ments study (PRS) utilizing REA procedures. For electric generation and transmission and mining proposals, the need for the proposal shall be presented in the draft and final EIS's (or EA, as applicable).

B and B1: The Borrower consults with REA on the procedures and general parameters for the Siting Study and on potential alternative ways to meet the need, including guidance on preparing the Alternative Evaluation. Consultation may be initiated even if a specific need has not been identified.

BC: Work is performed on the Siting Study by the Borrower and/or consultant. This includes “macroanalysis” in which general criteria, literature search and consultation are used to identify a reasonable range of potentially acceptable sites.

Borrower/consultant contact Soil Conservation Service (SCS), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE), Federal land use agencies and state agencies for early guidance and input.

As soon as practicable during this period, REA publishes its "Notice of Intent” in the FEDERAL REGISTER and the Borrower publishes similar information in local newspapers of general circulation. (See § 1794.51(b)).

BIC: Borrower does research and consultation, contacts other utilities, etc., to determine whether there are reasonable alternatives to a new generating (or transmission or mining facility). The Alternative Evaluation should include discussion, as appropriate, of joint projects, alternate fuels, alternate energy sources, conservation, etc. Alternatives eliminated from detailed study should be identified and reasons given for the elimination. The Borrower should also indicate which alternatives are reasonably available to it if its recommended alternative is not approved.

C and C1: Borrower submits draft of Siting Study and Alternative Evaluation to REA for review. REA reviews each draft for major flaws. If such flaws are not present, REA submits both the draft Siting Study and Alternative Evaluation to potentially involved Federal and state agencies (including, but not limited to, all agencies invited to the field investigation) for review and comment.

D and D1: REA invites other Federal and state agencies to make a field investigation of potentially acceptable siting areas discussed in the draft Siting Study and critique the study methodology, and point out potential problems with these alternative siting areas. The Borrower at this time presents site and nonsite specific alternatives included in the Siting Study and Alternative Evaluation to these agencies for their comments. Participating agencies may critique alternative means of meeting the need and

point out potential problems with alternative siting areas. The agencies set up a strategy for conducting the scoping process and tentatively identify the lead and cooperating agencies for the EIS.

DE: Federal agencies are given the opportunity to comment on the potentially acceptable alternatives to point out fatal flaws. During this stage the Borrower may secure land, water or other critical factors for potentially acceptable sites by option or other means (subject to the limitations in § 1794.21). If REA's notice of intent and the Borrower's notice did not give the date and time of the scoping meeting, scoping meeting notices are published now.

E and E1: Scoping meeting(s) is held to receive input from the public, interested parties, and Federal, state and local officials and agencies. Among the topics open to discussion are reasonable alternatives to meet the need, potentially acceptable sites, participation projects or conservation, significant issues to be addressed in the EIS, and the need for the project.

EF: Borrower submits revised Siting Study (or addenda if appropriate) to REA for review after revising it to reflect input from scoping meeting(s). REA consults with cooperating agencies on the scope of the EIS and gives the Borrower guidance on scope of the Environmental Analysis. Borrower prepares the draft Environmental Analysis which includes a fatal flaw study of potentially acceptable sites and a "microanalysis" in which detailed field work is conducted on the Borrower's recommended site(s). The Borrower continues consultation with REA and other interested Federal, state, and local agencies, and the public, and reflects their comments in the Environmental Analysis.

DIF: Borrower updates and expands, as necessary, the Alternative Evaluation on the basis of comments received from Federal, State and local officials and agencies, input from participants at the scoping meeting(s), the general public and new developments (e.g., negotiations with other electric power utilities), REA provides guidance to the Borrower during this period based on cooperating agency and public input.

F and F1: The Borrower submits draft Environmental Analysis to REA for review and comment. If the draft Environmental Analysis has no readily apparent critical flaws, REA distributes copies of the Environmental Analysis to cooperating agencies for review. Borrower submits Alternative Evaluation, which has been updated after the scoping meeting, and also includes new alternatives, if any, which have developed. REA submits updated Alternative Evaluation to requesting cooperating agencies. The Environmental Analysis may incorporate

the Alternative Evaluation leading to a single review document.

FG and FIG1: REA and cooperating agencies independently evaluate, for accuracy, scope and content, the information submitted to them. REA collates responses and reconciles them with the Borrower. REA may begin writing the draft EIS at this point.

H and H1: REA Borrower submits, as appropriate, a final revised Environmental Analysis and Alternative Evaluation to REA.

HJ and H1J: REA independently evaluates the revised documents and verifies the information therein before use in the EIS. During this time, REA prepares the draft EIS, utilizing the borrower-supplied data, interagency expertise, and other information.

J: REA issues draft EIS for public review and comment publishing notice of availability in the FEDERAL REGISTER.

K: Public comment period ends on draft EIS. This date may be extended in certain instances.

KL: REA (and cooperating agencies, as appropriate) review comments received on draft EIS and responds, by modifying alternatives, developing alternatives not previously given sufficient consideration, supplementing, improving or modifying the analyses, etc. A final EIS or supplemental draft EIS is prepared, as appropriate, with cooperating agencies' assistance.

M: Record of decision is issued. REA will take no final action on any loan guarantee, etc., sooner than 30 days after issuance of the final Federal EIS.

MN: Implementation of mitigation measures is checked, as necessary, by REA and other Federal, state, and local agencies during construction and operation of the project.