2133_00001ORDINANCENO.2133
ANORDINANCE AMENDINGTITLE14 OF THE MOSES LAKEMUNICIPALCODEENTITLED"ENVIRONMENTALPOLICYACT"
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITYOF MOSES LAKE,WASHINGTON DO ORDAINAS FOLLOWS:
Section 1.Title 14 of the Moses Lake Municipal Code entitled"Environmental Policy Act"is amended asfollows:
14.06.010 Authority:The CityofMoses Lake adopts thisordinance under the State Environmental PolicyAct(SEPA),RCW 43.210.120,and theSEPA rules,WAC 197-11-904.This ordinance containsthe
O city'sSEPA procedures and policies.The SEPA rules,Chapter 197-11 WAC,must be used inconjunctionwiththisordinance.
14.06.020 General Requirements:
A.Purpose:This part containsthebasic requirements thatapply tothe SEPA process.The cityadoptsthefollowingsectionsofChapter197-11 of the WashingtonAdministrative Code byreference:
197-11-040 Definitions197-11-050 Lead Agency197-11-055 Timing ofthe SEPA Process197-11-060 Content of Environmental Review197-11-070 Limitations on Actions During SEPA Process197-11-080 Incomplete or Unavailable Information197-11-090 Supporting Documents197-11-100 Information Required ofApplicants197-11-158 GMA Project Review-Reliance on Existing Plans,Laws,and Regulations197-11-238 Monitoring197-11-250 SEPA/Model Toxics Control Act Integration197-11-253 SEPA Lead Agency for MTCAActions197-11-256 Preliminary Evaluation197-11-259 Determination ofNonsignificance for MTCARemedial Actions197-11-262 Determination of Significance and EIS for MTCARemedial Actions197-11-265 Early Scoping for MTCARemedialActions197-11-268 MTCAInterim Actions
B.Additional Definitions:In addition to those definitions contained within WAC 197-11-700through197-11-799 when used in thisordinance,the followingterms shall have thefollowingmeanings,unless thecontext indicates othenvise:
1."Department"means any division,subdivision,or organizational unitofthecityestablishedbyordinance,rule,or order.
2."SEPA rules"means Chapter 197-11 WAC adopted by the Department of Ecology.
3."Ordinance"means theordinance,resolution,or other procedureused bythecitytoadoptregulatoryrequirements.
4."Early notice"means the city's response to an applicantstating whether it considersissuanceofadeterminationofsignificancelikelyfortheapplicant'sproposal [mitigateddeterminationofnon-significance (DNS)procedures].
C.Designation of Responsible Official:
1.For thoseproposalsforwhich the cityisthelead agency,the responsible officialshall betheCommunityDevelopmentDirectorordesignee.
2.For allproposals forwhich thecity is the lead agency,theresponsible officialshallmakethethresholddetermination,supervisescoping,supervise the preparation ofanyrequiredEnvironmentalImpactStatement(EIS),and performany otherfunctions assigned to the"leadagency"or "responsibleofficial"by these sections of the SEPA rules that wereadoptedbyreferenceinWAC173-806-020.
3.For thoseproposals requiring specializedexpertise,the Responsible Officialmay requestinformationnecessarytodischargetheresponsibilitiesunderthissectionfrom,but notlimitedto,otherDepartments,other agencies withjurisdiction,and/or a technicaladvisorycommitteedesignatedbytheCouncil.Such information as can be reasonably supplied bythoseDepartments,other agencies,and the technicaladvisorycommittee,shall betransmittedtotheResponsibleOfficialinatimelymanner,
4.The cityshallretainalldocuments required bytheSEPA rules(Chapter 197-11 WAC)andmakethemavailableinaccordancewithChapter42.17 RCW.
D.Lead Agenev Determination and Responsibilities:
1.The department within the cityreceivingan applicationfor or initiating a proposal thatinvolvesanonexemptactionshalldeterminetheleadagencyforthatproposalunderWAC197-11-050,197-11-253,and 197-11-922 through197-11-940;unless the lead agency hasbeenpreviouslydeterminedorthedepartmentisawarethatanotherdepartmentoragencyisintheprocessofdeterminingtheleadagency.
2.When the cityis thelead agencyfora proposal,thedepartment receiving theapplicationshallnotifytheresponsibleofficialwhoshallsupervisecompliancewiththethresholddeterminationrequirements,and ifan EISis necessary,shallsupervise preparation oftheEIS.
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3.When the city is notthe lead agency for a proposal,all departments ofthecity shall useandconsider,as appropriate,either theDNSorthe finalEIS of thelead agency in making
decisions on the proposal.No citydepartment shall prepare or requirepreparation of aDNSorEISinadditiontothatpreparedbytheleadagency,unless requiredunder WAC
197-11-600.In some cases,thecitymay conduct supplemental environmentalreview
under WAC 197-11-600.
4.Ifthe cityor any of its departments receivesa lead agencydetermination made by another
agency that appears inconsistent withthe criteriaof WAC 197-11-253 or 197-11-922
through197-11-940,it mayobjecttothe determination.Anyobjection must be made totheagencyoriginallymakingthedeterminationandresolvedwithinfifteen(15)days ofreceiptofthedetermination,orthecity must petition theDepartmentof Ecology for a lead
agencydetermination under WAC 197-11-946 withinthefifteen (15)daytimeperiod.Any
such petitionon behalf of thecitymay be initiated by theResponsibleOfficial.
