640
42 USC 3331. 42 USC 4231.
Approval date.
G G audit. A
Environmental 42 USC 4321 "°te-
PUBLIC LAW 93-383-AUG. 22, 1974
[88 STAT.
whether the grantee has carried out a program substantially as described in its application, whether that program conformed to the requirements of this title and other applicable laws, and whether the applicant has a continuing capacity to carry out in a timely manner the approved Community Development Program. The Secretary may make appropriate adjustments in the amount of the annual grants in accordance with his findings pursuant to this subsection. (e) No grant may be made under this title unless the application therefor has been submitted for review and comment to an areawide agency under procedures established by the President pursuant to title II of the Demonstration Cities and Metropolitan Development Act of 1966 and title IV of the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act of
1968.
(f) ^ ^ application subject to subsection (c), if submitted after any date established by the Secretary for consideration of applications, shall be deemed approved within 75 days after receipt unless the Secretary informs the applicant of specific reasons for disapproval. Subsequent to approval of the application, the amount of the grant may be adjusted in accordance with the provisions of this title. ^g^ Insofar as they relate to funds provided under this title, the financial transactions of recipients of such funds may be audited by the General Accounting Office under such rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Comptroller General of the United States. The representatives of the General Accounting Office shall have access to all books, accounts, records, reports, files, and other papers, things, or property belonging to or in use by such recipients pertaining to such financial transactions and necessary to facilitate the audit. (h)(1) In Order to assurc that the policies of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 are most effectively implemented m connection with the expenditure of funds under this title, and to assure to the public undiminished protection of the environment, the Secretary, in lieu of the environmental protection procedures otherwise applicable, may under regulations provide for the release of funds for particular projects to applicants who assume all of the responsibilities for environmental review, decisionmaking, and action pursuant to such Act that would apply to the Secretary were he to undertake such projects as Federal projects. The Secretary shall issue regulations to carry out this subsection only after consultation with the Council on Environmental Quality. (2) The Secretary shall approve the release of funds for projects subject to the procedures authorized by this subsection only if, at least fifteen days prior to such approval and prior to any commitment of funds to such projects other than for purposes authorized by section 105(a) (12) or for environmental studies, the applicant has submitted to the Secretary a request for such release accompanied by a certification which meets the requirements of paragraph (3). The Secretary's approval of any such certification shall be deemed to satisfy his responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act insofar as those responsibilities relate to the applications and releases of funds for projects to be carried out pursuant thereto which are covered by such certification. (3) A certification under the procedures authorized by this subsection shall— (A) be in a form acceptable to the Secretary, (B) be executed by the chief executive officer or other officer of the applicant qualified under regulations of the Secretary, ^C) specify that the applicant has fully carried out its responsibilities as described under paragraph (1) of this subsection, and (D) specify that the certifying officer (i) consents to assume
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