(a) The FSA Administrator or designee:

(1) Is the Responsible Federal Officer (RFO) for FSA compliance with applicable environmental laws, regulations, and Executive Orders, including NEPA, and unless otherwise specified, will make all determinations under this part;

(2) Will ensure responsibilities for complying with NEPA are adequately delegated to FSA personnel within their areas of responsibility at the Federal, State, and county levels;

(3) Will appoint a National Environmental Compliance Manager (NECM), as required by 40 CFR 1507.2(a), who reports directly to the FSA Administrator; and

(4) Will appoint a qualified Federal Preservation Officer (FPO), as required by Executive Order 13287 “Preserve America” section 3(e) and by section 110 of NHPA (54 U.S.C. 306101). This individual must meet the National Park Service professional qualification standards requirements referenced in 36 CFR part 61 and will report directly to the NECM.

(b) The NECM or designee coordinates FSA environmental policies and reviews under this part on a national basis and is responsible for:

(1) Ensuring FSA legislative proposals and multistate and national programs are in compliance with NEPA and other applicable environmental and cultural resource laws, regulations, and Executive Orders;

(2) Providing education and training on implementing NEPA and other environmental compliance requirements to appropriate FSA personnel;

(3) Serving as the principal FSA advisor to the FSA Administrator on NEPA and other environmental compliance requirements;

(4) Representing FSA, and serving as an intra- and inter-agency liaison, on NEPA- and environmental compliance-related matters on a national basis;

(5) Maintaining a record of FSA environmental compliance actions; and

(6) Ensuring State and county office compliance with NEPA and other applicable environmental laws, regulations, and Executive Orders.

(c) The FPO or designee coordinates NHPA compliance under this part and is responsible for:

(1) Serving as the principal FSA advisor to the NECM on NHPA requirements;

(2) Representing FSA, and serving as FSA intra- and inter-agency liaison, on all NHPA-related matters on a national basis;

(3) Maintaining current FSA program guidance on NHPA requirements;

(4) Maintaining a record of FSA environmental actions related to the NHPA; and

(5) Ensuring State and county office compliance with the NHPA and other cultural resource-related requirements.

(a) FSA State Executive Directors (SEDs) or designees are the responsible approving officials (RAOs) in their respective States and are responsible for:

(1) Ensuring FSA proposed actions within their State comply with applicable environmental laws, regulations, and Executive Orders, including NEPA; and

(2) Appointing two or more collateral duty State Environmental Coordinators (SECs) or at least one full time SEC.

(b) An SED will not appoint more than one SEC for Farm Programs and one SEC for Farm Loan Programs in a State unless approved in writing by the NECM.

(c) SECs or designees are responsible for:

(1) Serving as the environmental compliance coordinators on all environmental-related matters within their respective State;

(2) Advising SEDs on environmental issues;

(3) Providing training, in coordination with the NECM, on NEPA and other environmental compliance requirements to appropriate FSA State and county office personnel;

(4) Providing assistance on environmental-related matters on a proposed action-by-action basis to State and county office personnel, as needed;

(5) When feasible, developing controls for avoiding or mitigating adverse environmental impacts and monitoring the implementation of those controls;

(6) Reviewing FSA proposed actions that are not categorically excluded from documentation in an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement, or that otherwise require State office approval or clearance, and making appropriate recommendations to the approving official;

(7) Providing assistance to resolve post-approval environmental issues at the State office level;

(8) Maintaining decision records for State office environmental compliance matters;

(9) Monitoring their respective State's compliance with environmental laws, regulations, and Executive Orders;

(10) Acting as a liaison on FSA State office environmental compliance matters with the public and other Federal, State, and Tribal governments;

(11) Representing the SED on environmental issues, as requested;

(12) Delegating duties under this section with the approval of both the SED and NECM; and

(13) Other NEPA and environmental compliance-related duties as assigned.

