Source: https://apps.leg.wa.gov/wAC/default.aspx?cite=332-41&full=true
Timestamp: 2020-02-20 20:48:59
Document Index: 159372223

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 332', '§ 332', '§ 332', '§ 332', '§ 332', '§ 332', '§ 332', '§ 332', '§ 332', '§ 332', '§ 332', '§ 332', '§ 332', '§ 332', '§ 332', '§ 332', '§ 332', '§ 332', '§ 332', '§ 332', '§ 332', '§ 332']

Chapter 332-41 WAC:
WACs > Title 332 > Chapter 332-41
Chapter 332-41 WAC
SEPA POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
HTMLPDF 332-41-010 Authority.
HTMLPDF 332-41-020 Adoption by reference.
HTMLPDF 332-41-030 Purpose.
HTMLPDF 332-41-040 Additional definitions.
HTMLPDF 332-41-055 Additional timing considerations.
HTMLPDF 332-41-310 Threshold determination required.
HTMLPDF 332-41-350 Mitigated determination of nonsignificance (DNS).
HTMLPDF 332-41-421 EIS preparation under DNR direction.
HTMLPDF 332-41-504 Availability, distribution, and costs of environmental documents.
HTMLPDF 332-41-505 Notice of environmental documents.
HTMLPDF 332-41-510 Public notice requirements.
HTMLPDF 332-41-665 Policies and procedures for conditioning or denying permits or other approvals.
HTMLPDF 332-41-833 Timber sales categories.
HTMLPDF 332-41-910 Designation of responsible official.
HTMLPDF 332-41-950 Severability.
332-41-420 EIS preparation. [Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.21C RCW and RCW 43.30.150. WSR 84-18-052 (Order 432), § 332-41-420, filed 9/5/84. Formerly WAC 332-40-420.] Repealed by WSR 07-08-021, filed 3/27/07, effective 4/27/07. Statutory Authority: Chapters 43.21C, 34.05 RCW, WAC 197-11-902(2), and [197-11]-904(1).
332-41-508 Notice of environmental documents. [Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.21C RCW and RCW 43.30.150. WSR 84-18-052 (Order 432), § 332-41-508, filed 9/5/84. Formerly chapter 332-40 WAC.] Repealed by WSR 07-08-021, filed 3/27/07, effective 4/27/07. Statutory Authority: Chapters 43.21C, 34.05 RCW, WAC 197-11-902(2), and [197-11]-904(1).
332-41-920 Agencies with environmental expertise. [Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.21C RCW and RCW 43.30.150. WSR 84-18-052 (Order 432), § 332-41-920, filed 9/5/84. Formerly chapter 332-40 WAC.] Repealed by WSR 07-08-021, filed 3/27/07, effective 4/27/07. Statutory Authority: Chapters 43.21C, 34.05 RCW, WAC 197-11-902(2), and [197-11]-904(1).
PDF332-41-010
The department of natural resources adopts these rules under RCW 43.21C.120 (the State Environmental Policy Act) and chapter 197-11 WAC (SEPA rules).
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 43.21C, 34.05 RCW, WAC 197-11-902(2), and [197-11]-904(1). WSR 07-08-021, § 332-41-010, filed 3/27/07, effective 4/27/07. Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.21C RCW and RCW 43.30.150. WSR 84-18-052 (Order 432), § 332-41-010, filed 9/5/84. Formerly WAC 332-40-010.]
PDF332-41-020
The department of natural resources adopts the following sections or subsections of chapter 197-11 WAC by reference.
197-11-830
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 43.21C, 34.05 RCW, WAC 197-11-902(2), and [197-11]-904(1). WSR 07-08-021, § 332-41-020, filed 3/27/07, effective 4/27/07. Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.21C RCW and RCW 43.30.150. WSR 84-18-052 (Order 432), § 332-41-020, filed 9/5/84.]
PDF332-41-030
This chapter implements the statewide rules in chapter 197-11 WAC as they apply to the department of natural resources.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.21C RCW and RCW 43.30.150. WSR 84-18-052 (Order 432), § 332-41-030, filed 9/5/84. Formerly WAC 332-40-020.]
