth. Eligible communities would include:
C
Communities projected to exceed the new NAAQS
C
Communities in serious" non-attainment of existing NAAQS
C
Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities
C
Brownfield Pilot Communities
C
Racially polarized communities
II.
Encouraging Regional cooperation and collaboration around smart growth issues.
C
Predicate the designation of new Empowerment Zones on the formation of regional collaborations.
C
Collaborate with and leverage Foundation and Philanthropic support to create Federal-Regional Liaisons
that act to reward regional cooperation with federal one-stop shopping. See Board of Trustees below.
III.
Build partnerships among public and private stakeholders by creating both regional and national "Boards of
Trustees" that have authority to initiate and manage public outreach campaigns, issue design awards recognizing
excellence in land use, energy or transportation design or implementation, to gather data regarding the program, to provide
feedback regarding program performance, and to undertake other supportive action. These Trustees would be also be
given funding flexibility for up to 10% of all their Regional Federal grant dollars to direct funds to projects that the
regional partnerships agree upon. That flexibility would be limited only by the constraints of existing legislation.
Tape Restoration Project
Hex-Dump Conversion
Budget I mpact
We propose that this initiative be funded at the following levels
FY
Element
Cost
Administration
FY 99:
Clean Air Credits
$2 million
EPA
Commuter Choice
$10 million (Awards Program)
Jointly by EPA, DOT
Grants$30 million
Jointly by EPA, DOT
(Awarded w/ Interagency Panel)
Boards of Trustees
$ 2 million
EPA
(with Foundation leverage)
Total
$44 million
Plus
Tax Incentives for TDR
$10 million - Estimated loss in Treasury Revenues
Allternatively, With Multi-year Funding:
FY
Element
Cost
Administration
FY 99:
Clean Air Credits
$1 million
EPA
Commuter Choice
$4 million (Awards Program)
Jointly by EPA, DOT
Grants$10 million
Jointly by EPA, DOT
(Awarded w/ Interagency Panel)
Boards of Trustees
$ 1 million
EPA
(with Foundation leverage)
Total
$16 million
Plus
Tax Incentives for TDR $2 million - Estimated loss in Treasury Revenues
FY
Element
Cost
Administration
FY00:
Clean Air Credits
$1 million
EPA
Commuter Choice
$4 million (Awards Program)
Jointly by EPA, DOT
Grants$10 million
Jointly by EPA, DOT
(Awarded w/ Interagency Panel)
Boards of Trustees
$ 1 million
EPA
(with Foundation leverage)
Total
$16 million
Plus
Tax Incentives for TDR $3 million - - Estimated loss in Treasury Revenues
FY
Element
Cost
Administration
FY01:
Clean Air Credits
$ 0.5 million
EPA
Commuter Choice
$5 million (Awards Program)
Jointly by EPA, DOT
Grants$10 million
Jointly by EPA, DOT
(Awarded w/ Interagency Panel)
Boards of Trustees
$ 0.5 million
EPA
(with Foundation leverage)
Total
$16 million
Plus
Tax Incentives for TDR $4 million - Estimated loss in Treasury Revenues
Tape Restoration Project
Hex-Dump Conversion
RECORD TYPE: FEDERAL (TRP NOTES MAIL)
CREATOR: Janno.Lieber [email protected]@INET@LNGTWY [ UNKNOWN ])
CREATION DATE/TIME:17-SEP-1997 18:00:00.00
SUBJECT: Re: What is status of Access to Jobs in Senate
TO: Cynthia A. Rice ( Cynthia A. Rice@EOP [ UNKNOWN ])
READ:UNKNOWN
TO: Dorothy Robyn ( Dorothy Robyn@EOP [ UNKNOWN 1)
READ:UNKNOWN
TEXT:
Senate EPW committee unanimously approved a bill today, which has
been
renamed "ISTEA II." Except for formulas and a few other issues, this
is VERY close to NEXTEA, and includes a lot of what we didn't get in
the house bill -- e.g., innovative finance, flexibility for rail and
bus projects, as well as transit. Floor time has been scheduled for
the week of OCt 1 -- Sept 29-Oct 1, perhaps.
There is no access to jobs provision because this is in the
jurisdiction of the senate banking committee, along with the rest of
the transit programs. We are working on getting D'Amato -- who plans
to do a pretty simple amendment consistent with the House bill's
transit provisions -- to include access to jobs at a level ABOVE the
$42 million we got in the House. Mosely Braun is committed to
introducing our Access to Jobs proposal as a standalone bill. We and
others are trying to find a committee republican to co-sponsor.
Also,
I'm trying to get something in the NY TImes to spur D'Amato.
We'll keep you posted.
Reply Separator
Subject: What is status of Access to Jobs in Senate
Author: [email protected] at Internet
Date: 9/17/97 8:59 AM
Message Creation Date was at 17-SEP-1997 08:56:00
Has the Senate passed a transportation bill? If so, I assume there is no
Access to Jobs provision?
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RECORD TYPE: FEDERAL (TRP NOTES MAIL)
CREATOR: Cynthia Coogan ( CN=Cynthia Coogan/OU=DOT/O=GOV [ UNKNOWN ])
CREATION DATE/TIME:24-SEP-1997 17:08:41.00
SUBJECT: White House Weekly Report for the week of September 29, 1997
TO: Cabinet Affairs ( Cabinet Affairs [ UNKNOWN ])
READ:UNKNOWN
TEXT:
MEMORANDUM FOR ERSKINE BOWLES, THE WHITE HOUSE September 24, 1997
FROM:
Secretary Slater
SUBJECT:
DOT Weekly Report -- Week of September 29, 1997
The following is the Department of Transportation Weekly Report:
KEY DEPARTMENT NEWS
Little Rock, AR: On September 25, Secretary Slater will join President
Clinton in Little Rock for the Presidents address at Central High School.
The Secretary will be involved in a number of events while in Little Rock,
September 24 through 28, including an address to the Southwestern Bell
Arkansas Education Trailblazers and attendance at an African Development
Foundation luncheon.
ISTEA Reauthorization Markup: On September 24, the House Transportation
and Infrastructure Committee took a two-track approach to ISTEA
reauthorization by approving two surface transportation authorization
bills: H.R. 2400, the Building Efficient Surface Transportation and Equity
Act (BESTEA), and H.R. 2516, legislation to extend ISTEA authorization for
six months.
The Committee adopted 3 amendments to H.R. 2400, including a managers
amendment, an amendment to extend the life of the bill from three to six
years, and an amendment to guarantee that the BESTEA funding levels are
fully paid for and will not cause a breach in the budget agreement. On
September 17, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee
unanimously approved S.1173, a bill to reauthorize the highway title of
ISTEA. Floor action has not been scheduled for either the House or the
Senate.
Secretary Meets with Civil Liberties Groups to Discuss Airline Passenger
Screening: Pursuant to a recommendation of the White House Commission on
Aviation Safety and Security, DOT and DOJ are reviewing the CAPS program
(Computer Assisted Passenger Screening System) designed by the FAA as a
part of an overall passenger bag-match system. The White House Commission
heard concerns from civil liberties groups that such a system might
infringe upon the civil rights of U.S. citizens and recommend such a
review. DOJ is expected to issue a public report finding the system as
designed does not discriminate impermissibly. The report also recommends
that DOT undertake regular, periodic reviews of CAPS. On September 22, in
advance of DOJs issuance of the report, Secretary Slater met with
representatives of civil liberties organizations to discuss their concerns
regarding airline passenger screening undertaken at U.S. airports. The
Secretary assured the groups that the civil liberties of the traveling
public are a priority of the Department, and he has pledged to continue to
work with them on this matter.
Secretary Slater Praises New Mexico Innovative Financing Agreement: On
September 23, Secretary Slater praised New Mexico state leaders for
reaching an agreement on $624 million worth of highway infrastructure
projects that will enable the projects to be completed years earlier than
under conventional financing. This issue generated considerable interest
from the New Mexico Congressional Delegation.
Modernization Task Force: On September 15, FAA Administrator Jane Garvey
established a task force of FAA and constituency groups to review the
issue of national airspace modernization. The task force's mission is to
review the various efforts which have been undertaken so far on elements
of the agency's modernization efforts, and determine where there are
technical decisions yet to be made, policy decisions which are not
completely supported by the interested parties and schedules for
implementation which may need revision. FAA anticipates that this task
force will complete its work by the end of October and will use the
results to brief the Hill and others on modernization plans and funding
requirements.
U.S.-Japan Aviation Negotiations: The U.S. and Japan have resumed
international aviation negotiations in Tokyo. The Department is
represented by Assistant Secretary Charles A. Hunnicutt.
FAA Announces India, Bermuda, and Jamaica comply with international
safety standards: As part of an effort to provide the public with more
information about aviation safety in international travel, FAA announced
that both India and Bermuda comply with international standards in
providing safety oversight of its air carriers that operate in the U.S.
Both countries have been rated as Category I (the highest level). Also,
FAA completed a reassessment of Jamaica which moved from Category II to
Category 1.
Long-Term Funding Plans for Major Airport Projects: FAA is in final
negotiations on agreements to provide long-term funding for construction
of new runways to reduce air traffic delays at Atlanta, GA, and Seattle,
WA. The final support will be provided for each location by a Letter of
Intent (LOI) in which the FAA sets forth the amount it intends for each
location. In the case of Atlanta, FAA intends to issue an LOI for $75
million to assist in the estimated cost of $450 million to construct a new
commuter runway. Grants would begin in fiscal year 1999 and run through
2009. FAA discussions with Seattle are still underway, but are expected
to be completed before the close of 1997 fiscal year. Both airports are
subject to substantial delays costing airlines and travelers millions of
dollars each year, and the new runways will reduce current delays and
avoid worse congestion in the coming years.
Airport Grant Announcements: On September 19, Secretary Slater announced
the grants of $15 million for improvements at airports in MO and $3.7
million for improvements at airports in OH.
Light-Rail Project at Kennedy Airport: Officials of the Port Authority
of New York and New Jersey have proposed to use approximately $1.5 billion
in passenger facility charge (PFC) revenue to construct a light rail
system to provide alternate access to JFK Airport. FAA must approve the
project before the Port Authority can use the funds for construction.
Questions regarding project justification, rights-of-way, and
environmental impacts must be resolved before the FAA can reach a final
decision. The city of New York and the airlines serving JFK, represented
by the Air Transport Association, are strongly opposed to the project. A
final decision by FAA should be made by September 30.
Airworthiness Directive (AD): On September 17, FAA issued an AD to
ensure that center fuel tanks of Boeing 767 aircraft are operated with
enough fuel to prevent ignition of fuel vapors. The action was taken in
response to a report that a fuel pump failed due to damage to an impeller
unit and is believed by the FAA not to be related to the
differently-designed 747 fuel pump or the TWA 800 accident.
National Civil Aviation Review Commission (NCARC): The NCARC will hold a
public hearing on October 8 seeking comments and suggestions regarding
safety-related issues.
FAA Proposes Civil Penalty Against COPA Airlines: On September 18, FAA
will announced a $138,000 fine against COPA Airlines, based in Panama, for
operating a 737-200 aircraft without an approved maintenance program.
Application of American Airlines and British Airways for Antitrust
Immunity - (Docket OST-97-2058): On September 5, the Department issued an
Order which addressed certain confidential document issues, announced a
hearing procedure, and established procedural dates to commence processing
the case. The applicants were directed to file their in camera documents
by September 10. However, on September 9 the applicants filed a motion
for an extension of time until September 19 for the applicants to file
their documents and for any interested party to file petitions for
reconsideration of Order 97-9-4. DOT issued a notice on September 12
granting the motion. On September 19, American, British Airways, Virgin
Atlantic, and a coalition of eight U.S. airlines filed petitions for
reconsideration of Order 97-9-4. Answers to the petitions are due
September 29. The applicants filed some of their confidential documents
and withheld others.