(d) County Executive Directors, District Directors, and Farm Loan Programs loan approval officers or designees are responsible for compliance with this part within their geographical areas.

(a) Potential FSA program participants requesting FSA assistance must do all of the following:

(1) Consult with FSA early in the process about potential environmental concerns associated with program participation. The program participation information required to start participation in an FSA program varies by FSA program and may be in the form of an offer, enrollment, sign-up, contract, note and security agreement, or other as is required by the relevant FSA program.

(2) Submit applications for all Federal, regional, State, and local approvals and permits early in the planning process.

(3) Coordinate the submission of program participation information to FSA and other agencies (for example, if a conservation plan is required, then the program participation information is also submitted to USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service).

(4) Work with other appropriate Federal, State, and Tribal governments to ensure all environmental factors are identified and impacts addressed and, to the extent possible, mitigated, consistent with how mitigation is defined in 40 CFR 1508.20.

(5) Inform FSA of other Federal, State, and Tribal government environmental reviews that have previously been completed or required of the program participant.

(6) Provide FSA with a list of all parties affected by or interested in the proposed action.

(7) If requested by FSA, provide information necessary for FSA to evaluate a proposed action's potential environmental impacts and alternatives.

(8) Ensure that all compliance documentation provided is current, sufficiently detailed, complete, and submitted in a timely fashion.

(9) Be in compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, and policies regarding environmental management and protection.

(10) Not implement any component of the proposed action prior to the completion of FSA's environmental review and final decision, or FSA's approval for that proposed action, consistent with 40 CFR 1506.1.

(b) When FSA receives program participation information for assistance or notification that program participation information will be filed, FSA will contact the potential program participant about the environmental information the program participant must provide as part of the process. This required information may include:

(1) Design specifications;

(2) Topographical, aerial, and location maps;

(3) Surveys and assessments necessary for determining the impact on protected resources listed in § 799.33(a)(2);

(4) Nutrient management plans; and

(5) Applications, plans, and permits for all Federal, regional, State and local approvals including construction permits, storm water run-off and operational plans and permits, and engineering designs and plans.

(a) In determining whether a proposed action will have a significant effect on the quality of the human environment, FSA will consider the proposed action's potential effects in the context of society as a whole, the affected region and interests, the locality, and the intensity of the potential impact as specified in 40 CFR 1508.27.

(b) [Reserved]

(a) FSA may prepare the following documents during the environmental review process:

(1) ESW;

(2) Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA);

(3) Environmental Assessment (EA);

(4) Supplemental Environmental Assessment;

(4) Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS);

(5) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS);

(6) Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS);

(7) Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI);

(8) Record of Decision (ROD);

(9) Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare any type of EIS;

(10) Notice of Availability (NOA) of environmental documents;

(11) Notice of public scoping meetings;

(12) Other notices, including those required under Executive Order 11988, “Floodplain Management,” Executive Order 13690, “Establishing a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard and a Process for Further Soliciting and Considering Stakeholder Input,” and Executive Order 11990, “Protection of Wetlands;”

(13) Memorandums of Agreement or Understanding (MOA or MOU), such as those for mitigation of adverse effects on historic properties as specified in 36 CFR part 800, “Protection of Historic Properties;” and

(14) Environmental studies, as indicated and appropriate.

(b) [Reserved]

(a) FSA will maintain an administrative record of documents and materials that FSA created or considered during its NEPA decision making process for a proposed action and referenced as such in the NEPA documentation, which can include any or all the following:

(1) Any NEPA environmental review documents listed in § 799.9, as applicable;

(2) Technical information, permits, plans, sampling results, survey information, engineering reports, and studies, including environmental impact studies and assessments;

(3) Policies, guidelines, directives, and manuals;

(4) Internal memorandums or informational papers;

(5) Contracts or agreements;

(6) Notes of professional telephone conversations and meetings;

(7) Meeting minutes;

(8) Correspondence with agencies and stakeholders;

(9) Communications to and from the public;

(10) Documents and materials that contain any information that supports or conflicts with the FSA decision;

(11) Maps, drawings, charts, and displays; and

(12) All public comments received during the NEPA comment periods.