PDF332-41-040
PDF332-41-055
PDF332-41-310
(1) What are the timing requirements for threshold determinations? WAC 197-11-310 requires that a threshold determination (either of nonsignificance or significance) be made no later than ninety days after the application and supporting documentation are determined to be complete. In most cases, DNR should complete a threshold determination within fifteen days, if possible, except for Class IV forest practices, in which case the threshold determination shall be made within ten days of receiving a complete application, including a complete environmental checklist. Complex proposals, those where additional information is needed, and/or those accompanied by an inaccurate checklist may require additional time. Upon request by a proponent, the responsible official shall select a date for making the threshold determination and notify the proponent of such date in writing.
(2) When should DNR issue a notice of final determination? A notice of final determination should be issued after the SEPA comment period for an initial determination of nonsignificance.
(a) This notice should document whether the determination has been:
(i) Retained;
(ii) Modified;
(iii) Delayed; or
(iv) Withdrawn.
(b) After an initial threshold determination is delayed, another notice of final determination should be issued to identify whether the proposal has been retained, modified or withdrawn.
(c) Any notice of final determination should be sent to the original mailing list for the proposal and to any additional parties that commented on the proposal.
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 43.21C, 34.05 RCW, WAC 197-11-902(2), and [197-11]-904(1). WSR 07-08-021, § 332-41-310, filed 3/27/07, effective 4/27/07. Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.21C RCW and RCW 43.30.150. WSR 84-18-052 (Order 432), § 332-41-310, filed 9/5/84. Formerly chapter 332-40 WAC.]
PDF332-41-350
Mitigated determination of nonsignificance (DNS).
(1) How may a proponent request an early notice of a determination of significance (DS)? When DNR is the lead agency, a proponent may ask DNR whether issuance of a DS is likely for a proposal. A non-DNR request for early notice must satisfy three requirements. The request:
(b) Shall follow submission of a permit application, if applicable, and environmental checklist; and
(c) Must be received by DNR before DNR issues an initial threshold determination for the proposal.
(2) How should DNR respond to an early notice request? The responsible official or designee should respond to a request for early notice within ten business days of receipt. DNR should respond to a forest practices applicant as soon as possible because RCW 76.09.050 only allows ten days to conduct a threshold evaluation. If DNR is not the proposal's proponent, the response shall meet the following requirements:
(a) The response must be in writing;
(b) The response shall state whether DNR is considering issuance of a DS;
(c) The response shall indicate the general or specific area(s) of concern that led DNR to consider a DS; and
(d) The response shall state that the applicant may change or clarify the proposal to mitigate the impacts indicated in the letter, revising the environmental checklist as necessary to reflect the changes or clarifications.
(3) How should early review requests and responses to DNR proposals be processed? If a project leader from within DNR requests early notice, it is advisable that both the request and the response be documented in writing for tracking purposes.
(4) What is the review process for proposals pending a request for early notice? DNR shall continue to conduct SEPA review on the originally submitted proposal until a proposal's proponent requests, in writing, that the proposal be changed or clarified.
(5) What should DNR review when changes or clarifications are added to a proposal? If a proponent submits changes or clarifications under this section, DNR shall review these changes or clarifications as part of the proposal.
(a) If DNR's response to the request for early notice indicated specific mitigation measures that would remove all probable significant adverse environmental impacts, and the proponent changes or clarifies the proposal to include all of those specific mitigation measures, DNR shall issue a determination of nonsignificance and circulate the DNS for comments as in WAC 197-11-350.
(b) If DNR indicates general or specific areas of concern, but does not indicate specific mitigation measures that would allow it to issue a DNS, DNR shall determine if the changed or clarified proposal may have a probable significant environmental impact, and issue a DNS or DS, as appropriate.
