Current through Register Vol. 22-07, April 1, 2022
In addition to SEPA policies established elsewhere in this
chapter, the following policies apply to forest practices described in WAC
222-16-050(1)(d)
relating to construction or harvest on potentially unstable slopes or
landforms.
(1) In order to determine
whether such forest practices are likely to have a probable significant adverse
impact, and therefore require an environmental impact statement, the applicant
must submit the following additional information, prepared by a qualified
expert as defined in subsection (5) of this section. The qualified expert must
describe the potentially unstable landforms in and around the application site
and analyze:
(a)The likelihood that the
proposed forest practices will cause movement on the potentially unstable
slopes or land-forms, or contribute to further movement of a potentially
unstable slope or landform;
(b)The
likelihood of delivery of sediment or debris to any public resources, or in a
manner that would threaten public safety; and
(c)Any possible mitigation for the identified
hazards and risks.
(2)
The department's threshold determination will include an evaluation of whether
the proposed forest practices:
(a)Are likely
to increase the probability of a mass movement on or near the site;
(b)Would deliver sediment or debris to a
public resource or would deliver sediment or debris in a manner that would
threaten public safety; and
(c)Such
movement and delivery are likely to cause significant adverse impacts.
If the department determines that (a), (b) and (c) of this
subsection are likely to occur, then the forest practice is likely to have a
probable significant adverse impact.
(3) The department will evaluate the
proposal, using appropriate expertise and in consultation with other affected
agencies and Indian tribes.
(4)Specific mitigation measures or conditions
must be designed to avoid accelerating rates and magnitudes of mass wasting
that could deliver sediment or debris to a public resource or could deliver
sediment or debris in a manner that would threaten public safety.
(5)Qualified expert for the purposes of this
section , reanalysis of watershed analysis mass wasting prescriptions under WAC
222-22-030, and preparation of
required geologic information under WAC
222-20-010(9),
means a person licensed under chapter 18.220 RCW as either an engineering
geologist or as a hydrogeologist (if the site warrants hydrologist expertise),
with at least three years of field experience in the evaluation of relevant
problems in forested lands.
