In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated. Terms Defined. “Applicant” means an individual or a governmental or nongovernmental entity that seeks financial assistance or approval under a program or for an activity covered by this chapter. “Application” means a request for approval, or a request for new, renewed, continued, or amended financial assistance, under a program or for an activity covered by this chapter. “Approving authority” means a governmental entity with statutory or other authority to approve or disapprove proposed action. “Baltimore Region” means the combined geographic areas of the City of Baltimore and the Counties of Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, and Howard, including all incorporated municipalities located there. “Clearinghouse” means the State Clearinghouse for Intergovernmental Assistance, a unit of the Department. “Department” means the Department of Planning: “Direct federal development” means: The exercise by a federal agency of statutory or other authority to undertake or authorize others to undertake the construction, reconstruction, conversion, erection, alteration, relocation, or enlargement of, or to change or authorize others to change the use of, any building, structure, or facility; Mining, excavation, or landfill by or under the authority of a federal agency; Land acquisition, disposition, or disturbance in preparation for any of the above; and Plans or environmental assessments for any of these activities. “Financial assistance” means the exercise by a federal or State agency of statutory or other authority to award funds, loans, or insurance, or to provide technical assistance, based on an application or cooperative agreement. “Intergovernmental” means between or among different levels of government, between or among different national or State jurisdictions, or between or among different agencies within the same level of government or within the same jurisdiction. “State application identifier” means the number assigned by the Clearinghouse to an application.