(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, if any license party proposes an alternative to a preliminary condition or prescription under § 45.71, DOI will do the following within 60 days after the deadline for filing comments on FERC's draft NEPA document under 18 CFR 5.25(c):

(1) Analyze under § 45.74 any alternative condition or prescription proposed under § 45.71 or 45.72; and

(2) File with FERC:

(i) Any condition or prescription that DOI adopts as its modified condition or prescription; and

(ii) DOI's analysis of the modified condition or prescription and any proposed alternative.

(b) If DOI needs additional time to complete the steps set forth in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section, it will so inform FERC within 60 days after the deadline for filing comments on FERC's draft NEPA document under 18 CFR 5.25(c).