Chapter 15.12 STATE ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT

The city adopts the ordinance codified in this chapter under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), RCW 43.21C.120, and the SEPA Rules, WAC 197-11-904.

This chapter contains the city’s SEPA procedures and policies.

The SEPA Rules, Chapter 197-11 WAC, must be used in conjunction with this chapter. (Ord. 1638 § 3, 2001; Ord. 1412 Part 1, 1984. Formerly 17.04.010.)

Article II. Definitions

15.12.020 Purpose of this article and adoption by reference – WAC 173-806-175.

This article contains uniform usage and definitions of terms under SEPA. The city adopts the following sections by reference, as supplemented by WAC 173-806-040:

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.

197-11-722 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.

197-11-748 Environmentally sensitive area.

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.

197-11-776 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. 1638 § 3, 2001; Ord. 1412 Part 8(A), 1984. Formerly 17.04.020.)

Article III. General Requirements

15.12.030 Purpose of this article and adoption by reference – WAC 173-806-020.

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

WAC

197-11-040 Definitions.

197-11-050 Lead agency.

197-11-055 Timing of the SEPA process.

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.

(Ord. 1638 § 3, 2001; Ord. 1412 Part 2(A), 1984. Formerly 17.04.030.)

15.12.040 Additional definitions – WAC 173-806-030.

In addition to those definitions contained within WAC 197-11-700 through 197-11-799, when used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings, unless the context indicates otherwise:

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

B. “Early notice” means the city’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).

C. “Ordinance” means the ordinance, resolution or other procedure used by the city to adopt regulatory requirements.

D. “SEPA Rules” means Chapter 197-11 WAC adopted by the Department of Ecology. (Ord. 1638 § 3, 2001; Ord. 1412 Part 2(B), 1984. Formerly 17.04.040.)

15.12.050 Designation of responsible official – WAC 173-806-040.

A. For those proposals for which the city is the lead agency, the responsible official shall be the director of public works.

B. For all proposals for which the city 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 WAC 173-806-020.

C. The city shall retain all documents required by the SEPA Rules (Chapter 197-11 WAC) and make them available in accordance with Chapter 42.17 RCW. (Ord. 1638 § 3, 2001; Ord. 1412 Part 2(C), 1984. Formerly 17.04.050.)

15.12.060 Lead agency determination – WAC 173-806-050.

A. The department within the city 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 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 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 is not the lead agency for a proposal, all departments of the city 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 may conduct supplemental environmental review under WAC 197-11-600.

D. If the city or any of its departments receives a lead agency determination made by another agency that appears inconsistent with the criteria of WAC 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 15 days of receipt of the determination, or the city must petition the Department of Ecology for a lead agency determination under WAC 197-11-946 within the 15-day time period.

E. Departments of the city 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?). (Ord. 1638 § 3, 2001; Ord. 1412 Part 2(D), 1984. Formerly 17.04.060.)

15.12.070 Transfer of lead agency status to a state agency – WAC 173-806-053.

For any proposal for a private project where the city would be the lead agency and for which one or more state agencies have jurisdiction, the city’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’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 shall also give notice of the transfer to the private applicant and any other agencies with jurisdiction over the proposal. (Ord. 1638 § 3, 2001; Ord. 1412 Part 2(E), 1984. Formerly 17.04.070.)

15.12.080 Additional considerations in time limits applicable to the SEPA process – WAC 173-806-055.

The following time limits (expressed in calendar days) shall apply when the city processes licenses for all private projects and those governmental proposals submitted to the city by other agencies:

A. The city shall identify whether an action is categorically exempt within seven days of receiving a completed application.

B. Threshold Determinations.

1. The city should complete threshold determinations that can be based solely upon review of the environmental checklist for the proposal within 15 days of the date an applicant’s adequate application and completed checklist are submitted.

2. When the responsible official requires further information from the applicant or consultation with other agencies with jurisdiction:

a. The city should request such further information within 15 days of receiving an adequate application and completed environmental checklist;

b. The city shall wait no longer than 30 days for a consulted agency to respond;

c. The responsible official should complete the threshold determination within 15 days of receiving the requested information from the applicant or the consulted agency.

