period may be extended to 60 days for large or complex actions). Upon the expiration of the review and comment period the lead agency issues a Record of Decision and the EIE is submitted to the State Office of Policy and Management (OPM) for final review of the evaluation's adequacy. If the EIE is found to be inadequate, the OPM will require an EIE supplement from the lead agency, or reject it entirely if the EIE is seriously flawed. Under CEPA, individuals, citizens' groups, municipal governments, or businesses can petition the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to hold public hearings on an EIE after it has been released for review and comment. If the DEEP receives a petition containing 25 signatures or from an organization containing 25 members or more, the agency is required by law to hold a public hearing and consider comments submitted during the hearing. While the Office of Policy and Management approves an EIE, the Connecticut State Constitution delegates much of the state's authority to its 169 town governments. This arrangement gives the towns significant veto power over a state project since each affected town must issue its own permits for the portion of a state project within its jurisdiction, even after the state DEEP and OPM have both approved the project. The majority of Connecticut's towns have ordinances that extend CEPA regulations to activities headed by an agency within the municipal government. Many towns require individuals and businesses to obtain a number of permits before starting a major project. The process of obtaining these permits requires at least some kind of environmental impact analysis and public hearings in most places. For most Connecticut towns the approval authority for issuing local permits rests with the Planning and Zoning Board, although additional approval by the local wetlands or conservation commission is necessary in some towns for a project to proceed. Exceptions A federally mandated environmental impact statement (EIS) may be submitted in lieu of an EIE for a federal/state action, as long as the EIS contents meets all of the requirements for an equivalent EIE. References United States state environmental legislation Environment of Connecticut Connecticut statutes