5.The Responsible Officialofthecity is authorized tomake agreements as tolead agencystatusorsharedleadagencydutiesforaproposalunderWAC197-11-942 and 197-11-
944;Provided,thattheresponsible officialand any department thatwillincur responsibili-
ties as the result of such agreement approve the agreement.
6.The Responsible Officialmaking a lead agency determination for a private project shall
require sufficient information from theapplicant to identify which other agencies have
jurisdictionoverthe proposal.
7.When the cityis lead agencyfor a MTCAremedial action,theDepartment of Ecology shall
be providedan opportunity under WAC 197-11-253(5)to review the environmental
documents prior topublicnoticebeing provided,Ifthe SEPA and MTCAdocumentsareissuedtogetherwithonepubliccommentperiodunderWAC197-11-253(6),thecity shall
decide jointlywith Ecology who receives the comment letters and how copies of the
comment letters willbe distributed tothe other agency.
E.Time LimitsApplicable tothe Threshold Determination.The followingtimelimits(expressedincalendardays)shall apply when the city processes permits and licenses for all private
projects and those governmental proposals submitted tothe city by other agencies.
1.CategoricalExemptions:The Cityshall identifywhetheran actionis categoricallyexempt
within seven (7)days of receiving a completed application.
2.Threshold Determinations:The Cityshall completethresholddeterminations thatcan be
based solelyupon review oftheenvironmentalchecklistfortheproposalwithinfifteen (15)
days ofthedate thata completeapplication and completed environmentalchecklistare
submitted.
3.Threshold Determinations that require further studies,field investigations,or further
information from the applicant shall be completedwithin the followingtimeframe:
a.The Cityshould request such further information withinfifteen (15)days of receiving
a completeapplication and completedenvironmental checklist;
b.The Cityshall wait no longer than thirty(30)days for a consultedagency to respond;
c.The Responsible Official should complete thethresholddetermination within fifteen
(15)days ofreceiving therequested inforrhation from the applicantor theconsulted
agency.
4.IftheCity must initiatefurther studies,including field investigations,toobtainthe informa-
tiontomake a thresholddetermination,the City shouldcompletethestudies within thirty
(30)days of receiving a complete application and completed environmentalchecklist.
5.The City shall complete thresholddeterminations on actions where the applicant recom-
mends in writing that an EIS be prepared,because of the probable significant adverse
environmental impact(s)described inthe application,within fifteen (15)days of receiving
a complete application and completedenvironmental checklist.
6.The timelimits set forth inthissubsection shall not apply towithdrawals ofaffirmativeand
negativethresholddeterminations where such withdrawals are made in accordance with
WAC 197-11-340-or WAC 197-11-360.
7.When a thresholddetermination is expected to require more than fifteen (15)days tocompleteandaprivateapplicantrequestsnotificationofthedatewhenathreshold
determination willbe made,thelead agency shalltransmittothe private applicanta written
statement as tothe expected date of decision.
F.Additional Timing Considerations:
1.For nonexemptproposals,theDNSor Final EIS forthe proposal shall accompany thecity's
staff recommendation to any appropriate advisorybody.
2.Ifthe city's onlyactionona proposal is a decision on a building permitor other license that
requires detailed project plans and specifications,the applicant mayrequest inwritingthat
the city conduct environmentalreview prior to submission of the detailed plans and
specifications.The Citymay conduct environmental review priorto submission of the
detailedplansand specificationsprovided thatadequate informationis furnishedtoallow
theResponsible Officialtomake a thresholddetermination.
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14.06.030 CategoricalExemptions and Threshold Determinations
A.Purpose and Adoption by Reference:This part contains the rules for decidingwhetheraproposalhasa"probable significant,adverseenvironmentalimpact"requiring an Environmen-talimpact Statement (EIS)tobe prepared.This part also contains rulesforevaluatingtheimpactsofproposalsnotrequiringanEIS.The cityadopts thefollowingWashingtonAdminis-trativeCode sections by reference,as supplemented inthis part:
197-11-300 Purpose of This Part197-11-305 Categorical Exemptions197-11-310 Threshold Determination Required197-11-315 Environmental ChecklistO197-11-330 Threshold Determination Process197-11-335 Additional Information197-11-340 Determination of Non-Significance(DNS)197-11-350 Mitigated DNS197-11-355 Optional DNSProcess197-11-360 Determination of Significance(DS)/Initiation of Scoping197-11-390 Effect of ThresholdDetermination
B.Flexible Thresholds for Categorical Exemptions:
1.The Cityof Moses Lake establishes thefollowingexemptlevels forminornew constructionunderWAC197-11-800(1)(b)based on local conditions:
a.For residential dwelling unitsinWAC 197-11-800(1)(b)(i):Upto20 dwelling units.
b.For agriculturalstructurein WAC197-11-800(1)(b)(ii):Up to 30,000square feet.
c.For office,school,commercial,recreational,service or storage buildingsin WAC197-11-800(1)(b)(iii):Up to12,000 square feet and up to40 parking spaces.
d.For parkinglotsinWAC 197-11-800(1)(b)(iv):Up to40 parking spaces.
e.For landfills and excavationsin WAC 197-11-800(1)(b)(v):Upto500 cubic yards.
