[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: 7CFR1794.52]

[Page 1142-1143]
 
                          TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
 
    CHAPTER XVII--RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 
PART 1794--ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES--Table of Contents
 
     Subpart F--Procedure for Environmental Assessments With Scoping
 
Sec. 1794.52  Scoping meetings.

    (a) Both RUS and the applicant shall have a notice published which 
announces a public scoping meeting is to be conducted, either in 
conjunction with the notice of intent or as a separate notice.
    (b) The RUS notice shall be published in the Federal Register at 
least 14 days prior to the meeting(s). The applicant's notice shall be 
published in a newspaper at least 10 days prior to the meeting(s). Other 
forms of media may

[[Page 1143]]

also be used by the applicant to notice the meetings.
    (c) Where an environmental document is the subject of the hearing or 
meeting, that document will be made available to the public at least 10 
days in advance of the meeting.
    (d) The scoping meeting(s) will be held in the area of the proposed 
action at such place(s) as RUS determines will best afford an 
opportunity for public involvement. Any person or representative of an 
organization, or government body desiring to make a statement at the 
meeting may make such statement in writing or orally. The format of the 
meeting may be one of two styles. It can either be of the traditional 
style which features formal presentations followed by a comment period, 
or the open house style in which attendees are able to individually 
obtain information on topics or issues of interest within an established 
time period. A transcript will be made of the scoping meeting.
    (e) As soon as practicable after the scoping meeting(s), RUS, as 
lead agency, shall determine the significant issues to be analyzed in 
depth and identify and eliminate from detailed study the issues which 
are not significant or which have been covered by prior environmental 
review. RUS will develop a proposed scope for further environmental 
study and review. RUS shall send a copy of this proposed scope to 
cooperating agencies and the applicant, and allow recipients 30 days to 
comment on the scope's adequacy and emphasis. After expiration of the 
30-day period, RUS shall provide written guidance to the applicant 
concerning the scope of environmental study to be performed and 
information to be gathered.