Chapter 16.08
STATE ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT (SEPA)1
Sections:
Article I. Authority
16.08.010 Authority.
Article II. General Requirements
16.08.020 Purpose of this article and adoption by reference.
16.08.040 Designation of responsible official.
16.08.045 Designation of environmental review committee.
16.08.050 Lead agency determination and responsibilities.
16.08.055 Additional considerations in time limits applicable to the SEPA process.
16.08.058 Additional timing considerations.
Article III. Categorical Exemptions and Threshold Determinations
16.08.065 Purpose of this article and adoption by reference.
16.08.070 Thresholds for categorical exemptions.
16.08.080 Use of exemptions.
16.08.090 Environmental checklist.
16.08.100 Mitigated DNS.
Article IV. Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
16.08.110 Purpose of this article and adoption by reference.
16.08.120 Preparation of EIS – Additional considerations.
Article V. Commenting
16.08.128 Adoption by reference.
16.08.130 Public notice.
16.08.140 Designation of official to perform consulted agency responsibilities for the county.
Article VI. Using Existing Environmental Documents
16.08.150 Purpose of this article and adoption by reference.
Article VII. SEPA and Agency Decisions
16.08.155 Purpose of this article and adoption by reference.
16.08.160 Substantive authority.
16.08.165 Appeals of administrative decisions based on the substantive authority of SEPA.
16.08.170 Appeals.
16.08.173 Notice/statute of limitations.
Article VIII. Definitions
16.08.175 Purpose of this article and adoption by reference.
Article IX. Agency Compliance
16.08.185 Purpose of this article and adoption by reference.
16.08.200 Fees.
16.08.205 Effective date.
16.08.220 Severability.
Article X. Forms
16.08.230 Adoption by reference.
Article I. Authority
16.08.010 Authority.
Whatcom County adopts this chapter under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), RCW 43.21C.120, and the Washington Administrative Code (WAC), SEPA rules, WAC 197-11-904 as amended.
This chapter contains the Whatcom County SEPA procedures and policies. The SEPA rules, Chapter 197-11 WAC, must be used in conjunction with this chapter. (Ord. 98-048 Exh. A; Ord. 84-122 Part 1).
Article II. General Requirements
16.08.020 Purpose of this article and adoption by reference.
This article contains the basic requirements that apply to the SEPA process. The county adopts the following sections of Chapter 197-11 WAC by reference:
WAC
197-11-050 Lead agency.
197-11-055 Timing of the SEPA process.
197-11-060 Content of environmental review.
197-11-070 Limitations on actions during SEPA process.
197-11-080 Incomplete or unavailable information.
197-11-090 Supporting documents.
197-11-100 Information required of applicants.
197-11-158 GMA project review – Reliance on existing plans and regulations.
197-11-210 SEPA/GMA integration.
197-11-220 SEPA/GMA definitions.
197-11-228 Overall SEPA/GMA integration procedures.
197-11-230 Timing of an integrated SEPA/GMA process.
197-11-232 SEPA/GMA integration procedures for preliminary planning, environmental analysis and expanded scoping.
197-11-235 Documents.
197-11-238 Monitoring.
197-11-250 SEPA/Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) integration.
197-11-253 SEPA lead agency for MTCA actions.
197-11-256 Preliminary evaluation.
197-11-259 Determination of nonsignificance for MTCA remedial actions.
197-11-262 Determination of significance and EIS for MTCA remedial actions.
197-11-265 Early scoping for MTCA remedial actions.
197-11-268 MTCA interim actions.
(Ord. 98-048 Exh. A; Ord. 84-122 Part 2 (part)).
16.08.040 Designation of responsible official.
A. For those proposals for which the county is the lead agency, the responsible official shall be the director of planning and development services or his/her designee.
B. For all proposals for which the county is the lead agency, 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 “lead agency” or “responsible official” by those sections of the SEPA rules that were adopted by reference in WCC 16.08.020.
C. The county shall retain all documents required by the SEPA rules (Chapter 197-11 WAC) and make them available in accordance with Chapter 42.17 RCW.
D. The responsible official shall preside at meetings of the environmental review committee (ERC) and maintain the county register of environmental consultants. (Ord. 98-048 Exh. A; Ord. 84-122 Part 2 (part)).
16.08.045 Designation of environmental review committee.
A. There is created an ERC composed of the following public officials or their designated representative: director of public works, director of planning and development services (chair), environmental health manager, director of county parks and recreation, and prosecuting attorney.