Lakewood, Ohio Listening Session: On September 21, FRA Administrator
Jolene M. Molitoris sponsored a constituent listening session with
Congressman Dennis Kucinich to gain information for use in formulating the
Departments filing with the Surface Transportation Board (STB) in the
Norfolk Southern/Conrail acquisition proceeding. The forum was held at
Lakewood Town Hall and allowed the more than 600 residents who turned out
to express their concerns over the expected increase in rail traffic
through their community should the acquisition be approved by the STB.
The hearing was attended by local governmental officials as well as
representatives from NS and the STB.
AMTRAK Emergency Board: The Presidential Emergency Board appointed to
review the dispute between Amtrak and one of its employee groups, the
Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way employees (BMWE), submitted its report
to the White House on September 21. The report supported labor's request
for increased compensation across the board, but urged the parties to
arbitrate other issues -- benefits, per diem compensation, vacation
policies and work rules -- without taking a specific position. If the
parties do not reach an agreement, either labor or management may take
self help (e.g., strike, lockout, etc.) measures beginning at 12:01 a.m.
on October 21. This would precipitate a stoppage of Amtrak service in the
Northeast Corridor and would seriously impact major commuter rail
operations in the northeast, including the Philadelphia, New Jersey and
New York metropolitan areas.
AMTRAK - Penn Station Redevelopment: FRA Administrator Jolene M.
Molitoris signed a grant agreement between the FRA and Amtrak which
transfers $16.6 million to Amtrak for Penn Station/Farley safety
improvements to ready the facility for the start of high speed rail
service in October, 1999. This project is of particular interest to
Senator Moynihan.
Coast Guard Seizes Fast Boat and Cocaine: On September 17, an Operation
Bahamas, Turks and Caicos (OPBAT) helicopter located a suspicious fast
boat leaving Cuban territorial waters headed for the Bahamas. Coast Guard
and Customs aircraft chased the fast boat for 50 miles, forcing it to
beach itself on the south coast of Andros Island, Bahamas. The boats 5
crew members fled the area but left behind 780 pounds of cocaine.
U.S. Coast Guard/Haitian Coast Guard Break up Two Drug Smuggling
Attempts: The respective services continue to achieve success in jointly
stopping drugs off Haiti, with the 5th and 6th cocaine seizures so far
this fiscal year.
On September 14, the Cutter ESCANABA, in coordination with the Haitian
Coast Guard, boarded a Colombian motor vessel. Using lonscan drug
detectors, the joint boarding team discovered 9 pounds of cocaine on the
ship. At the request of the Haitian government, ESCANABA detained the
crew and escorted the vessel to Port Au Prince for a dockside inspection.
On September 21, the Cutter CAMPBELL, along with a Haitian Coast Guard
shiprider, intercepted a Colombian fast boat off Haiti. CAMPBELL's
combined boarding team arrested the boats 5 crew members and seized 1,746
pounds of cocaine.
State Infrastructure Bank (SIB) Implemented: The North Carolina
Department of Transportation (NCDOT) was appropriated $1.5 million in
General Fund seed money as a result of its recently approved SIB
application. As its initial SIB-financed project, the NCDOT intends to
fund a multi-modal transportation center in Greensboro with an estimated
cost of $2.2 million. This project is a central transfer facility that
includes fixed-route bus service, American Disabilities Act para-transit
service, AMTRAK, and inner-city bus service.
Houston DBE Update: Finding that Houston Metro's recently submitted
Small Business Program for federally-funded projects substantially
complies with Federal law governing Disadvantaged Business Enterprises,
the Federal Transit Administration has approved a seven-month exemption of
certain requirements so long as the Small Business Program is successful
in achieving acceptable DBE participation levels. Houston Metro has been
constrained for 17 months by a preliminary court order which does not
allow Metro to comply with DBE requirements.
WORK ON PRESIDENTIAL POLICY PRIORITIES
REINVENTION
Hawaii Airport: On September 9, the Governor of Hawaii announced a
2-year suspension of landing fees at Hawaiis airports. The Governor
stated the suspension of landing fees is affordable due to a
cash
surplus in the Airport Revenue Fund resulting from efficient cost savings
measures, unplanned reimbursements, and steps to reduce debt service
costs
Airport officials have confirmed the unplanned
reimbursements are the $64.4 million, plus interest, returned to the
airport as the result of a 1995 OIG audit report. The Governors
announcement is a real-time significant and measurable example of outcome
as envisioned by the Government Performance and Results Act. This action
comes about as a result of a combined effort within DOT between the FAA,
the General Counsel, and OIG. The suspension of landing fees is expected
to save air carriers, and hopefully the flying public, up to $40 million
in each of the next two years. The suspension has been heralded by the
air carriers servicing Hawaii and by the tourism industry.
WELFARE TO WORK
Widen Welfare to Work Opportunities: The New York Division met on
August 20 and September 15 with the New York State Department of
Transportation to discuss how their On-the-Job (OJT) Supportive Services
Program could assist the welfare-to-work efforts. Two potential
initiatives were identified. The State will consider referrals from local
social service agencies as part of their recruiting to assist construction
contractors in meeting Equal Opportunity Employment and Training goals.
The OJT pre-employment supportive services used to prepare prospective
candidates for employment in the construction industry will be expanded to
include training for a commercial drivers license.
WELFARE TO WORK CONFERENCE: On September 16, FTA Deputy Administrator
Nuria Fernandez spoke to 70 attendees of the Albuquerque, New Mexico,
Welfare To-Work Conference.
Over 400 people have now attended the four Welfare To Work Conferences
held in Region VI (Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, and New Mexico). The next
conference will be held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on November 5. Michael
Winter has indicated his intention to represent FTA at the conference.
Reverse commute routes designed and implemented under an FTA/HHS funded
job links project are being utilized so well that the City of Kansas City,
Kansas has extended the program for another year with local funds. The
routes link inner city Kansas City, Kansas residents with jobs in suburban
Johnson County, Kansas.
BACK TO SCHOOL
OSDBU: On September 23, Luz Hopewell, OSDBU Director, participated in
the American Goes Back To School campaign by visiting DOT's adopted
school, Hine Jr. High. The Director will share in Hine's dedication of
their Garrett A. Morgan Program table and will discuss the transportation
industry and careers to some of the students.
Propeller Club Partnership: The U.S. Propeller Club has agreed to work
with the Department under the Garrett A. Morgan Technology and
Transportation Futures Program. Although details of how to partner have
not been completed, the first activity has been to send announcements of
the Department's 30th Anniversary poster contest to each of the 102
schools that are currently paired with ships through the Propeller Club
Adopt-A-Ship.Program.
On September 18, Louise Stoll, the Assistant Secretary for Budget and
Programs, conducted a discussion with students on the Garrett Morgan
Education Initiative in Boston, MA.
Coast Guard: In support of the Presidents national education initiative,
the Commandant has directed senior commanders to participate in relevant
activities throughout the U.S. The Coast Guard is already committed to
nearly 200 schools through its Partnership in Education program.
Highlights of Coast Guard participation thus far and in the near-term:
MI: Admiral Kramek speaks at the Univ. of Michigan on Sep 25
about transportation
careers.
DC: Vice Admiral Loy, Chief of Staff, will speak in late September at
Andrew Bowen School, a CG Partnership in Education school in the District
of Columbia.
VA: Vice Admiral Rufe, Atlantic Area Commander, will talk to students at
Cradock Middle School on Sep 30 about transportation careers.
VA: Rear Admiral Barrett, Atlantic Maintenance & Logistics Command,
visited An Achievable Dream Elementary and Middle School for at-risk inner
city children in Newport News, VA. The MLC staff is organizing volunteers
to work with children at the school on a regular basis.
OH: Rear Admiral McGowan, 9th District commander, speaks to students at
Anton-Grdina Elementary School on Sep 20. The school is a participant in
the Coast Guards Partnership in Education program in Cleveland.
AK: Rear Admiral Cross, 17th District commander, will direct a visit with
native Americans at Glacier Valley Elementary School on Sep 24.
FL: Rear Admiral Saunders, 7th District commander, and Secretary of
Education Riley spoke to students at the Maritime Science and Technology
Academy in Miami on Sep 18. The school has the only Coast Guard Junior
Reserve Officer Training program in the nation.
OK, NJ, MD, VA, CA, AL, & CT: Other senior CG commanders have scheduled
events in the next few weeks in all of these states.
NOTABLE CONGRESSIONAL ACTIVITY
FY98 MARAD Authorization: During the week of September 22, conferees
may meet to reconcile differences on the FY98 Defense Authorization bill,
which includes language authorizing MARADs operations and training
activities and Title XI loan guarantee program.
FY98 MARAD Appropriations: On September 24, the House began consideration
of H.R. 2267, the FY98 appropriations bill for the departments of
Commerce, Justice, State, the Judiciary and Related Agencies, which
includes funding for the Maritime Administration. The Senate approved its
appropriations measure in July.
Salvage Vehicle Reform: On September 25, the Senate Commerce, Science
and Transportation Committee will hold a hearing on S. 852, legislation to
establish nationally uniform requirements regarding the titling and
registration of salvage and rebuilt vehicles. The Department is not
expected to testify.
Closure of Flight Service Stations: On September 30, the House
Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation will hold a
hearing on the Closure of Flight Service Stations. FAA Director of Air
Traffic Ronald Morgan will testify.
Unconstitutional Set-Asides: ISTEAs Race-Based Setasides After Adarand V.
Pega: On September 30, the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Constitution,
Federalism and Property Rights will hold a hearing on Unconstitutional
Set-Asides: ISTEAs Race-Based Setasides after Adarand V. Pega. The
Department will not testify.
Wide Area Augmentation Systems: On October 1, the House Transportation
and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation will hold a hearing on Wide
Area Augmentation Systems. FAA Associate Administrator for Research and
Acquisitions George Donohue will testify.
Foreign Repair Stations: On October 9, the House Transportation and
Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation will hold a hearing on legislation
that would extend to foreign repair stations and their personnel the
standards on aircraft repairs that apply to domestic repair stations. The
legislation,-introduced by Congressman Robert Borski, is being actively
supported by transportation unions. FAA Associate Administrator for
Regulation and Certification Guy Gardner will testify.
House Hearings on Employment Discrimination in the Federal Workplace:
Part II - Race and Gender Quotas in Federal Employment are now scheduled
for September 25. The scope of the hearings have changed. Rather than
inviting Federal agencies (FAA, IRS, NPS and USFS) as originally planned,
the Subcommittee has decided to invite complainants alleging reverse
discrimination. There will also be a Congressional panel consisting of
Representatives Kennedy and Herger. A third panel remains as scheduled
with the American Enterprise Institute, Federal Managers Association,
Senior Executives Association, and Walter Olson, author of "The Excuse
Factory".
Secretarys Schedule
September 24-28
Secretary Slater will join President Clinton in Little Rock, AR, to
commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the desegregation of Central High
School.
The Deputy Secretarys Schedule
September 26
The Deputy Secretary will participate in a Livable Communities Task Force
luncheon meeting sponsored by Congressman Earl Blumenauer. This event
will be attended by White House personnel, other Departments, and Members
of Congress.
October 2
The Deputy Secretary will participate in the USCG arrival ceremony of the
CG Cutter Legare.
October 8
The Deputy Secretary will participate in the U.S.-Canadian Deputies
meeting in Canada.
October 20-23
The Deputy Secretary will participate in the Intelligent Transportation
Society of Americas World Congress Meeting in Berlin, Germany.
