02-10-1997 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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© The EAW Process . It is not intended as a subsdmte for the I It ••vV This chapter provides an overview of the complete EAW p EQB ides themselves, and should not be used as such. The EAW is defined by stale to be a "brief document \diich is deagned lo set ou foe basic focts necessary to detennine whether an EIS is leqiuied for a proposed action." The purpose of foe EAW p is to disclose information about potential environmental impacts of foe project The EAW process is not an appoval process. Tte infomaiion disclosed in foe EAW process has two firetions: (1) it is used to dettrinine whefoo’ an EIS is needed; and (2) it inrficates how the projea can be modified to lessen its environmental impacts —such modifications may be irnposed as pemrit conditions by regulatory agencies. Tbe information disclosed comes fiom three sources: (1) foe EAW itself; (2) comments received on foe EAW; and (3) responses made to comments received on the EAW. However, the EAW itself is generally foe mo« important source of informatiotL The EAW process involves four nudor steps: Step 1 - Ihe proposer of the project sqplies data necessary for the oon^letion of foe EAW to the Re^xnsible Governmental Unit (RGU). Step 2* The RGU prepares the EAW. Step 3* 30day public comment period. Step 4 • The RGU responds to foe comments received and makes a decision on foe need for an EIS based on foe EAW, conunents received, and ie. responses to foe comments. The RGU and ofocr units of government may require rriudifications to the poject to mitigate environmental impacts as disclosed through the EAW process. A flow chart of the EAW process is shown in an accompanying figure. When is an EAW Required? An EAW is required for any project listed in foe "mandatory EAW categories” of foe EQB roles, at parts 4410.4300. (These mandatory categories are also found in the EQB's booklet Guide to foe Rul^j An EAW is also required whenever a unit of government with approval authority ova foe project detemunes that an EAW should be prepared avsulable evidence iixiicates foat the project “may have foe potential for significant environmental eOects.” Usually, such a discretionary dcciaon to teqiute an EAW is made in response to a citizens’ petition filed under EQB nJe part 4410.1100. An EAW is also prepared as the first step in foe review process when an EIS is required fa a project In these foe EAW saves to describe the projea and its environmental setting fa purposes of sooi»ng the EIS.IMIil 3