2.Whenever thecity establishes new exempt levels under thissection,itshall send themtotheDepartmentofEcology,Headquarters Office,Olympia,Washington,98504 under WAC197-11-800(1)(c).
C.Use of Exemptions:
1.Each department within thecitythatreceives an applicationfora license or,inthe case ofgovernmentalproposals,thedepartment initiating theproposal,shall determine whetherthelicenseand/ortheproposal isexempt.The department'sdetermination thata proposalisexemptshallbefinalandnotsubjecttoadministrativereview.Ifa proposal is exempt,none of the proceduralrequirements ofthisordinance apply totheproposal.The cityshallnotrequirecompletionofanEnvironmentalChecklistforanexemptproposal.
2.Indetermining whetheror nota proposal is exempt,the department shall make certain theproposalisproperlydefinedandshallidentifythegovernmentallicensesrequired(WAC197-11-060).Ifa proposal includes exempt and nonexempt actions,thedepartment shalldeterminetheleadagency,even ifthelicense applicationthat triggersthedepartment'sconsiderationisexempt
3.Ifa proposalincludes both exemptand nonexemptactions,the citymayauthorizeexemptactionspriortocompliancewiththeproceduralrequirementsofthisordinance,except that:
a.The cityshall not giveauthorization for:
1)Any nonexempt action;
2)Any action that would have an adverse environmentalimpact;or
3)Any action that would limitthe choice of alternatives.
b,A department maywithholdapproval ofan exemptaction thatwould leadtomodifica-tionof thephysical environment,when such modification wouldserve no purpose ifnonexemptaction(s)were not approved;and
O c.A department maywithhold approval ofexempf actions thatwould lead tosubstantialfinancialexpendituresbyaprivateapplicantwhentheexpenditureswouldservenopurposeifnonexemptaction(s)were not approved.
D.Environmental Checklist:
1.Acompleted Environmental Checklist (ora copy)intheform provided inWAC 197-11-960,shall be filed at thesame timeas an applicationfor a permit,license,certificate,or otherapprovalnotspecificallyexemptedinthisordinance;except,a Checklist is not needed ifthecityandapplicantagreeanEISisrequired,SEPA compliancehas been completed,or SEPA compliance has been initiated by another agency.The city shall use theEnvironmentalChecklisttodeterminetheleadagencyand,ifthecity is the lead agency,fordetermining theresponsibleofficialand formakingthethresholddetermination.
2.For private proposals,thecitywill require theapplicant tocomplete the EnvironmentalChecklistForcityproposals,the department initiatingtheproposal shall complete theEnvironmentalChecklistforthatproposal,
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3.The city may require that it,and not theprivate applicant willcomplete all or part oftheenvironmentalchecklistforaprivateproposalifeitherofthefollowingoccur:
a.The cityhas technicalinformation on a question or questions that is unavailable totheprivateapplicant;or
b.The applicant has provided inaccurate information on previous proposals or onproposalscurrentlyunderconstruction.
E.Mitigated DNS:
1.As provided in thissection and in WAC 19-11-350,the responsible officialmay issue aDNSbasedonconditionsattachedtotheproposalbytheresponsibleofficialoronchangesto,or clarifications of,theproposal made by theapplicant.
2.An applicantmay request in writing earlynotice of whether a DS is likely under WAC
197-11-350.The request must:
a.Follow submissionofa permit application and Environmental Checklistfor a nonex-empt proposal forwhich the department is lead agency;and
b.Precede the city's actual thresholddetermination for the proposal.
3.The responsible officialshould respond totherequest for early notice within fifteen(15)working days.The response shall:
a.Be written;
b.State whether the citycurrently considers issuance ofa DS likelyand,ifso,indicate
the general orspecific ares(s)ofconcernthatislare leading thecityto considera DS;
and
c.State that the applicant may change or clarifytheproposal to mitigate the indicated
impacts,revising the EnvironmentalChecklist and/orpermitapplicationas necessarytoreflectthechangesorclarifications.
4.As muchas possible,the cityshould assist the applicantwith identification of impacts totheextentnecessarytoformulatemitigationmeasures.
5.When an applicant submits a changed or clarifiedproposal,along with a revised oramendedEnvironmentalChecklist,thecity shall base its thresholddetermination on the
changedorclarifiedproposaland shouldmake thedetermination withinfifteen (15)days
of receiving thechanged or clarifiedproposal:
a.Ifthecityindicatedspecificmitigation measures in its response tothe request for early
notice,and the applicant changed or clarifiedthe proposal to include thosespecific
mitigationmeasures,the city shall issue and circulatea DNS under WAC 197-
11-340(2).
b.Ifthecity indicated areas ofconcern,but did not indicate specific mitigation measures
thatwouldallowit to issue a DNS,the city shall make the thresholddetermination,
issuing a DNSor DS as appropriate.
c.The applicant's proposed mitigation measures (clarifications,changes or conditions)
must be inwritingand must be specific.For example,proposals to"controlnoise"or
"preventstormwater runoff'are inadequate,whereas proposals to"mufflemachinery
toXdecibel"or"construct200'stormwaterretentionpond atYlocation"are adequate,
d.Mitigation measures which justifyissuance of a mitigated DNS may be incorporated
in the DNSby reference to agency staffreports,studies,or other documents.
