Ecology home > Shorelands > Regulatory Assistance > The State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA)

What is SEPA?  - A state policy that requires state and local agencies to consider the likely environmental consequences of a proposal before approving or denying the proposal. Focus Sheet with more information (50k pdf).

What’s New?

• SEPA and Climate Change - Learn about Ecology's effort to provide guidance on the link between SEPA and climate change.
• Focus Sheet on The State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Reviews and TMDLS explaining Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) and what role they play in SEPA impact analysis, threshold determinations, and mitigation.
• Historic and cultural preservation guidance and examples for completing or reviewing the SEPA checklist Question 13 - provided by Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation for applicants and any agency(ies) reviewing the checklist.

SEPA Register – How to submit SEPA Documents to Ecology PLUS link to SEPA’s on-line database.

Guidance documents:

• SEPA Subject Index (Word doc)
• Frequently Asked Questions about SEPA
• SEPA Handbook - guidance for agency staff
• SEPA Guide for Project Applicants
• SEPA Guide for Citizens

SEPA, SEPA Rules, and related information:

• SEPA, RCW 43.21C
• SEPA Rules, WAC 197-11
• Model Ordinance, WAC 173-806
• Previous SEPA Rule revisions

SEPA Workshops - The Department of Ecology periodically offers training on SEPA. Please check periodically for future classes.

SEPA Unit Contact Information:

SEPA Unit
PO Box 47703
Olympia WA 98504-7703
(360) 407-6922
email: sepaunit@ecy.wa.gov