(6) May DNR propose mitigation to reduce impacts of the proposal? Even without a request for early notice, DNR may specify mitigation measures that would allow DNR to issue a DNS. If a proponent changes or clarifies the proposal to include DNR's proposed measures, DNR shall issue a DNS consistent with WAC 197-11-350 and circulate it for review.
(7) How may a proponent change a proposal? When a proponent changes or clarifies the proposal, the changes or clarifications may be added as attachments to previously submitted documents. If the environmental checklist and supporting documents would be difficult to read and/or understand in conjunction with the attachment(s), DNR may require the applicant to submit a new checklist.
(8) May DNR change its own proposals? DNR may change or clarify features of its own proposals before making the threshold determination consistent with WAC 197-11-350.
(9) What is the effect of preliminary discussions? DNR's indication that a DS appears likely shall not be construed as a determination of significance. DNR's preliminary discussion of possible clarification or changes shall not bind DNR in making a determination of nonsignificance.
(10) When should DNR issue a notice of final determination for a mitigated determination of nonsignificance? DNR should issue a notice of final determination after the SEPA comment period has ended. This notice should document whether the determination has been:
(a) Retained;
(b) Modified;
(c) Delayed; or
(d) Withdrawn.
(i) If an initial threshold determination is delayed, DNR should issue another notice of final determination to identify whether the proposal has been retained, modified or withdrawn.
(ii) DNR should send any notice of final determination to the original mailing list for the proposal and any additional parties that commented on the proposal.
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 43.21C, 34.05 RCW, WAC 197-11-902(2), and [197-11]-904(1). WSR 07-08-021, § 332-41-350, filed 3/27/07, effective 4/27/07. Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.21C RCW and RCW 43.30.150. WSR 84-18-052 (Order 432), § 332-41-350, filed 9/5/84. Formerly chapter 332-40 WAC.]
PDF332-41-421
EIS preparation under DNR direction.
DNR normally requires a proponent to prepare or help prepare draft, final, and supplemental EISs at the proponent's expense. An outside consultant may be used to complete an EIS only if DNR and the proponent mutually agree upon the consultant. Any proponent or consultant preparing an EIS shall do so under DNR's direction.
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 43.21C, 34.05 RCW, WAC 197-11-902(2), and [197-11]-904(1). WSR 07-08-021, § 332-41-421, filed 3/27/07, effective 4/27/07.]
PDF332-41-504
Availability, distribution, and costs of environmental documents.
(1) Where are SEPA documents retained? SEPA documents required by these rules shall be retained by DNR at the SEPA center, and made available in accordance with chapters 42.17 RCW and 197-11 WAC, Part V.
(2) How does DNR distribute SEPA documents? When DNR is the lead agency, DNR personnel shall distribute SEPA documents as required by chapter 197-11 WAC unless another agency is nominal co-lead with DNR. The following are acceptable methods of distribution:
(a) Email environmental documents including attached checklists and backup materials provided the recipient agency or interested party has made its email address available to DNR;
(b) Mail environmental documents, including attached checklists and backup materials, on CDs or as hardcopies to agency mailing lists that include either general lists or lists for specific proposals or subject areas.
(3) May DNR charge for multiple copies? A requestor asking for additional hard copies of a SEPA document may be required to pay additional copying fees per WAC 197-11-504, 332-10-090 and 332-10-170, and RCW 42.17.300.
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 43.21C, 34.05 RCW, WAC 197-11-902(2), and [197-11]-904(1). WSR 07-08-021, § 332-41-504, filed 3/27/07, effective 4/27/07. Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.21C RCW and RCW 43.30.150. WSR 84-18-052 (Order 432), § 332-41-504, filed 9/5/84. Formerly chapter 332-40 WAC.]
PDF332-41-505
Notice of environmental documents.
(1) What documents will be submitted to the department of ecology? As required under WAC 197-11-508 for state agencies, DNR shall submit the following environmental documents to the department of ecology for publication in the SEPA register:
(a) DNSs under WAC 197-11-340;
(c) EISs under WAC 197-11-455, 197-11-460, and 197-11-620;
(d) Adoption notices to the extent required by WAC 197-11-610 and 197-11-630; and
(e) Notices of action under RCW 43.21C.080 and 43.21C.087.