6.Amitigated DNS is issued underRWAC 197-11-340(2),requiringa fourteen (14)day
comment period and public notice orWAC 197-11-355,which may require no additional
comment period beyond thecomment periodonthe notice of application.
7.Mitigation measures incorporated in the mitigated DNS shall be deemed conditions of
approval of the permit decision and may be enforced in thesame manner as any termor
condition of thepermit,or enforced inany manner specificallyprescribed bythe city.
8.Ifthecity'stentativedecision on a permit orapprovaldoes not include mitigation measures
thatwere incorporated in a mitigated DNS for the proposal,thecity should evaluatethe
thresholddetermination toassure consistencywithWAC 197-11-340(3)(a)(withdrawalof
DNS).
9.The city'swritten response undersubsection 2 ofthissection shallnot be construed as a
determination of significance.In addition,preliminary discussion of clarifications or
changes to a proposal,as opposed toa written request for early notice,shall not bind the
cityto consider theclarificationsor changes in its thresholddetermination.
14.06.040 Environmental Impact Statement:
A.Purpose and Adootionbv Reference:This partcontainstherules forpreparing Environmental
Impact Statements.The city adopts the following Washington Administrative Code sectíons
by reference,as supplemented bythispart:
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197-11-400 Purpose of EIS197-11-402 General Requirements197-11-405 EIS Types197-11-406 EIS Timing197-11-408 Scoping197-11-410 Expanded Scoping (Optional)197-11-420 EIS Preparation197-11-425 Styleand Size197-11-430 Format197-11-435 CoverLetter orMemo197-11-440 EISContents197-11-442 Contents of EIS on Nonproject ProposalsO197-11-443 EISContentsWhen Prior NonprojectEIS197-11-444Elementsof the Environment197-11-448 Relationshipof EIStoOtherConsiderations197-11-450 Cost-benefitAnalysis197-11-455 Issuance of DEIS197-11-460 Issuance of FEIS
B.Precaration of EIS -Additional Considerations:
1.Preparation ofdraft and finalEISs (DEISand FEIS)anddraft and finalsupplemental EISs(SEIS)is theresponsibility oftheCommunity Development Department underthe directionoftheResponsibleOfficial.Before thecityissues an EIS,the responsibleofficialshall besatisfiedthatitcomplieswiththisordinanceandChapter197-11 WAC.
2.The DEISand FEIS or draftand finalSEIS shallbe prepared by citystaff,theapplicant,or by a consultantselected bythecity or theapplicant.Iftheresponsible official requiresanEISforaproposalanddeterminesthatsomeoneotherthanthecitywillpreparetheEIS,the responsibleofficialshallnotifytheapplicantimmediately after completion ofthethresholddetermination.The responsible officialshallalso notifytheapplicantof thecity'sprocedureforEISpreparation,including approval oftheDEIS and FEISprior to distribu-tion.
3.Whenever an applicant,or a consultant retained bythe cityor theapplicant,is preparinganEIS,the responsible officialshall assure thatthe EIS is prepared in a responsiblemannerandwithappropriatemethodology.The cityshall:
a.Direct the areas of research and examination tobe undertaken and thecontent andorganizationofthedocument;
O b.Initiate and coordinatescoping,ensuringthattheindividualpreparingtheEIS receivesallsubstantiveinformationsubmittedbyanyagencyorperson;
c.Assist inobtaining information on filewithanother agencythatis needed bythepersonpreparingtheEIS;
d.Allowthe person preparing theEIS access tocityrecords relatingtothe EIS (underChapter42.17 RCW -Public Disclosure and Public Records Law).
4.The city may require an applicant to provide information the city does not possess,including specific investigations.However,theapplicantis not required tosupplyinforma-tionthat is not required under this ordinance or thatis being requested from anotheragency.(Thisdoes notapply toinformation thecitymay request under another ordinanceorstatute.)
14.06.050 Commenting:
A.Adoption by Reference:This part contains rules for consulting,commenting,and respondingonallenvironmentaldocumentsunderSEPA,including rules for public notice and hearings.The city adopts the following Washington Administrative Code sections by reference,assupplementedinthispart:
197-11-500 Purpose ofThis Part197-11-502 Inviting Comment197-11-504 Availabilityand Cost of Environmental Documents197-11-508 SEPA Register197-11-510 Public Notice197-11-535 Public Hearings and Meetings197-11-545 Effect of no CommentO197-11-550 Specificityof Comments197-11-560 FEIS Response to Comments197-11-570 Consulted Agency Costs toAssist lead agency
B.Public Notice:
1.Whenever the Cityof Moses Lake issues a DNSunderWAC 197-11-340(2)ora DS underWAC197-11-360(3)thecity shall givepublic noticeas follows:
a.Ifpublicnotice is required for a nonexempt license,the notice shall state whether a DSorDNShasbeenissuedandwhencommentsaredue,
b.Ifan environmental documentis issued concurrentlywith thenotice ofapplication,thepublicnoticerequirementsforthenoticeofapplicationwillsufficetomeettheSEPApublicnoticerequirements.
