Environmental & Cultural review process

Training for new recipients

We provide recipient training annually by webinars, that are typically held in July. See below for the most current information (dates/times of current trainings or presentations of previous trainings). We recommend recipients attend their project type training and any Environmental and Cultural Resources training necessary.

Upcoming recipient training

Cultural resources for all projects: July 10, 2025, 9:00 am - 11:00 am

Environmental review for loan agreements: July 10, 2025, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm 

Previous recipient training presentations

• 2024 Grant Recipient Training: State Environmental Review Process
• Cultural Resource Review for All Projects

Environmental review

Stormwater Projects

Stormwater projects receiving Stormwater Financial Assistance Program (SFAP) or Community Based Public Private Partnership (CBP3) funding follow the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA).

Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) — Environmental Information Document (EID) and Guidance 

All CWSRF agreements must complete the SERP Environmental Information Document (EID) (revised August 2024).  For information on the State Environmental Review Process (SERP) for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, please read the Environmental Information Document Guidance for Clean Water State Revolving Fund (revised August 2024).

Planning and phasing

Identify what the phase or step of your action is (Planning, Design, Design and Construct, or Construction). Ensure that your Environmental Review documentation (SEPA, NEPA, or TEPA, other) is consistent with this stage of your project planning. Please do not submit non-project phase documentation to fulfill your SERP construction phase requirements.

• Diagram of Environmental Review process for State Revolving Fund projects

Download Environmental Review forms and guidance

• SERP Environmental Information Document
• State Environmental Review Process Environmental Information Document: Guidance for Clean Water State Revolving Fund Agreements (SERP EID Guidance)
• SERP SEPA Finding of Categorical Exemption
• SERP request for NEPA Categorical Exclusion

Communicate with us early and often

Coordinate with the Environmental Review Coordinator and your project manager regularly to ensure project success. Request a meeting if you have questions.

Update your documentation

Keep your documentation updated as you move from phase to phase. You can use documentation from an earlier phase to inform later phases of review. If you have any questions, please contact Liz Ellis. 

List of State Environmental Review Process (SERP) Environmental Information Document (EID) determinations:

We review all EIDs before financing a project. Our EID determinations will be posted on this website. Please direct any comments or question about the projects listed, to Liz Ellis Environmental Review Coordinator, 360 628-4410.

• SERP EID Determinations for CWSRF agreements (January through June 2025 update)

Cultural Resources Review and Discovery Protocol

Learn about Ecology's Cultural Resources Review Process

• CRR Diagram of the process
• Focus on the Cultural Resources Review Process (Publication, May 2024)

Cultural Resources Review and Consultation

Ecology is the presumptive lead agency for all financial management section agreements unless other arrangements have been made. Complete the Cultural Resources Review Form and submit to your Ecology Project Manager or Cultural Resources contact. If you do not know who that is, submit to Liz Ellis.

• Cultural Resources Review Form  (revised February 2024)

Do not upload any Cultural Resources forms, reports, or surveys to EAGL. 

Inadvertent Discovery Plan (IDP)

For all projects involving ground disturbing activities, an Ecology IDP is required in the event of an unanticipated discovery of human remains, and/or historic or prehistoric resources. An IDP is non-discretionary; it is part of the Agency Grant and Loan Terms Conditions. Your IDP is required on-site, separated from other documents. The IDP must be uploaded to our Ecology Administration of Grants and Loans (EAGL) system and a copy provided to your Ecology Project Manager.

• Ecology Inadvertent Discovery Plan (updated June 2021)
• Inadvertent Discovery training video  (updated November 2019)

You must upload your completed IDP to EAGL.