REVIEW AND COMMENT PROCEDURES.

(a) In a state planning region or subregion in which a commission has been organized, the governing body of a governmental unit within the region or subregion, whether or not a member of the commission, shall submit to the commission for review and comment an application for a loan or grant-in-aid from a state agency, and from a federal agency if the project is one for which the federal government requires review and comment by an areawide planning agency, before the application is filed with the state or federal government.

(b) For federally aided projects for which an areawide review is required by federal law or regulation, the commission shall review the application from the standpoint of consistency with regional plans and other considerations as specified in federal or state regulations and shall enter its comments on the application and return it to the originating governmental unit.

(c) For other federally aided projects and for state-aided projects, the commission shall advise the governmental unit on whether the proposed project for which funds are requested has regionwide significance.

(d) If the proposed project has regionwide significance, the commission shall determine whether it is in conflict with a regional plan or policy. It may consider whether the proposed project is properly coordinated with other existing or proposed projects within the region. The commission shall record on the application its view and comments, transmit the application to the originating governmental unit, and send a copy to the concerned federal or state agency.

(e) If the proposed project does not have regionwide significance, the commission shall certify that it is not in conflict with a regional plan or policy.