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c.Ifnopublic notice is requíred for thepermit or approval,the cityshallgive noticeofthe
DNSor DS by:
(1)Posting the property,for site-specific proposals,and
(2)Publishing a notice ina newspaper of general circulation in the city.
d.Whenever the cityissues a DS under WAC 197-11-360(3),the city shall state the
scopingprocedure for theproposalin the DS as required in WAC 197-11-408 and in
the public notice.
2.Ifa DNSis issued using the optional DNS process,the public noticerequirements for a
notice of application as supplemented bytherequirementsinWAC197-11-355wíllsuffice
tomeet the SEPA publicnotice requirements.
3.Whenever the city issues a DEIS under WAC 17-11.455(5)or a SEIS under WAC
197-11-620,notice of theavailability of those documents shallbe given by:
a.Indicating theavailability of theDEISin any publicnotice requiredfor a nonexempt
license;and
b.Posting the property,for site-specific proposals;and
c.Publishing noticein a newspaper of generalcirculation in the city,and
d.Notifyingpublícor private groupsthathave expressed interest ina certainproposal or
in the typeofproposal being considered
4.Whenever possible,the city shall integrate the public notice required under thissection
withexisting notice procedures for thecity's nonexempt permits(s)orapproval(s)required
for theproposal.
5.The city may require an applicant to complete the public notice requirements for the
applicant's proposal at his or her expense.
C,Desianationof Officialto Perform ConsultedAgency Responsibilities for the City:
1.The Responsible Officialshall be responsible for preparationofwritten comments forthe
city in response toa consultationrequest prior toa thresholddetermination,participation
inscopingand reviewinga DEIS.
2.The Responsible Official shall be responsible for the city's compliance with WAC
197-11-550 whenever the cityis a consulted agency and isauthorizedto develop operating
procedures that will ensure that responses to consultationrequests are prepared in a
timelyfashion and include data from all appropriatedepartments of the city.
14.06.060 Using Existina Environmental Documents:Purpose and Adoption by Reference:This part
contains rules for using and supplementing existing environmental documents prepared under
SEPA or National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)for thecity's own environmental compliance.
The city adoptsthe followingWashingtonAdministrativeCode sections byreference:
197-11-600 When toUse Existing EnvironmentalDocuments197-11-610 Use of NEPA Documents197-11-620 SupplementalEnvironmental impact Statement -Procedures
197-11-625 Addenda -Procedures
197-11-630 Adoption -Procedures
197-11-635 incorporation by Reference -Procedures
197-11-640 CombiningDocuments
14.06.070 SEPA and Aqency Decisions:
A.Purpose and Adoption by Reference:This part contains rules (andpolicies)for SEPA's
substantiveauthority,such as decisions to mitigateor reject proposals as a result of SEPA.
This part also contains procedures for appealing SEPA determinations toagencies or the
courts.The cityadopts thefollowingWashington Administrative Code sectionsby reference:
197-11-650 Purpose of This Part197-11-655 Implementation
197-11-660 Substantive Authority and Mitigation
197-11-680 Appeals
B.Substantive Authority:
1.The policies and goals set forthínthísordinanceare supplementary tothose inthe existing
authorization ofthe City of Moses Lake.
2.The citymay attach conditions toa permitor approval for a proposal so long as:
a.Such conditions are necessary tomitigate specific probable adverse environmental
impacts identified in environmental documents prepared pursuant to thisordinance;
and
b.Such conditionsare inwriting;and
c.The mitigation measures included in such conditionsare reasonable and capable of
being accomplished;and
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Page 7
d.The city has considered whether other local,state,or federal mitigation measuresappliedtotheproposalaresufficienttomitigatetheidentifiedimpacts;and
e.Such conditions are based onone ormore policies insubsection 4 ofthissectionandcitedinthelicenseorotherdecisiondocument.
3.The citymay deny a permit or approvalfora proposal onthe basis of SEPA so long as:
a.A finding is made thatapprovingthe proposal would result in probable significantadverseenvironmentalimpactsthatareidentifiedinaFEISorfinalSEISpreparedpursuanttothisordinance;and
b.A finding is made thatthereare no reasonable mitigationmeasures capable of beingaccomplishedthataresufficienttomitigatetheidentifiedimpact;and
c.The denial is based on one or morepolicies identified in subsection 4 of thissectionandidentifiedinwritinginthedecisiondocument.
4.The citydesignates andadoptsby reference thefollowingpoliciesas thebasis forthe city'sexerciseofauthoritypursuanttothissection:
a.The policies in the followingcity codes,plans,ordinances and resolutions:
1)The Comprehensive Plan oftheCity
2)The City's Zoning Code
3)The City's fire and building codes
4)The City's shoreline master program
5)Anyother policiesof thecitywhich have been incorporated in resolutions,regula-tions,ordinances,plans,or codes and which provide a reasonable basis forconditioningordenyingaproposalinordertomitigateadverseenvironmentalimpacts.
b.The cityshall use all practicable means,consistentwithotheressentialconsiderationsofstatepolicy,toimprove and coordinateplans,functions,programs,and resourcestotheendthatthestateanditscitizensmay:
1)Fulfillthe responsibilities of each generation as trusteeof the environment forsucceedinggenerations;
2)Assure for allpeopleofWashington safe,healthful,productive,and aestheticallyandculturallypleasingsurroundings;
3)Attain thewidest range of beneficial uses of theenvironment without degradation,risk tohealth or safety,or other undesirable and unintended consequences;
4)Preserve important historic,cultural,and natural aspects ofour national heritage;
5)Maintain,wherever possible,an environment which supportsdiversity and varietyofindividualchoice;
6)Achieve a balance between population and resource use which willpermit highstandardsoflivingandawidesharingoflife's amenities;and
7)Enhance the qualityof renewable resources and approach the maximumattain-able recycling of depletable resources.
c.The cityrecognizes thateach person has a fundamental and inalienable right to ahealthfulenvironmentandthateachpersonhasaresponsibilitytocontributetothepreservationandenhancementoftheenvironment.
