[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 7, Volume 6]
[Revised as of January 1, 2008]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 7CFR632.50]

[Page 470]
 
                          TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
 
   CHAPTER VI--NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF 
                               AGRICULTURE
 
PART 632_RURAL ABANDONED MINE PROGRAM--Table of Contents
 
                          Subpart F_Environment
 
Sec. 632.50  Environmental evaluation.


    (a) Environmental evaluation is an integral part of planning used by 
NRCS in developing each reclamation plan under this program. Planning 
includes site inventory and analysis, evaluation of reasonable 
alternatives, and identification of significant environmental impacts. 
Major points in planning when NRCS or the land user can make decisions 
concerning further action are:
    (1) After an evaluation of the application for program assistance to 
verify eligibility, land user objectives, and priorities for funding.
    (2) After a site-specific inventory and analysis to evaluate 
feasible treatment alternatives, costs, and environmental impacts.
    (3) After development of an acceptable reclamation plan as a basis 
for contract.
    (4) Before the signing of a mutually acceptable contract for 
financial cost-share assistance.
    (b) The scope and complexity of the assessment is to be consistent 
with the scope and complexity of the proposed reclamation.
    (c) An interdisciplinary team, consisting of NRCS and/or other 
cooperating agency personnel as needed, is used in making the 
assessment.
    (d) The Responsible Federal Official (RFO) is to use the 
environmental evaluation to make a decision concerning the need to 
prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) in accordance with Sec. 
632.52.

[43 FR 44749, Sept. 28, 1978; 45 FR 65181, Oct. 2, 1980]