Coordination of permit reviews for demonstration projects

(a) In general The Administration shall serve as the lead Federal agency for purposes of providing information on Federal permitting requirements for demonstration projects under section 202. (b) Informal consultations (1) In general The Administrator shall convene representatives of the agencies described in paragraph (2) to provide prospective applicants for permits for demonstration projects under section 202 an opportunity for informal consultation with such agencies. (2) Agencies described The agencies described in this paragraph are the following: (A) The Department of Agriculture. (B) The Environmental Protection Agency. (C) The Army Corps of Engineers. (D) The Department in which the Coast Guard is operating. (E) The Department of Defense. (F) Any other agency the Administrator considers appropriate. (3) Rule of construction Nothing in this subsection shall preclude an applicant or a prospective applicant from contacting Federal agencies directly. (c) Environmental analysis To the extent allowable under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), any environmental analysis or environmental impact statement required under that Act for offshore aquaculture activities proposed to be carried out under a demonstration project under section 202 shall be conducted through a single, consolidated environmental review and the Administration, through the Office of Aquaculture established by section 101, shall serve as the lead Federal agency. (d) Coordination of permit reviews To the extent practicable under this Act and all other applicable laws, including regulations, Federal agencies with permitting requirements applicable to offshore aquaculture activities proposed to be carried out under a demonstration project under section 202 shall coordinate their review processes in order to provide a timely response to an applicant not later than 180 days after the submission of the application.