C.Amoeals:The Cityof Moses Lake establishes thefollowingadministrativeappeal procedureunderRCW43.210.075 and WAC 197-11-680:
1.Appeals under the provisions of this part shall be limited solely to those actions and/ordeterminationslistedbelow.No administrativeappeals shall be allowedfor other actionsand/ordeterminations takenor made pursuant to this chapter (suchas lead agencydetermination,scoping,draftEIS adequacy,etc.)
a.Procedural appeals which shall consist of an appeal of the responsible official'scompliancewiththeprovisionsofSEPA,theSEPA rules,andthischapterwithrespecttothefollowing:
1)Final determination of non-significance
2)Final determination of significance
3)Adoption or issuance of a Final Environmental Impact Statement
b.Substantive appeals which shall consist of an appeal of an actionor omissionwithrespecttotheconditioningordenyingofaproposalunderthesubstantiveauthoritysetforthinSection14.06.070.8 ofthischapter.
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2.Except as providedin subsection 3 of this section,an appeal under thissection shall
consolidate any SEPA appeal with a hearing or appeal on the underlying governmental
actionina single simultaneous hearing before one hearing officer or body.The hearing orappealshallbeoneatwhichthehearingofficerorbodywillconsidereitherthecity's
decision or a recommendation on the proposed underlying governmentalaction.Ifnohearingorappealontheunderlyinggovernmentalactionisotherwiseprovided,then noSEPAappealisallowedunderthissection,except as allowed under subsection3 of this
section.
3.The following appeals of SEPA proceduralor substantive determinations need not be
consolidatedwith a hearing or appeal on theunderlying governmental action;
a.An appeal ofa determination ofsignificance;
b.An appeal ofa procedural determinationmade by thecitywhen the city is a project
proponent,or is funding a project,and chooses to conduct its review under thischapter,including anyappeals of its proceduraldeterminations,priorto submitting anapplicationforaprojectpermit;
c.An appeal ofa procedural determination on a non-project action.
4.AIIprocedural and substantive SEPA appeals provided under thissection shall be initiated
byfilinga writtennotice of SEPA administrative appeal withthe Community Development
Department,accompanied bytheapplicableappealfee.No additional appellatefee shall
be charged in conjunctionwitha hearing on theunderlyingpermit or approval,
a.The notice of appeal required by thissectionshall include,at a minimum:
1)The name and mailing address of the party or agency filingthe appeal and the
name and address of his/her representative,ifany;
2)An identification ofthespecific proposal and specificSEPA actions,omissions,
conditions,ordeterminations for which appeal is sought;
3)A statement oftheparticularfactual and legal grounds or reasons for the appeal;
4)The specific nature and intent of therelief sought;
6)A statement demonstrating standing toappeal;
6)A statement thatthe appellanthas read the appeal and believes thecontents tobetrue,followed by his/her signatureand thesignature ofhis/her representative,
ifany.Iftheappealingparty is unavailable tosignthe appeal,itmay be signed by
his/her representative.
b.The CommunityDevelopment Director shallarrange toconduct the SEPA appeal in
conjunction with a hearing or appeal on the underlying permit or approval,where
required toconsolidatetheSEPA appeal with a hearing ontheunderlyinggovernmen-tal action.Where consolidationis not required,the Director shall schedule thehearing
to be conducted within ninety(90)days ofthe date of filingthe notice of appeal and
paymentoffee.
5.SEPA procedural appeals shall be initiated and conducted inthe manner set forthbelow:
a.An appeal of issuance of a determination of non-significance (DNS)or mitigated
determination ofnon-significance(MDNS),may be filedbyany agency or aggrieved
person as follows:
1)For proposals which may be approved byan administrative officialwithoutpublic
hearing,an appeal shall be filedwithin fourteen (14)calendar days following the
last day of thecommentperiod.Such SEPA appealshallbe heard in conjunction
withthe appealofthe underlying permitor approval,where such appeal is allowed.
Provided that,ifno administrative appeal of the underlying permit or approval is
otherwise provided for,and consolidation is not required by subsection 3 above,
an appeal of theDNS shallbe heard and decided in an open record hearing bythe
Planning Commission.The decision ofthe Commission on theSEPA procedural
appeal shall be final and not subject to further administrative appeal.
