Environmental Impact
Statement Process
Development Services Department
Carol Helland, Land Use Director/SEPA Official (DSD)
David Pyle, Senior Land Use Planner (DSD)
Nicholas Matz AICP, Senior Planner (PCD)
August 13, 2014
Meeting Objective
• Provide high-level orientation to SEPA
• Present a preliminary EIS timeline
• Present information on the Energize Eastside
EIS process
• Identify public engagement opportunities
• Provide question and answer time
What is SEPA?
• State Environmental Policy Act
• Requires environmental information to be
considered before an “action” is taken
• “Agency” with jurisdiction determines process
scope (DNS, MDNS or EIS)
• Process governed by:
– State Law – Chapter 43.21C Revised Code of WA (RCW)
– State Code – Chapter 197-11 WA Admin Code (WAC)
– Bellevue Code – Chapter 22.02 Bellevue City Code (BCC)
What is SEPA? (continued)
• SEPA is an “administrative” process for
conducting environmental review
– Authority delegated by the City Council
– Process administered by Development Services staff
• The process is directed by the City’s
Environmental Coordinator
– SEPA Responsible Official
What is an EIS?
• The most detailed form of environmental review
required under SEPA
• Required when an agency determines a
proposal is likely to have probable significant
adverse environmental impacts
• SEPA provides a “safety net” when project
impacts are not adequately addressed by
government regulations
What is an EIS? (continued)
• An impartial disclosure document identifying:
o Significant environmental impacts
o Reasonable alternatives – a feasible alternate
course of action that meets the proposal objectives
at a lower environmental cost
o Mitigation measures to avoid or minimize adverse
impact
• An EIS in not a “permit,” it is:
o A consolidated collection of information
o Used to facilitate decision-making
Coordinated Project Review
Energize Eastside
Environmental Review Process
Multi-Jurisdiction
Collaboration
Bellevue
2014
Phase I
Programmatic EIS
Phase II – Project EIS
2015
Update -- Electrical
Reliability Study
Independent Review – Special Topics
2016
Energize Eastside EIS Process
Step 1: Initiation of Energize Eastside EIS
• PSE agreed to preparation of EIS by the City
• Discussions initiated with other affected cities
• Cost of EIS process, including consultant
services, to be paid by PSE
• Independent objective review ensured through
oversight by Environmental Coordinator
• Anticipated Timing: Preliminary steps underway
Energize Eastside EIS Process
Step 2: Determination of Lead Agency Status
• Required for projects located in multiple
jurisdictions
• Bellevue identified as lead under state rules
– Largest portion of project located within Bellevue
– WAC 197-11-932
• Bellevue required to issue letter of lead agency
status to other affected jurisdictions
• Anticipated timing: August 2014
Energize Eastside EIS Process
Step 3: Development of interagency agreement
• Tool to govern inter-jurisdictional relationships
– Approved by City or County Council
– Participant jurisdictions - Renton, Newcastle, King
County, Bellevue, Redmond, and Kirkland
• Outlines roles of each participant jurisdiction in
EIS preparation
• Describes participation in and method for
incorporation of independent third party review
• Prescribes the consultant selection process
• Anticipated timing: September/October of 2014
Energize Eastside EIS Process
Step 4: Selection of EIS consultant
• Partner jurisdictions will work collaboratively to
select the EIS consultant
• Standard contracting/purchasing process
applies – eCityGov shared procurement portal
• Bellevue City Council approves consultant
contract amount for EIS preparation
• Timing Anticipated: October/November of 2014
Energize Eastside EIS Process
Step 5: Phasing of Environmental Review
• Allowed by SEPA rules - WAC 197-11-060(5)
• Phase I: Non-project level environmental review
– Broader analysis of need & methods to address need
• Phase II: Project-level environmental review
– Narrower analysis of project-level construction and
operation impacts
Energize Eastside EIS Process
Step 6: Scoping
• Occurs after EIS consultant is under contract
– Prior to Phase I non-project review
– Prior to Phase II project-level review
• Includes public notice (signs, mailing, advertising)
• Follows standard process required by SEPA rules
• Public meeting(s)
• Public comment use to inform development of EIS scope
• Scoping summary prepared
• Anticipated timing: Initiate scoping January 2015
Opportunity for public engagement/comment!
Energize Eastside EIS Process
Step 7: Draft Phase I Non-Project EIS
• Prepared by consultant at City direction
• Known topics include need and methods to
address need
• Other topics to be included based in scoping
• Anticipated Timing: February-May 2015
• Published and Circulated for Public Comment
• Comment period open for 30-45 days
• Additional public outreach (public meetings, open
houses)
• Anticipated Timing: June 2015
Energize Eastside EIS Process
Step 8: Draft Phase II Project-Level EIS
• Prepared by consultant at City direction
• Known topics include project level review of construction
and operation impacts and identification of mitigation on a
range of reasonable alternatives
• Other topics to be included based in scoping
• Supplements and expands on review completed in Phase I
• Anticipated Timing: August 2015 - February 2016
• Published and Circulated for Public Comment
• Comment period open for 30-45 days
• Additional public outreach (public meetings, open houses)
• Anticipated Timing: February 2016
Energize Eastside EIS Process
Step 9: Final EIS
• Prepared by consultant at City direction
• Final EIS required to include response to
comments on draft EIS
• Final EIS may include:
– Analysis of modified alternatives
– Supplemented or improved analysis from draft EIS
– Factual corrections
• Final EIS to be used to inform decision-makers
on project level issues
• Anticipated timing: July 2016
Energize Eastside EIS Process
Step 10: Bellevue Permitting Process
• Conditional Use Permit required
• PSE develops project design following EIS
• EIS analysis to be considered in review of
Conditional Use Permit
• Conditional Use Permit process includes public
notice of application, acceptance of public
comment, and opportunity to appeal
• Anticipated timing: following completion of EIS
Opportunity for public engagement/comment!
Citizen's Guide to SEPA Review and Commenting
What is SEPA?
The State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) provides a way 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.
The SEPA Rules establish the requirements for conducting
environmental review of a proposal. Information provided during the
SEPA review process helps agency decision-makers, applicants, and
the public understand how a proposal will affect the environment. This
information can be used to change a proposal to reduce likely impacts,
or to condition or deny a proposal when adverse environmental
impacts are identified.
Read more on the Department of Ecology Website at:
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/sepa/citizensguide/citizensguide.htm
Question & Answer
Development Services Department
Carol Helland, Land Use Director/SEPA Official (DSD)
David Pyle, Senior Land Use Planner (DSD)
Nicholas Matz AICP, Senior Planner (PCD)
August 13, 2014