B. The committee shall have the responsibility to assist the responsible official, when consulted, in making threshold determinations, determining the scope of EISs, selecting consultants, preparing EISs, and similar functions as requested.
C. The committee shall also recommend to the county council amendments to this chapter when found necessary to adjust the fees, make corrections, or make additions in order to be current with Chapter 197-11 WAC.
D. The committee shall adopt such procedures as it deems necessary to carry out its functions and responsibilities.
E. Matters to be considered by the ERC may be initiated by any of its members or by any county department. (Ord. 98-048 Exh. A; Ord. 84-122 Part 2 (part)).
16.08.050 Lead agency determination and responsibilities.
A. The county, when receiving an application for or initiating a proposal that involves a nonexempt action, shall determine the lead agency for that proposal under WAC 197-11-050 and 197-11-922 through 197-11-940, unless the lead agency has been previously determined or the county is aware that another department or agency is in the process of determining the lead agency.
B. When the county is the lead agency for a proposal, the responsible official shall supervise compliance with the threshold determination requirements, and if an EIS is necessary, shall supervise preparation of the EIS.
C. When the county is not the lead agency for a proposal, the county including all departments of the county shall use and consider, as appropriate, either the threshold determination or the final EIS of the lead agency in making a decision on the proposal. No county department shall prepare or require preparation of a threshold determination or EIS in addition to that prepared by the lead agency, unless required under WAC 197-11-600. In some cases, the county may conduct supplemental environmental review under WAC 197-11-600.
D. If the county or any of its departments receives a lead agency determination made by another agency that appears inconsistent with the criteria of WAC 197-11-922 through 197-11-940, it may object to the determination. Any objection must be made to the agency originally making the determination and resolved within 15 days of receipt of the determination, or the county must petition the Department of Ecology for a lead agency determination under WAC 197-11-946 within the 15-day time period. Any such petition on behalf of the county may be initiated by the responsible official.
E. The responsible official is authorized to make agreements 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 any department that will incur responsibilities as the result of such agreement approve the agreement.
F. Any lead agency determination for a private project shall include sufficient information from the applicant to identify which other agencies have jurisdiction over the proposal or require permits or approvals. (Ord. 98-048 Exh. A; Ord. 84-122 Part 2 (part)).
16.08.055 Additional considerations in time limits applicable to the SEPA process.
The following time limits (expressed calendar days) shall apply when the county processes licenses for all private projects and those governmental proposals submitted to the county by other agencies:
A. Categorical Exemptions. The county shall identify whether an action is categorically exempt within seven days of receiving a completed application.
B. Threshold Determinations.
1. The county shall complete threshold determinations that can be based solely upon review of the environmental checklist for the proposal within 45 days of the date of a determination of completeness.
2. When the responsible official requires further information from the applicant or consultation with other agencies with jurisdiction, the responsible official shall wait no longer than 30 days for a consulted agency to respond and should complete the threshold determination within 15 days of receiving the requested information from the applicant or the consulted agency.
3. The county shall issue its threshold determination at least 15 days prior to an open record hearing. (Ord. 98-048 Exh. A; Ord. 96-031 § 2; Ord. 92-33 § 1; Ord. 84-122 Part 2 (part)).
16.08.058 Additional timing considerations.
A. For nonexempt proposals, the threshold determination or draft EIS for the proposal shall accompany the county’s staff recommendation to any appropriate advisory body, such as the planning commission.
B. If the county’s only action on a proposal is a decision on a building permit or other license that requires detailed project plans and specifications, the applicant may request in writing that the county conduct environmental review prior to submission of the detailed plans and specifications. (Ord. 98-048 Exh. A; Ord. 84-122 Part 2 (part)).
Article III. Categorical Exemptions and Threshold Determinations
16.08.065 Purpose of this article and adoption by reference.
This article contains the rules for deciding whether a proposal has a “probable significant, adverse environmental impact” requiring an EIS to be prepared. This article also contains rules for evaluating the impacts of proposals not requiring an EIS. The county adopts the following sections by reference, as supplemented in this part:
WAC
197-11-300 Purpose of this part.
197-11-305 Categorical exemptions.
197-11-310 Threshold determination required.
197-11-315 Environmental checklist.
197-11-330 Threshold determination process.
197-11-335 Additional information.
197-11-340 Determination of nonsignificance (DNS).
197-11-350 Mitigated DNS.
197-11-355 Optional DNS process.
197-11-360 Determination of significance (DS)/initiation of scoping.
