Cultural and Environmental Review
For information on cultural and environmental review, please see the current Funding Guidelines. For both environmental and cultural resource requirements, the first step is to determine if Ecology is the lead agency (contact us, see list below, if you have questions about how to determine the lead agency).
If you need assistance, reach out to your team:
- Environmental Review, Environmental Justice, and Cultural Review for federally funded projects: Liz Ellis, 360-628-4410, liz.ellis@ecy.wa.gov
- Eastern Region Office: Cynthia Wall, Environmental Review, Cultural Resource Contact, 509-570-4145, cynthia.wall@ecy.wa.gov
- Central Region Office: Heather Simmons, Cultural Resource Contact, 509-379-4600, heather.simmons@ecy.wa.gov
- Cultural Review for state funded stormwater program projects: Michelle Myers, 360-407-6564, michelle.myers@ecy.wa.gov
- Cultural Review for the On-site Regional Loan Program, Centennial funding: Seth Elsen, 564-999-1177, seth.elsen@ecy.wa.gov
Cultural Resource Review and Discovery Protocol
If Ecology is the lead agency, please complete the following form:
Inadvertent Discovery Plan
For all projects involving potentially ground disturbing activities, a plan is required in the event of an unanticipated discovery of human remains, historic or prehistoric resources. Your plan is required onsite, at all times. Also, the plan must be uploaded to our Administration of Grants and Loans (EAGL) system and a copy provided to your Ecology Project Manager.
Environmental Review
How to synchronize SEPA with SERP
Use the same planning principles under Environmental Review Process found on our overview of SEPA webpage.
The first step is identifying what type of proposal you are funding, and completing the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) on it. Your review documentation must be consistent with the stage of your project planning. Please do not submit non-project SEPA documentation you developed for early stages of your project to fulfill your State Environmental Review Process (SERP) obligations during your design or construction phase.
Download Environmental Review forms
Notify your Grant/Project Manager during comment period
During the SEPA comment period, discuss with them any potential mitigation if this is an Mitigated Determination of Non-Significance (MDNS). Ensure the Environmental Review Coordinator and the grant or project manager are informed early and often for any potential Environmental Impact Statement. When the review is completed, submit your SEPA documentation with your SERP Coversheet as part of your SERP requirements.
Update your documentation if you have changes
Ensure you update your documentation if you move from a non-project environmental review (planning, design) to a project level environmental review (design-construct, construction). As you obtain your permits, use the permits to inform your SEPA checklist.
By following these steps you will help your facility grant manager or stormwater project manager. If you have any questions, please contact Liz Ellis or the SEPA Center.
List of State Environmental Review Process (SERP) determinations:
We review all SERP packages before financing a project. Our SERP Determinations will be posted on this website for a minimum of 14 days. Please direct any comments or questions about the projects listed to the contact listed below.