Chapter 15.04
STATE ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT*

Sections:

15.04.010    Authority.

15.04.020    General requirements.

15.04.030    Additional definitions.

15.04.040    Designation of responsible official.

15.04.050    Lead agency determination and responsibilities.

15.04.060    Transfer of lead agency status to a state agency.

15.04.070    Additional timing considerations.

15.04.080    Categorical exemptions and threshold determinations.

15.04.090    Environmental checklist.

15.04.100    Mitigated DNS.

15.04.110    Environmental impact statement (EIS).

15.04.120    Adoption by reference.

15.04.130    Public notice.

15.04.140    Designation of official to perform consulted agency responsibilities for the city of Connell.

15.04.150    Using existing environmental documents.

15.04.160    SEPA and agency decisions.

15.04.170    Definitions.

15.04.180    Categorical exemptions.

15.04.190    Agency compliance.

15.04.200    Fees.

*    Prior ordinance history: Ordinance 511.

15.04.010 Authority.

The city of Connell adopts this chapter under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), RCW 43.21C.120, and the SEPA rules, WAC 197-11-904. This chapter contains this city’s SEPA procedures and policies. The SEPA rules, Chapter 197-11 WAC, must be used in conjunction with this chapter. (Ord. 919 § 1 (part), 2012: Ord. 901 § 1 (part), 2011).

15.04.020 General requirements.

This part contains the basic requirements that apply to the SEPA process. The city of Connell adopts the following sections of Chapter 197-11 WAC by reference:

WAC

197-11-040    Definitions.

197-11-050    Lead agency.

197-11-060    Content of environmental review.

197-11-070    Limitations on actions during SEPA process.

197-11-080    Incomplete or unavailable information.

197-11-090    Supporting documents.

197-11-100    Information required of applicants.

197-11-158    GMA project review—Reliance on existing plans, laws, and regulations.

197-11-210    SEPA/GMA integration. (WAC 197-11-210 through 197-11-235 optional; does not apply for non-GMA jurisdictions.)

197-11-220    SEPA/GMA definitions.

197-11-228    Overall SEPA/GMA integration procedures.

197-11-230    Timing of an integrated GMA/SEPA process.

197-11-232    SEPA/GMA integration procedures for preliminary planning, environmental analysis, and expanded scoping.

197-11-235    Documents.

197-11-238    Monitoring. (optional)

197-11-250    SEPA/Model Toxics Control Act integration.

197-11-253    SEPA lead agency for MTCA actions.

197-11-256    Preliminary evaluation.

197-11-259    Determination of nonsignificance for MTCA remedial actions.

197-11-262    Determination of significance and EIS for MTCA remedial actions.

197-11-265    Early scoping for MTCA remedial actions.

197-11-268    MTCA interim actions.

(Ord. 919 § 1 (part), 2012: Ord. 901 § 1 (part), 2011).

15.04.030 Additional definitions.

In addition to those definitions contained within WAC 197-11-700 through 197-11-799 and 197-11-220, the following terms shall have the following meanings, unless the context indicates otherwise:

(1)    “Department” means any division, subdivision or organizational unit of the city of Connell established by ordinance, rule, or order.

(2)    “SEPA rules” means Chapter 197-11 WAC adopted by the Department of Ecology.

(3)    “Ordinance” means the ordinance, resolution, or other procedure used by the city of Connell to adopt regulatory requirements.

(4)    “Early notice” means the city of Connell’s response to an applicant stating whether it considers issuance of a determination of significance likely for the applicant’s proposal (mitigated determination of nonsignificance (DNS) procedures). (Ord. 919 § 1 (part), 2012: Ord. 901 § 1 (part), 2011).

15.04.040 Designation of responsible official.

(a)    For public proposals, the head (administrative official) of the department making the proposal shall be the responsible official. For private proposals, the head (administrative official) of the department with primary responsibility for approving the permits and licenses for the proposal shall be the responsible official. When multiple officials have permitting authority, the assignment of responsibility shall be reached by agreement.

(b)    For all proposals for which the city of Connell is the lead agency, the responsible official shall make the threshold determination, supervise scoping and preparation of any required environmental impact statement (EIS), and perform any other functions assigned to the “lead agency” or “responsible official” by those sections of the SEPA rules that were adopted by reference in Section 15.04.020.

