State Environmental Policy Act. The State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) provides a manner to identify possible environmental impacts that may result from governmental decisions. These decisions may be related to issuing permits for private projects, constructing public facilities, or, adopting regulations, policies or plans. SEPA applies to decisions by every state and local agency within Washington State, including state agencies, counties, cities, ports, and special districts (such as a school or water district). One distinct agency is usually identified as the "lead agency" for a specific proposal. The lead agency is responsible for identifying and evaluating the potential adverse environmental impacts of a proposal. This evaluation is documented and is provided to other agencies and the public for review and comment. The lead agency for most private projects will be the city or county where the project is located. For actions covered under this Agreement, the lead agency will be WDFW, as they will have regulatory review and will be responsible for issuing a state permit for maintenance actions.
State Environmental Policy Act. The State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) is intended to ensure that environmental values are considered during State and local agency decision making by providing information to agencies, applicants, and the public that encourages the development of environmentally sound proposals. The environmental review process involves the identification and evaluation of probable environmental impacts, and the development of mitigation measures that will reduce adverse environmental impacts. The environmental information, along with other considerations, is used by agency decision makers to decide whether to approve, approve with conditions, or deny a proposal. However, SEPA review will not be conducted because there will be no State action and a SEPA environmental review is not required for approval of a conservation plan developed to meet the requirements of ESA Section 10. One of several purposes of this EA is to fully satisfy WAC 000-00-000 (6) (a) that requires an opportunity for public comment on the draft SHA. If the draft SHA is ultimately approved by the USFWS and a permit is issued under the ESA, the Applicant will no longer be subject to Class IV special forest practice applications on the covered lands when harvesting spotted owl habitat.
State Environmental Policy Act. The Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) is intended to ensure that environmental values are considered during decision-making by state and local agencies by allowing agencies, applicants, and the public to consider all aspects of a proposal at the same time. The environmental review process involves identifying and evaluating probable impacts of the action on all elements of the environment and developing alternatives and mitigation measures that will reduce adverse environmental impacts, similar to NEPA. The environmental information, along with other considerations, is used by state agency decision makers to decide whether to approve, approve with conditions, or deny a proposal. Class IV-Special Forest Practices (Class IV-Special) are subject to SEPA review (Washington Administrative Code [WAC] 222-16-050(1)); however, WAC 000-00-000, Class IV-Special threatened and endangered species SEPA policies states: The SEPA policies in this section and the species specific SEPA policies for threatened and endangered species do not apply to forest practices that are consistent with a wildlife conservation agreement listed in WAC 222-16-080(6) for species covered by these agreements, that has received environmental review with an opportunity for public comment under the National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. section 4321 et seq., or the State Environmental Policy Act, chapter 43.21C RCW. SHAs are included under WAC 222-16-080(6)(a)(iii) as a “conservation agreement entered into with a federal agency pursuant to its statutory authority for fish and wildlife protection that addresses the needs of the affected species.” Therefore, this NEPA review satisfies SEPA requirements, and SEPA policies relating to Class IV-Special (and specifically to marbled murrelets) do not apply to forest practices that are consistent with the Proposed Action when conducted on Enrolled Lands.
State Environmental Policy Act. The City and Port shall follow the lead agency rules as set forth in the SEPA rules, WAC 197-11-922-948. The parties acknowledge the Port generally will be the lead agency for Port-initiated projects. Any disputes shall be resolved by the Department of Ecology as provided in WAC 000-00-000.
State Environmental Policy Act. Agencies which are branches of government under Minnesota law retain responsibility for fulfilling the requirements of the state law regarding environmental policy and conservation, and regulations and ordinances adopted thereunder. If the GRANTEE is not a branch of government under Minnesota law, the AUTHORITY may require the GRANTEE to furnish data, information, and assistance as necessary to enable the AUTHORITY to comply with the State Environmental Policy Act.
