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c:Jr ..1I- Environmental Assessment Worksheet process of their expenses for preparing an EAW. In most cases, these are relatively small since the proposer incurs most data costs. The 3D-day comment period After receiving a completed EAW from the RGU, the Environmen- tal Quality Board staff publishes a notice in the EQB Monitor, which is distributed biweekly on Mondays. The public comment period begins on the distribution date of the EQB Monitor con- taining the EAW notice. The 3D-day comment period usually ends on a Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. unless indicated otherwise by the RGU; comments must reach the RGU by this deadline. At the same time the EAW is sent to the Environmental Quality Board staff, the RGU must also send copies to all offices on the EQB's official distribution list. Available online or from the EQB, the distribution list includes state, federal. regional and local units of government that have expertise and responsibilities in the environmental area, as well as several libraries that serve as repositories for environmental reports. In addition, copies should be made available locally for public review, at such locations as a local library or the RGU offices. The rules require that a copy be given to any person submitting a written request, although the RGU may charge a copying fee. The RGU should also make extra copies for requests by the public. The RGU must also send a press release to at least one newspaper in the project area announcing the availability of the EAW for public review; a paid legal notice is optional. The press release briefly describes the project, explains that an EAW is available for review and comment and gives details such as when comments are due, where to send comments and how to obtain a copy for review. If there will be a public meeting for oral comments, it should be announced in the press release. The RGU should keep a record documenting that it complied with the requirement to supply a press release in case the release is not published. The law requires that a press release be distributed, not that it be published. Anyone who wishes may review and comment on the EAW during the comment period. Unless the RGU holds an optional public meeting, all comments must be submitted in writing within the 30 days. The rules suggest that comments address: the accuracy and completeness of the information, potential impacts that may warrant further investigation before the project is commenced ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT WORKSHEET PROCESS 30 CALENDAR DAYS .. . EAW PREPARATION ~--------------------------------------~ lRGU determines EAWis necessal)' 1 Proposer submits EAWs completed data portions to RGU l Data submittal complete RGU promptly reviews submittal for completeness; returns 10 proposer if incomplete VARIES lRGU lRGU completes lRGU distributes EAW no~fies EAW and to distribution list proposer approves it for distribution -- lRGU issues press release ~ 1 TO S WORKING DAYS 1 TO S WORKING DAYS PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD EIS NEED DECISION ~----------~ ~--------------------~ 1 Notice published in fQB Monitor 7 10 21 days after receipt of EAW; 3D-day comment period begins 130-day comment period ends RGU decides if project 130 calendar day needs EIS. prepares judicial appeal findings of fact; and period beings responds to comments Notice published in fOB 1 Monitor 7 to 21 days after receipt of decision continued 30 CALENDAR DAYS 3 WORKING DAYS TO 30 DAYS' · Can vary depending on RGU. 1 RGU distributes notice of decision 1 TO S WORKING DAYS 7 TO 21 CALENDAR DAYS NOTES Time frames are diagramed as prescribed in the rules and should be considered minimum estimates. Day can mean either calendar or working day depending on the timeframe listed for a specific event. If the text lists 15 or fewer days, they are working days; calendar days are 16 or more days (4410.0200, subpart 12). Working days exclude Saturdays, Sundays and legal state holidays. How to count a period of time. The first day of any time period is not counted but the final day is counted (part 44100.0200, subpart 12). The last day of the time period ends with normal business hours. generally at 4:30 p.m. No time period can end on a Saturday, Sunday or legal state holiday. The 3D-day period for EAW comments begins on the biweekly publication date of the EQB Monitor, which is always on Monday. Thirty days from a Monday always falls on a Wednesday, so the comment periods end on Wednesday unless it is a legal holiday. 2 EA W GuideUnes "