(2) What is the timing to submit documents to the SEPA register? DNR shall submit the environmental documents listed in subsection (1) of this section promptly and in accordance with procedures established by the department of ecology. According to WAC 197-11-340, DNR shall send the document to the department of ecology on the date of issue of the threshold determination.
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 43.21C, 34.05 RCW, WAC 197-11-902(2), and [197-11]-904(1). WSR 07-08-021, § 332-41-505, filed 3/27/07, effective 4/27/07.]
PDF332-41-510
PDF332-41-665
(1) What are DNR's specific policies for conditioning or denying permits or approvals? DNR adopts the following SEPA policies:
(a) Geothermal resources. DNR recognizes the need to protect the public from geothermal drilling effects such as the contamination of the groundwater, the surface water, the possibility of a blowout, fire hazards, drilling fluids, and surface disturbance. DNR may, when necessary, condition the following aspects of a drilling operation to mitigate specific adverse environmental impacts:
(i) Location of the well;
(ii) Casing program;
(iii) Makeup of drilling fluids.
(b) Surface mining. To provide that the usefulness, productivity, and scenic values of all lands and waters involved in surface mining within the state will receive the greatest practical degree of protection and restoration, the following aspects of surface mining may be conditioned:
(i) Proposed practices to protect adjacent surface resources, including but not limited to soil and water;
(ii) Specifications for surface gradient restoration to a surface suitable for the proposed subsequent use of the land after reclamation is completed, and proposed method of accomplishment;
(iii) Matter and type of revegetation or other surface treatment of disturbed areas;
(iv) Method of prevention or elimination of conditions that will create a public nuisance, endanger public safety, damage property, or pose a hazard to plant, animal, fish, or human life in or adjacent to the area;
(v) Method of control of contaminants and disposal of surface mining refuse;
(vi) Method of diverting surface waters around the disturbed areas;
(vii) Method of restoration of stream channels and stream banks to a condition minimizing erosion and siltation and other pollution.
(c) Upland and aquatic right of way grants. Recognizing that construction and/or reconstruction under upland and aquatic right of way grants can create adverse impacts to the elements of the environment, it is the policy of DNR to condition grants where necessary and where allowed by state and federal law:
(i) To protect all surface resources including but not limited to soil and water, through authorized right of way operations on public lands, and to cause on a continuing basis the rehabilitation or reestablishment of the vegetative cover, soil stability and water condition appropriate to intended subsequent use of the area;
(ii) To meet air quality standards;
(iii) To protect recreational and special use areas under lease; and
(iv) To meet obligations under DNR's habitat conservation plans, any amendments to DNR's habitat conservation plans, or the Policy for Sustainable Forests adopted in 2006, and any future updates to the policy.
(d) State-owned aquatic lands. In managing state-owned aquatic lands, DNR shall consider the natural values of state-owned aquatic land such as wildlife habitat, natural area preserves, representative ecosystems, or spawning area prior to issuing any initial lease or authorizing any change in use.
(i) DNR may refrain from leasing lands that it finds to have significant natural values, as described in this subsection, or may provide within any lease for the protection of such values.
(ii) DNR may condition its proposals to meet its obligations under any future aquatic habitat conservation plan, or any amendments to DNR's aquatic habitat conservation plans.
(e) Public lands leases and contracts. Under authority granted by chapters 79.02, 79.13, 79.14, 79.15, 79.22 and 79.105 RCW, DNR may set any lease or contract terms and conditions that are consistent with state law. For public lands, DNR may condition or withhold a lease or contract where significant adverse environmental impacts associated with a lease proposal or contract proposal will occur. DNR may condition its proposals to meet its obligations under any current or future habitat conservation plan, or any amendments to DNR's habitat conservation plans, or the Policy for Sustainable Forests adopted in 2006, and any future updates to the policy.
