Here is response from Sheldon Edner of FHWA: The designation for all UZAs was effective upon publication by the Census Bureau. New TMAs (UZA over 200,000 for first time) are effective, for transportation planning purposes, upon designation by the Secretary of Transportation. Regarding the use of FTA funds, please contact FTA. Regarding STP attributable funding, FY 2003 funding will be apportioned to the States in October, 2002 and will provide the first STP attributable funding for new TMAs. If the newly designated UZAs were part of an MPO (which was a TMA) before the publication of the Census information, they were already eligible for STP funding. If they have become part of the MPO (TMA) for the first time, they are eligible to use STP funding as soon as (starting after October1, 2002) projects utilizing those funds are included in a plan and TIP. Communities do not apply to FHWA for these funds, they are available as a result of the MPO planning process and the inclusion of projects utilizing them in plans and TIPs. Funding is made available through the State DOT. Sheldon Edner FHWA Office of Metropolitan Planning