In accordance with Sec. 148.715(b) of this part, the deepwater port proposal and reasonable alternatives will be evaluated on the basis of how well they:
(a) Accord with existing and planned land use, including management of the coastal region, for which purpose the proposal must be accompanied by a consistency determination from appropriate State agencies for any designated Adjacent Coastal State;
(b) Adhere to proposed local and State master plans;
(c) Minimize the need for special exceptions, zoning variances, or non-conforming uses;
(d) Plan flood plain uses in ways that will minimize wetlands loss, flood damage, the need for federally-funded flood protection or flood relief, or any decrease in the public value of the flood plain as an environmental resource; and
(e) Avoid permanent alteration or harm to wetlands, and take positive steps to minimize adverse effects on wetlands. [USCG-1998-3884, 71 FR 57651, Sept. 29, 2006, as amended by USCG-2013-0397, 78 FR 39178, July 1, 2013]