197-11-390 Effect of threshold determination.
197-11-800 Categorical exemptions.
197-11-880 Emergencies.
197-11-890 Petitioning Ecology to change exemptions.
(Ord. 98-048 Exh. A; Ord. 84-122 Part 3 and Part 9 (part)).
16.08.070 Thresholds for categorical exemptions.
A. Whatcom County establishes the following categorically exempt levels for projects requiring county permits under WAC 197-11-800(1)(b):
1. For residential dwelling units in WAC 197-11-800(1)(c)(i): up to four dwelling units;
2. For agricultural structures in WAC 197-11-800(1)(c)(ii): up to 30,000 square feet;
3. For office, school, commercial, recreational, service or storage buildings in WAC 197-11-800(1)(c)(iii): up to 12,000 square feet;
4. For the construction of a parking lot in WAC 197-11-800(1)(c)(iv): up to 40 parking spaces;
5. For landfill or excavations in WAC 197-11-800(1)(c)(v): up to 500 cubic yards;
6. Fish, wildlife and/or wetland enhancement activities; provided, that the project is approved by either the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife or the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife.
B. Whenever the county establishes new exempt levels under this section, it shall send them to the Department of Ecology, Headquarters Office, Olympia, Washington, 98504, under WAC 197-11-800(1)(c). (Ord. 98-048 Exh. A; Ord. 92-33 § 2; Ord. 84-122 Part 3 (part)).
16.08.080 Use of exemptions.
A. Each department within the county that receives an application for a license, or, in the case of governmental proposals, the department initiating the proposal, shall determine whether the license and/or the proposal is exempt. The department’s determination that a proposal is exempt shall be final and not subject to administrative review. If a proposal is exempt, none of the procedural requirements of this chapter apply to the proposal. The county shall not require completion of an environmental checklist for an exempt proposal.
B. In determining whether or not a proposal is exempt, the department shall make certain the proposal is properly defined and shall identify the governmental licenses required (WAC 197-11-060). If a proposal includes exempt and nonexempt actions, the department shall determine the lead agency, even if the license application that triggers the department’s consideration is exempt.
C. If a proposal includes both exempt and nonexempt actions, the county may authorize exempt actions prior to compliance with the procedural requirements of this chapter, except that:
1. The county shall not give authorization for:
a. Any nonexempt action,
b. Any action that would have an adverse environmental impact, or
c. Any action that would limit the choice of alternatives;
2. A department may withhold approval of an exempt action that would lead to modification of the physical environment, when such modifications would serve no purpose if nonexempt action(s) were not approved; and
3. A department may withhold approval of exempt actions that would lead to substantial financial expenditures by a private applicant when the expenditures would serve no purpose if nonexempt action(s) were not approved. (Ord. 98-048 Exh. A; Ord. 84-122 Part 3 (part)).
16.08.090 Environmental checklist.
A. Except as provided in subsection D of this section, a completed environmental checklist (or a copy), in the form provided in WAC 197-11-960, shall be filed at the same time as an application for a permit, license, certificate, or other approval not specifically exempted in this chapter; except, a checklist is not needed if the county and applicant agree an EIS is required, SEPA compliance has been completed, or SEPA compliance has been initiated by another agency. The county shall use the environmental checklist to determine the lead agency and, if the county is the lead agency, for determining the responsible official and for making the threshold determination.
B. For private proposals, the county will require the applicant to complete the environmental checklist, providing assistance as necessary. For county proposals, the department initiating the proposal shall complete the environmental checklist for that proposal.
C. The county may require that it, and not the private applicant, will complete all or part of the environmental checklist for a private proposal, if either of the following occurs:
1. The county has technical information on a question or questions that is unavailable to the private applicant; or
2. The applicant has provided inaccurate information on previous proposals or on proposals currently under consideration.
D. For proposals submitted as planned actions under WAC 197-11-164, the county shall use its existing environmental checklist form or may modify the environmental checklist form as provided in WAC 197-11-315. If a modified form is prepared, it must be sent to the Department of Ecology to allow at least a 30-day review prior to use. (Ord. 98-048 Exh. A; Ord. 84-122 Part 3 (part)).
16.08.100 Mitigated DNS.
A. As provided in this section and in WAC 197-11-350, the responsible official may issue a DNS based on conditions attached to the proposal by the responsible official or on changes to, or clarifications of, the proposal made by the applicant.
