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Environmental Impact Statement Process

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

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Environmental Impact Statement Process

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  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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)

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. What is an EIS? (continued) • An impartial disclosure document identifying: • Significant environmental impacts • Reasonable alternatives – a feasible alternate course of action that meets the proposal objectives at a lower environmental cost • Mitigation measures to avoid or minimize adverse impact • An EIS in not a “permit,” it is: • A consolidated collection of information • Used to facilitate decision-making

  7. Energize EastsideEnvironmental Review Process Study Construction Techniques Project Need Assessment Execute Interlocal Agreement Select Consultant Team (RFP) Alternatives Analysis Identify Preferred Alternative Define Project Mitigation Final EIS Coordinated Project Review 2014 2015 2016 Update -- Electrical Reliability Study Bellevue Independent Review – Special Topics

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. 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!

  14. 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

  15. 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

  16. 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

  17. 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!

  18. Read more on the Department of Ecology Website at: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/sepa/citizensguide/citizensguide.htm

  19. 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

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