2)For proposals whichmayonly be approved byopen record hearing oropen record
pre-decision hearing (recommendation)before theHearing Examineror Planning
Commission,an appeal shallbe filedwithin fourteen (14)calendar days following
thelast day ofthe comment period,orWhere nocommentperiodis required,then
within fourteen (14)days following thedate of issuance or adoptionof the DNS,
and shall be heard and decided in open recordhearing bytheHearing Examiner
or Planning Commission in conjunction withthe decision or recommendation on
the underlying proposal.The decision of the Hearing Examiner or Planning
Commissionon the SEPA procedural appeal shall be final and not subject to
further administrative appeal.
b.An appeal ofa Determination ofSignificance (DS)may be filed by theapplicantwithin
fourteen(14)days oftheissuance oftheDS/scoping notice.Theappeal shallbe heard
inopen recordhearing and decided bythePlanning Commission,whose decision shall
be final and notsubject tofurther administrativeappeal.
c.An appeal must be filed within seven (7)days ofissuance of theFinal Environmental
Impact Statement (FEIS).
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d.A SEPA procedural determination shall be deemed tobe conclusivelyin compliancewithSEPA,the SEPA 'rules,and the provisionsof thischapter,unless a SEPAproceduralappealisfiledinaccordancewiththispart.
6.SEPA substantiveappeals shall be initiated and conductedinthe mannerset forth below:
a.For proposals subject tofinaladministrativeaction,approval,or recommendation byanonelectedadministrativeofficialforwhichnoadministrativeappealisotherwiseprovided,and for which consolidationis not required by subsection 3 ofthissection,any agency or aggrieved person may filea substantive SEPA appeal withinfourteen(14)days ofthe issuance of the administrativedecision approving,conditioning,orOdenyingtheproposalonthebasisofsubstantiveSEPAauthority.Such substantiveSEPAappealshallbeheardanddecidedbythePlanningCommissioninanopenrecordhearing,unless theproposal is a projectpermit whichhas been subjectto apreviousopenrecordhearing,inwhich casetheSEPAappeal shall be a closed recordappeal.The substantive SEPA appeal shall be heard in conjunctionwithany proce-dural SEPA appeal.The decision ofthePlanning Commission on theSEPA substan-tiveappeal shall be final and notbe subjecttofurther administrativeappeal,
b.For allproposalssubject tofinal administrativeaction,approval,or recommendation,by a nonelected administrativeofficial,for which an administrative appeal or furtherapprovalhearingisotherwiseprovidedorrequired,any agency or aggrieved personmayfileasubstantiveSEPAappealwithinfourteen(14)days of the issuance of theadministrativedecisionapproving,conditioning,or denying the proposal on the basisofsubstantiveSEPAauthority.Any substantiveSEPA appeal shall be conducted inthesamemannerandwiththesameprocessasotherwiseprovidedfortheappealorapprovalhearingoftheunderlyingadministrativeaction.
c.The SEPA substantivedetermination toconditionor deny a proposal shallbe deemedtobeconclusivelyincompliancewithSEPA,theSEPA rules,andtheprovisions ofthischapter,unless a SEPA substantive appeal is filed in accordance with this part.
7.For anyappeal underthissubsection,thecityshall providefora record to be made at anyhearingthatshallconsistofthefollowing:
a.Findings and conclusions;
b.Testimony under oath;and
c.A tapedor written transcript.
8.The city may require theappellant to providea transcriptat the appellant'scost
9.The proceduraldetermination bythecity's responsible officialshallcarrysubstantial weightinanyappealproceeding,andthe appellantshallbear theburden to establish a violationofSEPA,the SEPA rules,or theprovisions of thischapter.
D.The city shall giveofficialnoticeunder WAC 197-11-680(5)whenever it issues a permitorapprovalforwhichastatuteorordinanceestablishesatimelimitforcommencingjudicialappeal.
E.Notice/Statute of Limitations:
1.The city,applicantfor,or proponent ofan actionmaypublish a noticeofaction pursuanttoRCW43.210.080 for any action.
2.The form ofthenoticeshallbe substantiallyintheformprovided inWAC 197-11-990.ThenoticeshallbepublishedbytheFinanceDirectororCountyAuditor,applicantorproponentpursuanttoRCW43.210.080.
