; or (B) an unemployment rate that is, for the most recent 24-month period for which data is available, at least 1 percent greater than the national average unemployment rate. (2) Rural area The term rural area means an area not included in an urbanized area or urban cluster, as determined by the Director of the Census Bureau. (3) Underserved community The term underserved community means a city, town, or other incorporated or unincorporated political subdivision of a State that provides general local government for a population of less than 100,000. (b) Recommendation of projects The Secretary may recommend a project without the need to demonstrate that the project is justified by national economic development benefits if the Secretary determines that— (1) the community to be served by the project is an underserved community, is in an economically distressed area, or is in a rural area; (2) the long-term life safety, economic viability, and environmental sustainability of the community would be threatened without the project; and (3) in the case of a project in an underserved community, the benefits of the project are typically more local or regional in nature. (c) Economic consideration The economic evaluation of a project under subsection (b) shall include— (1) monetary benefits; and (2) nonmonetary benefits. (d) Prioritization A project recommended by the Secretary under subsection (b) shall be given equivalent budget consideration and priority as projects recommended by national economic development benefits. (e) Limitations Nothing in this section affects, preempts, or interferes with any obligation to comply with the provisions of any Federal environmental law, including— (1) the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); (2) the Federal Water Pollution Control Act ( 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.)