3. When the city must initiate further studies, including field investigations, to obtain the information to make the threshold determination, the city should complete the studies within 30 days of receiving an adequate application and a completed checklist.

4. The city shall complete threshold determinations on actions where the applicant recommends in writing that an EIS be prepared, because of the probable significant adverse environmental impact(s) described in the application, within 15 days of receiving an adequate application and completed checklist. (Ord. 1638 § 3, 2001; Ord. 1412 Part 2(F), 1984. Formerly 17.04.080.)

15.12.090 Additional timing considerations – WAC 173-806-058.

A. For nonexempt proposals, the DNS or draft EIS for the proposal shall accompany the city’s staff recommendation to any appropriate advisory body, such as the planning commission.

B. If the city’s only action on a proposal is a decision on a building permit or other license that requires detailed project plans and specifications, the applicant may request in writing that the city conduct environmental review prior to submission of the detailed plans and specifications. (Ord. 1638 § 3, 2001; Ord. 1412 Part 2(G), 1984. Formerly 17.04.090.)

Article IV. Categorical Exemptions and Threshold Determinations

15.12.100 Purpose of this article and adoption by reference – WAC 173-806-065.

This article 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 article also contains rules for evaluating the impacts of proposals not requiring an EIS. The city adopts the following sections by reference, as supplemented in this article:

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.

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

197-11-390 Effect of threshold determination.

(Ord. 1638 § 3, 2001; Ord. 1412 Part 3(A), 1984. Formerly 17.04.100.)

15.12.110 Flexible thresholds for categorical exemptions – WAC 173-806-070.

The city establishes the following exempt levels for minor new construction under WAC 197-11-800(1)(b) based on local conditions:

A. For residential dwelling units in WAC 197-11-800(1)(b)(i): Up to 20 dwelling units;

B. For agricultural structures in WAC 197-11-800(1)(b)(ii): Up to 30,000 square feet;

C. For office, school, commercial, recreational, service or storage buildings in WAC 197-11-800(1)(b)(iii): Up to 12,000 square feet and up to 40 parking spaces;

D. For parking lots in WAC 197-11-800(1)(b)(iv): Up to 40 parking spaces;

E. For landfills and excavations in WAC 197-11-800(1)(b)(v): Up to 500 cubic yards. (Ord. 1638 § 3, 2001; Ord. 1412 Part 3(B), 1984. Formerly 17.04.110.)

15.12.120 Use of exemptions – WAC 173-806-080.

A. Each department within the city 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 shall not require completion of an environmental checklist for an exempt proposal.

B. 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 action, the department shall determine the lead agency, even if the license application that triggers the department’s consideration is exempt.

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

1. The city shall not give authorization for:

a. Any nonexempt action,

b. Any action that would have an adverse environmental impact, or

c. Any action that would limit the choice of alternatives;

2. 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

3. 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. 1638 § 3, 2001; Ord. 1412 Part 3(C), 1984. Formerly 17.04.120.)

15.12.130 Environmental checklist – WAC 173-806-090.

A completed environmental checklist, 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 and applicant agree an EIS is required, SEPA compliance has been completed, or SEPA compliance has been initiated by another agency. The city shall use the environmental checklist to determine the lead agency and, if the city is the lead agency, for determining the responsible official and for making the threshold determination. (Ord. 1638 § 3, 2001; Ord. 1412 Part 3(D), 1984. Formerly 17.04.130.)

15.12.140 Mitigated DNS – WAC 173-806-100.

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’s actual threshold determination for the proposal.

C. The responsible official should respond to the request for early notice within seven working days. The response shall:

1. Be written;

2. State whether the city 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 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 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 shall base its threshold determination on the changed or clarified proposal and should make the determination within 15 days of receiving the changed or clarified proposal:

1. If the city 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 shall issue and circulate a DNS under WAC 197-11-340(2).

