Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 117.djvu/1917

 117 STAT. 1898

PUBLIC LAW 108–148—DEC. 3, 2003 (d)

ALTERNATIVE ANALYSIS PROCESS FOR PROJECTS IN WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE.— (1) PROPOSED AGENCY ACTION AND 1 ACTION ALTERNATIVE.— For an authorized hazardous fuel reduction project that is proposed to be conducted in the wildland-urban interface, the Secretary is not required to study, develop, or describe more than the proposed agency action and 1 action alternative in the environmental assessment or environmental impact statement prepared pursuant to section 102(2) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)). (2) PROPOSED AGENCY ACTION.—Notwithstanding paragraph (1), but subject to paragraph (3), if an authorized hazardous fuel reduction project proposed to be conducted in the 1⁄2 miles wildland-urban interface is located no further than 1 from the boundary of an at-risk community, the Secretary is not required to study, develop, or describe any alternative to the proposed agency action in the environmental assessment or environmental impact statement prepared pursuant to section 102(2) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)). (3) PROPOSED AGENCY ACTION AND COMMUNITY WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN ALTERNATIVE.—In the case of an authorized hazardous fuel reduction project described in paragraph (2), if the at-risk community has adopted a community wildfire protection plan and the proposed agency action does not implement the recommendations in the plan regarding the general location and basic method of treatments, the Secretary shall evaluate the recommendations in the plan as an alternative to the proposed agency action in the environmental assessment or environmental impact statement prepared pursuant to section 102(2) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)). (e) PUBLIC NOTICE AND MEETING.— (1) PUBLIC NOTICE.—The Secretary shall provide notice of each authorized hazardous fuel reduction project in accordance with applicable regulations and administrative guidelines. (2) PUBLIC MEETING.—During the preparation stage of each authorized hazardous fuel reduction project, the Secretary shall— (A) conduct a public meeting at an appropriate location proximate to the administrative unit of the Federal land on which the authorized hazardous fuel reduction project will be conducted; and (B) provide advance notice of the location, date, and time of the meeting. (f) PUBLIC COLLABORATION.—In order to encourage meaningful public participation during preparation of authorized hazardous fuel reduction projects, the Secretary shall facilitate collaboration among State and local governments and Indian tribes, and participation of interested persons, during the preparation of each authorized fuel reduction project in a manner consistent with the Implementation Plan. (g) ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS AND PUBLIC COMMENT.—In accordance with section 102(2) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)) and the applicable regulations

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