State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA)

State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA)

What is the Purpose of this Permit?

The Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) is intended to ensure that environmental values are considered during decision-making by state and local agencies. These decisions may be related to issuing permits for private projects, constructing public facilities, or adopting regulations, policies or plans. 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.

In most cases, one state or local agency will be designated as the "SEPA lead agency". This agency is responsible for evaluating the proposal and determining if the proposal is likely to impact the environment. For most private projects, the SEPA lead agency will be the city or county where the project is located.

Who issues this Permit?

State or local agency

What Activities Require this Permit?

Any proposal that requires a state or local agency decision to license, fund, or undertake a project, or the proposed adoption of a policy, plan, or program can trigger environmental review under SEPA. (See WAC 197-11-704 for a complete definition of agency action.)

How Much Will this Permit Cost?

Filing fees will vary by jurisdiction because each state and local agency determines how much they will charge for SEPA review.

Do I Need to Include Anything with my Application?

SEPA environmental review usually starts when an applicant applies for a permit or approval from a state or local agency. The completed environmental checklist is submitted to the SEPA lead agency as a prerequisite to issuing the permit or approval. The checklist should include attachments such as a site plan, vicinity map and any technical reports or studies that have been prepared for the project. The standard checklist form is in WAC 197-11-960 and available on the SEPA website listed under the links section below, however most jurisdictions have their own version.

Is the Decision on my Permit Dependent on Anything Besides the Information in my Application?

The lead agency must consider environmental technical and economimc information when deciding to approve a proposal. Additional information may be required after checklist review.

How Long Will it Take to Review my Application?

The responsible official for the lead agency must make a threshold decision no later than 90 days after the application and supporting documentation are determined complete. Once a threshold determination is made, there is generally a specified comment period followed by an appeal period, which varies depending on the type of proposal and whether or not an environmental impact statement is required.

Where do I Submit my Application?

The environmental checklist is submitted to the SEPA lead agency, which is generally the same agency that will issue the required project permits and/or approvals.

Schematic:

View the schematic

What is the Appeal Process for the Permit?

SEPA provides a process for citizens and others to challenge both procedural and substantive decisions made under SEPA. Appeals may also be heard at two levels: Administrative appeals, heard by agencies; and Judicial appeals, which are heard by the courts when the administrative appeal process is either not available or has been exhausted.

Notes / Comments:

For additional information on the State Environmental Policy Act, go to �links� and click on the SEPA home page.

Legal Authority:

Statewide Contact:

Department of Ecology
SEPA Unit
Headquarters
SEPA Unit
PO Box 47703
Olympia, WA 98504-7703
For assistance contact 1-800-917-0043 (Office of Regulatory Assistance).
Website: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/sepa/e-review.html

* Permit information last updated 10/28/2009.

Permit Handbook > General Requirements