§ 1318.500 Public and stakeholder involvement.

(a) TVA may, in its sole discretion, request public involvement in the preparation of an environmental document. The type of and format for notification and public participation will be selected as appropriate to best facilitate timely and meaningful public input. Any process of obtaining and requesting comments may be undertaken at any time that is reasonable in the process of preparing the environmental document. TVA will ensure that the process of obtaining and requesting comments, and TVA's analysis of and response to those comments, does not cause TVA to violate NEPA's deadlines for completion of an environmental document. (b) TVA will maintain a public website on which it publishes completed environmental documents, decision documents, relevant notices, the list of established and adopted categorical exclusions, and other information relating to TVA's NEPA compliance program. (c) When TVA seeks comments from the public, TVA will publish the document and provide it by other reasonable means upon request. TVA will specify an appropriate comment period and method for submission of comments. TVA will consider substantive comments submitted within the period and method specified. TVA is not required to respond to comments or objections of any kind that were not submitted in the time or manner specified, and any such comments shall be considered not properly submitted. (d) When opportunities for public participation are provided, TVA will notify the public that comments submitted to TVA on the NEPA document and the names and addresses of those commenting may be made available for public inspection. (e) If TVA determines that an individual comment or group of comments is substantive, TVA will respond in the environmental document by: (1) Modifying alternatives including the proposed action; (2) Developing and evaluating alternatives not previously given serious consideration; (3) Supplementing, improving, or modifying its analyses; (4) Making factual corrections; or (5) Stating that no action is needed. (f) Changes to the document resulting from substantive comments will be briefly summarized in the environmental document. (g) TVA will publish all comments received during the comment period when the environmental document is published. (h) TVA may provide notification on its website if TVA withdraws, cancels, or otherwise ceases the consideration of a proposed action before completing an environmental document.