(c)    The city of Connell shall retain all documents required by the SEPA rules (Chapter 197-11 WAC) and make them available in accordance with Chapter 42.56 RCW. (Ord. 919 § 1 (part), 2012: Ord. 901 § 1 (part), 2011).

15.04.050 Lead agency determination and responsibilities.

(a)    The department within the city of Connell receiving an application for or initiating a proposal that involves a nonexempt action shall determine the lead agency for that proposal under WAC 197-11-050, 197-11-253, and 197-11-922 through 197-11-940; unless the lead agency has been previously determined or the department is aware that another department or agency is in the process of determining the lead agency.

(b)    When the city of Connell is the lead agency for a proposal, the department receiving the application shall determine the responsible official who shall supervise compliance with the threshold determination requirements, and if an EIS is necessary, shall supervise preparation of the EIS.

(c)    When the city of Connell is not the lead agency for a proposal, all departments of the city of Connell shall use and consider, as appropriate, either the DNS or the final EIS of the lead agency in making decisions on the proposal. No city department shall prepare or require preparation of a DNS or EIS in addition to that prepared by the lead agency, unless required under WAC 197-11-600. In some cases, the city of Connell may conduct supplemental environmental review under WAC 197-11-600.

(d)    If the city of Connell or any of its departments receives a lead agency determination made by another agency that appears inconsistent with the criteria of WAC 197-11-253 or 197-11-922 through 197-11-940, it may object to the determination. Any objection must be made to the agency originally making the determination and resolved within fifteen days of receipt of the determination, or the city of Connell must petition the Department of Ecology for a lead agency determination under WAC 197-11-946 within the fifteen-day time period. Any such petition on behalf of the city may be initiated by the community development coordinator.

(e)    Departments of the city of Connell are authorized to make agreements as to lead agency status or shared lead agency duties for a proposal under WAC 197-11-942 and 197-11-944; provided, that the responsible official and any department that will incur responsibilities as the result of such agreement approve the agreement.

(f)    Any department making a lead agency determination for a private project shall require sufficient information from the applicant to identify which other agencies have jurisdiction over the proposal (That is: Which agencies require nonexempt licenses?).

(g)    When the city of Connell is lead agency for an MTCA remedial action, the Department of Ecology shall be provided an opportunity under WAC 197-11-253(5) to review the environmental documents prior to public notice being provided. If the SEPA and MTCA documents are issued together with one public comment period under WAC 197-11-253(6), the city of Connell shall decide jointly with Ecology who receives the comment letters and how copies of the comment letters will be distributed to the other agency. (Ord. 919 § 1 (part), 2012: Ord. 901 § 1 (part), 2011).

15.04.060 Transfer of lead agency status to a state agency.

For any proposal for a private project where the city of Connell would be the lead agency and for which one or more state agencies have jurisdiction, the city of Connell’s responsible official may elect to transfer the lead agency duties to a state agency. The state agency with jurisdiction appearing first on the priority listing in WAC 197-11-936 shall be the lead agency and the city shall be an agency with jurisdiction. To transfer lead agency duties, the city of Connell’s responsible official must transmit a notice of the transfer together with any relevant information available on the proposal to the appropriate state agency with jurisdiction. The responsible official of the city of Connell shall also give notice of the transfer to the private applicant and any other agencies with jurisdiction over the proposal. (Ord. 919 § 1 (part), 2012: Ord. 901 § 1 (part), 2011).

15.04.070 Additional timing considerations.

For nonexempt proposals, the DNS or draft EIS for the proposal shall accompany the city’s/county’s staff recommendation to any appropriate advisory body, such as the planning commission. (Ord. 919 § 1 (part), 2012: Ord. 901 § 1 (part), 2011).

15.04.080 Categorical exemptions and threshold determinations.

(a)    Purpose of This Part and Adoption by Reference. This part contains the rules for deciding whether a proposal has a “probable significant, adverse environmental impact” requiring an environmental impact statement (EIS) to be prepared. This part also contains rules for evaluating the impacts of proposals not requiring an EIS. The city of Connell adopts the following sections by reference, as supplemented below:

WAC

197-11-300    Purpose of this part.

