SEPA Rules WAC Environmental Checklist

Transcription

1 SEPA Rules WAC Environmental Checklist A. BACKGROUND 1. Name of proposed project, if applicable: Clallam County Compliance Response to the Western Washington Growth Management Hearings Board (WWGMHB) Final Order and Decision (FDO) [Futurewise 8 Dry Creek Coalition, vs. Clallam County, WWGMHB No ~1 that found portions of Clallam County's Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulations as non-compliant and/or invalid with the state Growth Management Act (GMA), RCW 36.70A. 2. Name of applicant: Clallam County 3. Address and phone number of applicant and contact person: Clallam County Department of Community Development 223 East 4th Street, Suite 5 Port Angeles, WA Steve Gray, Planning Manager (360) Date checklist prepared: September 10, Agency requesting checklist: Clallam County 6. Proposed timing or schedule (including phasing, if applicable): The Clallam County Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing on the proposed project as follows. September 17, 2008: Clallam County Courthouse, 6:30 pm, Commissioners Meeting Room 160, 223 East 4th Street, Port Angeles, WA (after hours entrance is from 4th street, doors open at 6 pm). September 18, 2008: Forks City Council Chambers, 6:30 pm, 500 E. Division Street, Forks, WA (doors open at 6 p.m.). Afterwards the Planning Commission will forward a recommendation to the Clallam County Board of Commissioners. The Board w~ll hold a work session on the proposed ordinance and then an advertised public hearing, which has tentatively been scheduled as follows: October 14, 2008: o Clallam County Courthouse, 10:30 am, Commissioners Meeting Room 160, 223 East 41h Street, Port Angeles, WA. o Carrie Blake Park, Guy Cole Convention Center, 6.00 pm, 202 N. Blake Ave, Sequim, WA October 15, 2008: o Sekiu Community Center, 1 pm, 42 Rice St. Sekiu, WA. o Forks City Council Chambers, 6 pm, 500 E. Division Street, Forks, WA (doors open at 6 p.m.). If the Board approves of the proposed ordinances, they will probably be adopted on October 21, Do you have any plans for future additions, expansion, or further activity related to or connected with this proposal? If yes, explain. The Clallam County Planning Commission is holding a public hearing on the proposed comprehensive plan and development regulation updates on September 17 and 18, 2008, as specified above. The Planning Commissioners may request modifications to the proposed action based on their review and the input from the public. A recommendation to approve or deny the proposed actions will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners. The Board will hold additional public hearing(s) prior to final adoption. The tentative date for the Board's public hearing is October 14 and 15, 2008, as specified above. The proposed actions may change as a result of the input from the Planning Commission, Board of County Commissioners, and the public hearing process.

2 8. List any environmental information you know about that has been prepared, or will be prepared, directly related to this proposal. There are four environmental documents that have been generated for the County that support the current Comprehensive Plan and cover lands affected by the proposed actions. A description of these documents follows: (a) Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Clallam County Comprehensive Plan, -June 16, The FElS examines the environmental impacts and mitigation measures of Urban Growth Areas, Rural Areas, Resource Lands, Economic Development, Transportation, Capital Facilities, Affordable Housing, Master Planned Resorts and New Communities, Environment and Open Space, and Archeological and Historic Sites. The FElS also examines the policies of the comprehensive plan that are implemented through official land use controls such as the Zoning Code, subdivision regulations, and the Critical Areas Ordinance, all of which have been reviewed for consistency with the adopted comprehensive plan and updated when necessary. Regional Comprehensive Plans, consistent with the County Comprehensive Plan, provide policies that are focused on smaller areas of the County. b) Final Environmental Analysis for the Straits Planning Region, May 30, The Final Environmental Analysis for the Straits Region provides an analysis of the potential impacts attributable to the adoption of the Straits Regional Comprehensive Plan. Part 1 of the Environmental Analysis describes Alternative Policies and provides a general environmental analysis of impacts on Public Facilities and Services, Transportation, Affordable Housing, Economic Development, Open Space and the Environment, Agricultural Land, Forest Land, Rural Land, and Urban Growth. Part 2 of the Environmental Analysis provides a sub-regional area analysis of specific regional issues, impact, and alternatives. c) Environmental Analysis of the Sequim-Dungeness Region, December 12, The Environmental Analysis for the Sequim-Dungeness Region provides an analysis of the potential impacts