75-1-220. Definitions. For the purposes of this part, the following definitions apply:

(1) "Alternatives analysis" means an evaluation of different parameters, mitigation measures, or control measures that would accomplish the same objectives as those included in the proposed action by the applicant. For a project that is not a state-sponsored project, it does not include an alternative facility or an alternative to the proposed project itself. The term includes alternatives required pursuant to Title 75, chapter 20.

(2) "Appropriate board" means, for administrative actions taken under this part by the:

(a) department of environmental quality, the board of environmental review, as provided for in 2-15-3502;

(b) department of fish, wildlife, and parks, the fish and wildlife commission, as provided for in 2-15-3402, and the state parks and recreation board, as provided for in 2-15-3406;

(c) department of transportation, the transportation commission, as provided for in 2-15-2502;

(d) department of natural resources and conservation for state trust land issues, the board of land commissioners, as provided for in Article X, section 4, of the Montana constitution;

(e) department of natural resources and conservation for oil and gas issues, the board of oil and gas conservation, as provided for in 2-15-3303; and

(f) department of livestock, the board of livestock, as provided for in 2-15-3102.

(3) "Complete application" means, for the purpose of complying with this part, an application for a permit, license, or other authorization that contains all data, studies, plans, information, forms, fees, and signatures required to be included with the application sufficient for the agency to approve the application under the applicable statutes and rules.

(4) "Cumulative impacts" means the collective impacts on the human environment within the borders of Montana of the proposed action when considered in conjunction with other past, present, and future actions related to the proposed action by location or generic type.

(5) "Environmental review" means any environmental assessment, environmental impact statement, or other written analysis required under this part by a state agency of a proposed action to determine, examine, or document the effects and impacts of the proposed action on the quality of the human and physical environment within the borders of Montana as required under this part.

(6) "Project sponsor" means any applicant, owner, operator, agency, or other entity that is proposing an action that requires an environmental review. If the action involves state agency-initiated actions on state trust lands, the term also includes each institutional beneficiary of any trust as described in The Enabling Act of Congress, approved February 22, 1899, 25 Stat. 676, as amended, the Morrill Act of 1862, 7 U.S.C. 301 through 308, and the Morrill Act of 1890, 7 U.S.C. 321 through 329.

(7) "Public scoping process" means any process to determine the scope of an environmental review.

(8) (a) "State-sponsored project" means:

(i) a project, program, or activity initiated and directly undertaken by a state agency;

(ii) except as provided in subsection (8)(b)(i), a project or activity supported through a contract, grant, subsidy, loan, or other form of funding assistance from a state agency, either singly or in combination with one or more other state agencies; or

(iii) except as provided in subsection (8)(b)(i), a project or activity authorized by a state agency acting in a land management capacity for a lease, easement, license, or other authorization to act.

(b) The term does not include:

(i) a project or activity undertaken by a private entity that is made possible by the issuance of permits, licenses, leases, easements, grants, loans, or other authorizations to act by the:

(A) department of environmental quality pursuant to Titles 75, 76, or 82;

(B) department of fish, wildlife, and parks pursuant to Title 87, chapter 4, part 4;

(C) board of oil and gas conservation pursuant to Title 82, chapter 11; or

(D) department of natural resources and conservation or the board of land commissioners pursuant to Titles 76, 77, 82, and 85; or

(ii) a project or activity involving the issuance of a permit, license, certificate, or other entitlement for permission to act by another agency acting in a regulatory capacity, either singly or in combination with other state agencies.

History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 267, L. 2001; en. Sec. 2, Ch. 268, L. 2001; en. Sec. 2, Ch. 299, L. 2001; en. Sec. 2, Ch. 300, L. 2001; amd. Sec. 15(3), (4), Ch. 299, L. 2001; amd. Sec. 99, Ch. 2, L. 2009; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 396, L. 2011; amd. Sec. 21, Ch. 235, L. 2013.