197-11-305    Categorical exemptions.

197-11-310    Threshold determination required.

197-11-315    Environmental checklist.

197-11-330    Threshold determination process.

197-11-335    Additional information.

197-11-340    Determination of nonsignificance (DNS).

197-11-350    Mitigated DNS.

197-11-355    Optional DNS process.

197-11-360    Determination of significance (DS)/initiation of scoping.

197-11-390    Effect of threshold determination.

(b)    Use of Exemptions.

(1)    Each department within the city of Connell that receives an application for a license or, in the case of governmental proposals, the department initiating the proposal, shall determine whether the license and/or the proposal is exempt. The department’s determination that a proposal is exempt shall be final and not subject to administrative review. If a proposal is exempt, none of the procedural requirements of this chapter apply to the proposal. The city of Connell shall not require completion of an environmental checklist for an exempt proposal.

(2)    In determining whether or not a proposal is exempt, the department shall make certain the proposal is properly defined and shall identify the governmental licenses required (WAC 197-11-060). If a proposal includes exempt and nonexempt actions, the department shall determine the lead agency, even if the license application that triggers the department’s consideration is exempt.

(3)    If a proposal includes both exempt and nonexempt actions, the city of Connell may authorize exempt actions prior to compliance with the procedural requirements of this chapter, except that:

(A)    The city of Connell shall not give authorization for:

(i)    Any nonexempt action;

(ii)    Any action that would have an adverse environmental impact; or

(iii)    Any action that would limit the choice of alternatives.

(B)    A department may withhold approval of an exempt action that would lead to modification of the physical environment, when such modification would serve no purpose if nonexempt action(s) were not approved; and

(C)    A department may withhold approval of exempt actions that would lead to substantial financial expenditures by a private applicant when the expenditures would serve no purpose if nonexempt action(s) were not approved. (Ord. 919 § 1 (part), 2012: Ord. 901 § 1 (part), 2011).

15.04.090 Environmental checklist.

(a)    Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section (this exception is added for jurisdictions wishing to use planned actions), a completed environmental checklist (or a copy), in the form provided in WAC 197-11-960, shall be filed at the same time as an application for a permit, license, certificate, or other approval not specifically exempted in this chapter; except, a checklist is not needed if the city of Connell and applicant agree an EIS is required, SEPA compliance has been completed, or SEPA compliance has been initiated by another agency. The city of Connell shall use the environmental checklist to determine the lead agency and, if the city of Connell is the lead agency, for determining the responsible official and for making the threshold determination.

(b)    For private proposals, the city of Connell will require the applicant to complete the environmental checklist, providing assistance as necessary. For city proposals, the department initiating the proposal shall complete the environmental checklist for that proposal.

(c)    For projects submitted as planned actions under WAC 197-11-164, the city of Connell shall use its existing environmental checklist form or may modify the environmental checklist form as provided in WAC 197-11-315. The modified environmental checklist form may be prepared and adopted along with or as part of a planned action ordinance; or developed after the ordinance is adopted. In either case, a proposed modified environmental checklist form must be sent to the Department of Ecology to allow at least a thirty-day review prior to use. (Ord. 919 § 1 (part), 2012: Ord. 901 § 1 (part), 2011).

15.04.100 Mitigated DNS.

(a)    As provided in this section and in WAC 197-11-350, the responsible official may issue a DNS based on conditions attached to the proposal by the responsible official or on changes to, or clarifications of, the proposal made by the applicant.

(b)    An applicant may request in writing early notice of whether a DS is likely under WAC 197-11-350. The request must:

(1)    Follow submission of a permit application and environmental checklist for a nonexempt proposal for which the department is lead agency; and

(2)    Precede the city of Connell’s actual threshold determination for the proposal.

(c)    The responsible official should respond to the request for early notice within fifteen working days. The response shall:

(1)    Be written;

(2)    State whether the city of Connell currently considers issuance of a DS likely and, if so, indicate the general or specific area(s) of concern that is/are leading the city of Connell to consider a DS; and

(3)    State that the applicant may change or clarify the proposal to mitigate the indicated impacts, revising the environmental checklist and/or permit application as necessary to reflect the changes or clarifications.

