Revised Code of Washington
Chapter 43.21C - State Environmental Policy.
43.21C.0311 - Final environmental impact statements—Expeditious manner—Time limit—Reports.

RCW 43.21C.0311
Final environmental impact statements—Expeditious manner—Time limit—Reports.

(1) A lead agency shall aspire to prepare a final environmental impact statement required by RCW 43.21C.030(2) in as expeditious a manner as possible while not compromising the integrity of the analysis.
(a) For even the most complex government decisions associated with a broad scope of possible environmental impacts, a lead agency shall aspire to prepare a final environmental impact statement required by RCW 43.21C.030(2) within twenty-four months of a threshold determination of a probable significant, adverse environmental impact.
(b) Wherever possible, a lead agency shall aspire to far outpace the twenty-four month time limit established in this section for more commonplace government decisions associated with narrower and more easily identifiable environmental impacts.
(2) Beginning December 31, 2018, and every two years thereafter, the department of ecology must submit a report on the environmental impact statements produced by state agencies and local governments to the appropriate committees of the legislature. The report must include data on the average time, and document the range of time, it took to complete environmental impact statements within the previous two years.
(3) Nothing in this section creates any civil liability for a lead agency or creates a new cause of action against a lead agency.

[ 2017 c 289 § 2.]
NOTES:

Finding—Intent—2017 c 289: "The legislature finds that the analysis of environmental impacts required under the state environmental policy act adds value to government decision-making processes in Washington state and helps minimize the potential environmental harm coming from those government decisions. However, the legislature also recognizes that excessive delays in the environmental impact analysis process adds uncertainty and burdensome costs to those seeking to do business in the state of Washington. Therefore, it is the intent of the legislature to promote timely completion of state environmental policy act processes. In doing so, the legislature intends to restore balance between the need to carefully consider environmental impacts and the need to maintain the economic competitiveness of state businesses." [ 2017 c 289 § 1.]

Structure Revised Code of Washington

Revised Code of Washington

Title 43 - State Government—Executive

Chapter 43.21C - State Environmental Policy.

43.21C.010 - Purposes.

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.036 - Hazardous substance remedial actions—Procedural requirements and documents to be integrated.

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.0382 - Application of RCW 43.21C.030(2)(c) to watershed restoration projects—Fish habitat enhancement projects.

43.21C.0383 - Application of RCW 43.21C.030(2)(c) to waste discharge permits.

43.21C.0384 - Application of RCW 43.21C.030(2)(c) to wireless services facilities—Reporting requirement—Definitions.

43.21C.039 - Metals mining and milling operations—Environmental impact statements required.

43.21C.040 - Examination of laws, regulations, policies by state agencies and local authorities—Report of deficiencies and corrective measures.

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.075 - Appeals.

43.21C.080 - Notice of action by governmental agency—How publicized—Time limitation for commencing challenge to action.

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.135 - Authority of local governmental units to adopt rules, guidelines and model ordinances by reference.

43.21C.150 - RCW 43.21C.030(2)(c) inapplicable when statement previously prepared pursuant to national environmental policy act.

43.21C.160 - Utilization of statement prepared under RCW 43.21C.030 to implement chapter 90.62 RCW—Utilization of chapter 90.62 RCW procedures to satisfy RCW 43.21C.030(2)(c).

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.227 - Disincorporation of a city or town or reduction of city or town limits 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.260 - Certain actions not subject to RCW 43.21C.030(2)(c)—Threshold determination on a watershed analysis.

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.420 - Comprehensive plans and development regulations—Optional elements—Nonproject environmental impact statements—Subarea plans—Transfer of development rights program—Recovery of expenses.

43.21C.428 - Recovery of expenses of nonproject environmental impact statements—Fees for subsequent development.

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.495 - Adoption of ordinances, development regulations, and other nonproject actions—Certain actions not subject to administrative or judicial appeals.

43.21C.501 - Certain project actions evaluated under this chapter by a city or town planning under RCW 36.70A.040—When exempt from appeals under 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.525 - Model ordinances created under RCW 70A.207.030—Certain actions not subject to the requirements of this chapter.

43.21C.900 - Short title.

43.21C.911 - Section headings not part of law—1983 c 117.

43.21C.912 - Applicability—1983 c 117.

43.21C.914 - Effective dates—1983 c 117.