attributable to the adoption of the Sequim-Dungeness Regional Comprehensive Plan. Part 1 of the Environmental Analysis provides a general environmental analysis of impacts on Public Facilities and Services, Transportation, Affordable Housing, Economic Development, Open Space and the Environment, Agricultural Land, Forest Land, Rural Land, and Urban Growth. Part 2 of the Environmental Analysis provides a neighborhood analysis of specific neighborhood issues, impact, and alternatives. d) Final Environmental Analysis for the Port Angeles Region, June 13, The Final Environmental Analysis for the Port Angeles Region provides an analysis of the potential impacts attr~butable to the adoption of the Port Angeles Regional Comprehensive Plan. Part 1 of the Final Environmental Analysis provides a general environmental analysis of impacts on Public Facilities and Services, Transportation, Affordable Housing, Economic Development, Open Space and the Environment, Agricultural Land, Forest Land, Rural Land, and Urban Growth. Part 2 of the Final Environmental Analysis provides a neighborhood analysis of specific neighborhood issues, impact, and alternatives. In addition, a Determination of Non-Significance (DNS) and Environmental Checklist for the City of Sequim's Comprehensive Plan Update, City SEPA File # (June 6, 2006), includes an analysis of changing "all residential 'transitional zones' to R-ll", which is part of the proposal being considered herein. 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. Not 10. List any government approvals or permits that will be needed for your proposal, if known. The Board of County Commissioners must approve the proposed ordinance. 11. Give brief, complete description of your proposal, including the proposed uses and the size of the project and site. There are several questions later in this checklist that ask you to describe certain aspects of your proposal. You do not need to repeat those answers on this page. (Lead agencies may modify this form to include additional specific information on project description.) The proposed action is in response to the Western Washington Growth Management Hearings Board (WWGIVIHB) Final Order and Decision (FDO) [Futurew~se& Dry Creek Coalition, vs. Clallam County, WWGMHB No ~1 that found portions of Clallam County's Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulations as non-compliant andlor invalid with the state Growth Management Act (GMA), RCW 36.70A, as follows: A. Blyn. The WWGMHB found that the designation of Blyn as a Rural Activity Center, where Blyn has not been established as either an Urban Growth Area (UGA) or LAMIRD (limited area of more intensive

3 development) is invalid. The Blyn Rural Center (CEN) covers approximately 425 acres located at the bottom of Sequim Bay in a portion of Section 12, Township 2911, Range 3 West, W.M. The proposed response is to limit the Rural Center (CEN) land use and zoning designation to the area north of US 101 and an area south of US 101 in the vicinity of Zaccardo Rd, and formerly designate these areas as the Blyn LAMIRD under CCC The proposal for the remaining area south of US 101 is to update the comprehensive plan and zoning map to re-designate this area to Rural Low (R5). The proposal also includes amending the CEN zoning district standards to require uses to be similar to the type, scale, size, or intensity of uses that existed prior to or as of July 1, 1990, and amending the comprehensive plan neighborhood provisions for Blyn under CCC consistent with the above responses. B. Sequim UGA. The WWGMHB issued an order of invalidity that the following three zoning districts within the Port Angeles and Sequim Urban Growth Areas (UGA) allowed for new development at non-urban densities: Urban Residential High (URH), Urban Residential Low (URL) and Sequim Urban Residential - I S(R-I), together with all comprehensive plan policies and map designations that relate to these zoning districts. The URH and URL zones are not found within either UGA. The S(R-I) zoning district found invalid covered approximately 460 acres within the unincorporated Sequim UGA. The S(R-I) zones are currently zoned Interim Sequim Urban Residential - II (S(R-11)) under Ordinance 833 adopted on July 22, 2008, in response to the Order. The proposed response is to adopt the S(R-II) as the final comprehensive plan land use and zoning designation. The proposal also amends Chapter 33.19, Sequim Urban Growth Area, of the zoning code and CCC of the comprehensive plan to eliminate S(R-I) zoning and related plan policies. The S(R-I) and S(R-II) zoning district allow for similar uses. The proposed change would increase allowed residential density from 2 dwelling units per acre to 4-5 dwelling units per acre. C. LAMIRDs. The WWGMHB found the designation or boundaries of 20 of the following LAMlRDs designated under CCC (Ordinance 822) as not supported by sufficient facts that such more intense rural development was in existence as of July 1, 1990: Southwest Carlsborg, Dungeness