B. An applicant may request in writing early notice of whether a DS is likely under WAC 197-11-350. The request must:
1. Follow submission of a permit application and environmental checklist for a nonexempt proposal for which the county is lead agency; and
2. Precede the county’s actual threshold determination for the proposal.
C. The responsible official should respond to the request for early notice within 10 working days. The response shall:
1. Be written;
2. State whether the county currently considers issuance of a DS likely and, if so, indicate the general or specific area(s) of concern that is/are leading the county to consider a DS; and
3. State that the applicant may change or clarify the proposal to mitigate the indicated impacts, revising the environmental checklist and/or permit application as necessary to reflect the changes or clarifications.
D. As much as possible, the county should assist the applicant with identification of impacts to the extent necessary to formulate mitigation measures.
E. When an applicant submits a changed or clarified proposal, along with a revised or amended environmental checklist, the county shall base its threshold determination on the changed or clarified proposal and should make the determination within 15 days of receiving the changed or clarified proposal:
1. If the county indicated specific mitigation measures in its response to the request for early notice, and the applicant changed or clarified the proposal to include those specific mitigation measures, the county shall issue and circulate a DNS under WAC 197-11-340(2).
2. If the county indicated areas of concern, but did not indicate specific mitigation measures that would allow it to issue a DNS, the county shall make the threshold determination, issuing a DNS or DS as appropriate.
3. The applicant’s proposed mitigation measures (clarification, changes or conditions) must be in writing and must be specific. For example, proposals to “control noise” or “prevent stormwater runoff” are inadequate, whereas proposals to “muffle machinery to X decibel” or “construct 200-foot stormwater retention pond at Y location” are adequate.
4. Mitigation measures which justify issuance of an MDNS may be incorporated in the threshold determination by reference to agency staff reports, studies or other documents.
F. An MDNS is issued under either WAC 197-11-340(2), requiring a 14-day comment period and public notice, or WAC 197-11-355(5), which may require no additional comment period beyond the comment period on the notice of application.
G. Mitigation measures incorporated in the MDNS shall be deemed conditions of approval of the permit decision and may be enforced in the same manner as any term or condition of the permit, or enforced in any manner specifically prescribed by the county.
H. If the county’s tentative decision on a permit or approval does not include mitigation measures that were incorporated in a mitigated DNS for the proposal, the county should evaluate the threshold determination to assure consistency with WAC 197-11-340(3)(a) (Withdrawal of DNS).
I. The county’s written response under subsection C of this section shall not be construed as a determination of significance. In addition, preliminary discussion of clarifications or changes to a proposal, as opposed to a written request for early notice, shall not bind the county to consider the clarifications or changes in its threshold determination. (Ord. 98-048 Exh. A; Ord. 84-122 Part 3 (part)).
Article IV. Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
16.08.110 Purpose of this article and adoption by reference.
This article contains the rules for preparing environmental impact statements. The county adopts the following sections by reference, as supplemented by this article:
WAC
197-11-400 Purpose of EIS.
197-11-402 General requirements.
197-11-405 EIS types.
197-11-406 EIS timing.
197-11-408 Scoping.
197-11-410 Expanded scoping (Optional).
197-11-420 EIS preparation.
197-11-425 Style and size.
197-11-430 Format.
197-11-435 Cover letter or memo.
197-11-440 EIS contents.
197-11-442 Contents of EIS on nonproject proposals.
197-11-443 EIS contents when prior nonproject EIS.
197-11-444 Elements of the environment.
197-11-448 Relationship of EIS to other considerations.
197-11-450 Cost-benefit analysis.
197-11-455 Issuance of DEIS.
197-11-460 Issuance of FEIS.
(Ord. 98-048 Exh. A; Ord. 84-122 Part 4 (part)).
16.08.120 Preparation of EIS – Additional considerations.
A. Preparation of draft and final EISs (DEIS and FEIS) and draft and final supplemental EISs (SEIS) is the responsibility of planning and development services under the direction of the responsible official. Before the county issues an EIS, the responsible official shall be satisfied that it complies with this chapter and Chapter 197-11 WAC.
B. The DEIS and FEIS or draft and final SEIS shall be prepared by county staff, the applicant, or by a consultant selected consistent with WCC 16.08.200.B.2. If the responsible official requires an EIS for a proposal and determines that someone other than the county will prepare the EIS, the responsible official shall notify the applicant immediately after completion of the threshold determination. The responsible official shall also notify the applicant of the county’s procedure for EIS preparation, including approval of the DEIS and FEIS prior to distribution.