14.06.080 Definitions:This part contains uniform usage and definitions of terms under SEPA.The cityadoptsthefollowingWashingtonAdministrativeCodesectionsbyreference,as supplemented byWAC173-806-030:
197-11-700 Definitions197-11-702 Act197-11-704 Action197-11-706 Addendum197-11-708 Adoption197-11-710 Affected TribeO197-11-712 Affecting197-11-714 Agency197-11-716 Applicant197-11-718 BuiltEnvironment197-11-720 Categorical Exemption197-11-721 Closed Record Appeal197-11-722 ConsolidatedAppeal197-11-724 Consulted Agency197-11-726 Cost-benefit Analysis197-11-728 County/city197-11-730 Decision Maker197-11-732 Department197-11-734Determination of Non-significance(DNS)197-11-736 DeterminationofSignificance(DS)197-11-738 EIS197-11-740 Environment197-11-742 Environmental Checklist
Ordinance 2133
Page 10
197-11-744 Environmental Document
197-11-746 Environmental Review197-11-750 Expanded Scoping197-11-752 Impacts
197-11-754 Incorporation by Reference197-11-756 Lands Covered by Water197-11-758 Lead Agency
197-11-760 License197-11-762 Local Agency197-11-764 MajorAction197-11-766 Mitigated DNS
197-11-768 Mitigation197-11-770NaturalEnvironment
197-11-772 NEPA197-11-774 Nonproject197-11-775 Open Record Hearing
197-11-776 Phased Review
197-11-778 Preparation
197-11-780 Private Project
197-11-782 Probable
197-11-784 Proposal197-11-786 Reasonable Alternative
197-11-786 Responsible Official197-11-790 SEPA
197-11-792 Scope197-11-793 Scoping
197-11-794 Significant197-11-796 State Agency
197-11-797 Threshold Determination
197-11-799 Underlying Governmental Action
14.06.090 Categorical Exemotions:The cityadopts by reference the following rules for categorical exemp-
tions,as supplementedinthisordinance,includingWAC 173-806-070 (FlexibleThresholds),WAC
173-806-080 (Use ofExemptions),and WAC 173-806-190 Critical Areas):
197-11-800 Categorical Exemptions
197-11-880 Emergencies
197-11-890 Petitioning DOE to Change Exemptions
14.06.100 Agency Compliance:
A.Purpose and Adootion by Reference:This part 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 thelead agency,andapplyingthese rules tocurrentagencyactivities.The
city adopts the following Washington Administrative Code sections by reference,as supple-
mented by thispart:
197-11-900 Purpose ofThis Part
197-11-902 Agency SEPAPolicies
197-11-916 Application toOngoing Actions
197-11-920 Agencies withEnvironmentalExpertise
197-11-922 Lead Agency Rules197-11-924 Determining the Lead Agency
197-11-926 Lead Agency for GovernmentalProposals
197-11-928 Lead Agency for Public and Private Proposals
197-11-930 Lead Agency for Private Projects With One AgencyWith 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 LocalAgency,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
Agency197-11-938 Lead Agencies forSpecific Proposals
197-11-942 Agreements on Lead Agency Status
197-11-944 Agreements on Divisionof Lead Agency Duties
197-11-946 DOE Resolution of Lead Agency Disputes
197-11-948 Assumption of Lead Agency Status
B.]F_ees:The cityshall require the following fees for its activities in accordance with the provi-
sions of thisordinance:
1.Threshold determination.For everyEnvironmental Checklist thecitywillreview whenitis
lead agency,thecityshallcollectafee as setforth inMoses Lake MunicipalCode 3.54.010
from theproponentofthe proposal priorto undertakingthethresholddetermination.The
timeperiods provided by thisordinance for making a thresholddetermination shall not
begin to run untilpayment of thefee.
2.Environmental Impact Statement:
a.When the cityis the lead agency for a proposalrequiring an EIS and theresponsible
officialdeterminesthatthe EIS shall be prepared byemployees ofthecity,thecityshall
charge and collect a reasonable fee from any applicant tocover costs incurredby the
cityin preparing theEIS.The responsibleofficialshall advise theapplicant(s)ofthe
projected costs for the EISpriortoactual preparation;theapplicantshall post bond or
otherwise ensure payment of such costs.
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b.The responsible official may determine that the city will contract directly with aconsultantforpreparationofanEIS,or a portion of the EIS,for activitiesinitiated bysomepersonsorentityotherthanthecityandmaybillsuchcostsandexpensesdirectlytotheapplicantThecitymayrequiretheapplicanttoensurepaymentofsuchcostsinanyreasonablemanner.Such consultants shall be selected by mutualagreementofthecityandapplicantafteracallforproposals.
c.If a proposal is modified so thatan EIS is nolonger required,theresponsible officialshallrefundanyfeescollectedunderaorbofthissubsectionwhichremainafterincurredcostsarepaid.
3.The city may collecta reasonable fee from an applicantto cover thecost of meeting theOpublicnoticerequirementsofthisordinancerelatingtotheapplicant's proposal.This feeisinadditiontothosespecifiedinMLMC3.54.Thisfee may be required tobe paid at thetimeaproposalissubmittedoratanytimethereafter.
4.The cityshall not collecta fee for performing its duties as a consulted agency.
5.The city may charge any person for copies of any document prepared under thisordi-nance,and for mailingthedocument,in a manner provided by Chapter42.17 RCW.
C.Critical Areas
1.The cityshalltreatproposalslocatedwhollyor partiallywithina criticalarea or its buffer nodifferentlyfromotherproposalsunderthischapter,making a thresholddetermination forallsuchproposals.The cityshall not automatically require an EIS for a proposalmerelybecauseitisproposedforlocationinacriticalareaoritsbuffer.
2.CriticalAreas Exemptions:thecategoricalexemptionslisted under WAC 197-11-800 donotexemptprojectsfromreviewunderTitle19pertainingtocriticalareasandwetlands.
D.Severability.Ifany provision ofthisordinance or its applicationtoany person orcircumstanceisheldinvalid,theremainder of this ordinance,or the application of the provision to otherpersonsorcircumstances,shallnot be affected.
14.06.110 Forms:The city adopts the following Washington Administrative Code forms and sections byreference:
197-11-960 Environmental Checklist197-11-965 Adoption Notice197-11-970 Determination of Non-significance (DNS)O 197-11-980 Determination of Significance and ScopingNotice (DS)197-11-985 Notice of Assumption of Lead Agency Status197-11-990 Notice of Action
The city may develop any forms necessary to the administration of thischapter.
Section 2.This ordinanceshall takeeffect and be in force five (5)days after its passage and publication ofitssummaryasprovidedbylaw.
Adopted by theCityCouncil and signed by its Mayor on November 11,2003.
'iviayür
A
Finance Director
Published:November 14,2003 (legals)