(b) The administrative record may be used, among other purposes, to facilitate better decision making, as determined by FSA.

(a) Except as specified in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, FSA or a program participant must not take any action, implement any component of a proposed action, or make any final decision during FSA's NEPA and environmental compliance review process that could have an adverse environmental impact or limit the range of alternatives until FSA completes its environmental review by doing one of the following:

(1) Determines that the proposed action is categorically excluded under NEPA under subpart D of this part and does not trigger any extraordinary circumstances; or

(2) Issues a FONSI or ROD under subpart E or F of this part.

(b) FSA may approve interim actions related to proposed actions provided the:

(1) Interim actions will not have an adverse environmental impact;

(2) Expenditure is necessary to maintain a schedule for the proposed action;

(3) Interim actions and expenditures will not compromise FSA's environmental compliance review and decision making process for the larger action;

(4) Interim actions and expenditures will not segment otherwise connected actions; and

(5) NEPA and associated environmental compliance review has been completed for the interim action or expenditure.

(c) FSA and program participants may develop preliminary plans or designs, or perform work necessary to support an application for Federal, State, or local permits or assistance, during the NEPA review process, provided all requirements in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section are met.

(a) If emergency circumstances exist that make it necessary to take action to mitigate harm to life, property, or important natural, cultural, or historic resources, FSA may take an action with significant environmental impact without complying with the requirements of this part.

(b) If emergency circumstances exist, the NECM will consult with CEQ as soon as feasible about alternative NEPA arrangements for controlling the immediate impact of the emergency, as specified in 40 CFR 1506.11.

(c) If emergency circumstances exist, the FPO will follow the emergency procedures specified in 36 CFR 800.12 regarding preservation of historic properties, if applicable.

(d) FSA assistance provided in response to a Presidentially-declared disaster under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 5121—5207, is exempt from NEPA requirements, as specified in 42 U.S.C. 5159. Under a Presidentially-declared disaster, the following actions to specifically address immediate post-emergency health or safety hazards are exempt from environmental compliance requirements:

(1) Clearing roads and constructing temporary bridges necessary for performing emergency tasks and essential community services;

(2) Emergency debris removal in support of performing emergency tasks and essential community services;

(3) Demolishing unsafe structures that endanger the public or could create a public health hazard if not demolished;

(4) Disseminating public information and assistance for health and safety measures;

(5) Providing technical assistance to State, regional, local, or Tribal governments on disaster management control;

(6) Reducing immediate threats to life, property, and public health and safety; and

(7) Warning of further risks and hazards.

(c) Proposed actions other than those specified in paragraph (d) of this section that are not specifically to address immediate post-emergency health or safety hazards require the full suite of environmental compliance requirements and are not exempt.

(a) When FSA acts as the lead agency in a NEPA review as specified in 40 CFR 1501.5, FSA will:

(1) Coordinate its review with other appropriate Federal, State, and Tribal governments; and

(2) Request other agencies to act as cooperating agencies as specified in 40 CFR 1501.6, and defined in 40 CFR 1508.5, as early in the review process as possible.

(b) If FSA acts as a lead agency for a proposed action that affects more than one State, the NECM will designate one SEC to act as RAO.

(c) If the role of lead agency is disputed, the NECM will refer the matter to the FSA Administrator, who will attempt to resolve the matter with the other agency. If the Federal agencies cannot agree which will serve as the lead agency, the FSA Administrator will follow the procedures specified in 40 CFR 1501.5(e) to request that CEQ determine the lead agency.