Village, East Anderson, Lotzgesell, Dryke/Sherbourne Road, Laird's Corner, Deer Park, Lake Farm, Bear Creek, Whitcomb/Dimmel, Bogachiel Bridge, Three Rivers, Quillayute Prairie, Little Quillayute Prairie, O'Brien, Crescent Beach, Lyre River, Bullman, and Snider. The proposed compliance response is to: (a) de-designate the Southwest Carlsborg, Quillayute Prairie, and Little Quillayute Prairie LAMlRDs in their entirety which also involves proposed new land use and zoning designations for the affected lands; (b) adjust the outer boundary of the other 17 found non-compliant LARIllRDs which also involves proposed new land use and zoning designations for the affected lands; (c) create a new Rural Village Low (RV2) zoning district for the southern portion of the Dungeness Village LARIIIRD; (d) create a new Tourist Rural (TR) zoning district for the proposed Crescent Beach and Lyre River LAMIRDs; (e) change the Deer Park LAMIRD General Commercial (GC) land use and zoning designation to Rural Limited Commercial (RLC) and eliminate the GC zoning under CCC ; (f) amend the Rural Neighborhood Commercial (RNC) and Rural Limited Commercial (RLC) zoning district standards under CCC and CCC , respectively, to require uses to be similar to the type, scale, size, or intensity of uses that existed prior to or as of July 1, 1990; (g) update LAMIRD comprehensive plan designation and other provisions under CCC ; and (h) update rural land provisions of the comprehensive plan under CCC (260, 265), CCC (020, 260, 270, 290, 340, and 435); and CCC (225, 230, 400, and 410) consistent with the above proposed actions. 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, and range, if known. If a proposal would occur over a range of area, provide the range or boundaries of the site(s). Provide a legal description, site plan, vicinity map, and topographic map, if reasonably available. While you should submit any plans required by the agency, you are not required to duplicate maps or detailed plans submitted with any permit applications related to this checklist. The proposed comprehensive plan and zoning amendments affects various lands within unincorporated Clallam County, as described above. A general description of the affected areas is attached to the environmental checklist. See Attachment A.

4 B. ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS This is a non-project proposal. For any future actions related to these proposed changes, County staff would analyze project specific land use impact implications, and require mitigation measures for any identified significant adverse impacts. I. Earth a. General description of the site (circle one): Flat, rolling, hilly, steep slopes, mountainous, other Not b. What is the steepest slope on the site (approximate percent slope)? Not c. What general types of soils are found on the site (for example, clay, sand, gravel, peat, muck)? If you know the classification of agricultural soils, specify them and note any prime farmland. Not d. Are there surface indications or history of unstable soils in the immediate vicinity? If so, describe. Not e. Describe the purpose, type, and approximate quantities of any filling or grading proposed. lndicate source of fill. Not f. Could erosion occur as a result of clearing, construction, or use? If so, generally describe. Not g. About what percent of the site will be covered with impervious surfaces after project construction (for example, asphalt or buildings)? Not h. Proposed measures to reduce or control erosion, or other impacts to the earth, if any: Not 2. Air a. What types of emissions to the air would result from the proposal (i.e., dust, automobile, odors, industrial wood smoke) during construction and when the project is completed? If any, generally describe and give approximate quantities if known. Not b. Are there any off-site sources of emissions or odor that may affect your proposal? If so, generally describe. Not c. Proposed measures to reduce or control emissions or other impacts to air, if any: Not 3. Water a. Surface: I) Is there any surface water body on or in the immediate vicinity of the site (including year-round and seasonal streams, saltwater, lakes, ponds, wetlands)? If yes, describe type and provide names. If appropriate, state what stream or river it flows into. Not 2) Will the project require any work over, in, or adjacent to (within 200 feet) the described waters? If yes, please describe and attach available plans. Not 3) Estimate the amount of fill and dredge material that would be placed in or removed from surface water or wetlands and indicate the area of the site that would be affected. lndicate the source of fill material. Not 4) Will the proposal require surface water withdrawals or diversions? Give general description, purpose, and approximate quantities if known. Not 5) Does the proposal lie within a 100-year floodplain? If so, note location on the site plan. Not 6) Does the proposal involve any discharges of waste materials to surface waters? If so, describe the type of waste and anticipated volume of discharge. Not b. Ground: 1) Will ground water be withdrawn, or will water be discharged to ground water? Give general description, purpose, and approximate quantities if known. Not 2) Describe waste material that will be discharged into the ground from septic tanks or other sources, if any (for example: Domestic sewage; industrial, containing the following chemicals; agricultural; etc.). Describe the general size of the system, the number of such systems, the number of houses to be served (if applicable), or the number of animals or humans the system(s) are expected to serve. Not

