SEC-288 -- ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW.


 (a) In General.-In order to assure that the policies of the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and other provisions of law which
further the purposes of such Act (as specified in regulations issued by
the Secretary) are most effectively implemented in 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
participating jurisdictions under this title who assume all of the
responsibilities for environmental review, decisionmaking, and action
pursuant to such Act, and such other provisions of law as the
regulations of the Secretary specify, that would apply to the Secretary
were he to undertake such projects as Federal projects. The Secretary
shall issue regulations to carry out this section only after
consultation with the Council on Environmental Quality.

 (b) Procedure.-The Secretary shall approve the release of funds subject
to the procedures authorized by this section only if, at least 15 days
prior to such approval and prior to any commitment of funds to such
projects the participating jurisdiction has submitted to the Secretary
a request for such release accompanied by a certification which meets
the requirements of subsection (c). The Secretary's approval of any such
certification shall be deemed to satisfy his responsibilities under the
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and such other provisions of
law as the regulations of the Secretary specify insofar as those
responsibilities relate to the releases of funds for projects to be
carried out pursuant thereto which are covered by such certification.

 (c) Certification.-A certification under the procedures authorized by
this section shall-

 (1) be in a form acceptable to the Secretary,

 (2) be executed by the chief executive officer or other officer of the
recipient of assistance under this title qualified under regulations of
the Secretary,

 (3) specify that the recipient of assistance under this title has fully
carried out its responsibilities as described under subsection (a), and

 (4) specify that the certifying officer (A) consents to assume the
status of a responsible Federal official under the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and each provision of law specified in
regulations issued by the Secretary insofar as the provisions of such
Act or other such provision of law apply pursuant to subsection (a), and
(B) is authorized and consents on behalf of the participating
jurisdiction and himself to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal
courts for the purpose of enforcement of his responsibilities as such
an official.

 (d) Assistance to a State.-In the case of assistance to States, the
State shall perform those actions of the Secretary described in
subsection (b) and the performance of such actions shall be deemed to
satisfy the Secretary's responsibilities referred to in the second
sentence of such subsection.