§1506.2. What types of claims do these standards and procedures cover? — Inbound Citations

(d) If the environmental assessment demonstrates that the environmental effects of the action with the United States may be “significant” (see § 1508.27 of the CEQ Regulations) the Department is required to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) in accordance with these regulations (see also CEQ Regulations § 1501.8, part 1502 and §§ 1506.2 through 1506.7). In preparing the environmental impact statement the following steps will be carried out:

(1) If an impact statement is required, the Department will publish in the Federal Register a “Notice of intent” to prepare such a statement (CEQ Regulations §§ 1501.7 and 1508.22).

(2) The Department will then hold a scoping meeting with interested agencies and individuals to determine the proper content (“scope”) of the statement (CEQ Regulations §§ 1501.7 and 1508.25).

(3) The Department will then prepare a draft EIS (DEIS) which will be filed with the Environmental Protection Agency and circulated to agencies and the public for comment for at least 45 days, except where the CEQ Regulations and these regulations permit the time period to be shortened (CEQ Regulations § 1501.8, part 1502, §§ 1506.2 through 1506.7, 1506.10(d) and 1506.11; 161.7(d), 161.9(n)(2)).

(4) In light of the comments and following any revision in the draft EIS, the Department will file with the Environmental Protection Agency and circulate to agencies and the public a final EIS at least 30 days before making a final decision on the action, except where the CEQ Regulations and these regulations permit the time period to be shortened (CEQ Regulations §§ 1506.9, 1506.10(d), 1506.11; 161.7(d), 161.9(n)(2)).

(5) After making a decision on the action, the Department will make available a formal “Record of decision” (CEQ Regulations § 1505.2).

(d) The responsible action officer shall be responsible for the preparation of the draft environmental impact statement in the manner described in § 1501.8, part 1502, and §§ 1506.2 through 1506.7 of the CEQ Regulations. Preliminary copies of the draft environmental impact statement and attachments shall be submitted to the Office of Environmental Quality and Transboundary Issues before any formal review is conducted outside the Department. This submission shall be accompanied by a list of Federal, State, and local officials (part 1503 of the CEQ Regulations) and a list of other interested parties (§ 1506.6 of the CEQ Regulations) whose comments shall be sought. The Office of Environmental Quality and Transboundary Issues shall review the draft and obtain additional comments from other appropriate Departmental bureaus and offices.