WAC 197-06-040   Membership, officers, quorum, administrative offices, function.  (1) Members. The council shall be composed of the members of the pollution control hearings board.

     (2) Officers, quorum. The council shall annually elect from among its members a chairman. Two members shall constitute a quorum, and no action shall be taken by less than a majority of the council.

     (3) Administrative offices. The administrative offices of the council and its staff shall be located at No. 5 South Sound Center, Lacey, Washington 98504. The council has no established field organization and all available records relating to council functions shall be at the foregoing address.

     (4) Function. It shall be the duty and function of the council:

     (a) To adopt initially and amend thereafter rules of interpretation and implementation of the State Environmental Policy Act of 1971, (chapter 43.21C RCW), subject to the requirements of chapter 34.04 RCW, for the purpose of providing guidelines to all branches of government including state agencies, political subdivisions, public and municipal corporations, and counties. Such rule-making powers shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following phases of interpretation and implementation of the State Environmental Policy Act of 1971 (chapter 43.21C RCW):

     (i) Categories of governmental actions which normally are to be considered as potential major actions significantly affecting the quality of the environment as well as categories of actions exempt from such classification, including categories pertaining to applications for water right permits pursuant to chapters 90.03 and 90.44 RCW.

     (ii) Criteria and procedures applicable to the determination of when an act of a branch of government is a major action significantly affecting the quality of the environment for which a detailed statement is required to be prepared pursuant to RCW 43.21C.030.

     (iii) Procedures applicable to the preparation of detailed statements, including but not limited to obtaining comments, data and other information, and providing for and determining areas of public participation.

     (iv) Scope of coverage and contents of detailed statements assuring that such statements are simple, uniform, and as short as practicable.

     (v) Procedures for public notification of actions taken and documents prepared.

     (vi) Definition of terms relevant to the implementation of chapter 43.21C RCW.

     (vii) Guidelines for determining the obligations and powers under chapter 43.21C RCW of two or more branches of government involved in the same project significantly affecting the quality of the environment.

     (viii) Methods to assure adequate public awareness of the preparation and issuance of detailed statements required by RCW 43.21C.030 (2)(c).

     (ix) To prepare guidelines for projects setting forth the time limits within which the governmental entity responsible for the action shall comply with the provisions of chapter 43.21C RCW.

     (x) Guidelines for utilization of a detailed statement for more than one action.

     (xi) Guidelines relating to actions which shall be exempt from the provisions of chapter 43.21C RCW in situations of emergency.

     (b) In exercising such powers, functions, and duties, the council may:

     (i) Consult with the state agencies and with representatives of science, industry, agriculture, labor, conservation organizations, state and local governments and other groups, as it deems advisable; and

     (ii) Utilize, to the fullest extent possible, the services, facilities, and information (including statistical information) of public and private agencies, organizations, and individuals, in order to avoid duplication of effort and expense, overlap, or conflict with similar activities authorized by law and performed by established agencies.

     (c) Rules adopted pursuant to this section shall be subject to the review procedures of RCW 34.04.070 and 34.04.080.

     (d) The council shall be abolished and shall cease to exist at midnight, June 30, 1976. The guidelines established by the council prior to midnight, June 30, 1976, shall continue to be valid and of force and effect, except as they are thereafter amended by further guidelines promulgated by the department of ecology, in accord with chapter 34.04 RCW.

     Upon the abolishment of the council on June 30, 1976, all powers, duties and functions of the council are transferred to the department of ecology.



[Order 74-1, § 197-06-040, filed 8/29/74.]