(d)    As much as possible, the city of Connell should assist the applicant with identification of impacts to the extent necessary to formulate mitigation measures.

(e)    When an applicant submits a changed or clarified proposal, along with a revised or amended environmental checklist, the city of Connell shall base its threshold determination on the changed or clarified proposal and should make the determination within fifteen days of receiving the changed or clarified proposal:

(1)    If the city of Connell indicated specific mitigation measures in its response to the request for early notice, and the applicant changed or clarified the proposal to include those specific mitigation measures, the city of Connell shall issue and circulate a DNS under WAC 197-11-340(2).

(2)    If the city of Connell indicated areas of concern, but did not indicate specific mitigation measures that would allow it to issue a DNS, the city of Connell shall make the threshold determination, issuing a DNS or DS as appropriate.

(3)    The applicant’s proposed mitigation measures (clarifications, changes or conditions) must be in writing and must be specific. For example, proposals to “control noise” or “prevent stormwater runoff” are inadequate, whereas proposals to “muffle machinery to X decibel” or “construct two-hundred-foot stormwater retention pond at Y location” are adequate.

(4)    Mitigation measures which justify issuance of a mitigated DNS may be incorporated in the DNS by reference to agency staff reports, studies or other documents.

(f)    A mitigated DNS is issued under either WAC 197-11-340(2), requiring a fourteen-day comment period and public notice, or WAC 197-11-355, which may require no additional comment period beyond the comment period on the notice of application.

(g)    Mitigation measures incorporated in the mitigated DNS shall be deemed conditions of approval of the permit decision and may be enforced in the same manner as any term or condition of the permit, or enforced in any manner specifically prescribed by the city of Connell.

(h)    If the city of Connell’s tentative decision on a permit or approval does not include mitigation measures that were incorporated in a mitigated DNS for the proposal, the city of Connell should evaluate the threshold determination to assure consistency with WAC 197-11-340(3)(a) (withdrawal of DNS).

(i)    The city of Connell’s written response under subsection (c) of this section shall not be construed as a determination of significance. In addition, preliminary discussion of clarifications or changes to a proposal, as opposed to a written request for early notice, shall not bind the city of Connell to consider the clarifications or changes in its threshold determination. (Ord. 919 § 1 (part), 2012: Ord. 901 § 1 (part), 2011).

15.04.110 Environmental impact statement (EIS).

(a)    Purpose of This Part and Adoption by Reference. This part contains the rules for preparing environmental impact statements. The city of Connell adopts the following sections by reference, as supplemented below:

WAC

197-11-400    Purpose of EIS.

197-11-402    General requirements.

197-11-405    EIS types.

197-11-406    EIS timing.

197-11-408    Scoping.

197-11-410    Expanded scoping. (optional)

197-11-420    EIS preparation.

197-11-425    Style and size.

197-11-430    Format.

197-11-435    Cover letter or memo.

197-11-440    EIS contents.

197-11-442    Contents of EIS on nonproject proposals.

197-11-443    EIS contents when prior nonproject EIS.

197-11-444    Elements of the environment.

197-11-448    Relationship of EIS to other considerations.

197-11-450    Cost-benefit analysis.

197-11-455    Issuance of DEIS.

197-11-460    Issuance of FEIS.

(b)    Preparation of EIS—Additional Considerations.

(1)    Preparation of draft and final EISs (DEIS and FEIS) and draft and final supplemental EISs (SEIS) is the responsibility of the planning department under the direction of the responsible official. Before the city of Connell issues an EIS, the responsible official shall be satisfied that it complies with this chapter and Chapter 197-11 WAC.

(2)    The DEIS and FEIS or draft and final SEIS shall be prepared by the city of Connell’s staff, the applicant, or by a consultant selected by the city of Connell or the applicant. If the responsible official requires an EIS for a proposal and determines that someone other than the city of Connell will prepare the EIS, the responsible official shall notify the applicant immediately after completion of the threshold determination. The responsible official shall also notify the applicant of the city of Connell’s procedure for EIS preparation, including approval of the DEIS and FEIS prior to distribution.