5 c. Water runoff (including stormwater): 1) Describe the source of runoff (including storm water) and method of collection and disposal, if any (include quantities, if known). Where will this water flow? Will this water flow into other waters? If so, describe. Not 2) Could waste materials enter ground or surface waters? If so, generally describe. Not appltcable. d. Proposed measures to reduce or control surface, ground, and runoff water impacts, if any: Not 4. Plants a. Check or circle ty es of vegetation found on the site: Not appllcable. P deciduous tree: a der, maple, aspen, other ever reen tree: fir, cedar, pine, other shruis grass pasture crop or grain wet soil plants: cattail, buttercup, bullrush, skunk cabbage, other water plants: water lily, eelgrass, milfoil, other other types of vegetation b. What kind and amount of vegetation will be removed or altered? Not c. List threatened or endangered species known to be on or near the site. Not d. Proposed landscaping, use of native plants, or other measures to preserve or enhance vegetation on the site, if any: ~ o t 5. Animals a. Circle any birds and animals which have been observed on or near the site or are known to be on or near the site: Not birds: hawk, heron, eagle, songbirds, other: mammals: deer, bear, elk, beaver, other: fish: bass, salmon, trout, herring, shellfish, other: b. List any threatened or endangered species known to be on or near the site. Not c. Is the site part of a migration route? If so, explain. Not d. Proposed measures to preserve or enhance wildlife, if any: Not 6. Energy and natural resources a. What kinds of energy (electric, natural gas, oil, wood stove, solar) will be used to meet the completed project's energy needs? Describe whether it will be used for heating, manufacturing, etc. Not b. Would your project affect the potential use of solar energy by adjacent properties? If so, generally describe. Not c. What kinds of energy conservation features are included in the plans of this proposal? List other proposed measures to reduce or control energy impacts, if any: Not 7. Environmental health a. Are there any environmental health hazards, including exposure to toxic chemicals, risk of fire and explosion, spill, or hazardous waste, that could occur as a result of this proposal? If so, describe. Not I) Describe special emergency services that might be required. Not 2) Proposed measures to reduce or control environmental health hazards, if any: Not b. Noise 1) What types of noise exist in the area which may affect your project (for example: traffic, equipment, operation, other)? Not 2) What types and levels of noise would be created by or associated with the project on a short-term or a long-term basis (for example: traffic, construction, operation, other)? Indicate what hours noise would come from the site. Not 3) Proposed measures to reduce or control noise impacts, if any: Not

6 8. Land and shoreline use a. What is the current use of the site and adjacent properties? Not b. Has the site been used for agriculture? If so, describe. Not c. Describe any structures on the site. Not d. Will any structures be demolished? If so, what? Not e. What is the current zoning classification of the site? See Attachment A. f. What is the current comprehensive plan designation of the site? See Attachment A. g. If applicable, what is the current shoreline master program designation of the site? Not h. Has any part of the site been classified as an "environmentally sensitive" area? If so, specify. Not applicable i. Approximately how many people would reside or work in the completed project? Not j. Approximately how many people would the completed project displace? Not k. Proposed measures to avoid or reduce displacement impacts, if any: Not I. Proposed measures to ensure the proposal is compatible with existing and projected land uses and plans, if any: Not 9. Housing a. Approximately how many units would be provided, if any? Indicate whether high, middle, or lowincome housing. Not b. Approximately how many units, if any, would be eliminated? Indicate whether high middle, or lowincome housing. Not c. Proposed measures to reduce or control housing impacts, if any: Not 10. Aesthetics a. What is the tallest height of any proposed structure(s), not including antennas; what is the principal exterior building proposed? Not b. What views in the immediate vicinity would be altered or obstructed? Not