October 24-25
The Deputy Secretary will meet with the Russian Minister of Transport in
Moscow, Russia, to discuss key transportation issues.
Modal Administrators/Assistant Secretaries
September 26
FTA Administrator Linton-will participate in the Florida Trails &
Greenways Conference.
FTA Deputy Administrator Fernandez will participate in the Old Colony
Dedication ceremony in Boston, MA.
FHWA Acting Administrator Jeff will deliver the keynote speech at Western
Transportation Seminars Western Regional Roundup meeting in Tucson, AZ.
September 27
MARAD Acting Deputy Administrator Bondareff will speak at the Training
Vessel christening ceremonies at Maine Maritime Academy in Castine, ME.
September 29-October 2
Inspector General Mead will tour the LA Metro Rail Project and stopover in
Kansas City for a regional office oversight visit.
September 30
Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs Hunnicutt will
address the International Federation of Freight Forwarders in Vienna,
Austria.
USCG Admiral Kramek will attend a meeting at the Department of Defense.
FAA Administrator Garvey will speak at an ACI conference in Detroit, MI.
FRA Administrator Molitoris will delivery the opening address of FRAs
Railroad Safety -Advisory Committee full committee meeting in Baltimore,
MD.
October 1
FTA Deputy Administrator Fernandez will give remarks at the opening of the
Riverfront Trolley Line in Memphis, TN.
FRA Administrator Molitoris will participate in the Penn Station
Redevelopment Corporations Board meeting.
RSPA Acting Administrator Coyner will launch the 1997/1998 Teaching and
Education Mentoring Program Team.
October 3
RSPA Acting Administrator Coyner will meet with staff from the NTSB on the
Garrett A. Morgan Technology and Transportation Futures Program in
Washington, D.C.
October 3-5
USCG Admiral Kramek will attend events at the Coast Guard Academy.
October 6
FTA Administrator Linton will speak at the Madison Wisconsin Urban Transit
Association.
RSPA Acting Administrator Coyner will deliver remarks on NEXTEA at the
1997 Annual Transportation Conference in Orlando, FL.
October 7
USCG Admiral Kramek will host the Congressional celebration of the Coast
Guards birth
NHTSA Administrator Martinez will speak at the 11th Annual Childhood
Injury Conference in San Diego, CA.
October 8
USCG Admiral Kramek will attend The Interdiction Committee luncheon.
FTA Deputy Administrator will delivery the keynote address at the Welfare
to Work Conference in Los Angeles, CA.
NHTSA Deputy Administrator Recht will speak at the Association of
International Automobile Manufacturers Technical Committee Meeting in
Victoria, BC, Canada.
FAA Administrator Garvey will visit United Airlines in Chicago, IL.
October 8-9
USCG VADM Herr will visit the Coast Guard Aviation Training Center in
Mobile, AL.
October 9
USCG Vice Admiral Herr will meet with-Deputy Secretary Downey for the
monthly meeting.
October 10
USCG Admiral Kramek will attend the Navy League awards dinner in Seattle.
October 11-12
USCG VADM Herr will attend the Pterodactyl National Convention.
October 15
NHTSA Deputy Administrator Recht will speak at the American Bar
Associations Traffic Court Seminar in San Francisco, CA.
October 15-16
FAA Administrator Garvey will participate in the FAA Strategic Plan
meeting in Annapolis, MD.
October 16
NHTSA Administrator Martinez will address the American College of
Emergency Physicians Scientific Assembly in San Francisco, CA.
October 17
USCG Admiral Kramek will attend the Women in the Military (WIMSA) Dinner
in Washington.
Assistant Secretary for Governmental Affairs Palmer will address the South
San Diego County Economic Development Councils Seventh Annual Economic
Summit in Coronado, CA.
RSPA Acting Administrator Coyner will speak at the Center for
Transportation Studies luncheon to MIT graduates, students, faculty, and
research staff and Boston area businesses at the MIT campus in Cambridge,
MA.
October 18
USCG Admiral Kramek will attend the WIMSA dedication in Washington.
October 19-21
FTA Deputy Administrator Fernandez will travel to Salt Lake City, UT, to
participate in the Transit Construction Round table.
October 20
NHTSA Administrator Martinez will participate in the first public
conference of the Crash Injury Research Engineering Network in Ann Arbor,
MI.
October 21-24
NHTSA Deputy Administrator Recht will speak at ITS Americas 4th Annual
World Congress in Berlin, Germany.
October 22
NHTSA Deputy Administrator Recht will speak at ITS Americas 4th Annual
World Congress in Berlin, Germany.
RSPA Acting Administrator Coyner will participate in the CERF Corporate
Advisory Board Meeting in Washington, D.C.
October 24
RSPA Acting Administrator Coyner will speak on behalf of the Secretary at
the 20th Anniversary of the University Transportation Centers Program at
the University of California at Berkeley.
October 28
USCG Admiral Kramek will attend the Coast Guard Combat Veterans Person of
the Year presentation.
FTA Administrator Linton will speak at RailVolution in St. Louis, MO.
October 29
USCG Admiral Kramek will address students at the National Defense
University.
RSPA Acting Administrator Coyner will attend a meeting with Government
University Industry Research Round table members in Washington, D.C.
October 30
USCG Admiral Kramek will attend the Coast Guard Foundation Dinner in New
York City and meet with the editorial board of the Journal of Commerce.
USCG Vice Admiral Herr will attend the Executive Committee Meeting of the
Coast Guard Foundation in New York City.
October 31-Nov 2
USCG Admiral Kramek will attend the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in
the Armed Services (DACOWITS) annual conference being hosted by the Coast
Guard in Tampa, FL.
MEDIA INQUIRIES
Newsweek is expected to feature a cover story on air bags in the issue
that hits newsstands September 29. NHTSA Administrator Martinez was
interviewed.
ABC 20/20, September 19, interviewed the Director of the Office of Motor
Carrier Field Operations concerning a story on oversight of the charter
bus industry. The segment will focus on a crash in Indianapolis in
October 1995. Air date is not known.
FHWA Acting Administrator Gloria Jeff was the keynote speaker Sept. 18 at
the Texas Conference of Black Mayors in Austin, TX. She was interviewed
by KLBJ-AM about NEXTEA and by the Associated Press about minority
set-asides and other DBE issues. The AP interview was recorded by KTBC-TV
She later appeared at an editorial board meeting of the Austin
American-Statesman, where she spoke to editorial page writers about
NEXTEA, reauthorization, air quality standards and the proposed I-35
bypass.
FHWA Acting Administrator Gloria Jeff conducted a live
question-and-answer session on Sept. 15 from Little Rock, AK as FHWA
released the 1995 National Personal Transportation Survey. Gary Maring,
director of the Office of Highway Information Management, presided at the
session, which drew coverage from C-SPAN and CNN. ABC News and the Salt
Lake Deseret News also attended the session.
USA Today is expected to run a story September 23 concerning NHTSAs
request that Ford provide information about the ignition switches in some
of its vehicles and requiring Ford to certify its responses.
ABC 20/20 is preparing for a segment on risk. John Stossel interviewed
NHTSA Administrator Martinez on September 12 concerning the risk
associated with riding in automobiles. Expected to air in October.
Dateline has requested information from NHTSA on three different stories:
Dateline has requested information on vans used as school buses and has
requested an interview, which is under consideration; Dateline has also
requested an interview concerning the shattering or separating of Ford
Explorer sun roofs; finally, Dateline requested information on sport
utility vehicles and rollovers.
First Tri-lateral Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) Flight Test in
Tiajuana, Mexico: Canadian aircraft will fly approaches to Tiajuana
International Airport using FAA-developed National Satellite Test Bed, a
forerunner to WAAS. The goal is to demonstrate benefits of WAAS to
Mexican government officials. Stories expected to run the week of
September 22.
Rail Press Releases: The Office of Public Affairs released announcements
concerning a $5 million grant to Oregon for improvements on the
Portland-Eugene high-speed rail corridor, the $18 million FRA award to
Northern Plain states for damage suffered during last Springs floods, the
Arkansas and Missouri Railroad signing a safety agreement with the FRA,
the release of the National Highway-Rail Crossing Safety report and the
$10 million award to Michigan for its high-speed rail project.
FOIA REQUESTS
NASIP final report on Prompt Air completed in April 1997; and enforcement
actions against Prompt Air from February 15 to September 12, 1997 -- WHAS
11, Louisville, Kentucky
Air tower audio tapes involving a North Central Airport accident in
Smithfield, Rhode Island, on September 6, 1997 -- WBZ-TV, Boston, MA
NASIP report of June 1997 inspection of Fine Air -- Air Safety Week,
Potomac, MD
Incident involving controllers or other employees at the LaGuardia
Airport tower on August 26, 1997; an incident involving a Falcon 50 and
Hawker Sidley on LaGuardia runways on July 22, 1997; and an incident
involving American Airlines and Business Express Airlines on August 26,
1997 -- New York Post
Incident report involving a helicopter, NI1CQ, in or around Grand Forks,
North Dakota, on April 19 and 20, 1997 -- WCCO-TV, Minneapolis, MN
Report #95AC750197 on a specific person -- The Miami Herald
******
Point of Contact: For the weekend of September 27-28, Michael Huerta will
be the contact. He can be reached through the FAA Operations Center at
(202) 267-3333.
AMPLIFICATION REPORT
RACE RELATIONS
On Sept. 15, Secretary Slater gave the Administration's first official
address about the commemoration of the 40th anniversary of desegregation
at Little Rock Central High. Story ran in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette
on Sept. 16.
BACK TO SCHOOL
On Sept. 15, Secretary Slater spoke at a back-to-school event in Little
Rock at the Rightsell Incentive School. The Secretary also promoted DOT's
Garrett A. Morgan Transportation Futures program, which educates America's
youth about career opportunities in the transportation industry.
On Sept. 18, Secretary Slater and Gen. McCaffrey participated in a back-
to-school event at multi-ethnic Langley High School in McLean, Va. The
event featured student representatives of Students Against Destructive
Decisions (SADD), formerly called Students Against Driving Drunk; they
announced SADD's new name and expanded mission.
AMERICAN HERITAGE RIVERS
On Sept. 19, Secretary Slater and U.S. Sen. Charles Robb joined the James
River Heritage Partnership in Richmond to promote the Clinton
Administration's American Heritage Rivers Program. Stories ran that night
on the NBC and ABC affiliates, over the Virginia News Service and in the
Richmond Times-Dispatch on Sept. 20.
BALANCED BUDGET
On Sept. 15, Secretary Slater spoke to the Southeastern Association of
State Highway and Transportation Officials in Little Rock. The Secretary
discussed NEXTEA and amplified the need for Congress to stick to the
provisions of the balanced budget agreement. Story ran in the Arkansas
Democrat Gazette on Sept. 16.
RECORD TYPE: FEDERAL (TRP NOTES MAIL)
CREATOR: Tsao.Douglas ([email protected]@INET@LNGTWYJUNKNOWN 1)
CREATION DATE/TIME:24-SEP-1997 18:59:00.00
SUBJECT: EPA Weekly Report
TO: Jon P. Jennings ( Jon P. Jennings@EOP [ UNKNOWN )
READ:UNKNOWN
TEXT:
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM: CAROL M. BROWNER
SUBJECT: Weekly Report for September 24, 1997
KEY AGENCY NEWS
Pfiesteria piscicida: Administrator Browner attended the summit on
Pfiesteria hosted by Maryland Governor Glendening in Annapolis, MD, on
9/19. Participants included governors or their designated representatives
from 6 states (MD, VA, DE, PA, NC and WV). Representatives from NOAA, USDA
and HHS also participated in the event. Administrator Browner pledged the
federal government?s support to help the States respond to Pfiesteria
outbreaks. The governors signed an agreement to share information, such
as
human health impacts and environmental conditions at the time of an
outbreak, and to coordinate states? responses to future outbreaks.