C. The county may require an applicant to provide information the county does not possess, including specific investigations. However, the applicant is not required to supply information that is not required under this chapter or that is being requested from another agency. (This does not apply to information the county may request under another ordinance or statute.
D. The SEPA responsible official shall administer and have signatory authority for all EIS bank accounts. (Ord. 98-048 Exh. A; Ord. 84-122 Part 4 (part)).
Article V. Commenting
16.08.128 Adoption by reference.
This article contains rules for consulting, commenting, and responding on all environmental documents under SEPA, including rules for public notice and hearings. The county adopts the following sections by reference, as supplemented in this part:
WAC
197-11-500 Purpose of this part.
197-11-502 Inviting comment.
197-11-504 Availability and cost of environmental documents.
197-11-508 SEPA register.
197-11-535 Public hearings and meetings.
197-11-545 Effect of no comment.
197-11-550 Specificity of comments.
197-11-560 FEIS response to comment.
197-11-570 Consulted agency costs to assist lead agency.
(Ord. 98-048 Exh. A; Ord. 84-122 Part 5 (part)).
16.08.130 Public notice.
A. Whenever possible, the county shall integrate the public notice required under this section with existing notice procedures for the county’s nonexempt permit(s) or approval(s) required for the proposal. Whenever Whatcom County issues a DNS under WAC 197-11-340(2) or a DS under WAC 197-11-360(3) the county shall give a public notice as follows:
1. If a SEPA document is issued concurrently with the notice of application, the public notice requirements for the notice of application will suffice to meet the SEPA public notice requirements.
2. If no public notice is required for the permit or approval, the county shall give notice of the DNS or DS by:
a. Posting the property, for site-specific proposals; or
b. Publishing notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the county, city, or general area where the proposal is located; or
c. Notifying public or private groups which have expressed interest in a certain proposal or in the type of proposal being considered; or
d. Notifying the news media.
3. Whenever the county issues a DS under WAC 197-11-360(3), the county shall state the scoping procedure for the proposal in the DS as required in WAC 197-11-408 and in the public notice.
B. If a DNS is issued using the optional DNS process, the public notice requirements for the notice of application as supplemented by the requirements in WAC 197-11-355 will suffice to meet SEPA public notice requirements.
C. Whenever the county issues a DEIS under WAC 197-11-455(5) or a SEIS under WAC 197-11-620, notice of the availability of those documents shall be given by:
1. Indicating the availability of the DEIS in any public notice required for a nonexempt license; and
2. Posting the property, for site-specific proposals; or
3. Publishing notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the county, city, or general area where the proposal is located; or
4. Notifying public or private groups which have expressed interest in a certain proposal or in the type of proposal being considered; or
5. Notifying the news media.
D. The county may integrate the public notice required under this section with existing notice procedures for the county’s nonexempt permit(s) or approval(s) required for the proposal.
E. The county may require an applicant to complete the public notice requirements for the applicant’s proposal at his or her expense. (Ord. 98-048 Exh. A; Ord. 84-122 Part 5 (part)).
16.08.140 Designation of official to perform consulted agency responsibilities for the county.
A. The director of planning and development services or his/her designee shall be responsible for preparation of written comments for the county in response to a consultation request prior to a threshold determination, participation in scoping, and reviewing a DEIS.
B. This person shall be responsible for the county’s compliance with WAC 197-11-550 whenever the county is a consulted agency and is authorized to develop operating procedures that will ensure that responses to consultation requests are prepared in a timely fashion and include data from all appropriate departments of the county. (Ord. 98-048 Exh. A; Ord. 84-122 Part 5 (part)).
Article VI. Using Existing
Environmental Documents
16.08.150 Purpose of this article and adoption by reference.
This article contains rules for using and supplementing existing environmental documents prepared under SEPA or National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for the county’s own environmental compliance. The county adopts the following sections by reference:
WAC
197-11-164 Planned actions – Definitions and criteria.
197-11-168 Ordinances or resolutions designating planned actions – Procedure for adoption.
197-11-172 Planned actions – Project review.
197-11-600 When to use existing environmental documents.
197-11-610 Use of NEPA documents.
197-11-620 Supplemental environmental impact statement – Procedures.
197-11-625 Addenda – Procedures.
197-11-630 Adoption – Procedures.
197-11-635 Incorporation by reference –Procedures.
197-11-640 Combining documents.
(Ord. 98-048 Exh. A; Ord. 84-122 Part 6).