c. Proposed measures to reduce or control aesthetic impacts, if any: Not 11. Light and glare a. What type of light or glare will the proposal produce? What time of day would it mainly occur? Not b. Could light or glare from the finished project be a safety hazard or interfere with views? Not c. What existing off-site sources of light or glare may affect your proposal? Not d. Proposed measures to reduce or control light and glare impacts, if any: Not 12. Recreation a. What designated and informal recreational opportunities are in the immediate vicinity? Not b. Would the proposed project displace any existing recreational uses? If so, describe. Not c. Proposed measures to reduce or control impacts on recreation, including recreation opportunities to be provided by the project or applicant, if any: Not 13. Historic and cultural preservation a. Are there any places or objects listed on, or proposed for, national, state, or local preservation registers known to be on or next to the site? If so, generally describe. Not b. Generally describe any landmarks or evidence of historic, archaeological, scientific, or cultural importance known to be on or next to the site. Not c. Proposed measures to reduce or control impacts, if any: Not

7 14. Transportation a. Identify public streets and highways serving the site, and describe proposed access to the existing street system. Show on site plans, if any. Not b. Is site currently served by public transit? If not, what is the approximate distance to the nearest transit stop? Not c. How many parking spaces would the completed project have? How many would the project eliminate? Not d. Will the proposal require any new roads or streets, or improvements to existing roads or streets, not including driveways? If so, generally describe (indicate whether public or private). Not e. Will the project use (or occur in the immediate vicinity of) water, rail, or air transportation? If so, generally describe. Not f. How many vehicular trips per day would be generated by the completed project? If known, indicate when peak volumes would occur. Not g. Proposed measures to reduce or control transportation impacts, if any: Not 15. Public services 'a. Would the project result in an increased need for public services (for example: fire protection, police protection, health care, schools, other)? If so, generally describe. Not b. Proposed measures to reduce or control direct impacts on public services, if any. Not 16. Utilities a. Circle utilities currently available at the site: electricity, natural gas, water, refuse service, telephone, sanitary sewer, septic system, other. Not b. Describe the utilities that are proposed for the project, the utility providing the service; and the general construction activities on the site or in the immediate vicinity which might be needed. Not C. Signature The above answers are true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that the lead agency Date Submitted:

8 Clallam County SEPA Check List Supplemental Sheet for Non-Project Actions Because these questions are very general, it may be helpful to read them in conjunction with the list of the elements of the environment. When answering these questions, be aware of the extent the proposal, or the types of activities likely to result from the proposal, would affect the item at a greater intensity or at a faster rate than if the proposal were not implemented. Respond briefly and in general terms. The proposed action is anticipated to not generate significant adverse environmental impacts, and may in fact generate positive long-term impacts on the environments. 1. About 2,850 acres of rural lands are proposed to be "downzoned" to less intensive rural designations. Because development of these lands will be at less intensive rural densities and uses, no significant adverse environmental impacts beyond those already evaluated in the adopted documents are being anticipated as a result of this proposal. 2. About 60 acres of rural lands are proposed to be "upzoned" to a more intensive rural designation. These lands qualify for being included within LAMIRD designations because they were already developed at more intensive rural densities and uses by Because these lands were already developed at more intensive rural densities and uses by 1990, no further significant adverse environmental impacts beyond those already evaluated in prior environmental documents are being anticipated as a result of this proposal. 3. About 460 acres of land already contained within the City of Sequim UGA are proposed to be "upzoned" to a more urban designation, consistent with the mandates of the Growth Management Act (GMA). UGAs are areas where growth and higher densities are expected and where such impacts can be most efficiently mitigated via the provision of urban services. This particuli2r action was considered under City of Sequim SEPA File No , the environmental review for the 2006 updates to the City of Sequim's Comprehensive Plan, which included changing "all residential 'transitional zones' to R-11." The City of Sequim determined that such changes were already conforming to the intent of the Growth management Act, were contemplated in the initial Comprehensive Plan of 1996, and were considered in that Plan's Environmental Impact Statement. 