Assistant Administrator for Water Bob Perciasepe will testify before the
Human Resources Subcommittee of the House Government Reform and Oversight
Committee on 9/25. He will emphasize EPA?s commitment to working with
other federal agencies to do three things: support states? efforts to
respond to Pfiesteria outbreaks; develop a coordinated federal research
strategy; and reduce nitrogen and phosphorous pollution which is believed
to be a major factor in Pfiesteria outbreaks. EPA and NOAA are already
leading the interagency effort to research Pfiesteria. The Administration
is making significant headway on the research strategy and expects to share
a draft of the it with the States, academia and the general public in early
October to ensure that it meets all stakeholders? needs.
Superfund: On 9/25/97, EPA will celebrate the 450th Superfund cleanup at
the Southern Shipbuilding site in Slidell, LA. Acting Assistant
Administrator Timothy Fields will attend an event to commemorate this
important milestone for the Superfund toxic waste cleanup program.
President Clinton pledged in 1996 to cleanup 900 Superfund sites by the
year 2000. This event marks the half way point to fulfilling this pledge,
even though Congress has yet to appropriate the additional funds needed for
cleanups.
International Progress on Protecting the Ozone Layer: The Ninth conference
of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol was held in Montreal, Canada. This
year marks the 10th anniversary of the signing of the original Montreal
Protocol, an international treaty for phasing out the production of
substances which deplete the ozone layer. A key issue for EPA concerned the
continued production and use of methyl bromide, an agricultural fumigant
and potent ozone-depletor. Negotiators were able to reach an agreement to
accelerate the phase-out of methyl bromide in both developed and developing
countries. The agreement also allows for the granting of exemptions from
the phaseout for critical uses where there are no substitutes or
alternatives as well as for emergency use.
Project XL: Project XL -- a Presidential initiative intended to test
innovative ways of achieving better and more cost-effective public health
and environmental protection -- held its annual conference last week. EPA
Assistant Administrator for Reinvention Chuck Fox and XL?s coordinators met
to discuss the program?s future. EPA expects to sign 4-5 anticipated new
Final Project Agreements to be signed in the next few of months. With the
new agreements, XL will have begun implementing 7 projects. Conference
discussions also focused on a strategic framework for XL, ways to reduce
transaction costs by shortening the approval process and strategies to
increase participation in XL.
More than 20 representatives from environmental groups, environmental
justice groups, companies, trade organizations, the States, and other
groups met in Washington, DC, for the National Stakeholder Roundtable
Meeting. These meetings are a series of discussions being held around the
country to ask for comment on a range of issues, including stakeholder
involvement, enforcement, building true partnerships, process concerns,
desirable XL project themes, and communicating success. Project XL staff
is planning to continue these discussions around the country to improve
that communications lines with the program?s stakeholders.
CONGRESS
Legislative Action This Week
On 9/23, the House Judiciary Subc. on the Constitution (Canady, FL)
held a hearing on federal actions that result in property ?takings? or
devaluation of private property.
On 9/24, the Senate Commerce Subc. on Manufacturing and
Competitiveness (Abraham, MI) held a hearing on the effects of EPA?s
air quality standards for particulate matter and ozone on the
manufacturing industry.
On 9/25, the House Judiciary Subc. on Courts and Intellectual
Property (Coble, NC) will hold a hearing on legislation that would
change the court of jurisdiction for federal property takings claims.
On 9/25, the House Judiciary Subc. on Commercial and Administrative
Law (Gekas, PA) will hold a hearing on legislation that would increase
Congressional review and oversight of federal regulations.
On 9/25, the House Government Reform and Oversight Subc. on Human
Resources (Shays, CT) will hold a hearing to look into the Pfiesteria
piscicida outbreak in the Mid-Atlantic. EPA Assistant Administrator
for Water Bob Perciasepe will testify alongside other Administration
officials.
Administrator?s Meetings And Travel
On 9/26, Deputy Administrator Hansen will meet with Rep. Blumenauer
(OR) and other members of the Livable Communities Task Force.
Current Legislative Issues
Superfund. The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (Chafee, RI),
this week, continued negotiations on Superfund Reform. Administrator
Browner, to date, has participated in four meetings with Sens. Chafee
(RI), Baucus (MT), Smith (NH) and Lautenberg (NJ). All of these meetings
have focused on liability and allocation issues. EPA expects further
meetings with the Senators in the coming weeks.
In the House, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (Shuster, PA)
continued negotiations this week. There are, currently, no negotiation
sessions scheduled in the Commerce Committee.
PM/Ozone. On 9/30, Administrator Browner will testify at a House
Resources hearing on EPA?s air quality standards. Both Agricultural
Secretary Dan Glickman and Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt are expected to
testify with Administrator Browner. Also, Administrator Browner will
testify before the House Commerce Committee (Bliley, VA) on 10/1. The
Committee will discuss legislation introduced by Reps. Klink (PA) and Upton
(MI) which would delay the implementation of the new standards.
Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) Reauthorization.
While the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee proceeded with
a mark-up of Chairman Shuster?s (PA) reauthorization bill, there have been
indications that Rep. Shuster will now proceed with a bill to extend the
current ISTEA bill for six months. However, Shuster intends his bill to
act as a starting point for action in the next session. In the Senate, the
Chafee-Warner reauthorization bill was originally scheduled to be
considered during the first week of October. However, the House leadership
decision to proceed with a short-term reauthorization bill may affect
Senate floor consideration of the Chafee-Warner six-year
reauthorization
bill.
Appropriations. Conference on the VA, HUD and Independent Agencies FY ?98
Appropriations Act, which includes EPA?s budget, was scheduled to begin on
9/24. However, conference is now expected to begin later this week.
UPCOMING HEARINGS & MARK-UPS
Date Committee
Subject
Testifying
9/30 House Resources Comm. Effects of air quality standards Admin.
Browner
(Young, AK)
on fire maintenance activities
in forests
10/1 House Commerce Comm. PM / Ozone
Admin. Browner
(Bliley, VA)
PRESS
Children?s Health Protection: On Monday (9/15), Administrator Browner spoke
in Washington, DC at the EPA?s Conference on Preventable Causes of
Childhood Cancer. Browner discussed Clinton Administration actions to
protect children from environmental health threats, including those that
may contribute to the rise in childhood cancer. The Associated Press, the
San Francisco Chronicle and other regional newspapers covered the
conference.
A story in the Sunday New York Times (9/28) about the problem of childhood
cancer and the Clinton Administration?s efforts to protect the health of
children is expected.
Florida State University: On Thursday (9/18), Administrator Browner gave
remarks on global warming at Florida State University. The three local
network affiliates, the Associated Press, the Tallahassee Democrat and
several local radio stations covered the speech.
Tallahassee Democrat: On Thursday (9/18), Administrator Browner met with
the Tallahassee Democrat Editorial Board to discuss global
warming and common-sense, cost-effective solution to the
problem.
Milwaukee Journal: On Thursday (9/25), Administrator Browner will speak
with editorial board of the Milwaukee Journal about the problem of global
warming.
Boston Globe: On Friday (10/3), Administrator Browner will meet with the
editorial board of the Boston Globe to discuss the problem of global
warming.
ADMINISTRATOR?S SCHEDULE
9/25 Diane Rehm Interview re: Env. Justice
9/25 Climate Change Event w/Secy. Cohen
9/25 Milwaukee Journal Ed Board re: Climate Change
9/25 Mtg. w/Senators Chafee, Baucus, Smith, Lautenberg re: Superfund
9/30 House Resources Committee Hearing re: Air Rules
10/1 House Commerce Committee Hearing re: Air Rules
10/2 Interview w/ Water Education Foundation Newsletter
10/3 Speech to Environmental Business Council/Boston re:Climate Change
10/8 Mtg. w/Environmental Groups re: Homestead AFB
DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR?S SCHEDULE
9/25 Travel to Boston, MA: Environmental Economist Roundtable at MIT
9/26 Meeting w/Los Angeles City Council Member Richard Alarcon re:
Environmental Justice and Air Issues
9/26 At the invitation of Congressman Earl Blumenauer, will participate in
lunch discussion with Livable Communities Task Force. Approximately 30
Members of Congress will participate in this discussion, along with
Katie McGinty (CEQ); Betsy Moler (DOE); Mort Downey (DOT); Richard
Rominger (USDA) and Bob Hickmott (HUD).
9/29 Interview by Chinese TV re: EPA Direction in Environmental
Protection
9/29 Meeting w/David Shorr, World Wildlife Fund, re: CEC/free trade
issues
9/30 Lunch w/Sally Katzen, Administrator, Information & Regulatory
Affairs, OMB
9/30 Meeting w/Clean Air Task Force
10/1 Meeting of the President's Management Council
REGULATORY ACTIONS
No major regulatory action occurred this week.
FOIA REQUESTS
This week, EPA received 314 requests for information. The Agency has
received a total of 82 requests this week for headquarters and 17,408
agency wide inquiries this year. We received no requests of interest this
week.
Weekend Contact: Peter Robertson
Chief of Staff
H: (703) 920-8428
Pager: 1-800-759-7243 PIN 471-0595
cc: Thurgood Marshall, Jr.
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RECORD TYPE: FEDERAL (TRP NOTES MAIL)
CREATOR: Alice E. Shuffield ( Alice E. Shuffield@EOP@LNGTWY@LNGTWY. [ UNKNOWN ])
CREATION DATE/TIME:25-SEP-1997 23:31:00.00
SUBJECT: OMB Legislative Report -- September 25, 1997
TO: Ann F. Walker ( Ann F. Walker@eop [ UNKNOWN ])
READ:UNKNOWN
TO: James A. Brown (James A. Brown@eop [ UNKNOWN ])
READ:UNKNOWN
TEXT:
Message Creation Date was at 25-SEP-1997 23:31:00
TO: DIRECTOR FRANK RAINES
DEPUTY DIRECTOR JACK LEW
ACTING DEP. DIRECTOR FOR MANAGEMENT ED DESEVE
EXECUTIVE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR JOSH GOTBAUM
FROM: OMB LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS
DATE: SEPTEMBER 25, 1997
SUBJECT: LEGISLATIVE REPORT
The House vote on census sampling was postponed until Tuesday, September
30th.
Today the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee marked up
and
approved the transit title of the Senate !,s ISTEA reauthorization
(17-1).
Senators D'Amato and Sarbanes co-sponsored a substitute amendment. The
Senate
bill retains current program structure and provides $35.7 billion over six
years. In addition, the bill adopts the Administration's proposed
language on
expanding the definition of capital to include preventive maintenance and
consolidating the 16 metropolitan planning factors into 7.
Senate Commerce will mark up the highway safety titles next week. The
House
and Senate are heading towards a collision in conference, with the House
planning to bring a simple 6-month extension to the Floor, and the Senate
moving ahead with its 6-year reauthorization. Majority Leader Lott said
on
the Floor again today that the Senate will do a 6-year bill within the
budget.
Representative Kasich and Senator Brownback have announced a renewed
effort to
eliminate the Commerce Department; they will likely pursue this again
during
consideration of the FY 1999 budget resolution.
House Commerce Committee today marked up two of the three FDA reform
bills, but
delayed until Friday markup on the medical device bill in order to give
negotiators more time to work out a compromise.
The House Rules Committee will consider a rule on the first FY 1998
Continuing
Resolution on Friday morning, September 26th.
CONGRESS TODAY (9/25)
SENATE
Continued consideration of S. 1156 - District of Columbia FY 1998
Appropriations bill. The vote on the Coats-Lieberman voucher amendment is
expected on Tuesday.