2. If the city indicated areas of concern, but did not indicate specific mitigation measures that would allow it to issue a DNS, the city 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 a 200-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. The mitigated DNS issued under WAC 197-11-340(2) requires a 15-day comment period and public notice.

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.

H. If the city’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 should evaluate the threshold determination to assure consistency with WAC 197-11-340(3)(a) (withdrawal of DNS).

I. The city’s written response under subsection (B) 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 to consider the clarifications or changes in its threshold determination. (Ord. 1638 § 3, 2001; Ord. 1412 Part 3(E), 1984. Formerly 17.04.140.)

Article V. Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

15.12.150 Purpose of this article and adoption by reference – WAC 173-806-110.

This article contains the rules for preparing environmental impact statements. The city adopts the following sections by reference, as supplemented by this article:

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.

(Ord. 1638 § 3, 2001; Ord. 1412 Part 4(A), 1984. Formerly 17.04.150.)

15.12.160 Preparation of EIS – Additional considerations – WAC 173-806-120.

A. Preparation of draft and final EISs (DEIS and FEIS) and draft and final supplemental EISs (SEIS) is the responsibility of the director of public works. Before the city issues an EIS, the responsible official shall be satisfied that it complies with this chapter and Chapter 197-11 WAC.

B. The DEIS and FEIS or draft and final SEIS shall be prepared by city staff, the applicant, or by a consultant selected by the city or the applicant. If the responsible official requires an EIS for a proposal and determines that someone other than the city 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’s procedure for EIS preparation, including approval of the DEIS and FEIS prior to distribution.

C. The city may require an applicant to provide information the city 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. (Ord. 1638 § 3, 2001; Ord. 1412, Part 4(B), 1984. Formerly 17.04.160.)

Article VI. Commenting

15.12.170 Adoption by reference – WAC 173-806-128.

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

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.

197-11-535 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. 1638 § 3, 2001; Ord. 1412 Part 5(A), 1984. Formerly 17.04.170.)

15.12.180 Public notice – WAC 173-806-130.

A. Whenever the city issues a DNS under WAC 197-11-340(2) or a DS under WAC 197-11-360(3) the city 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 no public notice is required for the permit or approval, the city shall give notice of the DNS or DS by:

a. Posting the property, for site-specific proposals;

b. Publishing notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the county, city or general area where the proposal is located.

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

B. Whenever the city issues a DEIS under WAC 197-11-455(5) or a 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

2. Posting the property, for site-specific proposals;

3. Publishing notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the county, city or general area where the proposal is located.

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

D. The city may require an applicant to complete the public notice requirements for the applicant’s proposal at his or her expense. (Ord. 1638 § 3, 2001; Ord. 1412 Part 5(B), 1984. Formerly 17.04.180.)

15.12.190 Designation of official to perform consulted agency responsibilities for the city – WAC 173-806-140.

A. The director of public works shall be responsible for preparation of written comments for the city in response to a consultation request prior to a threshold determination, participation in scoping, and reviewing a DEIS.

B. The director of public works shall be responsible tor the city’s compliance with WAC 197-11-550 whenever the city 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. (Ord. 1638 § 3, 2001; Ord. 1412 Part 5(C), 1984. Formerly 17.04.190.)

Article VII. Using Existing Environmental Documents

15.12.200 Purpose of this article and adoption by reference – WAC 173-806-150.

This article contains rules for using and supplementing existing environmental documents prepared under SEPA or National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for the city’s own environmental compliance. The city adopts the following sections by reference:

WAC

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. 1638 § 3, 2001; Ord. 1412 Part 6(A), 1984. Formerly 17.04.200.)

Article VIII. SEPA and Agency Decisions

15.12.210 Purpose of this article and adoption by reference – WAC 173-806-155.

This article contains rules (and policies) for SEPA’s substantive authority, such as decisions to mitigate or reject proposals as a result of SEPA. This article also contains procedures for appealing SEPA determinations to agencies or the courts. The city 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.

(Ord. 1638 § 3, 2001; Ord. 1412 Part 7(A), 1984. Formerly 17.04.210.)