Article VII. SEPA and Agency Decisions
16.08.155 Purpose of this article and adoption by reference.
This article contains rules (and policies) for SEPA’s substantive authority, such as decisions to mitigate or reject proposals as a result of SEPA. This article also contains procedures for appealing SEPA determinations to agencies or the courts. The county adopts the following sections by reference:
WAC
197-11-650 Purpose of this part.
197-11-655 Implementation.
197-11-660 Substantive authority and mitigation.
197-11-680 Appeals.
(Ord. 98-048 Exh. A; Ord. 84-122 Part 7 (part)).
16.08.160 Substantive authority.
A. The policies and goals set forth in this chapter are supplementary to those in the existing authorization of Whatcom County.
B. The county may attach conditions to a permit or approval for a proposal so long as:
1. Such conditions are necessary to mitigate specific probable adverse environmental impacts identified in environmental documents prepared pursuant to this chapter; and
2. Such conditions are in writing; and
3. The mitigation measures included in such conditions are reasonable and capable of being accomplished; and
4. The county has considered whether other local, state, or federal mitigation measures applied to the proposal are sufficient to mitigate the identified impacts; and
5. Such conditions are based on one or more policies in subsection D of this section and cited in the license or other decision document.
C. The county may deny a permit or approval for a proposal on the basis of SEPA so long as:
1. A finding is made that approving the proposal would result in probable significant adverse environmental impacts that are identified in a FEIS or final SEIS prepared pursuant to this chapter; and
2. A finding is made that there are no reasonable mitigation measures capable of being accomplished that are sufficient to mitigate the identified impact; and
3. The denial is based on one or more policies identified in subsection D of this section and identified in writing in the decision document.
D. The county designates and adopts by reference the following policies as the basis for the county’s exercise of SEPA authority pursuant to this section:
1. The county shall use all practicable means, consistent with other essential considerations of state policy, to improve and coordinate plans, functions, programs, and resources to the end that the state and its citizens may:
a. Fulfill the responsibilities of each generation as trustee of the environment for succeeding generations;
b. Assure for all people of Washington safe, healthful, productive, and aesthetically and culturally pleasing surroundings;
c. Attain the widest range of beneficial uses of the environment without degradation, risk to health or safety, or other undesirable and unintended consequences;
d. Preserve important historic, cultural, and natural aspects of our national heritage;
e. Maintain, wherever possible, an environment which supports diversity and variety of individual choice;
f. Achieve a balance between population and resource use which will permit high standards of living and a wide sharing of life’s amenities; and
g. Enhance the quality of renewable resources and approach the maximum attainable recycling of depletable resources.
2. The county recognizes that each person has a fundamental and inalienable right to a healthful environment and that each person has a responsibility to contribute to the preservation and enhancement of the environment.
3. The county adopts by reference the policies in the following county documents:
Whatcom County Comprehensive Land Use Plan (inclusive of goal statements and all subarea components)
Whatcom County Shoreline Management Program
Whatcom County Subdivision Ordinance
Whatcom County Solid Waste Management Plan
Whatcom County Critical Areas Ordinance
All official land use controls adopted by Whatcom County. (Ord. 98-048 Exh. A; Ord. 92-33 § 3; Ord. 84-122 Part 7 (part)).
16.08.165 Appeals of administrative decisions based on the substantive authority of SEPA.
Except for permits and variances issued pursuant to the shoreline management program of the county, when any proposal or action not requiring a decision of the county council is conditioned or denied on the basis of SEPA by a nonelected official, the decision shall be appealable to the county council. Such appeal may be perfected by the proponent or any aggrieved party by giving notice to the responsible official within 10 days of the decision being appealed. Review by the county council shall be on a de novo basis. (Ord. 98-048 Exh. A).
16.08.170 Appeals.
A. Whatcom County establishes the following administrative appeal procedures under RCW 43.21C.075 and WAC 197-11-680:
1. Any agency or aggrieved party may appeal the county’s procedural compliance with Chapter 197-11 WAC for issuance of the following by filing with the county department of planning and development services (see WCC 16.08.200.A.2 for fee):
a. Appeal of the final DNS, following the comment period when applicable, must be made to the hearing examiner within 10 days of the date the DNS is final (see WAC 197-11-390(2)(a));
b. Appeal of a DS must be made to the hearing examiner within 10 days of the date the DS is issued.
2. For any appeal under this subsection, the county shall provide a record of review that shall consist of the following:
a. Findings and conclusions;
b. Testimony under oath; and
c. A taped or written transcript.