1. How would the proposal be likely to increase discharge to water; emissions to air; production, storage, or release of toxic or hazardous substances; or production of noise? The proposal is anticipated to result in less intensive development of rural lands and more intensive development of urban growth areas (UGAs). By decreasing development intensities in rural areas, the proposal is antic~pated to result in reduced impacts in rural lands. UGAs are areas where growth and higher densities are expected and such impacts can be mitigated via the provision of urban services. Proposed measures to avoid or reduce such increases are: Future project actions resulting from these proposed amendments will have to comply with local, state, and federal regulations, including SEPA review (if applicable). 2. How would the proposal be likely to affect plants, animals, fish, or marine life? By decreasing development intensities in rural areas, where habitat is more likely to occur, the proposal is anticipated to result in reduced impacts on plants, animals, fish, or marine life. Proposed measures to protect or conserve plants, animals, fish, or marine life are: Future project actions resulting from these proposed amendments will have to comply with local, state, and federal regulations, including SEPA review (if applicable). 3. How would the proposal be likely to deplete energy or natural resources? By reducing development intensities in rural areas, there will be less travel between rural residences to urban services and thus a reduction in impact on energy and natural resources. Urban services can be provided at much higher efficiencies within UGAs, and by increasing development intensities in UGAs, there will be an increase in such efficiencies and a concomitant reduction in impact on energy and natural resources.

9 Proposed measures to protect or conserve energy and natural resources are: Future project actions resulting from these proposed amendments will have to comply with local, state, and federal regulations, including SEPA review (if applicable). 4. How would the proposal be likely to use or affect environmentally sensitive areas or areas designated (or eligible or under study) for governmental protection; such as parks, wilderness, wild and scenic rivers, threatened or endangered species habitat, historic or cultural sites, wetlands, floodplains, or prime farmlands? By decreasing development intensities in rural areas, where these types of areas and sites are more likely to occur, the proposal is anticipated to result in reduced impacts. Proposed measures to protect such resources or to avoid or reduce impacts are: Future project actions resulting from these proposed amendments will have to comply with local, state, and federal regulations, including SEPA review (if applicable). Both Clallam County and the City of Sequim already have regulations in place to protect sensitive areas and sites, and both are actively involved in various grants and programs designed to protect sensitive areas and sites. 5. How would the proposal be likely to affect land and shoreline use, including whether it would allow or encourage land or shoreline uses incompatible with existing plans? By decreasing development intensities in several areas located near the shoreline, there is reduced likelihood that incompatible uses will occur. Proposed measures to avoid or reduce shoreline and land use impacts are: Future project actions resulting from these proposed amendments w~ll have to comply with local, state, and federal regulations, including SEPA review (if applicable). Future projects wilt need to comply with the Clallam County Shoreline Master Program, where 6. How would the proposal be likely to increase demands on transportation or public services and utilities? By decreasing development intensities in rural areas, it is anticipated there will be a reduced overall need for rural transportation, rural services, and rural utilities. UGAs are areas where growth and higher densities are expected and such impacts can be much more efficiently mitigated. Proposed measures to reduce or respond to such demand@) are: Future project actions resulting from these proposed amendments will have to comply with local, state, and federal regulations, including SEPA review (if applicable). 7. Identify, if possible, whether the proposal may conflict with local, state, or federal laws or requirements for the protection of the environment. It is believed that the proposal will not result in conflicts with local, state, or federal laws or requirements for protection of the environment. Future project actions resulting from these proposed amendments to the Comprehensive Plan will have to comply with local, state, and federal regulations.