15.12.220 Substantive authority – WAC 173-806-160.

A. The policies and goals set forth in this chapter are supplementary to those in the existing authorization of the city.

B. The city 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 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 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 designates and adopts by reference the following policies as the basis for the city’s exercise of authority pursuant to this section:

1. The city 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 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. 1638 § 3, 2001; Ord. 1412 Part 7(B), 1984. Formerly 17.04.220.)

15.12.230 Appeal to local legislative body.

None shall be allowed. (Ord. 1638 § 3, 2001; Ord. 1412 Part 7(C), 1984. Formerly 17.04.230.)

Article IX. Categorical Exemptions

15.12.240 Adoption by reference – WAC 173-806-180.

The city 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 (environmentally sensitive areas):

WAC

197-11-800 Categorical exemptions.

197-11-880 Emergencies.

197-11-890 Petitioning DOE to change exemptions.

(Ord. 1638 § 3, 2001; Ord. 1412 Part 9, 1984. Formerly 17.04.240.)

Article X. Agency Compliance

15.12.250 Purpose of this article and adoption by reference – WAC 173-806-185.

This article contains rules for agency compliance with SEPA, including rules for charging fees under the SEPA process, designating environmentally sensitive areas, listing agencies with environmental expertise, selecting the lead agency, and applying these rules to current agency activities. The city adopts the following sections by reference, as supplemented by WAC 173-806-045 through 173-806-043 and this article:

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. 1638 § 3, 2001; Ord. 1412 Part 10(A), 1984. Formerly 17.04.250.)

15.12.260 Fees – WAC 173-806-200.

The city shall require the following fees for its activities in accordance with the provisions of this chapter:

A. Threshold Determination. For every environmental checklist the city shall collect a fee (see current fee schedule) 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.

B. Environmental Impact Statement.

1. When the city is the lead agency for a proposal requiring an EIS and the responsible official determines that the EIS shall be prepared by employees of the city, the city may charge and collect a reasonable fee from any applicant to cover costs incurred by the city in preparing the EIS. The responsible official shall advise the applicant(s) of the projected costs for the EIS prior to actual preparation; the applicant shall post bond or otherwise ensure payment of such costs.

2. The responsible official may determine that the city will contract directly with a consultant for preparation of an EIS, or a portion of the EIS, for activities initiated by some persons or entity other than the city and may bill such costs and expenses directly to the applicant. The city may require the applicant to post bond or otherwise ensure payment of such costs. Such consultants shall be selected by mutual agreement of the city and applicant after a call for proposals.

3. If a proposal is modified so that an EIS is no longer required, the responsible official shall refund any fees collected under subsection (B)(1) or (B)(2) of this section which remain after incurred costs are paid.

C. The city may collect a reasonable fee from an applicant to cover the cost of meeting the public notice requirements of this chapter relating to the applicant’s proposal.

D. The city may charge any person for copies of any document prepared under this chapter, and for mailing the document, in a manner provided by Chapter 42.17 RCW. (Ord. 1845 § 1, 2015; Ord. 1638 § 3, 2001; Ord. 1412 Part 10(B), 1984. Formerly 17.04.260.)

15.12.270 Severability – WAC 173-806-220.

If any provision of this chapter or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of this chapter, or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances, shall not be affected. (Ord. 1638 § 3, 2001; Ord. 1412 Part 10(C), 1984. Formerly 17.04.270.)

Article XI. Forms

15.12.280 Adoption by reference – WAC 173-806-230.

The city adopts the following forms and sections by reference:

WAC

197-11-960 Environmental checklist.

197-11-965 Adoption notice.

197-11-970 Determination of nonsignificance (DNS).

197-11-980 Determination of significance and scoping notice (DS).

197-11-985 Notice of assumption of lead agency status.

197-11-990 Notice of action.

(Ord. 1638 § 3, 2001; Ord. 1412 Part 11, 1984. Formerly 17.04.280.)