3. The procedural determination by the county’s responsible official shall carry substantial weight in any appeal proceeding.
4. The hearing examiner shall reverse the threshold determination of the responsible official if the determination is found to be clearly erroneous. A determination is clearly erroneous when, although there is evidence to support it, the hearing examiner, on the entire evidence, is left with the definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been committed.
B. The county shall give official notice under WAC 197-11-680(5) whenever it issues a permit or approval for which a statute or ordinance establishes a time limit for commencing judicial appeal. (Ord. 98-048 Exh. A; Ord. 84-122 Part 7 (part)).
16.08.173 Notice/statute of limitations.
A. The county, applicant for, or proponent of an action may publish a notice of action pursuant to RCW 43.21C.080 for any action.
B. The form of the notice shall be substantially in the form provided in WAC 197-11-990. The notice shall be published by the responsible official, applicant or proponent pursuant to RCW 43.21C.080. (Ord. 98-048 Exh. A; Ord. 84-122 Part 7 (part)).
Article VIII. Definitions
16.08.175 Purpose of this article and adoption by reference.
This article contains uniform usage and definitions of terms under SEPA. The county adopts the following sections by reference, as supplemented by WAC 173-806-040:
WAC
197-11-700 Definitions.
197-11-702 Act.
197-11-704 Action.
197-11-706 Addendum.
197-11-708 Adoption.
197-11-710 Affected tribe.
197-11-712 Affecting.
197-11-714 Agency.
197-11-716 Applicant.
197-11-718 Built environment.
197-11-720 Categorical exemption.
197-11-721 Closed record appeal.
197-11-722 Consolidated appeal.
197-11-724 Consulted agency.
197-11-726 Cost-benefit analysis.
197-11-728 County/city.
197-11-730 Decision maker.
197-11-732 Department.
197-11-734 Determination of nonsignificance (DNS).
197-11-736 Determination of significance (DS).
197-11-738 EIS.
197-11-740 Environment.
197-11-742 Environmental checklist.
197-11-744 Environmental document.
197-11-746 Environmental review.
197-11-750 Expanded scoping.
197-11-752 Impacts.
197-11-754 Incorporation by reference.
197-11-756 Lands covered by water.
197-11-758 Lead agency.
197-11-760 License.
197-11-762 Local agency.
197-11-764 Major action.
197-11-766 Mitigated DNS.
197-11-768 Mitigation.
197-11-770 Natural environment.
197-11-772 NEPA.
197-11-774 Nonproject.
197-11-775 Open record hearing.
197-11-776 Phased review.
197-11-778 Preparation.
197-11-780 Private project.
197-11-782 Probable.
197-11-784 Proposal.
197-11-786 Reasonable alternative.
197-11-788 Responsible official.
197-11-790 SEPA.
197-11-792 Scope.
197-11-793 Scoping.
197-11-794 Significant.
197-11-796 State agency.
197-11-797 Threshold determination.
197-11-799 Underlying governmental action.
In addition to those definitions contained within WAC 197-11-700 through 197-11-799, when used in this article, the following terms shall have the following meanings, unless the context indicates otherwise:
A. “Early notice” means the county’s response to an applicant stating whether it considers issuance of a determination of significance (DS) likely for the applicant’s proposal (mitigated determination of nonsignificance (MDNS) procedures).
B. “ERC” means environmental review committee established in WCC 16.08.045.
C. “Ordinance” means the procedure used by the county to adopt regulatory requirements.
D. “Responsible official” shall mean the director of the department which bears responsibilities for the SEPA process or his/her designee.
E. “SEPA rules” means Chapter 197-11 WAC adopted by the Department of Ecology. (Ord. 98-048 Exh. A; Ord. 84-122 Part 8).
Article IX. Agency Compliance
16.08.185 Purpose of this article and adoption by reference.
This article contains rules for agency compliance with SEPA, including rules for charging fees under the SEPA process, designating categorical exemptions that do not apply within critical areas, listing agencies with environmental expertise, selecting the lead agency, and applying these rules to current agency activities. The county adopts the following sections by reference, as supplemented by WCC 16.08.050:
WAC
197-11-900 Purpose of this part.
197-11-902 Agency SEPA policies.
197-11-908 Critical areas.
197-11-916 Application to ongoing actions.
197-11-920 Agencies with environmental expertise.
197-11-922 Lead agency rules.
