[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 7, Volume 11]
[Revised as of January 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 7CFR1780.31]

[Page 1044]
 
                          TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
 
    CHAPTER XVII--RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 
PART 1780--WATER AND WASTE LOANS AND GRANTS--Table of Contents
 
            Subpart B--Loan and Grant Application Processing
 
Sec. 1780.31  General.


    (a) Applicants are encouraged to contact the Agency processing 
office early in the planning stages of their project. Agency personnel 
are available to provide general advice and assistance regarding RUS 
programs, other funding sources, and types of systems or improvements 
appropriate for the applicants needs. The Agency can also provide access 
to technical assistance and other information resources for other 
project development issues such as public information, income surveys, 
developing rate schedules, system operation and maintenance, and 
environmental compliance requirements. Throughout the planning, 
application processing and construction of the project, Agency personnel 
will work closely and cooperatively with the applicant and their 
representatives, other State and Federal agencies and technical 
assistance providers.
    (b) The processing office will handle initial inquiries and provide 
basic information about the program. They are to provide the 
application, SF 424.2, ``Application for Federal Assistance (For 
Construction),'' assist applicants as needed in completing SF 424.2, and 
in filing a request for intergovernmental review. Federally recognized 
Indian tribes are exempt from intergovernmental review. The processing 
office will explain eligibility requirements and meet with the applicant 
whenever necessary to discuss application processing.
    (c) Applicants can make a written request for an eligibility 
determination in lieu of filing an SF 424.2 along with the information 
required by Sec. 1780.33. Applicants seeking only an eligibility 
determination, should contact the processing office to obtain a list of 
the items needed to make this determination. An eligibility 
determination for loan or grant assistance will not give an applicant 
priority for funding as set forth in Sec. 1780.17.
    (d) Applications that are not developed in a reasonable period of 
time taking into account the size and complexity of the proposed project 
may be removed from the State's active file. Applicants will be 
consulted prior to taking such action.
    (e) Starting with the earliest discussion with prospective 
applicants, the State Environmental Coordinator shall discuss with 
prospective applicants and be available for consultation during the 
application process the environmental review requirements for evaluating 
the potential environmental consequences of the project. Pursuant to 7 
CFR part 1794 and guidance in RUS Bulletin 1794A-602, the environmental 
review requirements shall be performed by the applicant simultaneously 
and concurrently with the project's engineering planning and design. 
This should provide flexibility to consider reasonable alternatives to 
the project and development methods to mitigate identified adverse 
environmental effects. Mitigation measures necessary to avoid or 
minimize any adverse environmental effects must be integrated into 
project design.

[62 FR 33478, June 19, 1997, as amended at 63 FR 68655, Dec. 11, 1998]