[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 40, Volume 1] [Revised as of July 1, 2004] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 40CFR6.503] [Page 102-103] TITLE 40--PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT CHAPTER I--ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY PART 6_PROCEDURES FOR IMPLEMENTING THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE COUNCIL ON Subpart E_Environmental Review Procedures for Wastewater Treatment Construction Grants Program Sec. 6.503 Overview of the environmental review process. The process for conducting an environmental review of wastewater treatment construction grant projects includes the following steps: (a) Consultation. The Step 1 grantee or the potential Step 3 or Step 2+3 applicant is encouraged to consult with the State and EPA early in project formulation or the facilities planning stage to determine whether a project is eligible for a categorical exclusion from the remaining substantive environmental review requirements of this part (Sec. 6.505), to determine alternatives to the proposed project for evaluation, to identify potential environmental issues and opportunities for public recreation and open space, and to determine the potential need for partitioning the environmental review process and/or the need for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). (b) Determining categorical exclusion eligibility. At the request of a potential Step 3 or Step 2+3 grant applicant, or a Step 1 facilities planning grantee, the responsible official will determine if a project is eligible for a categorical exclusion in accordance with Sec. 6.505. A Step 1 facilities planning grantee awarded a Step 1 grant on or before December 29, 1981 may request a categorical exclusion at any time during Step 1 facilities planning. A potential Step 3 or Step 2+3 grant applicant may request a categorical exclusion at any time before the submission of a Step 3 or Step 2+3 grant application. (c) Documenting environmental information. If the project is determined to be ineligible for a categorical exclusion, or if no request for a categorical exclusion is made, the potential Step 3 or Step 2+3 applicant or the Step 1 grantee subsequently prepares an Environmental Information Document (EID) (Sec. 6.506) for the project. (d) Preparing environmental assessments. Except as provided in Sec. 6.506(c)(4) and following a review of the EID by [[Page 103]] EPA or by a State with delegated authority, EPA prepares an environmental assessment (Sec. 6.506), or a State with delegated authority (Sec. 6.514) prepares a preliminary environmental assessment. EPA reviews and finalizes any preliminary assessments. EPA subsequently: (1) Prepares and issues a Finding of No Significant Impact (FNSI) (Sec. 6.508); or (2) Prepares and issues a Notice of Intent to prepare an original or supplemental EIS (Sec. 6.510) and Record of Decision (ROD) (Sec. 6.511). (e) Monitoring. The construction and post-construction operation and maintenance of the facilities are monitored (Sec. 6.512) to ensure implementation of mitigation measures (Sec. 6.511) identified in the FNSI or ROD. [50 FR 26317, June 25, 1985, as amended at 51 FR 32611, Sept. 12, 1986]