SEPA trainings, workshops, and other presentations
We coordinate with other agencies to provide training and make other presentations related to the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review process. The basic, full-day training includes SEPA overview and background, exemptions, threshold determination, and more.
SEPA trainings are currently hosted by the Coastal Training Program, so please join their mailing list and check their course listings for the next available SEPA session.
Video training series
SEPA Record Submittal training video
Lead agencies are normally required to submit SEPA documents to Ecology. The SEPA Record Submittal (SRS) has been created to help with this process. It is an online portal that allows you to submit SEPA records and documents directly to the SEPA register. This video walks users through the process of submitting documents and other records into this new system.
Navigating SEPA
We have created a series of four videos to help lead agencies with the SEPA process.
SEPA Overview and Applicability
This video covers the statutory overview and purpose of the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) as well as when it is required for agency decision-making. Additionally, it provides information about agency roles and responsibilities — including the designation of the SEPA lead agency — and addresses SEPA exemptions, with discussion of when there are exceptions to those exemptions.
Conducting the Review
This video covers the basic environmental review and analysis process with a focus on projects such as general development proposals, industrial projects, and infrastructure construction. It covers the environmental checklist, supplemental information, significant impacts, and threshold determination (DNS, MDNS, or DS). Also, it includes inter-agency distribution, public notice, and the SEPA Register, as well as tips on how to review and comment on other agencies’ documents.
Conducting an Environmental Impact Statement Process
This video dives into the process of creating an environmental impact statement (EIS). It goes into more depth about the procedural sideboards and flexibility provided by the rules. We provides examples of EIS processes, examine differences between nonproject and project EISs, and review requirements for community, agency, and tribal engagement.
Non-project SEPA, phased review, adopting existing documents
This video covers the confusing or ambiguous aspects of SEPA reviews. This includes information on how to analyze indirect impacts for a programmatic or “nonproject” SEPA review. Also, the recording includes information on some procedural steps related to phased review and how to adopt previously prepared SEPA and NEPA documents.