This article contains the basic requirements that apply to the SEPA process. The town adopts the following sections of Chapter 197-11 WAC by reference:
WAC 197-11-040
Definitions
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
(Ord. 296 § 2, 1984; Ord. 598 § 1, 2009)
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. 
"Town"
means the town of Yarrow Point, Washington.
B. 
"SEPA rules"
means Chapter 197-11 WAC adopted by the Department of Ecology.
C. 
"Early notice"
means the town'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).
(Ord. 296 § 3, 1984; Ord. 598 § 1, 2009)
A. 
The responsible official shall be the town planner who is charged with reviewing applications for those uses of land which fall under this chapter.
B. 
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 "responsible official" by those sections of the SEPA rules that were adopted by reference in WAC 173-806-020.
C. 
The town 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. 296 § 4, 1984; Ord. 425 § 1, 1994; Ord. 598 § 1, 2009)
When an application or a proposal involving a nonexempt action is received, the responsible official shall supervise compliance with the threshold determination requirements and, if an environmental impact statement (EIS) is necessary, shall supervise preparation of the environmental impact statement (EIS).
(Ord. 296 § 5, 1984; Ord. 598 § 1, 2009)
The responsible official is authorized to make agreement 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 a majority of the town council that will incur responsibilities as the result of such agreement approve the agreement.
(Ord. 296 § 6, 1984; Ord. 598 § 1, 2009)
For any proposal for a private project where the town would be the lead agency and for which one or more state agencies have jurisdiction, the town'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 town shall be an agency with jurisdiction. To transfer lead agency duties, the town'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 town shall also give notice of the transfer to the private applicant.
(Ord. 296 § 7, 1984; Ord. 598 § 1, 2009)
The following time limits (expressed in calendar days) shall apply when the town processes applications:
A. 
Categorical Exemptions. The town shall identify whether an action is categorically exempt within seven days of receiving a completed application.
B. 
Threshold Determinations.
1. 
The town 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 town should request such further information within 15 days of receiving an adequate application and completed environmental checklist;
b. 
The town 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 town must initiate further studies, including site investigations to make the threshold determination, the town should complete the studies within 30 days of receiving an adequate application and a completed checklist.
4. 
The town 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 after receiving adequate application and completed checklist.
(Ord. 296 § 8, 1984; Ord. 598 § 1, 2009)
A. 
For nonexempt proposals, the determination of nonsignificance or the final environmental impact statement for the proposal shall accompany the town's recommendation to any appropriate advisory body, such as the planning commission.
B. 
If the town's only action on a proposal is a decision on a building permit requiring detailed project plans and specifications, applicant may request in writing that the town conduct environmental review prior to submission of said plans and specifications.
C. 
The point at which environmental review may be initiated for specific permits or other licenses requiring detailed project plans and specifications is at the discretion of the responsible official.
(Ord. 296 § 9, 1984; Ord. 598 § 1, 2009)