Hello SEPA Contacts:
Here are some updates (sorry for the dry spell) related to “SERP,” SEPA Trainings, and a Q & A regarding shoreline permits.
1.
Ecology’s Water Quality
Revolving Fund has new guidance for the State Environmental Review Process (SERP)
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/funding/GrantLoanMgmtDocs/Eng/DraftSERPandCrossCutGuidance.pdf
Ecology administers the Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund (SRF) program to finance clean water projects. The program involves review of potential environmental impacts of construction
projects financed through the SRF program. This review is referred to as the State Environmental Review Process (SERP). Washington State’s SERP was developed to compliment the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) process established in 1971. SERP procedures
add some additional federal requirements to the SEPA process and incorporate review and concurrence by Ecology.
See IACC SEPA training below for additional information.
2. Workshops
A new 2-day SEPA training by Ecology, November 1-2 in the City of Spokane Valley
This free two-day training will include a basic overview of the SEPA process as well as more in-depth information on Growth Management Act (GMA) integration,
planning actions and other non-project proposals, review and commenting, Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) preparation and more.
Interagency collaboration and public involvement are key aspects of the environmental review process. This seminar is focused on how to improve your participation
in the SEPA process and be effective. The Department of Ecology will present the class, provide an overview of the SEPA process, and use examples of SEPA checklists and comment letters to discuss effective agency and citizen participation.
If you would like to register for this training, please use the following link:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/6M6Q5ZY
SEPA
training at the Infrastructure Assistance Coordinating Council (IACC) October 19-20, Wenatchee
Wednesday, October 19, 2:30-4:50pm, there is a presentation that will focus on the State Environmental Review Process (SERP) for municipal water quality revolving fund projects. This federal-state environmental review process
includes “cross-cutting” policies, such as endangered species protection and historical and cultural resource assessments.
Thursday, October 20, 9:20-10:20am, SEPA Review for Public Projects – A Basic Overview will be presented at the IACC. This session is an introduction to SEPA
and will cover basic introductory information. What is SEPA and when does it apply? Who conducts SEPA review and when? What resources are available to assist lead agencies?
For more information and registration
http://www.infrafunding.wa.gov/
NEPA/SEPA Training with the
Northwest Environmental Training Center December 13-14, Olympia
Using models, case studies, and sample NEPA/SEPA documents, this workshop will help you understand the procedural requirements of the NEPA/SEPA process. This includes determining
the scope and content of NEPA/SEPA documents, preparing an adequate cumulative impacts analysis, and integrating this process with other laws.
For more information and registration
http://www.eosalliance.org/schedule/event/nepasepa-training
3.
SEPA
Q & A
Dear SEPA Help,
Under the Shoreline Management Act, certain types of developments are
exempt from substantial development permit (SDP) requirements. My agency is reviewing a project application for a shoreline exemption. Is this agency decision exempt from SEPA?
Sincerely,
Understaffed Local Agency
Dear Local Agency,
The
Guidance for Administering Exemptions for Shoreline Master Programs states the following:
Exemptions should be granted only after meaningful review under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), unless the proposed project is
categorically exempt under SEPA.
Agency decisions (involving all agencies with jurisdiction) for projects exempt from a substantial development permit may require SEPA review and conversely some projects that require
a shoreline permit may be exempt from SEPA review because the type of activity and applicable statutory or administrative rule. Keep in mind the following:
1.
The definition of
agency action involves a decision on a specific project and includes a
license which is “any form of written permission.”
2.
A project exempt from a shoreline permit often requires notification, consultation and permits from other agencies and SEPA is used by all agencies, the public and Tribes to collaborate on the agency
decisions and improve environmental outcomes.
3.
The local jurisdiction with the shoreline decision is also the SEPA lead agency in most cases.
For more information:
Shoreline Master Program website
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/sma/st_guide/administration/index.html
Have a wonderful autumn!
Annie Szvetecz
SEPA Policy Lead
Shorelands and Environmental Assistance Program
Washington Department of Ecology
360 407-6925
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For more information on the State Environmental Policy Act
www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/sepa
For general questions about SEPA please e-mail:
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