State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA)

What is the purpose of this sepa review?
The Washington Legislature enacted the State Environmental Policy Act in 1971. Commonly called SEPA, the law helps state and local agencies identify environmental impacts likely result from projects and decisions such as:

•Issuing permits for private projects such as an office building, grocery store, or apartment complex.
•Constructing public facilities like a new school, highway, or water pipeline.
•Adopting regulations, policies, or plans such as a county or city comprehensive plan, critical area ordinance, or state water quality regulation.

Every day, state and local agencies use SEPA to evaluate proposed decisions. Information learned through the review process can be used to:

•Change a proposal to reduce likely impacts.
•Apply conditions to or deny a proposal when adverse environmental impacts are identified.
Who issues this sepa review?
State or local agency
What activities require this sepa review?
See the Determining if SEPA is required and Categorical Exemptions web pages. See the Links section below.
How much will this sepa review cost?
Costs can vary because state and local agencies can decide if and how much they will charge for SEPA review of private projects.
Do I need to include anything with my application?
There is no application. Project applicants and Lead Agencies can get more information from the SEPA guidance web page. See the Links section below.
Is the decision on my sepa review dependent on anything besides the information in my application?
Project applicants and Lead Agencies can get more information from the SEPA guidance web page. See the Links section below.
How long will it take to review my application?
Project applicants and Lead Agencies can get more information from the SEPA guidance web page. See the Links section below.
Where do I submit my application?
Project applicants and Lead Agencies can get information from the SEPA guidance web page. See the Links section below.
Schematic:
View the schematic
How long is my sepa review valid?
Project applicants and Lead Agencies can get information from the SEPA guidance web page. See the Links section below.
What is the appeal process for the sepa review?
An Administrative appeal process is an option that agencies may choose to offer for SEPA decisions. Judicial appeals related to SEPA compliance is always consolidated with the underlying action. They are filed when at Superior Court when an agency's decision is final and 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 https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/SEPA-environmental-review.
Legal Authority:
Links:
Statewide Contact:
Department of Ecology
SEPA Unit
Headquarters
PO Box 47703
Olympia, WA 98504-7703
Telephone: (360) 407-6922
Email: SEPAhelp@ecy.wa.gov
Website: https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/SEPA-environmental-review
* Permit information last updated 11/16/2022
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