The following definitions, as well as the definitions contained in 40 CFR part 1508 of the CEQ regulations, apply to the implementation of this part:
Applicant. The organization applying for financial assistance or other approval from either the Electric or Telecommunications programs or the organization applying for a loan or grant from the Water and Waste program.
Construction Work Plan (CWP). The document required by 7 CFR part 1710.
Distributed Generation. The generation of electricity by a sufficiently small electric generating system as to allow interconnection of the system near the point of service at distribution voltages or customer voltages. A distributed generating system may be fueled by any source, including but not limited to renewable energy sources.
Emergency situation. A natural disaster or system failure that may involve an immediate or imminent threat to public health, safety, or the human environment.
Environmental Report (ER). The environmental documentation normally submitted by applicants for proposed actions subject to compliance with Sec. Sec. 1794.22 through 1794.24. An ER for the Water and Waste Program refers to the environmental review documentation normally included as part of the Preliminary Engineering Report.
Environmental review. Any one or all of the levels of environmental analysis described under subpart C of this part.
Equivalent Dwelling Unit (EDU). Level of water or waste service provided to a typical rural residential dwelling.
Important land resources. Defined pursuant to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Departmental Regulation 9500-3, Land Use Policy, as important farmland, prime forestland, prime rangeland, wetlands, and floodplains. Copies of this Departmental Regulation are available from USDA, Rural Utilities Service, Washington, DC 20250.
Loan design. Document required by 7 CFR part 1737.
Multiplexing center. A field site where a telecommunications provider houses a device that combines individual subscriber circuits onto a single system for economical connection with a switching center. The combiner, or ``multiplexer,'' may be mounted on a pole, on a concrete pad, or in a partial or full enclosure such as a shelter, or small building.
Natural Resource Management Guide. Inventory of natural resources, land uses, and environmental factors specified by Federal, State, and local authorities as deserving some degree of protection or special consideration. The guide describes the standards or types of protection that apply.
Preliminary Engineering Report (PER). Document required by 7 CFR part 1780 for Water and Waste Programs. A PER is prepared by an applicant's engineering consultant documenting a proposed action's preliminary engineering plan and design and the applicable environmental review activities as required in this part. Upon approval by RUS, the PER, or a portion thereof, shall serve as the RUS environmental document.
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System (SCADA). Electronic monitoring and control equipment installed at electric substations and switching stations.
Third party consultant. A party selected by RUS to prepare the EIS for proposed actions described in Sec. 1794.25 where the applicant initiating the proposal agrees to fund preparation of the document in accordance with the provisions of 7 CFR Part 1789, ``Use of Consultants Funded by Borrowers'' and Section 759A of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 2204b(b)). [63 FR 68655, Dec. 11, 1998, as amended at 68 FR 45158, Aug. 1, 2003]