Article XII. Policies

15.12.300 Adopting city plans by reference.

The city adopts by reference the policies in the following codes, ordinances, resolutions and plans, as now exist or as hereinafter amended, as a possible basis for the exercise of substantive authority in the conditioning or denying of proposals:

A. Shoreline management master program;

B. Flood damage prevention ordinance;

C. City zoning ordinance;

D. Pacific County resource lands and critical areas. (Ord. 1638 § 3, 2001; Ord. 1524, 1992. Formerly 17.04.300.)

15.12.320 State Environmental Policy Act local policies.

The findings and policies of the Pacific County resource lands and critical areas and the following mitigation policies are to be exercised on developments such that land use activities shall be located and designed to minimize conflict.

A. Forest Resource Lands.

1. Notification shall be placed on all subdivision proposals that the adjacent land is in forest resource use and subject to a variety of activities that may not be compatible with residential development.

B. Agricultural Resource Lands.

1. The obligation for buffer strips is to farms that choose to subdivide or transition to a noncompatible use.

2. Existing farm uses are to be protected from adjacent noncompatible development uses.

3. When land containing prime and unique agricultural land is converted, the prime and unique agricultural land uses shall be maintained while allowing for other uses on suitable land.

4. Prime and unique agricultural lands are to be retained within existing and future city boundaries.

5. Agricultural land may be annexed as transitional land into the city limits for urban preferred land uses.

6. Cranberry production is a higher priority use when multiple resource land and critical area designations overlap.

7. Nonagricultural development shall provide buffers and mitigation between development and cranberry production areas. These buffers or transition areas may include increased setbacks to shield spray drift, noise, visual impact, and other aspects of active agricultural operations.

8. Aquacultural activities introduced to Willapa Bay shall be compatible with and not disruptive to the natural, biological, and physical dynamic force within the estuary.

9. Upland development shall not impede the natural condition of the estuary.

C. Mineral Resource Lands.

1. Settling ponds shall be used on new rock pit developments to protect water quality and prevent sedimentation.

2. Mining sites shall be located where adjacent land is used for mining, open space, forestry or industrial use and where they can be screened from residential and commercial properties to minimize the extractive operational impacts of blasting, noise, dust, heavy equipment, mines, pits and vibration. Screening and buffering is the responsibility of the new or expanded mineral extraction development.

3. Sand removal operations shall be separated from tourist and recreational activities.

D. Critical Areas – Wetlands.

1. Development in wetlands shall provide shoreline access through easements, trust accounts for school field trips on the value and function of wetlands, or the proposed enhancement of specific wetland functions associated with the development.

2. Wetland mitigation shall be based on wetland function and value in addition to overall area of disturbance.

E. Aquifer Recharge Areas.

1. Nonforestry activities and other developments in critical recharge areas must demonstrate to the water purveyor and local governments all potential environmental impacts to the recharge area as a result of the proposed development.

2. On proposed developments, the effects and impacts of stormwater runoff from urban areas should be carefully analyzed and cities and counties should consider retention of all stormwater on-site as an aquifer recharge protection measure.

F. Geologically Hazardous Areas.

1. On new construction, road construction practices shall be modified to avoid erosion, landslide and slumping.

G. Frequently Flooded Areas.

1. Forest and associated watersheds within a development shall be managed through forest practices or best management practices to reduce flood damage and associated impacts to frequently flooded areas.

2. Development proposals shall address coastal high hazards and the impact of coastal flooding to loss of life and property.

H. Fish and Wildlife Habitat Areas.

1. Construction activities shall mitigate impact to wildlife displacement and habitat reduction through open space, wetland and habitat retention areas.

2. Education shall be considered as a mitigation measure to enhance and conserve wildlife habitat.

3. Proposed development shall consider as a mitigation measure the compatibility and use of fish and wildlife habitat within buffer areas.

4. Proposed fish and wildlife habitat areas shall consider the total habitat value provided rather than habitat needed for a single species. (Ord. 1638 § 3, 2001; Ord. 1524, 1992. Formerly 17.04.320.)