[SAP sent 9/18: Senior Advisors recommend veto if the bill contains the
school voucher amendment.]
Approved (93-5) H.R. 2266 - Defense FY 1998 Appropriations Conference
Report,
clearing the measure for the President.
[Conference letter sent, 9/9: Senior Advisors veto threat]
Passed S. 1211 to reauthorize the au pair program.
HOUSE
This morning, the House conducted numerous votes on the motion to adjourn
to
protest the vote to increase Congressional Member salaries.
Approved (356-65) H.R. 2266 - Defense FY 1998 Appropriations Conference
Report
[Conference letter sent, 9/9: Senior Advisors veto threat]
Continued consideration of H.R. 2267 - Commerce/Justice/State FY 1998
Appropriations bill
[Floor SAP sent 9/24: Senior advisers veto recommendation over inadequate
funding level for Legal Services Corporation and restrictions on the use
of
sampling for the decennial census, including new Hastert amendment.]
While under consideration, the House took the following action on H.R.
2267:
o Approved (246-176) Mollohan amendment to increase the funding level for
LSC
to $250 million (with offsets).
o Adopted (356-64) Sanders amendment regarding the U.S. sovereignty and
the
World Trade Organization. The amendment would increase USTR funding by
$1
million and direct USTR to investigate how international trade
agreements
effect State and local laws.
o Rejected (107-305) Hefley amendment to reduce the funding level for
the
Economic Development Administration by $90 million; thus, the House
level for
EDA remains at $361 million.
o Rejected (177-235) Hostettler amendment to eliminate ATP.
At press time, the House is continuing consideration of Titles II, III,
and IV,
but all votes will be rolled to occur on Tuesday, September 30th.
CONGRESS TOMORROW (9/26)
SENATE
Convene at 9am -- No Votes
At 10am, the Senate will begin consideration of campaign finance reform.
HOUSE
Convene at 9:00am for legislative business.
Continue consideration of H.R. 2267 - Commerce/Justice/State FY 1998
Appropriations bill. The House will consider Titles V and VI.
Possible - Begin consideration of H.R. 2160 - Agriculture Appropriations
Conference Report
[Letter sent 9/12: Concerns over reductions from request for WIC, rural
development and the tobacco initiative]
Consider H.R. 901 - American Land Sovereignty Protection Act
[SAP sent 9/23: Sect. of Interior veto threat]
CONGRESS NEXT WEEK
SENATE
Monday, 9/29
No votes -- Continue consideration of campaign finance reform
Tuesday 9/30
At 1 lam, there will be a cloture vote on the Coats school vouchers
amendment to
the DC bill. If cloture is invoked, the Senate will attempt to complete
action
on the DC Appropriations bill.
[SAP sent, 9/18: Senior Advisors recommend veto if the bill contains the
school
voucher amendment.]
Consider Appropriations conference reports, as available
Consider a Continuing Resolution for FY98 Appropriations
Wednesday, 10/1
No votes after 1pm due to Rosh Hashanah.
Continue debate on campaign finance.
Thursday, 10/2, and Friday, 10/3
No votes -- Continue debate on campaign finance.
Tuesday, 10/7, or Wednesday, 10/8
Begin floor action on the Chafee/Warner/Baucus highway bill.
[DOT letter sent 9/16: !&commend you for the thoughtful compromises
that are
clearly reflected in S. 1173...I am especially pleased that the bill is
a
6-year measure that conforms to the bipartisan balanced budget
agreement. !8;
the letter also identifies concerns with specific provisions]
HOUSE
The House is scheduled to adjourn for the Rosh Hashanah holiday on
Wednesday,
October 1st, at 3pm. Items for consideration the week of September 29th
include the following:
Monday, 9/29, through Wednesday, 10/1
Consider a Continuing Resolution for FY98 Appropriations
Continue consideration of H.R. 2267 - Commerce/Justice/State FY 1998
Appropriations bill. Votes will occur late in the day on Monday. On
Tuesday,
9/30, the House will vote on the census sampling issue.
[Floor SAP sent 9/24: Senior advisers veto recommendation over inadequate
funding level for Legal Services Corporation and restrictions on the use
of
sampling for the decennial census, including new Hastert amendment.]
Consideration of FY 1998 Appropriations Conference Reports as they become
available for action (Energy/Water, VA/HUD and Transportation).
Consider the Intelligence Authorization bill
[Defense and CIA letters sent: Senior Advisors Veto Threat]
FY 1998 APPROPRIATIONS CONFERENCE REPORTS
CONFERENCE ACTION PENDING
o Foreign Operations FY 1998 Appropriations Conference Report
[Letter sent, 9/25: President will veto a bill that contains the House
language reinstating the so-- called !&Mexico City policy !8; The
Secretary of
State, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the National Security Advisor
would
recommend veto if the bill contains funding reductions of the magnitude in
the
House bill.]
o Transportation FY 1998 Appropriations
[Letter sent 9/9: Support urged for several NEXTEA programs not included
by
House or Senate due to lack of authorization; support for Senate funding
level
for Amtrak operations; objection raised to transit project earmarks and
various
language provisions.]
o VA/HUD/Independent Agencies
[Letter sent 9/25: Senior Advisors veto threat]
o Interior/Related Agencies
[Letter pending]
o Labor/HHS/ED
[Letter pending]
o Treasury/Postal
[Letter pending West Wing]
RECORD TYPE: FEDERAL (TRP NOTES MAIL)
CREATOR: Gay L. Joshlyn ( Gay L. Joshlyn@EOP@LNGTWY@LNGTWY [ UNKNOWN ])
CREATION DATE/TIME:30-SEP-1997 10:21:00.00
SUBJECT: Conf call line
TO: Melissa Green ( Melissa Green@eop [ UNKNOWN 1)
READ:UNKNOWN
TEXT:
Message Creation Date was at 30-SEP-1997 10:21:00
If it's ok with you, I need to use Gene's conference call line again today
at
1 pm. Dorothy is working with people on the NEXTEA event tomorrow and
needs to
do another call. The regular WH lines that I normally use are booked.
Thanks.
RECORD TYPE: FEDERAL (TRP NOTES MAIL)
CREATOR: Cynthia Coogan ( CN=Cynthia Coogan/OU=DOT/O=GOV [ UNKNOWN ])
CREATION DATE/TIME: 1-OCT-1997 19:04:00.00
SUBJECT: White House Weekly Report for the Week of October 6 1997
TO: Cabinet Affairs ( Cabinet Affairs [ UNKNOWN ])
READ:UNKNOWN
TEXT:
MEMORANDUM FOR ERSKINE BOWLES, THE WHITE HOUSE October 1, 1997
FROM:
Secretary Slater
SUBJECT:
DOT Weekly Report -- Week of October 6, 1997
The following is the Department of Transportation Weekly Report:
KEY DEPARTMENT NEWS
Little Rock, AR: On September 24, Secretary Slater received the
Southwestern Bell Arkansas Education Trailblazers Award for citizenship in
Little Rock, AR. President Clinton attended the awards ceremony.
CFC Visits: On October 7, Secretary Slater, in his role as Chairman of
the 1997 Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) of the National Capital Area,
will visit two CFC organizations. The Secretary will visit the Anacostia
Watershed Society (AWS), to lend his support to AWS's environmental
education programs. He will also visit Downtown Cluster's Geriatric Day
Care Center, a facility that provides quality therapeutic support services
to Washington DC's elderly residents.
NEXTEA Event: On October 1, Secretary Slater will discuss the Presidents
NEXTEA proposal at a White House event with national urban leaders. Vice
President Gore is tentatively scheduled to address the meeting.
ISTEA Legislation Update: On October 1, the House passed, by voice
vote, H.R. 2516, legislation to extend highway, transit, and highway
safety programs for six months. Authorization for the programs expired
September 30. Also, on October 1, the Senate Finance Committee approved
the ISTEA funding title and extended the various highway user taxes and
ethanol tax credit. This week, the Senate may consider S. 1173, an ISTEA
six year reauthorization bill.
Auto Exec Meeting: On October 2, Secretary Slater will join the President
at the White House for a meeting with Automobile Executives.
White House Climate Change Conference: On October 6., Secretary Slater
will attend the White House Conference on Climate Change held at
Georgetown University.
Livable Communities: On October 6, Secretary Slater will speak at the
Partners for Livable Communities Bridge Builders Award ceremony in
Washington.
National Launch of Presidential Seat Belt Initiative: On October 6,
Secretary Slater will conduct a national town meeting telecast to more
than 80 sites around the country, to kick off "Buckle Up America!" in
support of the President's Initiative for increasing seat belt use. The
President will participate via video tape in the teleconference and be
joined by national figures such as former Surgeon General C. Evert Koop,
members of the American Medical Association and other members of the
health and medical communities, members of the law enforcement community,
and highway safety groups to promote expanding partnerships to increase
belt use to reach the national goal of 85 percent by 2000 and 90 percent
by 2005.
Coast Guard Anniversary: On October 7, Secretary Slater will speak at a
Washington ceremony honoring the Coast Guards 207th Anniversary.
Divided Highways: On October 8, Secretary Slater will attend a reception
celebrating the broadcast of the documentary Divided Highways on PBS.
Africa Mini-Summit: On October 8, Secretary Slater will convene a
conference in Washington, DC to include U.S. government officials,
representatives of Congress, U.S. industry, non-governmental
organizations, multilateral institutions, and the African diplomatic
corps. With the theme "Transportation: The Tie That Binds," Secretary
Slater will address infrastructure impediments, both human and physical,
and will highlight the importance of transportation in supporting economic
growth within Africa and increased trade with the United States.
Secretary addresses Mayors Summit: On September 26, Secretary Slater
addressed the "Second Summit of Mayors to Promote the International Trade
Corridor Partnership" via video. The Secretary emphasized the need for
"fast track" legislation. The Summit, sponsored by Mayor Emanuel Cleaver,
II was held in Kansas City.
Southwest Airlines Mentoring Program Unveiled: On September 29, Secretary
Slater and Secretary Richard Riley participated in an event at Seaton
Elementary School to unveil Southwest Airlines Adopt-A-Pilot Program.
Southwest Airlines Pilots will mentor and educate children by spending
time in the nations classrooms during a four-week program reaching more
than 5,000 students in the 51 cities that Southwest serves. This program
will allow fifth grade students to learn more about the United States and
aviation through a Pilots eyes. Adopt-A-Pilot highlights transportation
careers, math and science, all components of the Garrett A. Morgan
Technology and Transportation Futures Program.
Deputy Secretary to Meet Cutter LEGARE: On October 2, Deputy Secretary
Downey and Vice Admiral Roger Rufe, Commander, Atlantic Area, will meet
the USCG Cutter LEGARE as it returns to its homeport of Portsmouth, VA
after completing a highly successful 4 « month deployment to the Baltic,
Mediterranean and Black Seas in direct support of United States national
security objectives. As requested by the U.S. European Command, the
LEGARE visited 19 countries and conducted training with emphasis on
necessary peacetime maritime operations, such as law enforcement, marine
safety, and search and rescue.
U.S. Canada Transport Deputies' Meeting: On October 8, Deputy Secretary
Downey will meet with the Canadian Deputy Minister of Transport, Margaret
Bloodworth, to discuss issues related to St. Lawrence Seaway Operation,
Intransit Preclearance, Overflight Fees, Bilateral Civil Aviation
Agreement, Air Navigation in Canada, Airport Devolution, NEXTEA, NAFTA
Implementation, Immigration Reform Act, Airbags, Marine Safety
Harmonization, and the possible agenda items for the meeting between
Secretary Slater and Canadian Transport Minister Collenette later this
month.
