Washington Administrative Code Title 197 - Ecology, Department of (Environmental Policy, Council on)
Here’s a clear overview of WAC Title 197 – Ecology, Department of (Environmental Policy, Council on):
📘 Title 197 at a Glance
Title 197 codifies Washington State’s SEPA rules—the procedures and definitions governing the State Environmental Policy Act, administered by the Dept. of Ecology and the Environmental Policy Council (app.leg.wa.gov, lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov).
Key Chapters:
Chapter 197‑06 – Public Records: Defines which environmental documents must be publicly accessible under Ecology’s SEPA rules .
Chapter 197‑11 – SEPA Rules: Core of the Title—comprehensive guidance on the State Environmental Policy Act .
🔍 Chapter 197‑11 – Structure & Highlights
Definitions (Part Eight)
Contains standard definitions for SEPA terminology—e.g., “Environment” (WAC 197‑11‑740), “EIS”, “Lead agency”, “Mitigation”, “DNS/DS”, etc. (law.cornell.edu).
Public Records (Ch. 197‑06)
Specifies what SEPA-related records must be provided to the public, such as checklists and determinations (lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov).
Environmental Checklists & Threshold Determinations
Rules for requiring applicants to file environmental checklists (e.g., WAC 197‑11‑100) and for issuing determinations of nonsignificance (DNS) or significance (DS) based on initial reviews (regulations.justia.com).
EIS Requirements (Part Four)
Establishes formatting and procedural standards for Environmental Impact Statements, including mandatory cover letters, fact sheets (e.g., WAC 197‑11‑430), and directive on scope—covering direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts (regulations.justia.com).
Scope & Procedural Standards
WAC 197‑11‑060 provides general SEPA requirements, while additional sections (e.g., 197‑11‑792) clarify scope aspects such as direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts (law.cornell.edu).
📝 Why It Matters
These rules detail how state and local agencies evaluate—and integrate—environmental impacts into decision‑making. They define when an environmental review is needed, how it's conducted, and the public’s rights under SEPA.
Would You Like More Detail On:
Specific procedures (e.g. DNS vs DS, appeals)?
How non-project or phased reviews work?
Public-records access or EIS formatting specifics?
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