75-1-109. Policy -- intent -- purpose of environmental analysis. (1) (a) The purpose of requiring an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement under part 2 of this chapter is to assist the legislature in determining whether environmental regulations are adequate to address impacts to Montana's environment and to inform the public and public officials of potential impacts resulting from a proposed action made by a state agency.

(b) It is not the purpose of parts 1 through 3 of this chapter to provide additional regulatory authority to a state agency.

(2) (a) The policies and goals set forth in parts 1 through 3 of this chapter are intended to provide a public forum in which to analyze and disclose potential significant impacts on Montana's environment from proposed actions.

(b) Parts 1 through 3 of this chapter require a balanced view of competing social, economic, and environmental goals and potential impacts in order to promote the overall health, safety, and welfare of Montanans.

(3) (a) An agency may not withhold, deny, or impose conditions on any permit or other authority to act based on parts 1 through 3 of this chapter.

(b) Nothing in this subsection (3) may prevent a project sponsor and an agency from mutually developing measures that may, at the request of a project sponsor, be incorporated into a permit or other authority to act.

(c) Parts 1 through 3 of this chapter do not confer authority to an agency that is a project sponsor to modify a proposed project or action.