RCW 43.21C.020
Legislative recognitions—Declaration—Responsibility.
(1) The legislature, recognizing that a human being depends on biological and physical surroundings for food, shelter, and other needs, and for cultural enrichment as well; and recognizing further the profound impact of a human being's activity on the interrelations of all components of the natural environment, particularly the profound influences of population growth, high-density urbanization, industrial expansion, resource utilization and exploitation, and new and expanding technological advances and recognizing further the critical importance of restoring and maintaining environmental quality to the overall welfare and development of human beings, declares that it is the continuing policy of the state of Washington, in cooperation with federal and local governments, and other concerned public and private organizations, to use all practicable means and measures, including financial and technical assistance, in a manner calculated to: (a) Foster and promote the general welfare; (b) create and maintain conditions under which human beings and nature can exist in productive harmony; and (c) fulfill the social, economic, and other requirements of present and future generations of Washington citizens.
(2) In order to carry out the policy set forth in this chapter, it is the continuing responsibility of the state of Washington and all agencies of the state to use all practicable means, consistent with other essential considerations of state policy, to improve and coordinate plans, functions, programs, and resources to the end that the state and its citizens may:
(a) Fulfill the responsibilities of each generation as trustee of the environment for succeeding generations;
(b) Assure for all people of Washington safe, healthful, productive, and aesthetically and culturally pleasing surroundings;
(c) Attain the widest range of beneficial uses of the environment without degradation, risk to health or safety, or other undesirable and unintended consequences;
(d) Preserve important historic, cultural, and natural aspects of our national heritage;
(e) Maintain, wherever possible, an environment which supports diversity and variety of individual choice;
(f) Achieve a balance between population and resource use which will permit high standards of living and a wide sharing of life's amenities; and
(g) Enhance the quality of renewable resources and approach the maximum attainable recycling of depletable resources.
(3) The legislature recognizes that each person has a fundamental and inalienable right to a healthful environment and that each person has a responsibility to contribute to the preservation and enhancement of the environment.
[ 2009 c 549 § 5096; 1971 ex.s. c 109 § 2.]
Structure Revised Code of Washington
Title 43 - State Government—Executive
Chapter 43.21C - State Environmental Policy.
43.21C.020 - Legislative recognitions—Declaration—Responsibility.
43.21C.030 - Guidelines for state agencies, local governments—Statements—Reports—Advice—Information.
43.21C.0301 - Decisions not subject to RCW 43.21C.030.
43.21C.031 - Significant impacts.
43.21C.0311 - Final environmental impact statements—Expeditious manner—Time limit—Reports.
43.21C.033 - Threshold determination to be made within ninety days after application is complete.
43.21C.034 - Use of existing documents.
43.21C.035 - Certain irrigation projects decisions exempt from RCW 43.21C.030(2)(c).
43.21C.037 - Application of RCW 43.21C.030(2)(c) to forest practices.
43.21C.038 - Application of RCW 43.21C.030(2)(c) to school closures.
43.21C.0381 - Application of RCW 43.21C.030(2)(c) to decisions pertaining to air operating permits.
43.21C.0383 - Application of RCW 43.21C.030(2)(c) to waste discharge permits.
43.21C.039 - Metals mining and milling operations—Environmental impact statements required.
43.21C.050 - Specific statutory obligations not affected.
43.21C.060 - Chapter supplementary—Conditioning or denial of governmental action.
43.21C.065 - Impact fees and fees for system improvements.
43.21C.087 - List of filings required by RCW 43.21C.080.
43.21C.090 - Decision of governmental agency to be accorded substantial weight.
43.21C.095 - State environmental policy act rules to be accorded substantial deference.
43.21C.110 - Content of state environmental policy act rules.
43.21C.120 - Rules, ordinances, resolutions and regulations—Adoption—Effective dates.
43.21C.130 - Model ordinances.
43.21C.170 - Council on environmental policy.
43.21C.175 - Council on environmental policy—Personnel.
43.21C.210 - Certain actions during state of emergency exempt from chapter.
43.21C.220 - Incorporation of city or town exempt from chapter.
43.21C.222 - Annexation by city or town exempt from chapter.
43.21C.225 - Consolidation and annexation of cities and towns exempt from chapter.
43.21C.229 - Infill development—Categorical exemptions from chapter.
43.21C.230 - Development and adoption of plan under chapter 43.180 RCW exempt from chapter.
43.21C.240 - Project review under the growth management act.
43.21C.250 - Forest practices board—Emergency rules—Exempt from chapter.
43.21C.300 - Workshops—Handbook.
43.21C.400 - Unfinished nuclear power projects—Council action exempt from this chapter.
43.21C.410 - Battery charging and exchange station installation.
43.21C.430 - Certain fish protection standards exempt from compliance with chapter.
43.21C.440 - Planned action—Defined—Authority of a county, city, or town—Community meetings.
43.21C.450 - Nonproject actions exempt from requirements of chapter.
43.21C.460 - Environmental checklist—Authority of lead agency—Limitations of section.
43.21C.470 - Categorical exemption for structurally deficient bridges—Definition.
43.21C.480 - Repair or replacement of structurally deficient state bridges exempt from chapter.
43.21C.490 - Formation of community facilities districts exempt from this chapter.
43.21C.503 - Exempt projects—Environmental checklist not required.
43.21C.515 - Projects permitted pursuant to RCW 77.55.480—Not subject to RCW 43.21C.030(2).
43.21C.520 - Review of greenhouse gas emissions from a new or expanded facility.
43.21C.911 - Section headings not part of law—1983 c 117.