Environmental & Cultural review process

Environmental Review

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.

Current recipient training presentations

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

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) 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. Feel free to ask questions or request a meeting if you have questions. 

Update your documentation

Keep your documentation updated as you move from a non-project environmental review (planning, design) to a project level environmental review (design-construct, construction). Use your environmental approvals and permits to inform your SEPA/NEPA/TEPA review.

By following these steps, you will help your facility grant manager or stormwater project manager. If you have any questions, please contact Liz Ellis. 

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

We review all SERP EIDs before financing a project. Our SERP 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 (July through December 2024 update)

Funding Guidelines: SEPA, Cultural Resources Review, Public Outreach, and HEAL Act

The Funding Guidelines have guidance on cultural resources review, public outreach, State Environmental Policy Act requirements, and HEAL Act requirements. Consult with the Funding Guidelines to stay up to date on any changes or additional information.

Cultural Resources Review and Discovery Protocol

Cultural Resources Review and Consultation

If Ecology is funding all or a portion of a project, first ensure you verify the lead agency.

1. Is there a federal nexus?
2. Are there two agencies, both funding the project?
3. Does one of them fund a majority of the project, or have another federal nexus (land ownership, permit)?
4. Does one of the agencies own or manage land within the Area of Potential Effect (APE)?
5. Is there a workload issue? 

Please work through these points to help determine the lead agency before assuming Ecology will be the lead for the review.

If Ecology is the lead agency, please 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 it to Liz Ellis the Environmental Review Coordinator, at liz.ellis@ecy.wa.gov

• 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 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.

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

You must upload the IDP to EAGL. 

Learn more about Ecology's Cultural Resources Review Process

• CRR Diagram of the process used by the Water Quality Program
• Focus on the Cultural Resources Review Process (Publication, May 2024)

If you need assistance, reach out to your team:

• Environmental Review Coordinator for the CWSRF, Emergency CWSRF, EC, OSG, Federal 319 nonpoint, and other federally funded agreements:
  Liz Ellis, 360-628-4410
• Cultural Review for federal NEP agreements: Michelle Myers, 360-628-4067
• Cultural Review for state funded stormwater program projects (Statewide):
  Melissa Conger, 360 706-4202
• Cultural Review for onsite sewage systems projects, state-funding Centennial and nonpoint projects (statewide): Tamara Cowles, 564-669-3005

View project requirements and resources by project type