[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 24, Volume 1]
[Revised as of April 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 24CFR50.3]

[Page 367-368]
 
                 TITLE 24--HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
 
PART 50_PROTECTION AND ENHANCEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY--Table of 
Contents
 
             Subpart A_General: Federal Laws and Authorities
 
Sec. 50.3  Environmental policy.

    (a) It is the policy of the Department to reject proposals which 
have significant adverse environmental impacts and to encourage the 
modification of projects in order to enhance environmental quality and 
minimize environmental harm.
    (b) The HUD approving official shall consider environmental and 
other Departmental objectives in the decisionmaking process.

[[Page 368]]

    (c) When EA's or EIS's or reviews under Sec. 50.4 reveal conditions 
or safeguards that should be implemented once a proposal is approved in 
order to protect and enhance environmental quality or minimize adverse 
environmental impacts, such conditions or safeguards must be included in 
agreements or other relevant documents.
    (d) A systematic, interdisciplinary approach shall be used to assure 
the integrated use of the natural and social sciences and the 
environmental design arts in making decisions.
    (e) Environmental impacts shall be evaluated on as comprehensive a 
scale as is practicable.
    (f) HUD offices shall begin the environmental review process at the 
earliest possible time so that potential conflicts between program 
procedures and environmental requirements are identified at an early 
stage.
    (g) Applicants for HUD assistance shall be advised of environmental 
requirements and consultation with governmental agencies and individuals 
shall take place at the earliest time feasible.
    (h) For HUD grant programs in which the funding approval for an 
applicant's program must occur before the applicant's selection of 
properties, the application shall contain an assurance that the 
applicant agrees to assist HUD to comply with this part and that the 
applicant shall:
    (1) Supply HUD with all available, relevant information necessary 
for HUD to perform for each property any environmental review required 
by this part;
    (2) Carry out mitigating measures required by HUD or select 
alternate eligible property; and
    (3) Not acquire, rehabilitate, convert, lease, repair or construct 
property, nor commit or expend HUD or local funds for these program 
activities with respect to any eligible property, until HUD approval of 
the property is received.
    (i)(1) It is HUD policy that all property proposed for use in HUD 
programs be free of hazardous materials, contamination, toxic chemicals 
and gasses, and radioactive substances, where a hazard could affect the 
health and safety of occupants or conflict with the intended utilization 
of the property.
    (2) HUD environmental review of multifamily and non-residential 
properties shall include evaluation of previous uses of the site and 
other evidence of contamination on or near the site, to assure that 
occupants of proposed sites are not adversely affected by the hazards 
listed in paragraph (i)(1) of this section.
    (3) Particular attention should be given to any proposed site on or 
in the general proximity of such areas as dumps, landfills, industrial 
sites or other locations that contain hazardous wastes.
    (4) HUD shall require the use of current techniques by qualified 
professionals to undertake investigations determined necessary.