This article contains the basic requirements that apply to the SEPA process. The county adopts the following sections of Chapter 197-11 WAC by reference:
WAC 197-11-050
Lead agency.
WAC 197-11-055
Timing of the SEPA process.
WAC 197-11-060
Content of environmental review.
WAC 197-11-070
Limitations on actions during SEPA process.
WAC 197-11-080
Incomplete or unavailable information.
WAC 197-11-090
Supporting documents.
WAC 197-11-100
Information required of applicants.
WAC 197-11-158
GMA project review – Reliance on existing plans and regulations.
WAC 197-11-210
SEPA/GMA integration.
WAC 197-11-220
SEPA/GMA definitions.
WAC 197-11-228
Overall SEPA/GMA integration procedures.
WAC 197-11-230
Timing of an integrated SEPA/GMA process.
WAC 197-11-232
SEPA/GMA integration procedures for preliminary planning, environmental analysis and expanded scoping.
WAC 197-11-235
Documents.
WAC 197-11-238
Monitoring.
WAC 197-11-250
SEPA/Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) integration.
WAC 197-11-253
SEPA lead agency for MTCA actions.
WAC 197-11-256
Preliminary evaluation.
WAC 197-11-259
Determination of nonsignificance for MTCA remedial actions.
WAC 197-11-262
Determination of significance and EIS for MTCA remedial actions.
WAC 197-11-265
Early scoping for MTCA remedial actions.
WAC 197-11-268
MTCA interim actions.
(Ord. 84-122 Part 2 (part); Ord. 98-048 Exh. A)
A. 
For those proposals for which the county is the lead agency, the responsible official shall be the director of planning and development services or his/her designee.
B. 
For all proposals for which the county 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 WCC § 16.08.020.
C. 
The county shall retain all documents required by the SEPA rules (Chapter 197-11 WAC) and make them available in accordance with Chapter 42.17 RCW.
D. 
The responsible official shall preside at meetings of the environmental review committee (ERC) and maintain the county register of environmental consultants.
(Ord. 84-122 Part 2 (part); Ord. 98-048 Exh. A)
A. 
There is created an ERC composed of the following public officials or their designated representative: director of public works, director of planning and development services (chair), environmental health manager, director of county parks and recreation, and prosecuting attorney.
B. 
The committee shall have the responsibility to assist the responsible official, when consulted, in making threshold determinations, determining the scope of EISs, selecting consultants, preparing EISs, and similar functions as requested.
C. 
The committee shall also recommend to the county council amendments to this chapter when found necessary to adjust the fees, make corrections, or make additions in order to be current with Chapter 197-11 WAC.
D. 
The committee shall adopt such procedures as it deems necessary to carry out its functions and responsibilities.
E. 
Matters to be considered by the ERC may be initiated by any of its members or by any county department.
(Ord. 84-122 Part 2 (part); Ord. 98-048 Exh. A)
A. 
The county, when 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 county is aware that another department or agency is in the process of determining the lead agency.
B. 
When the county is the lead agency for a proposal, the responsible official shall supervise compliance with the threshold determination requirements, and if an EIS is necessary, shall supervise preparation of the EIS.
C. 
When the county is not the lead agency for a proposal, the county including all departments of the county shall use and consider, as appropriate, either the threshold determination or the final EIS of the lead agency in making a decision on the proposal. No county department shall prepare or require preparation of a threshold determination or EIS in addition to that prepared by the lead agency, unless required under WAC 197-11-600. In some cases, the county may conduct supplemental environmental review under WAC 197-11-600.
D. 
If the county 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 county must petition the Department of Ecology for a lead agency determination under WAC 197-11-946 within the 15-day time period. Any such petition on behalf of the county may be initiated by the responsible official.
E. 
The responsible official is 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 lead agency determination for a private project shall include sufficient information from the applicant to identify which other agencies have jurisdiction over the proposal or require permits or approvals.
(Ord. 84-122 Part 2 (part); Ord. 98-048 Exh. A)
The following time limits (expressed calendar days) shall apply when the county processes licenses for all private projects and those governmental proposals submitted to the county by other agencies:
A. 
Categorical Exemptions. The county shall identify whether an action is categorically exempt within seven days of receiving a completed application.
B. 
Threshold Determinations.
1. 
The county shall complete threshold determinations that can be based solely upon review of the environmental checklist for the proposal within 45 days of the date of a determination of completeness.
2. 
When the responsible official requires further information from the applicant or consultation with other agencies with jurisdiction, the responsible official shall wait no longer than 30 days for a consulted agency to respond and should complete the threshold determination within 15 days of receiving the requested information from the applicant or the consulted agency.
3. 
The county shall issue its threshold determination at least 15 days prior to an open record hearing.
(Ord. 84-122 Part 2 (part); Ord. 92-33 § 1; Ord. 96-031 § 2; Ord. 98-048 Exh. A)
A. 
For nonexempt proposals, the threshold determination or draft EIS for the proposal shall accompany the county's staff recommendation to any appropriate advisory body, such as the planning commission.
B. 
If the county'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 county conduct environmental review prior to submission of the detailed plans and specifications.
(Ord. 84-122 Part 2 (part); Ord. 98-048 Exh. A)