(3)    The city of Connell may require an applicant to provide information the city of Connell does not possess, including specific investigations. However, the applicant is not required to supply information that is not required under this chapter or that is being requested from another agency. (This does not apply to information the city of Connell may request under another ordinance or statute.) (Ord. 919 § 1 (part), 2012: Ord. 901 § 1 (part), 2011).

15.04.120 Adoption by reference.

This part contains rules for consulting, commenting, and responding on all environmental documents under SEPA, including rules for public notice and hearings. The city of Connell adopts the following sections by reference, as supplemented in this part:

WAC

197-11-500    Purpose of this part.

197-11-502    Inviting comment.

197-11-504    Availability and cost of environmental documents.

197-11-508    SEPA register.

197-11-510    Public notice.

197-11-535    Public hearings and meetings.

197-11-545    Effect of no comment.

197-11-550    Specificity of comments.

197-11-560    FEIS response to comments.

197-11-570    Consulted agency costs to assist lead agency.

(Ord. 919 § 1 (part), 2012: Ord. 901 § 1 (part), 2011).

15.04.130 Public notice.

(a)    Whenever possible, the city of Connell shall integrate the public notice required under this section with existing notice procedures for the city of Connell’s nonexempt permit(s) or approval(s) required for the proposal.

(b)    Whenever the city of Connell issues a DNS under WAC 197-11-340(2) or a DS under WAC 197-11-360(3) the city of Connell shall give public notice as follows:

(1)    If public notice is required for a nonexempt license, the notice shall state whether a DS or DNS has been issued and when comments are due.

(2)    If an environmental document is issued concurrently with the notice of application, the public notice requirements for the notice of application in RCW 36.70B.110(4) will suffice to meet the SEPA public notice requirements in WAC 197-11-510(1).

(3)    If no public notice is otherwise required for the permit or approval, the city of Connell shall give notice of the DNS or DS by:

(A)    Publishing notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the county, city, or general area where the proposal is located;

(B)    Notifying public or private groups which have expressed interest in a certain proposal or in the type of proposal being considered.

(4)    Whenever the city of Connell issues a DS under WAC 197-11-360(3), the city of Connell shall state the scoping procedure for the proposal in the DS as required in WAC 197-11-408 and in the public notice.

(c)    If a DNS is issued using the optional DNS process, the public notice requirements for a notice of application in RCW 36.70B.110(4) as supplemented by the requirements in WAC 197-11-355 will suffice to meet the SEPA public notice requirements in WAC 197-11-510(1)(b).

(d)    Whenever the city of Connell issues a DEIS under WAC 197-11-455(5) or an SEIS under WAC 197-11-620, notice of the availability of those documents shall be given by:

(1)    Indicating the availability of the DEIS in any public notice required for a nonexempt license; and

(Note: In addition select at least one of the following or insert all of the list and require that at least one method be used.)

(2)    Publishing notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the county, city, or general area where the proposal is located;

(3)    Notifying public or private groups which have expressed interest in a certain proposal or in the type of proposal being considered.

(e)    Public notice for projects that qualify as planned actions shall be tied to the underlying permit as specified in WAC 197-11-172(3).

(f)    The city of Connell may require an applicant to complete the public notice requirements for the applicant’s proposal at his or her expense. (Ord. 919 § 1 (part), 2012: Ord. 901 § 1 (part), 2011).

15.04.140 Designation of official to perform consulted agency responsibilities for the city of Connell.

(a)    The consulting engineer for the city shall be responsible for preparation of written comments for the city of Connell in response to a consultation request prior to a threshold determination, participation in scoping, and reviewing a DEIS.

(b)    This person shall be responsible for the city of Connell’s compliance with WAC 197-11-550 whenever the city of Connell is a consulted agency and is authorized to develop operating procedures that will ensure that responses to consultation requests are prepared in a timely fashion and include data from all appropriate departments of the city of Connell. (Ord. 919 § 1 (part), 2012: Ord. 901 § 1 (part), 2011).

