(a) The regulations in this subpart are applicable to the following proposed postal facility actions located in a wetland:

(1) New construction, owned or leased; or

(2) Construction projects at an existing facility that would alter the external configuration of the facility.

(b) These procedures are not applicable to the following postal facility actions:

(1) Construction of foot and bike trails, or boardwalks, including signs, the primary purposes of which are public education, interpretation, or enjoyment of wetland resources;

(2) Construction at existing postal facilities pursuant to the Architectural Barriers Act or postal accessibility standards;

(3) Any facility construction project deemed necessary to comply with federal, state, or local health, sanitary, or safety code standards to ensure safe working conditions;

(4) Construction of facilities that are functionally dependent on water, such as piers, docks, or boat ramps; or

(5) Maintenance, repair, or renovation of existing facilities.

(a) Early public notice. If a facility action at the contending site(s) could require construction in a wetland, public notice must be provided.

(b) Finding of no practicable alternative. The Postal Service shall avoid construction located in a wetland unless it issues a finding of no practicable alternative. The facilities organization, in conjunction with the operations organization, or, for projects within the delegated authority of the Vice President, Area Operations, the operations organization, shall make a written determination that:

(1) There is no practicable alternative to such construction; and

(2) The proposed action includes all practicable measures to minimize harm to wetlands.

(c) NEPA coordination. If either an Environmental Impact Statement or an Environmental Assessment is required under the Postal Service's National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations, the above review procedures must be incorporated into and evaluated in that document.

When postal-owned wetlands or portions of wetlands are proposed for lease, easement, right-of-way, or disposal to non-federal public or private parties, the Postal Service shall:

(a) Reference in the conveyance document that the parcel contains wetlands and may be restricted in use pursuant to federal, state, or local wetlands regulations; or

(b) Withhold the property from conveyance.