FEDERAL AGENCY:

APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION

AUTHORIZATION:

Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965, Public Law 89-4, as amended; Appalachian Regional Development Reform Act of 1998, Public Law 105-393.

To provide a highway system which, in conjunction with other federally-aided highways, will open up areas with development potential within Appalachia where commerce and communication have been inhibited by lack of adequate access.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   State governments only are eligible for development highways within their Appalachian portions.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   General public.

Credentials/Documentation:   Segments must be approved by the ARC and projects must be processed in accordance with State Highway department and Federal Highway Administration procedures.

Pre-application Coordination:   An environmental impact statement is required for this program. The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No. A-102 must be used for this program. The State highway department coordinates with the Federal Highway Administration, Department of Transportation (DOT), as in the case of federally aided highway construction. The District Director or State Alternate's Office will provide guidance on specific problems and technical assistance in the preparation of applications. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:   The ARC has established a corridor system. The Appalachian State office designated by the State Member submits an application for construction within this system to the Commission for consideration. ARC must concur in detailed highway locations and construction centerlines. Upon such approval, State highway departments may submit plans to implement projects to the State-level office of Federal Highway Administration. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110.

Award Procedure:   Upon determination that the State approved project is eligible within a Commission approved Appalachian Highway Plan, the Federal Co-chairman notifies FHWA of centerline approval based on determines that the project satisfies all Federal requirements. The Department of Transportation is then notified, administers the grants and disburses the funds.

Deadlines:   None.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   Usually within 60 days after the receipt of the application at the Commission.

Appeals:   None.

Renewals:   Not applicable.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   At least 20 percent of the development cost must be furnished by the State. This program has maintenance of effort (MOE) requirements; see funding agency for further details.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   Assistance is provided as required.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   The Federal Highway Administration provides the ARC with periodic reports on the progress and status of projects. Each participating State makes fiscal year reports to the Commission of its allocations expected to be obligated during the fiscal year with the following information concerning each project to be funded: highway corridor segment description, project number, type of work, estimated total cost, and estimated Section 201 requirement.

Audits:   The Federal Highway Administration, DOT, supervises audits for the Commission. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records:   Records and time of record maintenance as required by the Federal Highway Administration, DOT.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   46-0200-0-1-452.

Obligations:   FY 01 $4,761,965; FY 02 est $3,600,000; and FY 03 est not available. (Note: In FY 01 and 02 an estimated $390,000,000 and $398,000,000, respectively, in obligation limitation will be provided for Appalachian Highways from the Highway Trust Fund authorized in TEA-21 and appropriated in Public Law 105-277, Division A. This funding is not included in the above account.)

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:   Ranges and averages vary with type of use. Allocations are within predetermined system of highways.

At the end of fiscal year 2001, 2,483 miles were fully completed or under construction and open to traffic. This represents 82 percent of the total mileage authorized for the system.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

The ARC Code (limited distribution); "Appalachian Regional Commission Project Guidelines" (limited distribution); applicable State Appalachian Plans and Guidelines; "Appalachia" - a journal devoted to the special problems of regional development; Annual Reports, no charge.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:   Refer to Appendix IV of the Catalog.

Headquarters Office:   Inquiries and proposals for projects should be submitted first to the Appalachian State office designated by the Governor. (See Appendix IV of the Catalog.) Other inquiries may be addressed to: Executive Director, Appalachian Regional Commission, 1666 Connecticut Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20235. Telephone: (202) 884-7700. Use the same number for FTS.

Web Site Address:   http://www.arc.gov

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

See USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

See APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS.