[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 45, Volume 3]

[Revised as of October 1, 2005]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 45CFR640.4]



[Page 192-193]

 

                        TITLE 45--PUBLIC WELFARE

 

                 CHAPTER VI--NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

 

PART 640_COMPLIANCE WITH THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT--Table 

of Contents

 

Sec. 640.4  Responsibilities and procedures for preparation of an 

environmental assessment.



    (a) Program Officers, as the first point of decision in the review 

process, shall determine into which category incoming proposals fall, 

according to the criteria set forth in Sec. 640.3 of this part. 

Notwithstanding this responsibility of the Program Officer, the 

appropriate Division Director, Assistant Director, and other reviewing 

policy officials must assure that adequate analysis is being made.

    (b) Where appropriate, programs, divisions, or directorates will 

advise prospective applicants in program announcements, requests for 

proposals, and other NSF-prepared brochures of the requirement to 

furnish information regarding any environmental impact that the 

applicant's proposed study may have.



[[Page 193]]



    (c) Should an environmental assessment be required, the directorate 

supporting the activity shall be responsible for its preparation. The 

grant or contract applicant may be asked to submit additional 

information in order that a reasonable and accurate assessment may be 

made. Though no specific format for an environmental assessment is 

prescribed, it shall be a separate document suitable for public review 

and shall serve the purpose described in 40 CFR 1508.9, which is quoted 

in full as follows:



                 Section 1508.9 Environmental Assessment



    ``Environmental Assessment'':

    (a) Means a concise public document for which a Federal agency is 

responsible that serves to:

    (1) Briefly provide sufficient evidence and analysis for determining 

whether to prepare an environmental impact statement or a finding of no 

significant impact.

    (2) Aid an agency's compliance with the Act when no environmental 

impact statement is necessary.

    (3) Facilitate preparation of a statement when one is necessary.

    (b) Shall include brief discussions of the need for the proposal, of 

alternatives as required by section 102(2)(E), of the environmental 

impacts of the proposed action and alternatives, and a listing of 

agencies and persons consulted.



    (d) A copy of the assessment or drafts shall accompany the 

appropriate proposal throughout the NSF internal review and approval 

process. At the option of the directorate preparing the assessment, a 

draft may be submitted to the Committee for its review and comments. 

Prior to an award decision, one copy of all completed assessments shall 

be sent to the Chairman for review and updating of the Committee listing 

of assessments.

    (e) If, on the basis of an environmental assessment, it is 

determined that an EIS is not required, a Finding of No Significant 

Impact (FNSI) as described in 40 CFR 1508.13 will be prepared. The FNSI 

shall include the environmental assessment or a summary of it and be 

available to the public from the Committee. If the proposed action is 

one that normally requires an EIS, is closely similar to an action 

normally requiring an EIS, or is without precedent, the FNSI shall be 

made available for a 30 day public review period before any action is 

taken.