This section responds to the state’s requirement that the City adopt its own SEPA rules and procedures to carry out its environmental responsibilities. It sets forth the responsibilities of staff and officials within the City in fulfilling SEPA duties, identifies agencies with expertise, provides for public availability of SEPA documents, and provides rules for determination of lead agency. It also incorporates the following sections of the Washington Administrative Code by reference:
Purpose of this part.
Agency SEPA policies.
Agency SEPA procedures.
Content and consistency of agency procedures.
Procedures on consulted agencies.
SEPA fees and costs.
Application to ongoing actions.
Relationship to Chapter 197-10 WAC.
Lack of agency procedures.
Agencies with environmental expertise.
Lead agency rules.
Determination of lead agency – Procedures.
Lead agency for governmental proposals.
Lead agency for public and private proposals.
Lead agency for private projects with one agency with jurisdiction.
Lead agency for private projects requiring licenses from more than one agency, when one of the agencies is a county/city.
Lead agency for private projects requiring licenses from a local agency, not a county/city, and one or more state agencies.
Lead agency for private projects requiring licenses for more than one state agency.
Lead agencies for specific proposals.
Transfer of lead agency status to a state agency.
Agreements on lead agency status.
Agreements on division of lead agency duties.
DOE resolution of lead agency disputes.
Assumption of lead agency status.
Effective date.
(Ord. 27995 Ex. J, 2011-06-14)
(Lead agency Responsibilities. Ord. 23262 § 8, 1984-09-25; repealed and relocated to § 13.12.210 by Ord. 28011 Ex. A, 2011-08-23)
A. 
The City may, at its option, designate areas within its jurisdiction which are environmentally sensitive areas pursuant to WAC 197-11-908.
B. 
The South Tacoma Groundwater Protection District, as described in Section 13.06.070 of this title, is hereby designated a critical area, subject to the requirements set forth in this title.
C. 
Fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas, erosion hazard areas, landslide hazard areas, steep slopes, wetlands and streams, as described in Chapter 13.11 of this title, are hereby designated critical areas, subject to the requirements set forth in Chapter 13.11 of this title.
D. 
The scope of environmental review of actions within these areas shall be limited to:
1. 
Documenting whether the proposal is consistent with the requirements of the critical areas ordinance; and
2. 
Evaluating potentially significant impacts on the critical area resources not adequately addressed by GMA planning documents and development regulations, if any, including any additional mitigation measures needed to protect the critical areas in order to achieve consistency with SEPA and other applicable environmental review laws.
(Ord. 27995 Ex. J, 2011-06-14)