6890 State Environmental Policy Act Compliance
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The district accepts its responsibility, as described by the Washington State Legislature in the State Environment Policy Act, specifically Chapter 43.21C.
In order to fulfill its responsibilities under the State Environmental Policy Act, the district adopts by reference all sections or subsections of the chapter 197.11 of the Washington Administrative Code.
Additional Definitions
In addition to those definitions contained within WAC 197-11-700 to 197-11-799, the following terms will have the following meanings, unless the context indicates otherwise:- District. District means the Yelm Community Schools District No.2, Thurston & Pierce Counties, State of Washington.
- SEPA Rules. SEPA Rules means Chapter 197-11 WAC adopted by the Council on Environmental Policy.
The district establishes the following criteria as the basis for exercising authority relative to environmental issues. The district will 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:
- Fulfill the responsibilities of each generation as trustee of the environment for succeeding generations;
- Assure for all people of Washington safe, healthful, productive, and aesthetically and culturally pleasing surroundings;
- Attain the widest range of beneficial uses of the environment without degradation, risk to health or safety, or other undesirable and unintended consequences;
- Preserve important historic, cultural, and natural aspects of our national heritage;
- Maintain, wherever possible, an environment which supports diversity and variety of individual choice;
- Achieve a balance between population and resource use which will permit high standards of living and a wide sharing of life's amenities; and
- Enhance the quality of renewable resources and approach the maximum attainable recycling of depletable resources.
The district 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.
Critical Areas
In its actions, the district will respect "critical areas" and their modified exemption criteria which have been adopted and displayed by local governments pursuant to The Growth Management Act, Chapter 36.70A RCW.Actions which will be located wholly or partially within an critical area are to be treated no differently than other actions under these guidelines. A threshold determination will be made for all such actions, and an EIS will not be automatically required for a proposal merely because it is proposed for location in a critical area.
Use of Exemptions
To determine whether or not a proposal is exempt from SEPA, the district will comply with the square footage and parking space threshold levels adopted by the city or county under WAC 197-11-800 (1). To determine whether or not a proposal is exempt, the district will ascertain the total scope of the proposal and the governmental licenses required. If a proposal includes a series of actions, physically or functionally related to each other, some of which are exempt and some which are not, the proposal is not exempt and the district must complete a threshold determination.If a proposal includes both exempt and nonexempt actions, exempt actions may be authorized with respect to the proposal prior to compliance with the procedural requirements of these guidelines subject to the following limitations:
- No nonexempt action will be authorized prior to compliance with procedural and substantive requirements;
- No action will be authorized which will irrevocably commit the district to approve or authorize a nonexempt action;
- The district may withhold approval of an exempt action which would lead to modification of the physical environment, when such modifications would serve no purpose if later approval of a nonexempt action is not secured; and
- The district may withhold approval of exempt actions which would lead to substantial financial expenditures by a private applicant which would serve no purpose if later approval of a nonexempt action is not secured.
Lead Agency Determination and Responsibilities
The district is lead agency for the proposals it initiates and is responsible for compliance with SEPA regulationsEnvironmental Checklist
Except as provided in WAC 197-11-315 the school district must complete an environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) for any proposal that meets the definition of action (WAC 197-11-709), and is not categorically exempted in WAC 197-11-800 and 880. This checklist will be the basis for the threshold determination.For all proposals for which the district is the lead agency, the responsible official of the district will make the threshold determination pursuant to the criteria and procedures of WAC 197-11-300 through 360.
Preparation of EIS
The draft and final EIS will be prepared either by the responsible official or their designee or a consultant retained by the school district.In the event that an EIS is to be prepared by a consultant, the responsible official will assure that the EIS is prepared in a responsible manner and with appropriate methodology. The responsible official will direct the areas of research and examination to be undertaken, as well as the organization of the resulting document.
No matter who participates in the preparation of an EIS, it must be approved by the responsible official prior to distribution.