Oil Spill off CA Coast: On September 29, Coast Guard Captain of the Port
Los Angeles/Long Beach received a report of an estimated 121,000 gallon
crude oil spill from the offshore platform IRENE, in the vicinity of Point
Argeullo, near Santa Barbara, CA. The Responsible Party (Torch Corp) has
contracted for cleanup in accordance with their response plan, and the
Coast Guard Pacific Strike Team and nearby resources are coordinating
federal oversight and response. The leak was cause by a crack in the
pipeline. Temporary repairs have been made and no oil is leaking. As of
October 1, clean up operations are continuing with good results. The
spill was not as large as first estimated, with only about 21,000 gallons
released. Thus far, about 2,800 have been recovered with extensive clean
up operations on the water and shore staffed by 350 response personnel.
Only small patches of oil have come onto the shore. Media interest has
greatly diminished.
U.S.-Japan Aviation Talks: A further round of formal aviation
consultations with Japan was concluded in Tokyo on September 26. The U.S.
objectives at these talks are to achieve a resolution of disputes that
have restricted U.S. carrier service beyond Japan; to achieve significant
immediate aviation liberalization, particularly with respect to U.S.
carriers that are virtually shut out of the market today; and ultimately
to achieve complete aviation liberalization. While this round of talks
was not conclusive, significant progress was made, and the two sides will
meet informally in Washington on October 2 and 3, and a formal round of
talks will be held in Washington in the week of October 20. The
Department will be represented by Assistant Secretary Charles A.
Hunnicutt.
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey: On September 30, FAA announced
its timetable for ruling on the Port Authority's passenger facility charge
(PFC) application for the JFK Light Rail System (LRS). In accordance with
PFC statute and regulation, FAA has 120 days from the date of submission
of a PFC application to make a decision. The FAA will issue its decision
on this application by November 18, which is the end of the 120-day
period. This issue has significant congressional and regional interest.
Long Beach Freeway (State Route 710): On October 3, Jane Garvey will
chair a meeting of opponents and proponents of the CA SR710 project. The
meeting will include Federal agencies with a continuing role in the
project decision making. The purpose of the meeting is to determine areas
of common interest and explore options as to where we go from here.
Vice President Announces $4.8 Million in MO Grants: On October 1, Vice
President Gore announced grants of $4 million to Kansas City and $800,000
to St. Louis for transit projects and $5 million for improvements at
Lambert-St. Louis International Airport.
Vice President Announces Grants for Northern CA: On October 1, Vice
President Gore announced grants to a number of communities to reduce the
impact of noise from nearby airports. Several cities received grants for
soundproofing residences. San Bruno and South San Francisco each received
$2 million, San Jose received $2.7 million, and Fresno received $1
million. In addition, the department gave Oceano County Airport in Oceano
$374,000 to construct an apron, rehabilitate runway lighting, install a
visual approach aid, install an airport beacon and tower, and install
fencing. Kneeland Airport, located in Kneeland, received a grant of
$185,542 to conduct a master plan study for airport improvements.
Monterey Peninsula Airport in Monterey received $158,355 to construct an
apron and install security fencing. In addition, the state of California
received a grant of $470,000 to conduct an aviation system plan study for
northern California and for 26 counties which do not currently have
aviation system plans.
Vice President Announces Grants for Southern CA : On October 1, Vice
President Al Gore and announced the award of $15.7 million for
improvements at airports in southern California. A number of communities
received grants to reduce the impact of noise from nearby airports.
Ontario received $2.5 million, Palm Springs received $2 million, and
Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority received $1 million. Also,
the department awarded San Diego International Airport-Lindbergh Field a
grant of $4.3 million to construct a taxiway, rehabilitate taxiway
lighting and improve the terminal. Palm Springs Regional Airport received
$3.8 million to extend a runway, relocate an access road and acquire land
for approaches. Santa Barbara Municipal Airport received $1.7 million to
improve its runway safety area. In addition, the Southern California
Association of Governments received two grants: $300,000 to update its
regional aviation system plan, and $80,000 to assess current and future
trends in the air cargo industry.
Vice President Announces Grant to Inglewood, CA: On October I, Vice
President Gore announced the award of $10.5 million to the city of
Inglewood, CA to reduce the impact of noise from Los Angeles International
Airport and the award of $8.8 million for improvements at airports in
northern California.
$12.2 Million Emergency Relief Funds for MN: On September 30, it
was
announced that Minnesota will receive $12.2
million in emergency relief funds for
repairs on roads
damaged by extreme runoff and flooding last March.
Vice President Announces $4.4 Million to IA: On September 30, Vice
President Gore announced a $4.4 million grant to Cedar Rapids for the
purchase of eight electric buses and construction of related facilities.
Vice President Announces Airport Grants for NH: On September 26, Vice
President Gore announced the award of $13.3 million for improvements at
airports in New Hampshire. Manchester Airport received a total of $8.9
million. $5.7 million will be used to construct a runway, and $3.2 million
to acquire land for development. In addition, Pease International
Tradeport, located in Portsmouth, received $4.4 million to install an
instrument landing system and an approach lighting system.
Secretary Announces Airport Grants for NY: On September 26, Secretary
Slater announced the award of $24.5 million for improvements at airports
throughout New York state.
Secretary Announces $6.6 Million Loan Guarantee: On September 30,
Secretary Slater announced that MARAD approved a federal guarantee in the
amount of $6.6 million to help finance the construction of seven ocean
deck barges for operation in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and in the coastal
waters of the United States.
Secretary Slater Announces Loan Guarantee for Ferry: On September 30,
Secretary Slater announced that MARAD approved a federal guarantee in the
amount of$9.6-million federal loan guarantee to help finance the
construction of a high-speed, 250-passenger crewboat/ferry to be built in
a Panama City, FL shipyard.
Grants Announcements: Secretary Slater has recently made several grant
announcements. On September 23, the Secretary announced grants to states,
territories and Native American tribes totaling $6.4 million for planning
and training to improve response to hazardous materials transportation
incidents.
On September 26, the Secretary announced $12.7 million for the Santa
Clara, Calif., Transit District for the Tasman West Rail Extension, and
$2.7 million for Californias Central Contra Costa Transit District; $9.9
million for Los Angeles-San Diego area transit projects; $4.3 million to
the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority for a feasibility study
for a light rail line and to purchase replacement buses with wheelchair
accessibility; $1.6 million to the Illinois Department of Transportation
for the construction of a transfer center in downtown Collinsville; $35
million to the Ohio Department of Transportation for transit projects in
the state; $5.2 million to Oregon for improvements on the Portland-Eugene
high-speed rail corridor; $24.5 million for improvements at airports in
New York state; and $13.3 million for improvements at airports in New
Hampshire.
Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport: Secretary Slater announced with
Representative John Lewis and Atlanta mayor, Bill Campbell, a FAA letter
of intent for a total of $75 million in Airport Improvement Program
discretionary funds through the year 2009 to construct a fifth parallel
runway at this airport to help reduce operating delays by separating
commuter aircraft from larger aircraft. Construction is scheduled to
begin late 1998 and be completed in the year 2002. The estimated savings
from direct aircraft operating costs will exceed $6 billion over the next
20 years.
SeaTac International Airport : FAA is issuing a letter of intent (LOI)
for a total of $161.5 million in Airport Improvement Program (AIP)
discretionary and entitlement funds through the year 2010 to construct a
third parallel runway at SeaTac International Airport. In conjunction
with the LOI, the department released over $30 million for WA with $27.6
million going to SeaTac International Airport. Senators Murray and Gorton
and Congressman Dicks of Washington coordinated an announcement with the
department.
Turbulence Education and Training Aid: The FAA is working with the Air
Transport Association (ATA) and the Regional Airline Association (RAA) to
distribute The Turbulence Education and Training Aid package to the
commercial aviation community. The FAA worked in partnership with the ATA
and McDonnell Douglas to develop a training video and printed material
designed to teach pilots, dispatchers, and flight attendants how to avoid
turbulence and what to do if turbulence is encountered.
Hickory and New-Bern Flight Service Stations (FSS): The two North
Carolina FSSs closed on September 30. With the closure of these two FSSs,
the FAAs FSS Consolidation and Modernization Program, developed some 15
years ago and-implemented over the last decade, will be completed; all
FSSs have been closed.
Enforcement Actions: On September 23, FAA issued an emergency order
revoking the air carrier operating certificate of Capital Air Charter. The
case involves at least 17 revenue flights using unqualified pilots and
conducting operations with an expired emergency locator transmitter
battery and a disabled Hobbs meter. This week, FAA will also seek to
recover a civil penalty in the amount of $495,000 from Aero
Transcolombiana de Carga, a foreign air carrier. The case involves their
operation of a Colombia-registered DC-8 aircraft on 66 flights within the
U.S. when it did not comply with the limitations on maximum certificated
weights prescribed for that aircraft.
Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District Strike in Cooling off
Period: On September 22, a 60-day "cooling off" period was approved
which prohibits any strike by Teamsters' bus drivers or any lockout by
Metropolitan Transit District Officials. The Superior Court granted the
Governor's request for the stay, interrupting a labor dispute that
crippled bus service for two days this month in Santa Barbara which
impacted 20,000 people. The conflict arises from a two-tier wage scale
that ranges from $7.55 to $15.10 an hour. Union members are asking for 20
percent or $3.11 increase in wages over the next three years.
NJ Supreme Court-Rules in Favor of NJ Transit Police Drug Testing: On
September 25, the New Jersey State Supreme Court ruled that New Jersey
Transit can continue to perform random drug tests on its armed police
officers. The local Patrolmen's Benevolent Association sued in 1995 to
end NJ Transit's testing policy on the ground that the test violated
privacy provisions of the State Constitution. The State Supreme Court
unanimously upheld lower court rulings that protecting the public by
keeping the police force drug free outweighed the officer's privacy
interests.
Large Cocaine Seizure Off Colombia: On September 27, the USS CALLAGHAN,
with a Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment, chased a boat near the
Colombian island of Malpelo in the Eastern Pacific. The boat escaped but
not before dumping its cargo of 7,260 lbs of cocaine, which was recovered
by the Coast Guard/Navy team. As of September 28, this seizure pushed the
Coast Guard's total FY97 cocaine seizures to an all-time record of 93,445
pounds. The old record was set in 1991 at 90,335 pounds.
Seizure of Fast Boat Update: On September 22, the Cutter CAMPBELL, along
with a Haitian Coast Guard ship rider, seized the boat south of Haiti. An
additional 1,374 pounds of cocaine was added to the original estimate for
a final total seizure of 3,138 pounds. As a result of this seizure the
combined counterdrug operation with Haiti was continued through September
29.
Search of Sailing Vessel Yields Drugs: On September 24, a Coast Guard
helicopter located the sailboat MISTIQUE in the Florida Straits. The
Cutter MAUI escorted the vessel to Fort Pierce, FL for a joint dockside
boarding with U.S. Customs. The search yielded 280 pounds of hashish oil
and 406 pounds of marijuana.
Presidential Commission Conducts SUP Hearing: On September 24, the
National Civil Aviation Review Commission (NCARC) conducted an aviation
safety meeting on suspected unapproved parts (SUPs). DOTs IG provided
testimony, along with representatives from the Aeronautical Repair Station
Association, the National Air Transportation Association, and FAAs Office
of Regulation & Certification. OIG provided information regarding law
enforcements efforts to attack the SUP problem in aviation, and also
provided input on possible new legislation and increasing criminal
penalties against those convicted of crimes involving SUPs. The
Commission concurred with the recommendations and advised they would
include them when they issue their final report in November.
Transportation in National Parks: The President's 1996 Earth Day
speech
referenced the serious transportation
issues in Yosemite, Grand Canyon and Zion
National Parks.
