SEPA checklist guidance, Section A: Background

A. Background

The background section of the SEPA environmental checklist helps applicants, agencies, and reviewers fully understand all aspects of a proposal, including related activities. Lead agencies use this information to check and update the accuracy on all checklists for threshold determination.

Applicants should answer each question as completely as possible. All checklists must address the components outlined in state SEPA rule, WAC 197-11-960. The Section A environmental checklist includes:

1. Name of the proposed project (if applicable): Identify the proposal. While most projects or proposals have names or titles, others do not. If no title exists, use a general reference.

2. Name of applicant: More than one person, company, or agency may be listed here. Include the project's sponsor(s) or landowner(s) as well as consultants, contractors, or architects hiring handling applications. Include the name of the agency and department title for public projects and non-project proposals.

3. Address and phone number of applicant(s) and contact(s): Include email addresses, phone numbers, and full mailing addresses.

4. Date checklist was prepared: Note the date when the project's environmental checklist was reviewed. Include:

• Project design stage
• Status of existing environment
• Information about known or anticipated environmental impacts

5. Agency requesting checklist: List the lead SEPA agency (see WAC 197-11-924). When unknown, list all the agencies reviewing the application. See state SEPA rules (WACs 197-11-926 through 944) to see if proposal is a public project.

6. Proposed timing or schedule (including phasing, if applicable): Include proposed construction dates, operating periods, and timing of any closures, and demolition or reclamation activities. Closely related proposals or parts related must be evaluated using a single checklist. Agencies doing phased SEPA reviews must include a detailed analysis (WAC 197-11-060(5)).

7. Do you have any plans for future additions, expansion, or further activity related to or connected with this proposal? If yes, explain: Define the total proposal by identifying:

• Known expansions
• Related proposals
• Connected project elements or objectives​

8. List any environmental information you know about that has been prepared, or will be prepared, directly related to this proposal: Applicants must provide all relevant environmental informational including:

• Studies, surveys, evaluations, and maps
• Relevant SEPA and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents
• Information specific to the project or prepared for similar projects
• City or county planning information

Applicants seeking to revise a reclamation permit or plan for a surface mining project must convey if and when their plan was reviewed under SEPA.

9. Do you know whether applications are pending for governmental approvals of other proposals directly affecting the property covered by your proposal? If yes, explain: During reviews, agencies also consider existing, additional, and future environmental impacts posed by other projects or proposals. List permits, applications, funding decisions, or other pending decisions/approvals for other proposals that could affect a proposal. The lead agency should have this information.

10. List any government approvals or permits that will be needed for your proposal, if known: List all needed government permits, funding, leases, approvals, certificates, and letters of availability for public services or utilities. These permits could be needed from the lead agency or another local government, or state or federal agency. List the agency and type of needed permit, action, or decision.

11. Give a brief, complete description of your proposal, including the proposed uses and the size of the project and site: Provide:

• Project description type (e.g., land clearing, residential development or subdivision, retail or commercial development)
• Actions (e.g., grade, fill, clear, construct, operate, close, demolish, mine)
• Known sizes and/or quantities (e.g., parking spaces, square footage, lot size, excavation area, road and utility line length)

12. Location of the proposal. Give sufficient information for a person to understand the precise location of your proposed project, including a street address, if any, and section, township, range, if known.

Provide a legal description, site plan, vicinity map, and topographical map for the proposal. Attach a reference map or written description. If a proposal would affect a wide area, provide the range or boundaries of the site(s). Provide details about the proposal's location by providing one or more of the following:

• Street address
• Parcel number
• Cross streets
• Highway mile
• Section, township, and range
• Latitude and longitude coordinates