(a) FSA will act as a cooperating agency if requested by another agency, as specified in 40 CFR 1501.6 and defined in 40 CFR 1508.5. However, FSA may decline another agency's request if FSA determines the proposed action does not fall within FSA's area of expertise or FSA does not have jurisdiction by law. If FSA declines such a request to cooperate, that will be documented in writing to the requesting agency and a copy will be provided to CEQ.

(b) FSA may request to be designated as a cooperating agency if another agency's proposed action falls within FSA's area of expertise.

(a) FSA will involve the public in the environmental review process as early as possible and in a manner consistent with 40 CFR 1506.6. To determine the appropriate level of public participation, FSA will consider:

(1) The scale of the proposed action and its probable effects;

(2) The likely level of public interest and controversy; and

(3) Advice received from knowledgeable parties and experts.

(b) Depending upon the scale of the proposed action, FSA will:

(1) Coordinate public notices and consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service, Federal Emergency Management Agency, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and other agencies, as appropriate, if wetlands, floodplains, ESA-listed species, or other protected resources have the potential to be impacted;

(2) Make appropriate environmental documents available to interested partiesby request;

(3) Publish a Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an EIS, as specified in subpart F of this part; and

(4) Publish a Notice of Availability (NOA) of draft and final EISs and RODs, as specified in subpart F of this part.

(c) If the effects of a proposed action are local in nature and the scale of the proposed action is likely to generate interest and controversy at the local level, then in addition to the proposed actions specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, FSA will:

(1) Notify appropriate State, local, regional, and Tribal governments and clearinghouses, and parties and organizations, including the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) and Tribal Historic Preservation Officer (THPO), known to have environmental, cultural, and economic interests in the locality affected by the proposed action; and

(2) Publish notice of the proposed action in the local media.

(d) Public review for 30 days for a FONSI is necessary if any of the limited circumstances specified in 40 CFR 1501.4(e)(2)(i) or (ii) applies.

(a) FSA will determine the appropriate scoping process for the environmental review of a proposed action based on the nature, complexity, potential significance of effects, and level of controversy of the proposed action.

(b) As part of its scoping process, FSA will:

(1) Invite appropriate Federal, State, and Tribal governments, and other interested parties to participate in the process, if determined necessary by FSA;

(2) Identify the significant issues to be analyzed;

(3) Identify and eliminate from further review issues that were determined not significant or have been adequately addressed in any prior environmental reviews;

(4) Determine the roles of lead and cooperating agencies, if appropriate;

(5) Identify any related EAs or EISs;

(6) Identify other environmental reviews and consultation requirements, including NHPA requirements and State, local, regional, and Tribal requirements, so they are integrated into the NEPA process;

(7) Identify the relationship between the timing of the environmental review process and FSA's decision making process;

(8) Determine points of contact within FSA; and

(9) Establish time limits for the environmental review process.

(c) FSA may hold public meetings as part of the scoping process, if appropriate and as time permits. The process that FSA will use to determine if a public scoping meeting is needed, and how such meetings will be announced, is specified in § 799.17.

(a) In consultation with the NECM, the SEC will determine if public meetings will be held on a proposed action to:

(1) Inform the public about the details of a proposed action and its possible environmental effects;

(2) Gather information about the public concerns; and

(3) Resolve, address, or respond to issues raised by the public.

(b) In determining whether to hold a public meeting, FSA will consider and determine whether:

(1) There is substantial controversy concerning the environmental impact of the proposed action;

(2) There is substantial interest in holding a public meeting;

(3) Another Federal agency or Tribal government has requested a public scoping meeting and their request is warranted; or

(4) The FSA Administrator has determined that a public meeting is needed.

(c) FSA will publish notice of a public meeting, including the time, date and location of the meeting, in the local media or Federal Register, as appropriate, at least 15 days before the first meeting. A notice of a public scoping meeting may be included in a Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS.

(d) If a NEPA document is to be considered at a public meeting, FSA will make the appropriate documentation available to the public at least 15 days before the meeting.