The speech was followed by an Executive Memorandum
directing
DOT to work with DOI to address transportation
issues in the National Park System
specifically, to
develop a plan for a comprehensive effort to improve
public
transportation in the national parks. On
September 24, staff from each of those offices
met to
discuss opportunities for the two agencies to work more cooperatively and
to
carry out the Presidents Executive Memorandum to solve
transportation issues in
national parks. In November,
Secretary Babbitt will announce transportation initiatives
in Grand Canyon, Zion, and Yosemite.
WORK ON PRESIDENTIAL POLICY PRIORITIES
WELFARE TO WORK
Welfare to Work Discussed at Harvard University: On September 23, FTA
Boston staff met with the Enterprise Community Oakland, CA Team at Harvard
University to discuss Welfare to Work issues. This team is comprised of
local and private interests that are spending a two week period of study
at the JFK School to develop a program for the Oakland Enterprise
Community area with a specific task to address the transportation
component of Welfare to Work. The discussion included FTA's initiatives
in this area, public transportation issues, development of a strategy for
addressing this problem, and potential funding sources for program
implementation.
Kansas City Job Links Program: On September 23 and 24, FTAs Kansas City,
MO received favorable TV coverage for their JobLinks program. KMBC, the
Kansas City area ABC affiliate station, reported on the success of the new
JobLinks transit service routes operating between Kansas City and Johnson
County, KS. The objective of the service is to provide residents of
Kansas City transportation to access jobs in suburban Johnson County.
Welfare to Work in Pennsylvania: The Pennsylvania Department of
Transportation announced on September 23 grants totaling $166,666 to
operate a pilot program, in three rural counties, to provide the working
poor and former welfare recipients with no-cost rides to work as well as
transportation for their children to day care providers. The program, to
be implemented in Perry, Juniata and Mifflin counties will begin October
15.
BACK TO SCHOOL
Back to School--Launch of the 1997/1998 Teaching Education and Mentoring
(TEAM) Program: On October 1, the Volpe National Transportation Systems
Center launched its Teaching Education and Mentoring (TEAM) Program. The
program presents Volpe Center employees and contractors with the
opportunity to participate with the community in activities designed to
increase skills, help prepare youth for a diverse workforce, and transfer
technology, information, and transportation opportunities to others.
Back to School--Adopt-a-School Activities: On October 3, RSPA will meet
with staff of the NTSB in an effort to gain participation of the agency in
the Garrett A. Morgan Transportation and Technology Futures Program for an
adopt-a-school activity.
America Goes Back to School Events: MARAD's North Atlantic Region Office
is supporting and participating in school related events. Region
environmental specialist is coordinating activities with representatives
of Seward Park High School in Manhattan, NY, in conjunction with the
school's career office. Our environmental specialist will meet with a
number of classes of high school seniors and provide information on how to
pursue careers in the maritime and transportation industries.
On September 18, Jamie Williams, Director of the Office of the Executive
Secretariat, visited first graders at Central Elementary School in
Arkadelphia, AR. She discussed safety and the Garrett A. Morgan
Transportation and Technology Futures Program.
On October 1, Acting Deputy FHWA Administrator Kane participated in a back
to school event at the Arbor Hill School in Albany, NY.
SAFETY
Final Rule on Operational Measures: On September 23, the Coast Guard
published "Operational measures to reduce oil spills from existing tank
vessels without double hulls" in the Federal Register which revises the
under-keel clearance requirements for single hull tank vessels. In
response to public concerns over under-keel clearance provisions of a July
30, 1996 final rule, requirements were suspended to allow for additional
comments. After reviewing additional comments, and in response to the
petitions, the Coast Guard issued this final rule.
Coast Guard Establishes Minimum Standards Required By OPA 90: On
September 17, a final rule on Overfill Devices was published in the
Federal Register. The Coast Guard is establishing minimum standards for
overfill devices as required by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90).
The purpose of the overfill device is to warn of cargo tank overfills.
This regulation requires the phased-in installation and use of the devices
on cargo tanks of certain vessels that carry oil or oil residue as primary
cargo. This regulation should reduce the likelihood of spills when oil is
loaded as cargo.
NOTABLE CONGRESSIONAL ACTIVITY
MARAD Appropriations: On September 30, the House passed, by a 227-199
vote, the FY98 spending bill for the departments of Commerce, Justice,
State, the Judiciary and Related Agencies, which includes the Maritime
Administration.
Hearing on Unconstitutional Set-Asides: ISTEAs Race-Based Set-Asides After
Adarand: On September 30, the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the
Constitution, Federalism and Property Rights held a hearing on
Unconstitutional Set-Asides: ISTEAs Race-Based Set-Asides After Adarand V.
Pega. DOT General Counsel Nancy McFadden testified in support of
continuing the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program. Senator
McConnell testified in favor of an amendment that he plans to offer to
replace the DBE program with an emerging small business program.
Wide Area Augmentation Systems: On October 1, the House Transportation
and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation held a hearing on Wide Area
Augmentation Systems. FAA Associate Administrator for Research and
Acquisitions, George Donohue, and Inspector General, Ken Mead, testified.
Foreign Repair Stations: On October 9, the House Transportation and
Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation will hold a hearing on legislation
that would extend to foreign repair stations and their personnel the
standards on aircraft repairs that apply to domestic repair stations. The
legislation, introduced by Congressman Robert Borski, is being actively
supported by transportation unions. FAA Associate Administrator for
Regulation and Certification Guy Gardner will testify.
The Deputy Secretary's Schedule
October I
The Deputy Secretary will participate in the Partnership for a New
Generation of Vehicles Operational Steering Group Committee Meeting in
Washington, DC.
October 2
The Deputy Secretary will participate in the USCG arrival ceremony of the
USCG Cutter LEGARE.
October 8
The Deputy Secretary will participate in the U.S.-Canadian Deputies
meeting in Canada.
October 20-23
The Deputy Secretary will participate in the Intelligent Transportation
Society of Americas World Congress Meeting in Berlin, Germany.
October 24-25
The Deputy Secretary will meet with the Russian Minister of Transport in
Moscow, Russia to discuss key transportation issues.
Modal Administrators/Assistant Secretaries
September 29-October 2
Inspector General Mead will tour the LA Metro Rail Project and stopover in
Kansas City for a regional office oversight visit.
October 1
FTA Deputy Administrator Fernandez will give remarks at the opening of the
Riverfront Trolley Line in Memphis, TN.
FRA Administrator Molitoris will participate in the Penn Station
Redevelopment Corporations Board meeting.
RSPA Acting Administrator Coyner will launch the 1997/1998 Teaching and
Education Mentoring Program Team.
October 1-2
Acting Maritime Administrator Graykowski will participate in the Title XI
Ship Financing Seminar in New Orleans, LA.
October 1-3
Acting SLSDC Administrator Sanders will attend the Great Lakes Commission
annual meeting in Chicago, IL.
October 3
RSPA Acting Administrator Coyner will meet with staff from the NTSB on the
Garrett A. Morgan Technology and Transportation Futures Program in
Washington, D.C.
Acting FHWA Administrator Jeff will deliver the keynote at the 49th annual
transportation symposium of the University of Californias Institute of
Transportation Studies.
Acting Maritime Administrator Graykowski will present a Safety Award on
the RRF CAPE V ship in Beaumont, TX.
October 3-5
USCG Admiral Kramek will attend events at the Coast Guard Academy.
October 6
FTA Administrator Linton will speak at the Madison Wisconsin Urban Transit
Association.
RSPA Acting Administrator Coyner will deliver remarks on NEXTEA at the
1997 Annual Transportation Conference in Orlando, FL.
October 6-9.
FRA Administrator Jolene M. Molitoris will travel to Marrakech, Morocco to
provided the keynote address at the International Rail Congress
Associations quadrennial conference.
October 7
USCG Admiral Kramek will host the Congressional celebration of the Coast
Guards birthday.
NHTSA Administrator Martinez will speak at the 1 1th Annual Childhood
Injury Conference in San Diego, CA.
October 8
USCG Admiral Kramek will attend The Interdiction Committee luncheon.
FTA Deputy Administrator will delivery the keynote address at the Welfare
to Work Conference in Los Angeles, CA.
NHTSA Deputy Administrator Recht will speak at the Association of
International Automobile Manufacturers Technical Committee Meeting in
Victoria, BC, Canada.
FAA Administrator Garvey will visit United Airlines in Chicago, IL.
October 8-9
USCG VADM Herr will visit the Coast Guard Aviation Training Center in
Mobile, AL.
October 9
USCG Admiral Kramek will meet with Deputy Secretary Downey for the monthly
meeting.
October 10
USCG Admiral Kramek will attend the Navy League awards dinner in Seattle.
October 11-12
USCG VADM Herr will attend the Pterodactyl National Convention.
October 15
NHTSA Deputy Administrator Recht will speak at the American Bar
Associations Traffic Court Seminar in San Francisco, CA.
October 15-16
FAA Administrator Garvey will participate in the FAA Strategic Plan
meeting in Annapolis, MD.
October 16
NHTSA Administrator Martinez will address the American College of
Emergency Physicians Scientific Assembly in San Francisco, CA.
Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs Hunnicutt will
address the Propeller Club in Savannah, GA.
October 17
USCG Admiral Kramek will attend the Women in the Military (WIMSA) Dinner
in Washington.
Assistant Secretary for Governmental Affairs Palmer will address the South
San Diego County Economic Development Councils Seventh Annual Economic
Summit in Coronado, CA.
RSPA Acting Administrator Coyner will speak at the Center for
Transportation-Studies luncheon to MIT graduates, students, faculty, and
research staff and Boston area businesses at the MIT campus in Cambridge,
MA.
October 18
USCG Admiral Kramek will attend the WIMSA dedication in Washington.
October 19-21
FTA Deputy Administrator Fernandez will travel to Salt Lake City, UT, to
participate in the Transit Construction Round table.
October 20
NHTSA Administrator Martinez will participate in the first public
conference of the Crash Injury Research Engineering Network in Ann Arbor,
MI.
Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs Hunnicutt will
represent the Department in international aviation negotiations with Japan
in Washington, DC.
October 20-24
The Inspector General, Ken Mead, will conduct a familiarization tour of
the LA Metro Rail project and stopover for an oversight visit in Kansas
City Regional Office.
October 21
RSPA Acting Administrator Coyner will speak at the Civil Engineer Research
Foundation (CERF) Corporate Advisory Board Meeting in Washington, DC.
October 21-24
NHTSA Deputy Administrator Recht will speak at ITS Americas 4th Annual
World Congress in Berlin, Germany.
October 22
NHTSA Deputy Administrator Recht will speak at ITS Americas 4th Annual
World Congress in Berlin, Germany.
RSPA Acting Administrator Coyner will participate in the CERF Corporate
Advisory Board Meeting in Washington, D.C.
October 23-24
FAA Administrator Garvey will address the AOPA in Orlando, FL.
October 24
RSPA Acting Administrator Coyner will speak on behalf of the Secretary at
the 20th Anniversary of the University Transportation Centers Program at
the University of California at Berkeley.
October 28
USCG Admiral Kramek will attend the Coast Guard Combat Veterans Person of
the Year presentation.
FTA Administrator Linton will speak at RailVolution in St. Louis, MO.
October 29
USCG Admiral Kramek will address students at the National Defense
University.
RSPA Acting Administrator Coyner will attend a meeting with Government
University Industry Research Round table members in Washington, D.C.
October 30
USCG Admiral Kramek will attend the Coast Guard Foundation Dinner in New
York City and meet with the editorial board of the Journal of Commerce.
USCG Vice Admiral Herr will attend the Executive Committee Meeting of the
Coast Guard Foundation in New York City.
