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A. When Required. An environmental impact statement shall be required on any proposal determined to be a major action having a probable significant, adverse environmental impact. If it is determined that an environmental impact statement is required, the environmental coordinator shall notify the proponent, the lead department and (where a permit is involved), the permit coordinator, in addition to giving notice required under the SEPA rules.

B. Responsibility for EIS Preparation. For private proposals, an EIS shall be prepared by the proponent, by an outside consultant retained by the proponents by a consultant retained by the city, or by the city staff. The environmental coordinator shall determine whether the proponent, a consultant retained by the proponent, a consultant retained by the city, or city staff shall prepare the EIS. For city proposals, the EIS shall be prepared by a consultant or by city staff. In all cases, the method of preparation and the selection of the consultant shall be subject to the approval of the environmental coordinator. The environmental coordinator shall assure that the EIS is prepared in a responsible and professional manner, with appropriate methodology and consistent with the SEPA rules. The environmental coordinator shall also direct the areas of research and examination to be undertaken, as well as the organization of the resulting document. Services rendered by the environmental coordinator and other city staff shall be subject to collection of fees as provided by city ordinance or resolution.

C. EIS Scope. An environmental impact statement is required to analyze those probable adverse environmental impacts which are significant. Ben-eficial environmental impacts may be discussed. The environmental coordinator shall consult with agencies, affected tribes and the public to identify such impacts and limit the scope of an environmental impact statement in accordance with applicable sections of the SEPA rules and with the procedures set forth in subsection D of this section. The purpose of the scoping process is to narrow the scope of every EIS to the probable significant adverse impacts and reasonable alternatives, including mitigation measures.

D. Procedures for Scoping.

1. The environmental coordinator shall consult with agencies, affected tribes, and the public when determining the scope of an environmental impact statement by any or all of the following means. The specific method to be followed shall be determined on a proposal-by-proposal basis by the environmental coordinator, but, at a minimum, shall include subsection (a) below:

a. The environmental coordinator shall give notice that an EIS is to be prepared, which notice shall provide that agencies, affected tribes and the public may submit written comments on probable significant adverse impacts, reasonable alternatives, mitigation measures, and licenses or other approvals that may be required; comments must be submitted to the environmental coordinator not later than 21 days from the date of issuance of the determination of significance. When the scoping notice is issued in conjunction with a notice of application under RCW 36.70B.110, the comment period shall be no less than 14 days. Such notice shall be given as specified in BCC 22.02.065. Additionally, notice may be sent to any individuals or community groups known by the responsible official to have a possible interest in the proposal. Notice of the intent to prepare an EIS and the opportunity for commenting on the scope thereof may be sent with other public notices concerning the project.

b. The environmental coordinator may conduct a meeting to provide the opportunity for oral comment on the scope of the EIS. Notice of such meeting shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation at least 10 days prior to the date of the meeting. The scoping meeting may be combined with other meetings or hearings concerning the proposal.

c. The environmental coordinator may prepare or direct the EIS consultant to prepare a scoping questionnaire or information for distribution to interested parties, affected tribes and responsible public agencies for their response.

2. The appendix to the EIS shall include a summary of the issues raised during the scoping process and whether those issues have or have not been determined significant for analysis in the EIS. If a public meeting is held pursuant to this section, a tape of the meeting or a transcript thereof shall be included in the environmental coordinator’s official file on the proposal, except that a tape or transcript is not required if an informal workshop is held. If an informal workshop is held, a written summary of the workshop shall be prepared. All written comments regarding the scope of the EIS shall be included in the proposal file.

3. The public and agency consultation process regarding the scope of the EIS shall normally occur within 30 days after the determination of significance is issued, unless the environmental coordinator and the proponent agree on a later date. (Ord. 5067 § 2, 1998; Ord. 4433 § 1, 1992; Ord. 3477 § 1, 1985; Ord. 3404 § 14, 1984.)