Section 4.60. Interagency cooperation.

 

(1)   Early consultation. To the extent practical, the commission shall consult with federal and state agencies early when preparing an EA or EIS.

(2)   Joint preparation of environmental assessments. The commission may enter into agreements with other federal, state or local agencies to develop a joint environmental assessment that satisfies the requirements of the participating agencies. The commission shall independently determine its need to prepare an EIS.

(3)   Joint preparation of environmental impact statements. The commission may enter into agreements with other federal or state agencies to develop a joint EIS that satisfies the requirements of the participating agencies.

(4)   Adoption of other environmental assessments or environmental impact statements.

(a) The commission may adopt part or all of another state or federal agency's environmental assessment as the commission's EA if the EA meets the requirements of this chapter. The commission shall notify the public as required under s. PSC 4.20 (1) or (3) . The commission shall independently determine its need to prepare an EIS.

(b) The commission may adopt part or all of another state or federal agency's environmental impact statement as the commission's draft EIS if the EIS meets the requirements of this chapter. The commission shall distribute the draft EIS and notify the public as required under s. PSC 4.30 (4) .

History: Cr. Register, July, 1995, No. 475 , eff. 8-1-95; am. (2) and (4) (a), Register, June, 2000, No. 534 , eff. 7-1-00.