Public Notice
The district will establish a mailing list for those interested citizens who wish to be informed regarding documents the district prepares that require public notice. If deemed appropriate by the responsible official, the school district will place appropriate notice in the paper of general circulation which serves the area.Designation of Official to Perform Consulted Agency Responsibilities for the District
The superintendent or their designee will be responsible for the preparation of the written comments for the district in response to a consultation request prior to a threshold determination, participation in pre-draft consultation or reviewing a draft EIS.The official designated by the district will be responsible for compliance by the district with WAC 197-11-400 through -460 wherever the district is a consulted agency, and they are authorized to develop operating procedures which will ensure that responses to consultation requests are prepared in a timely fashion and include data from all appropriate departments of the district.
Designation of Responsible Official
For those proposals for which the district is the lead agency, the responsible official will be the superintendent or their designee. The responsible official will make the threshold determination, supervise preparation of any required EIS and perform any other functions assigned to the "lead agency."Fees
No fee will be collected by the district for performing its duties as a consulted agency.
The district may charge any person for copies of any document prepared pursuant to the requirements of this ordinance and for mailing thereof, in a manner provided by Chapter 42.56 RCW.Publication of Notice
The district may publish notice of action pursuant to RCW 43.21C.080 for any action to establish a time limit for judicial appeals.The form of the notice will be as prescribed by the department of ecology and/or substantially in the form and manner set forth in RCW 43.21C.080. The notice shall be published by the district secretary pursuant to RCW 43.2lC.080.
Legal References:
RCW 43.21C State Environmental Policy
WAC 197-11 State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Rules
Management Resources:
Policy News, Dec. 1998 SEPA policy requires periodic review and understanding
Policy News, Oct. 2011 Additional Policy Updates
ADOPTED: 05/13/1993
REVISED: 04/23/98; 02/25/99; 03/23/06; 09/28/06; 01/26/12
6000 Policies
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FINANCIAL PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
6000 Program Planning, Budget Preparation, Adoption and Implementation
6001 Tax Deferred Annuity/Compensation
6020 System of Funds and Accounts
6021 Interfund Loans
6022 Minimum Fund Balance
6030 Financial Reports
6040 Expenditures in Excess of Budget
6070 Employee Suggestion Program
REVENUES
6100 Revenues from Local, State and Federal Sources
6101 Federal Cash and Financial Management
6102 District Fund-Raising Activities
6106 Allowable Costs for Federal Programs
6111 Tuition
6112 Rental or Lease of District Property
6114 Gifts or Donations
6120 Investment of Funds
6121 Personal Checks - Acceptance and Processing
PURCHASING
6210 Purchasing: Authorization and Control
6212 Charge Cards
6213 Reimbursement for Travel Expenses
6215 Voucher Certification and Approval
6216 Reimbursement for Goods and Services: Warrants
6220 Bid Requirements
6225 Use of Electronic Signature
6230 Relations with Vendors
6250 Cellular Telephones
RISK MANAGEMENT
6500 Risk Management
6511 Staff Safety
6512 Infection Control Program
6513 Workplace Violence Prevention
6530 Insurance
6535 Student Insurance
6540 Staff Personal Property Protection
6570 Property and Data Management
6580 Continuity of Operations Plan
TRANSPORTATION
6600 Transportation
6605 Student Safety Walking, Biking and Riding Buses to School
6608 Video Cameras on School Buses
6610 Video surveillance
6620 Special Transportation
6625 Private Vehicle Transportation
6630 Driver Training and Responsibility
6640 School Owned Vehicles
6690 Contracting for Transportation Services
FOOD SERVICES
6700 Nutrition and Physical Fitness
SCHOOL PROPERTY
6800 Safety, Operations and Maintenance of School Property
6801 Capital Assets/Theft-Sensitive Assets
6810 Energy Management, Education and Conservation
6881 Disposal of Surplus Equipment and/or Materials
6882 Sale of Real Property
6883 Closure of Facilities
6890 State Environmental Policy Act Compliance
6895 Pesticide Notification, Posting and Record Keeping
CAPITAL PROJECTS
6900 Facilities Planning
6905 Site Acquisition
6910 Construction Financing
6920 Construction Design
6925 Architect and Engineering Services
6950 Contractor Assurances, Surety Bonds and Insurance
6955 Maintenance of Records
6959 Acceptance of Completed Project
6970 Naming of Schools/Facilities
6971 Works of Art