15.04.150 Using existing environmental documents.

(a)    Purpose of This Part and Adoption by Reference. This part contains rules for using and supplementing existing environmental documents prepared under SEPA or National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for the city of Connell’s own environmental compliance. The city of Connell adopts the following sections by reference:

WAC

197-11-164    Planned actions—Definition and criteria.

197-11-168    Ordinances or resolutions designating planned actions—Procedures for adoption.

197-11-172    Planned actions—Project review.

197-11-600    When to use existing environmental documents.

197-11-610    Use of NEPA documents.

197-11-620    Supplemental environmental impact statement—Procedures.

197-11-625    Addenda—Procedures.

197-11-630    Adoption—Procedures.

197-11-635    Incorporation by reference—Procedures.

197-11-640    Combining documents.

(Ord. 919 § 1 (part), 2012: Ord. 901 § 1 (part), 2011).

15.04.160 SEPA and agency decisions.

(a)    Purpose of This Part and Adoption by Reference. This part contains rules (and policies) for SEPA’s substantive authority, such as decisions to mitigate or reject proposals as a result of SEPA. This part also contains procedures for appealing SEPA determinations to agencies or the courts. The city of Connell adopts the following sections by reference:

WAC

197-11-650    Purpose of this part.

197-11-655    Implementation.

197-11-660    Substantive authority and mitigation.

197-11-680    Appeals.

(b)    Substantive Authority. The policies and goals set forth in this chapter are supplementary to those in the existing authorization of the city of Connell. The city of Connell may attach conditions to a permit or approval for a proposal so long as:

(1)    Such conditions are necessary to mitigate specific probable adverse environmental impacts identified in environmental documents prepared pursuant to this chapter; and

(2)    Such conditions are in writing; and

(3)    The mitigation measures included in such conditions are reasonable and capable of being accomplished; and

(4)    The city of Connell has considered whether other local, state, or federal mitigation measures applied to the proposal are sufficient to mitigate the identified impacts; and

(5)    Such conditions are based on one or more policies in subsection (d) of this section and cited in the license or other decision document.

(c)    The city of Connell may deny a permit or approval for a proposal on the basis of SEPA so long as:

(1)    A finding is made that approving the proposal would result in probable significant adverse environmental impacts that are identified in a FEIS or final SEIS prepared pursuant to this chapter; and

(2)    A finding is made that there are no reasonable mitigation measures capable of being accomplished that are sufficient to mitigate the identified impact; and

(3)    The denial is based on one or more policies identified in subsection (d) of this section and identified in writing in the decision document.

(d)    The city of Connell designates and adopts by reference the following policies as the basis for the city of Connell’s exercise of authority pursuant to this section:

(1)    The city of Connell shall use all practicable means, consistent with other essential considerations of state policy, to improve and coordinate plans, functions, programs, and resources to the end that the state and its citizens may:

(A)    Fulfill the responsibilities of each generation as trustee of the environment for succeeding generations;

(B)    Assure for all people of Washington safe, healthful, productive, and aesthetically and culturally pleasing surroundings;

(C)    Attain the widest range of beneficial uses of the environment without degradation, risk to health or safety, or other undesirable and unintended consequences;

(D)    Preserve important historic, cultural, and natural aspects of our national heritage;

(E)    Maintain, wherever possible, an environment which supports diversity and variety of individual choice;

(F)    Achieve a balance between population and resource use which will permit high standards of living and a wide sharing of life’s amenities; and

(G)    Enhance the quality of renewable resources and approach the maximum attainable recycling of depletable resources.

(2)    The city of Connell recognizes that each person has a fundamental and inalienable right to a healthful environment and that each person has a responsibility to contribute to the preservation and enhancement of the environment. (Ord. 919 § 1 (part), 2012: Ord. 901 § 1 (part), 2011).

15.04.170 Definitions.

(a)    Purpose of This Part and Adoption by Reference. This part contains uniform usage and definitions of terms under SEPA. The city of Connell adopts the following sections by reference, as supplemented by Section 15.04.030:

WAC

197-11-700    Definitions.

197-11-702    Act.

197-11-704    Action.

197-11-706    Addendum.

197-11-708    Adoption.

197-11-710    Affected tribe.

197-11-712    Affecting.

197-11-714    Agency.

197-11-716    Applicant.

