(a) Policy. Rural Development will consider environmental quality, economic, social, and other relevant factors in program development and decision-making processes. Rural Development will take into account potential environmental impacts of proposed projects by working with applicants, other Federal agencies, American Indian tribes, State and local governments, and interested citizens and organizations in order to formulate actions that advance the program's goals in a manner that will protect environmental quality.
(b) Regulatory references. Loan processing and servicing actions under this part will be completed in accordance with the requirements of part 1940, subpart G of this title and part 1924, subpart A of this title, which addresses lead-based paint requirements; and any other Agency regulations addressing environmental requirements for the SFHGLP.
(c) Agency responsibilities. Rural Development is responsible for compliance with all applicable environmental regulations and statutes.
(d) Lender and loan applicant responsibilities. (1) Lenders must use due diligence in regard to potential environmental hazards to ensure the property is decent, safe and sanitary and of sufficient value to adequately secure the loan. The level of due diligence review to determine potential environmental hazards must be equivalent to the standards established by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, or the VA.
(1) Lenders must use due diligence in regard to potential environmental hazards to ensure the property is decent, safe and sanitary and of sufficient value to adequately secure the loan. The level of due diligence review to determine potential environmental hazards must be equivalent to the standards established by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, or the VA.
(2) Mortgage loan transactions will be subject to the requirements of the 1994 National Flood Insurance Reform Act to determine if the dwelling is located in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA).
(3) On an as needed basis, lenders and loan applicants will assist Rural Development in obtaining such information as Rural Development needs to complete its environmental review and to cooperate in the resolution of environmental problems.
(4) Lenders will become familiar with Agency environmental requirements, so they can advise applicants and reduce the probability of unacceptable applications being submitted to Rural Development.
(5) The lender must comply with Federally mandated flood insurance purchase requirements. Existing dwellings in a SFHA are not eligible under the SFHGLP unless flood insurance through the FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is available. The lender will require the borrower to obtain, and maintain for the term of the mortgage, flood insurance for any property located in a SFHA, listing the lender as a loss payee.
(6) The borrower must obtain, and continuously maintain for the life of the mortgage, flood insurance on the security property in an amount sufficient to protect the property securing the guaranteed loan. Flood insurance policies must be issued under the NFIP, or by a licensed property and casualty insurance company authorized to participate in NFIP's ``Write Your Own'' program.
(7) Rural Development, will not guarantee loans for new or proposed homes in an SFHA unless the lender obtains a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) that removes the property form the SFHA or Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) that removes the property from the SFHA or obtains a FEMA elevation certificate that shows that the lowest habitable floor (including basement) of the dwelling and all related building improvements is built at or above the 100 year flood plain elevation in compliance with the NFIP.