§ 1318.502 Programmatic environmental documents and tiering.

(a) A programmatic environmental document may be prepared to address a proposed program, policy, or plan, or a proposed action that has a wide geographic scope. (b) A programmatic environmental document can support high-level or broad decisionmaking and can provide the foundation for the efficient review of specific tiered implementing actions. When TVA has prepared an environmental document for programs, plans, and policies, the tiered document need only summarize and incorporate by reference the issues discussed in the broader document. The tiered document will concentrate on the subsequent proposed action. (c) Ongoing or previously planned and approved actions that are within the scope of a programmatic review may continue during the programmatic review period, so long as the planned and approved actions are justified independently of the program, are accompanied by an adequate environmental review, and would not prejudice the ultimate decision on the contemplated program. (d) The identification of significant impacts in a programmatic EIS does not preclude the review of specific implementing actions in a subsequent tiered NEPA review if the implementing actions would not result in new or different significant impacts. (e) TVA will rely on programmatic environmental documents in accordance with section 108 of NEPA.