(1) For the purposes of this subchapter, terms have the meaning as defined in 40 CFR 93.101, except that the definition of "regionally significant project" is modified below.

(2) For the purposes of this subchapter and 40 CFR Part 93, subpart A, as adopted by reference in this subchapter, the following additional definitions apply:

(a) "Adoption or approval of a regionally significant project" means, for the purposes of 40 CFR 93.121, the first time action necessary to authorize a project occurs, such as the issuance of administrative permits for the facility or for construction of the facility, the execution of a contract to construct the facility, any final action of a board, commission or administrator authorizing or directing employees to proceed with construction of the project, or any written decision or authorization from the metropolitan planning organization or the local agency that the project may be adopted or approved.

(b) "Consulted agency" means a federal, state, or local agency or MPO required to be consulted pursuant to this subchapter.

(c) "MPO" means a metropolitan planning organization created pursuant to 23 CFR Part 450, subpart C (Metropolitan Transportation Planning and Programming) for the purpose of carrying out transportation planning in urban areas. This includes the MPOs in Billings, Great Falls, and Missoula, any successors to these MPOs, and any MPO that is subsequently created for any area.

(d) "Regionally significant project" means a transportation project (other than an exempt project) that is on a facility that serves regional transportation needs (such as access to and from the area outside of the region, major activity centers in the region, major planned developments such as new retail malls, sports complexes, etc., or transportation terminals as well as most terminals themselves) and would normally be included in the modeling of a rural nonattainment area or metropolitan area's transportation network, including at a minimum all principal arterial highways and all fixed guideway transit facilities that will offer an alternative to regional highway travel.

(e) "Responsible entity" means a federal, state, or local government agency having primary responsibility for planning or approving an action for which consultation is required under 40 CFR Part 93, subpart A or this subchapter.

(f) "State air quality agency" means the Montana Department of Environmental Quality ("department" or "DEQ") or its successor agency.

(g) "State Department of Transportation" means the Montana Department of Transportation ("MDT") provided for in 2-15-2501 , MCA, or its successor agency.