Section 290-RICR-30-00-8.3 - DefinitionsA. "Annual program of projects" means a list of federal aid highway projects which is submitted by the Department annually to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for approval. Every project included on the list must also be included on the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) approved by the State Planning Council. No federal aid highway project can be authorized by FHWA for funding unless it is included on the approved Annual Program of Projects.B. "Categorical exclusion" or "CE" means a federal aid highway project which does not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the environment. Such projects are considered Class II actions by 23 C.F.R. § 771.C. "Department" means the Rhode Island Department of Transportation.D. "Environmental assessment" or "EA" means the analysis and documentation required of a federal aid highway project to determine whether a project has a significant environmental impact where the degree of impact is initially unclear. Projects for which an EA is being prepared are considered Class I action by 23 C.F.R. § 771.E. "Environmental impact statement" or "EIS" means the analysis and documentation required for a federal aid highway project where the project has been determined to have a significant environmental impact. Projects for which an EIS is being prepared are considered Class III actions by 23 C.F.R. § 771.F. "FHWA" means the Federal Highway Administration.G. "Jurisdiction by law" means approval authority over any aspect of project implementation (such as permit authority) granted to an agency by state or federal law or regulation.H. "NEPA" means the National Environmental Policy Act.I. "PAC" means the Project Area Committee established by the Department to review project plans and to advise the Department on the plans.290 R.I. Code R. 290-RICR-30-00-8.3