October 31-Nov 2
USCG Admiral Kramek will attend the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in
the Armed Services (DACOWITS) annual conference being hosted by the Coast
Guard in Tampa, FL.
November 4-5
Admiral Kramek will host the Senior Advisory Group.
November 6
Admiral Kramek will speak to new flag and general officers participating
in the CAPSTONE program.
November 15
Admiral Kramek will host the launching ceremony of the new Coast Guard
icebreaker, HEALY, in New Orleans, LA.
November 13
NHTSA Administrator Martinez will speak at the STAPP Car Crash Conference,
Lake Buena Vista, FL.
November 16-25
Admiral Kramek will lead the U.S. delegation to the 20th Regular Assembly
of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London, UK. He will
also hold an editorial board with Lloyds List in London on November 20.
December 10
Vice Admiral Herr will co-chair the Navy-Coast Guard Board with the Vice
Chief of Naval Operations.
February 1998
The Inspector General, Ken Mead, will coordinate the upcoming retreat for
the Presidents Council on Integrity and Efficiency, and the Executive
Council on Integrity and Efficiency.
MEDIA INQUIRIES
Newsweeks expected cover story on air bags, rescheduled several times, is
now anticipated Oct. 6. NHTSA Administrator Martinez was interviewed.
ABC 20/20, September 19, interviewed the Director of the Office of Motor
Carrier Field Operations concerning a story on oversight of the charter
bus industry. The segment-will-focus on a crash in Indianapolis in
October 1995. Air date is not known.
ABC 20/20 is preparing for a segment on risk. John Stossel interviewed
NHTSA Administrator Martinez on September 12 concerning the risk
associated with riding in automobiles. Expected to air in October.
Dateline has requested information from NHTSA on three different stories:
(1) vans used as school buses (interview requested); (2) the shattering or
separating of Ford Explorer sun roofs (interview requested); (3) sport
utility vehicles and rollovers.
Chicago Tribune to interview FHWA Acting Administrator Jeff about
suburban/exurban growth and resistance to new roads. Interview likely the
week of September 29; publication date not known.
FOIA REQUESTS
Current crash fire rescue plans for SeaTac Airport and copy of the
Northwest Mountain Region staff directory -- Seattle Post-Intelligence
Chicago Metroplex Airspace Airteam plan, including all recent updates and
changes-- Chicago Tribune
Comments-by the City of New York opposing the use of Passenger Facility
Charge funds for the proposed light rail system at John F. Kennedy Airport
-- Queens Edition
Investigation of accident report involving Northwest Airlines Flight 52
that landed at Brussels, Belgium instead of Frankfurt, Germany, on
September 5, 1995 -- Air Transport Intelligence, Alexandria, Virginia
Specific pilot deviation reports or pilot deviation reports involving
specific aircraft -- WKRN, Nashville
Name, titles, and total compensation for all full-time FAA employees in
Augusta, Georgia, for fiscal year 1997 -- The Augusta Chronicle
Cassette tape of conversation between air traffic and US Air Flight 427 on
September 8, 1994, near Pittsburgh -- St. Petersburg Times
******
Point of Contact: For the weekend of October 4-5, Michael Huerta will be
the contact. He can be reached through the FAA Operations Center at (202)
267-3333.
AMPLIFICATION PLAN
CENTRAL HIGH/RACE RELATIONS
Secretary Slater amplified the President's race relations address in
several media interviews. Notably, the Secretary participated in a live
segment with Bryan Williams on MSNBC, which is rebroadcast nightly on CNBC
collectively reaching 90 million households. Also placed an op-ed by
Secretary Slater in the Washington Post the morning of the event.
The Secretary also was interviewed live on ABC news radio's Tom Joyner
Show, reaching five million households, and Charles Jacco's Newmakers show
on KMOX in St. Louis. Also placed the Secretary on all three Little Rock
network affiliates, the CBS affiliate in Shreveport/Texarkana, La., and
the NBC affiliate in Memphis. Additionally, Secretary Slater was
interviewed by the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Cox newspapers, the Santa
Rosa Press Democrat and WCBS radio news in New York.
CLIMATE CHANGE AND BALANCED BUDGET
Secretary Slater traveled to Chicago to speak at the annual convention of
the American Public Transit Association about the reauthorization of the
federal transportation funding bill and its impact on the balance budget
agreement. The Secretary also amplified key administration messages,
including the Welfare To Work program and climate change. Also, Secretary
Slater participated in a climate change event designed to promote
grassroot community involvement to maintain and beautify metropolitan
transit stations. The Chicago Tribune and Sun Times as well as the Daily
Defender, the nation's oldest African American daily, covered both events.
RECORD TYPE: FEDERAL (TRP NOTES MAIL)
CREATOR: nobody ( [email protected]@INET@LNGTWY [ UNKNOWN ])
CREATION DATE/TIME: 6-OCT-1997 20:03:00.00
SUBJECT: Guest_Book_WH_WWW_MAIL
TO: guestbook ( guestbook@EOP [ UNKNOWN]
READ:UNKNOWN
TEXT:
Remote host:
ww-tq05.proxy.aol.com
Remote IP address: 152.163.201.9
BROWSER:
IWENG/1.2.003
[Sender information]
PERSONAL-NAME: Charles Dinges
[Message information]
SUBJECT:
ISTEA
[Message content follows]
please help congress pass a six-year reauthorization of ISTEA that uses
all gas tax revenues for surface transportation infrastructure
ATTACHMENT I
ATT CREATION TIME/DATE: 0 00:00:00.00
TEXT:
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Received: from conversion.pmdf.eop.gov by PMDF.EOP.GOV (PMDF V5.0-4 #6879)
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Keywords: WWW-Correspondence; Guest_Book
Comments: Forwarded from White House WWW.
END ATTACHMENT
I
RECORD TYPE: FEDERAL (TRP NOTES MAIL)
CREATOR: Jose Cerda III ( Jose Cerda III@EOP@LNGTWY@LNGTWY [ UNKNOWN )
CREATION DATE/TIME: 8-OCT-1997 15:19:00.00
SUBJECT: Draft Slater Letter on DBE Amendment to ISTEA bill
TO: Paul J. Weinstein Jr. ( Paul J. Weinstein Jr.@EOP [ UNKNOWN ])
READ:UNKNOWN
TEXT:
Message Creation Date was at 8-OCT-1997 15:19:00
FYI. jc3
Forwarded by Jose Cerda III/OPD/EOP on 10/08/97
03:18 PM
James J. Jukes
10/08/97 03:01:12 PM
Record Type: Record
To: See the distribution list at the bottom of this message
cc:
Subject: Draft Slater Letter on DBE Amendment to ISTEA bill
We have just received for clearance a draft letter that Secretary Slater
wishes
to send to the Senate leadership concerning the Disadvantaged Business
Enterprise (DBE) provision in the surface transportation (ISTEA)
legislation
that is now on the Senate floor. DOT understands that an amendment may be
offered later this afternoon that would terminate the DBE program. The
letter
opposes such an amendment and states that the Secretary "would find it
difficult to recommend ISTEA legislation to the President for signature
that
did not include the DBE program."
DOT advises that Secretary Slater has personally approved the letter, and
DOT
requests OMB clearance of the letter within an hour. It will be faxed to
you
within the next few minutes with a 4:00 deadline. DOT is also making
direct
calls to Justice and WH/LA to expedite the clearance process. Jill
Gibbons
(x5-7593) will handle clearance for OMB/LRD in Jim Brown's absence today.
Message Sent
To:
Michael Deich/OMB/EOP
Theodore Wartell/OMB/EOP
Patricia E. Romani/OMB/EOP
Kenneth L. Schwartz/OMB/EOP
David E. Tornquist/OMB/EOP
David J. Worzala/OMB/EOP
Diane R. Montgomery/OMB/EOP
Kim C. Nakahara/OMB/EOP
Mark J. Schwartz/OMB/EOP
Mathew C. Blum/OMB/EOP
Steven L. Schooner/OMB/EOP
Charles Konigsberg/OMB/EOP
Alice E. Shuffield/OMB/EOP
Lisa M. Kountoupes/OMB/EOP
James C. Murr/OMB/EOP
M. Jill Gibbons/OMB/EOP
James A. Brown/OMB/EOP
Richard L. Hayes/WHO/EOP
Dawn M. Chirwa/WHO/EOP
Robert N. Weiner/WHO/EOP
Jose Cerda III/OPD/EOP
Ananias Blocker III/WHO/EOP
Daniel C. Tate/WHO/EOP
RECORD TYPE: FEDERAL (TRP NOTES MAIL)
CREATOR: David J. Worzala ( David J. Worzala@EOP@LNGTWY@LNGTWY [ UNKNOWN )
CREATION DATE/TIME:10-OCT-1997 18:26:00.00
SUBJECT: ISTEA - No bill Scenario
TO: Dorothy Robyn ( Dorothy Robyn@eop [ UNKNOWN ])
READ:UNKNOWN
TEXT:
Message Creation Date was at 10-OCT-1997 18:26:00
This E-mail responds to your request that we look into a no-ISTEA
scenario. At
the FHWA FY 1999 Budget Hearing, we had a a long discussion with Gloria
Jeff,
the Acting-Administrator of FHWA, on the downsides of no reathorization of
ISTEA this fall. This email summarizes the impacts of a no bill
scenario.
As you are aware, some believe it is preferable that no bill to be enacted
rather than acquiesce to the House proposal for an extension. This
scenario
assumes Congress will be forced to complete the reauthorization more
speedily
if there is no extension. However, as Gloria Jeff pointed out this
morning,
there are serious problems with this approach. The problems center around
safety initiatives, effective delivery of programs and administrative
problems.
Safety initiatives - While safety is the number one priority of
Secretary
Slater,
the safety grant programs of FHWA motor carriers and NHTSA are at a
standstill
today because there is no contract authority. In addition, construction
funds
for hazard elimination are only available to the extent carryover funds
are
available. To the public, this means that motor carrier inspections,
seat-belt
and alcohol awareness efforts, and highway safety enforcement efforts are
diminished. The National Driver Register, which State Motor Vehicle
Departments query for commercial and personnel licensing histories, may
have to
cease operating. Both FAA and CG use this system as a check for
certification
of pilots and merchant mariners.
Effective delivery of programs - There is approximately $12 billion of
unobligated contract authority held by the States. However, categories of
carryover CA do not always match the priority needs of the States. For
example, States may have unobligated CMAQ funds, but not NHS funds. In
addition to the mismatch of funding to needs, State planning and
contracting
schedules will be disrupted. Bid proposals will not be published absent
the
resources to conduct the projects. Delayed starts, or stretching a
project
over two construction periods, will result in increased project costs.
Contractors are also less likely to apply for projects where funding is in
question. At a minimum, these disruptions will cause bidders to raise
prices
commensurate with the perceived risk associated with delayed funding.
Administrative - FHWA runs out of Operating Expenses contract authority on
January 1. If no bill is enacted by then, or other relief provided, all
FHWA
employees would be furloughed. Currently, approximately $62 million is
available for an account that spends roughly $500 million on an annual
basis.
Under FHWA's emergency operating plan they are delaying as many payments
as
possible. This would include GSA rent and OST centralized costs. On the
personnel management front, no performance awards are being given out and
travel has been curtailed. For the programs funded by LGOE, such as
research
and development, no projects are moving to the bid phase.
Transit - Similar to highways, transit has significant unobligated
balances
that can be used by transit grantees through the first quarter. However,
after that time, the lack of an authorization will begin to cause problems
for
the smaller less financially robust transit operators. These would
include
rural and small urban transit systems. Transit does not have an
administrative
problem because operations, planning and research are funded by
appropriations
(BA) rather than authorizations (CA).
If you need additional information, please let me know.