§ 49-453 — Air quality impact reports; filing

A. Every state agency, board and commission shall prepare an air quality impact report on a state funded project relating to transportation which it proposes to carry out or approve and which it determines may have a significant impact on air quality as it relates to carbon monoxide and ozone. The report shall contain the following information:

1. A description of the proposed project.

2. Any significant impact on air quality of the proposed project.

3. Significant environmental effects which cannot be avoided if the project is implemented.

4. Mitigation measures proposed to minimize any significant air quality effects.

5. Alternatives to the proposed project including car pooling or van pooling lanes and bicycle routes.

6. Any significant irreversible air quality changes which would be involved in the proposed project if it is implemented.

7. The known views of any local groups concerning the proposed project.

B. The report shall also contain a statement briefly indicating the reasons for determining that various effects of a project are not significant and consequently have not been discussed in detail in the impact report.

C. If authority over a project is shared jointly by an agency and a board or by an agency and a commission, the agency shall prepare the report.

D. This section does not apply to:

1. Emergency repairs to public service facilities which are necessary to maintain service.

2. Projects which are undertaken, carried out or approved by a state agency, board or commission to maintain, repair, restore, demolish or replace property or facilities damaged or destroyed as a result of a disaster in a disaster stricken area in which a state of emergency has been declared by the governor.

3. Projects related to the interstate highway system.

4. State projects involving existing facilities.

E. The report shall be filed with the director.