197-11-718    Built environment.

197-11-720    Categorical exemption.

197-11-721    Closed record appeal.

197-11-722    Consolidated appeal.

197-11-724    Consulted agency.

197-11-726    Cost-benefit analysis.

197-11-728    County/city.

197-11-730    Decision maker.

197-11-732    Department.

197-11-734    Determination of nonsignificance (DNS).

197-11-736    Determination of significance (DS).

197-11-738    EIS.

197-11-740    Environment.

197-11-742    Environmental checklist.

197-11-744    Environmental document.

197-11-746    Environmental review.

197-11-750    Expanded scoping.

197-11-752    Impacts.

197-11-754    Incorporation by reference.

197-11-756    Lands covered by water.

197-11-758    Lead agency.

197-11-760    License.

197-11-762    Local agency.

197-11-764    Major action.

197-11-766    Mitigated DNS.

197-11-768    Mitigation.

197-11-770    Natural environment.

197-11-772    NEPA.

197-11-774    Nonproject.

197-11-775    Open record hearing.

197-11-776    Phased review.

197-11-778    Preparation.

197-11-780    Private project.

197-11-782    Probable.

197-11-784    Proposal.

197-11-786    Reasonable alternative.

197-11-788    Responsible official.

197-11-790    SEPA.

197-11-792    Scope.

197-11-793    Scoping.

197-11-794    Significant.

197-11-796    State agency.

197-11-797    Threshold determination.

197-11-799    Underlying governmental action.

(Ord. 919 § 1 (part), 2012: Ord. 901 § 1 (part), 2011).

15.04.180 Categorical exemptions.

(a)    Adoption by Reference. The city of Connell adopts by reference the following rules for categorical exemptions, as supplemented in this chapter, including WAC 173-806-070 (Flexible thresholds), WAC 173-806-080 (Use of exemptions), and WAC 173-806-190 (Critical areas):

WAC

197-11-800    Categorical exemptions.

197-11-880    Emergencies.

197-11-890    Petitioning DOE to change exemptions.

(Ord. 919 § 1 (part), 2012: Ord. 901 § 1 (part), 2011).

15.04.190 Agency compliance.

(a)    Purpose of This Part and Adoption by Reference. This part contains rules for agency compliance with SEPA, including rules for charging fees under the SEPA process, designating categorical exemptions that do not apply within critical areas, listing agencies with environmental expertise, selecting the lead agency, and applying these rules to current agency activities. The city of Connell adopts the following sections by reference:

WAC

197-11-900    Purpose of this part.

197-11-902    Agency SEPA policies.

197-11-916    Application to ongoing actions.

197-11-920    Agencies with environmental expertise.

197-11-922    Lead agency rules.

197-11-924    Determining the lead agency.

197-11-926    Lead agency for governmental proposals.

197-11-928    Lead agency for public and private proposals.

197-11-930    Lead agency for private projects with one agency with jurisdiction.

197-11-932    Lead agency for private projects requiring licenses from more than one agency, when one of the agencies is a county/city.

197-11-934    Lead agency for private projects requiring licenses from a local agency, not a county/city, and one or more state agencies.

197-11-936    Lead agency for private projects requiring licenses from more than one state agency.

197-11-938    Lead agencies for specific proposals.

197-11-940    Transfer of lead agency status to a state agency.

197-11-942    Agreements on lead agency status.

197-11-944    Agreements on division of lead agency duties.

197-11-946    DOE resolution of lead agency disputes.

197-11-948    Assumption of lead agency status.

(Ord. 919 § 1 (part), 2012: Ord. 901 § 1 (part), 2011).

15.04.200 Fees.

The city of Connell shall require the following fees for its activities in accordance with adopted fee resolution as presently constituted or subsequently amended.

(1)    Threshold Determination. For every environmental checklist the city of Connell will review when it is lead agency, the city of Connell shall collect a fee in the amount set forth in the city of Connell fee resolution from the proponent of the proposal prior to undertaking the threshold determination. The time periods provided by this chapter for making a threshold determination shall not begin to run until payment of the fee. (Ord. 919 § 1 (part), 2012: Ord. 901 § 1 (part), 2011).