(f) Timber sales. Department policies for the sale of timber from public lands are found under DNR's habitat conservation plans, any amendments to DNR's habitat conservation plans, or in the Policy for Sustainable Forests adopted in 2006 and any future updates to the policy.
(g) Forest practices. SEPA policies related to the review of environmental impacts, conditioning, and disapproval of forest practices are adopted by the forest practices board and are contained in chapter 222-10 WAC. WAC 222-10-010 adopts by reference policies of SEPA as set forth in RCW 43.21C.020. WAC 222-10-050 adopts by reference the SEPA Rules adopted by the state of Washington department of ecology, chapter 197-11 WAC, except those rules that may not be applicable.
(2) What are DNR's general policies for conditioning or denying permits or approvals? The policies set out in subsection (1) of this section do not anticipate all situations which may result in placing conditions on a permit or denial of a proposal following environmental review. DNR therefore adopts the policies set forth in the State Environmental Policy Act, RCW 43.21C.020, as further basis for conditioning or denying a public or private proposal under SEPA. Those policies are to:
(b) Assure for all people of Washington safe, healthful, productive, and esthetically and culturally pleasing surroundings;
(3) What procedures must DNR follow to condition or deny a proposal? DNR must follow the procedures in RCW 43.21C.060 and WAC 197-11-660 when conditioning or denying permits or other approvals under SEPA. Conditioning must be in writing and may be added only to mitigate specific adverse environmental impacts that are identified in the environmental document. To deny a proposal under SEPA, DNR must find that the proposal will result in significant adverse impacts as identified in a final EIS or final supplemental EIS, and that reasonable mitigation measures are insufficient to mitigate any identified impact.
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 43.21C, 34.05 RCW, WAC 197-11-902(2), and [197-11]-904(1). WSR 07-08-021, § 332-41-665, filed 3/27/07, effective 4/27/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.21C.120 and chapter 34.05 RCW. WSR 93-01-126 (Order 607), § 332-41-665, filed 12/21/92, effective 1/21/93. Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.21C RCW and RCW 43.30.150. WSR 84-18-052 (Order 432), § 332-41-665, filed 9/5/84. Formerly chapter 332-40 WAC.]
PDF332-41-833
Timber sales categories.
(1) What is DNR's authority to determine which timber sale decisions are exempt from SEPA review? Under WAC 197-11-830 DNR may determine which decisions to sell timber from public lands do not have potential for significant impact on the environment. Such decisions are categorically exempt from the threshold determination and EIS requirements of SEPA under WAC 197-11-830. This determination applies only to DNR's decision to sell timber harvested from public lands not requiring approval from the board of natural resources.
(2) What is the threshold for determining that timber sale decisions are exempt from SEPA?
(a) The following DNR timber sale decisions do not have a potential for significant impact on the environment and are categorically exempt from SEPA:
(i) Timber sales containing harvest units of less than twenty acres that DNR appraises to be less than the amount specified in RCW 79.11.130; and
(ii) Thinning or salvage timber sales of any unit size that DNR appraises to be less than the amount specified in RCW 79.11.130.
(b) These sales are small sales not requiring approval by the board of natural resources and have low volume and low acreage. DNR has not extended this determination to sales requiring approval by the board of natural resources because of the public values associated with public lands. However, this determination is not intended to alter DNR's SEPA compliance responsibility for regulatory decisions concerning forest practice applications for state and private lands under RCW 76.09.050 and WAC 222-16-050.
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 43.21C, 34.05 RCW, WAC 197-11-902(2), and [197-11]-904(1). WSR 07-08-021, § 332-41-833, filed 3/27/07, effective 4/27/07. Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.21C RCW and RCW 43.30.150. WSR 84-18-052 (Order 432), § 332-41-833, filed 9/5/84. Formerly chapter 332-40 WAC.]
PDF332-41-910
PDF332-41-950
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.21C RCW and RCW 43.30.150. WSR 84-18-052 (Order 432), § 332-41-950, filed 9/5/84. Formerly chapter 332-40 WAC.]