197-11-924 Determining the lead agency.
197-11-926 Lead agency for governmental proposals.
197-11-928 Lead agency for public and private proposals.
197-11-930 Lead agency for private projects with one agency with jurisdiction.
197-11-932 Lead agency for private projects requiring licenses from more than one agency, when one of the agencies is a county/city.
197-11-934 Lead agency for private projects requiring licenses from a local agency, not a county/city, and one or more state agencies.
197-11-936 Lead agency for private projects requiring licenses from more than one state agency.
197-11-938 Lead agencies for specific proposals.
197-11-940 Transfer of lead agency status to a state agency.
197-11-942 Agreements on lead agency status.
197-11-944 Agreements on division of lead agency duties.
197-11-946 Ecology resolution of lead agency disputes.
197-11-948 Assumption of lead agency status.
(Ord. 98-048 Exh. A; Ord. 84-122 Part 10 (part)).
16.08.200 Fees.
The county shall require the following fees for its activities in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and the Whatcom County unified fee schedule (WCUFS), as adjusted:
A. Threshold Determination.
1. For every environmental checklist the county will review when it is lead agency, the county shall collect a fee from the proponent of the proposal (county proposals excepted). Prior to undertaking the threshold determination, a small project fee shall be collected in accordance with the WCUFS for checklists on permits for clearing, fill and grade, lot consolidation, commercial construction up to $500,000 and shoreline substantial development and conditional use; a large project fee shall be collected in accordance with the WCUFS for binding site plans, long subdivisions, public utility districts and commercial construction exceeding $500,000. The time periods provided by this chapter for making a threshold determination shall not begin to run until payment of the fee. (When the county completes the environmental checklist at the applicant’s request or under WCC 16.08.090.C, an additional fee in accordance with the WCUFS shall be collected.)
2. A filing fee shall be collected in accordance with the WCUFS for appeals under WCC 16.08.170. The fee shall not apply to county departments.
B. Environmental Impact Statement.
1. For the administration of every EIS, the county shall collect a fee in accordance with the WCUFS from the proponent of the proposal.
2. When the county is the lead agency for a proposal requiring an EIS and the responsible official determines that the EIS shall be prepared by employees of the county, the county may charge and collect reasonable fee from any applicant to cover costs incurred by the county in preparing the EIS. The responsible official shall advise the applicant of the projected costs for the EIS prior to actual preparation; the applicant shall post bond or otherwise ensure payment of such costs.
3. The responsible official may determine that the county will contract directly with a consultant for preparation of an EIS, or a portion of the EIS, for activities initiated by some persons or entity other than the county and may bill such costs and expenses directly to the applicant. The county may require the applicant to post bond or otherwise ensure payment of such costs. Such consultants shall be selected by mutual agreement of the county and applicant; provided, if agreement cannot be reached the applicant shall select a consultant from a list of no less than three qualified consultants supplied by the county.
4. If a proposal is modified so that an EIS is no longer required, the responsible official shall refund any fees collected under subsections B.1 and 2 of this subsection which remain after incurred costs are paid.
C. The county may collect a reasonable fee from an applicant to cover the cost of meeting the public notice requirements of this chapter relating to the applicant’s proposal.
D. The county shall not collect a fee for performing its duties as a consulted agency.
E. The county may charge any person for copies of any document prepared under this chapter, and for mailing the document, in a manner provided by Chapter 42.17 RCW. (Ord. 98-048 Exh. A; Ord. 93-080 Exh. T; Ord. 84-122 Part 10 (part)).
16.08.205 Effective date.
The effective date of this chapter is October 1, 1984. (Ord. 98-048 Exh. A; Ord. 84-122 Part 10 (part)).
16.08.220 Severability.
If any provision of this chapter or its application to any person or circumstances is held invalid, the remainder of this chapter, or the application of the provision to other person or circumstances, shall not be affected. (Ord. 98-048 Exh. A; Ord. 84-122 Part 10 (part)).
Article X. Forms
16.08.230 Adoption by reference.
The county adopts the following forms and sections by reference:
WAC
197-11-960 SEPA environmental checklist.
197-11-965 Adoption notice.
197-11-970 Determination of nonsignificance (DNS).
197-11-980 Determination of significance and scoping notice (DS).
197-11-985 Notice of assumption of lead agency status.
197-11-990 Notice of action.
(Ord. 98-048 Exh. A; Ord. 84-122 Part 11).
Legislative history: Ord. dated 5/30/78; Ord. 79-63.