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1. What is the State Environmental Policy Act?

The State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA, Chapter 43.21C RCW) was adopted in 1971 to ensure that environmental values were considered during decision-making by state and local agencies. The environmental review process in SEPA is designed to work with other regulations to provide a comprehensive review of a proposal. Most regulations focus on particular aspects of a proposal, while SEPA requires the identification and evaluation of probable impacts to all elements of the built and natural environment

Conducting SEPA review with other regulatory review reduces duplication and delay by combining study needs, comment periods, and public notices. It allows agencies, applicants, and the public to consider all aspects of a proposal at the same time.

2. Where do I begin the SEPA process?

Please contact our environmental planner(s) at (509) 574-2300 or come into 128 N. 2nd Street, 4th Floor Courthouse, Yakima, WA 98901 to get more information. The SEPA process most often begins when you submit the first permit application for your proposal. You may be required to have a pre-application meeting to discuss your project, permit requirements, and the SEPA process. Not all projects are required to go through the SEPA process. Find out more about the

SEPA process online.

3. How do I begin the SEPA process?

Your first step in the SEPA process is filling out the environmental checklist. The purpose of the environmental checklist is to provide information to identify likely environmental impacts from proposals and to reduce or avoid these impacts, if possible. The agency will also use this information to decide whether the likely environmental impacts of the project need further study, have been adequately addressed by existing regulations, or can be mitigated. Learn more about the

SEPA environmental checklist online.

4. What is mitigation?

During review of your proposal, the lead agency may identify possible adverse environmental impacts. If so, you and the agency can work together to identify ways to reduce the impacts, either through changes to the proposal or identification of mitigation measures. Mitigation measures are usually conditions placed on the permit or approval. Find out more about mitigation online.