It is anticipated that the rule changes will involve major revisions to the nonproject checklist as well as to the process for preparing environmental analysis of nonproject actions. This is particularly important for nonproject actions that will govern the development of future projects.
Nonproject actions are decisions on policies, plans, or programs.
If SEPA is integrated early in the planning process, the final proposal will better reflect the environmental concerns. Documenting the thinking and discussions as the development of the proposal occurs will provide a public record of environmental considerations and how they were incorporated into the proposal and alternatives. This will minimize the need to make changes due to environmental issues at the end of the process, or to spend extra time and money to meet procedural or legal requirements. The rule changes are intended to accomplish the following objectives. Improve decisions by ensuring that environmental values are an integral part of the decisionmaking process.