SECTION 363.933. Pre-design Funding Option

(a) Use of the pre-design funding option. The executive administrator may recommend to the board the use of this section if, based on available information, there appear to be no significant permitting, social, environmental, engineering, or financial issues associated with the project. An application for pre-design funding may be considered by the board despite a negative recommendation from the executive administrator.

(b) Applications. Applications for pre-design funding must include the following information:

(1) for loans which include building costs and which require engineering services, a preliminary engineering feasibility report which will include at minimum: a description and purpose of the project; area maps or drawings as necessary to fully locate the project area(s); a proposed project schedule; estimated project costs and budget including sources of funds; current and future populations and projected flows; alternatives considered; and a discussion of known permitting, social or environmental issues which may affect the alternatives considered and the implementation of the proposed project;

(2) contracts for engineering services; and

(3) any additional information the executive administrator may request to complete evaluation of the application.

(c) Environmental concerns. Board staff will use preliminary environmental data provided by the applicant and make a written report to the executive administrator on known or potential significant social or environmental concerns. Subsequently, these projects must have a favorable executive administrator's recommendation which is based upon a full environmental review during planning, as provided under §363.14 of this title (relating to Environmental Assessment).

(d) Special mitigative or precautionary measures. The executive administrator will advise the board concerning projects that involve major economic or administrative impacts to the rural community resulting from environmentally related special mitigative or precautionary measures from an environmental assessment under §363.14 of this title.

Source Note: The provisions of this §363.933 adopted to be effective November 7, 2001, 26 TexReg 8848