Determination of Non-Significance
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Don Hoch Director STATE OF WASHINGTON WASHINGTON STATE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION 1111 Israel Road S.W. • P.O. Box 42650 • Olympia, WA 98504-2650 • (360) 902-8500 TDD (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf): (800) 866-6388 www.parks.wa.gov DETERMINATION OF NON-SIGNIFICANCE Description of proposal: This non-project action seeks to approve a Recreation Business Activity (RBA) as a conditionally permitted activity at one site within Squilchuck State Park. RBAs are conditionally permitted activities in Recreation Areas, Resource Recreation Areas, and Heritage Areas under the State Parks’ classification system. This proposed RBA site is located in the center portion of the park and is approximately 45-acres in size. This site is located within a classified Recreation Area. There are currently no specific development proposals being considered for the Squilchuck pilot site. If the Commission approves this RBA as a conditional activity, State Parks will solicit for development proposals. If any viable proposals are received, they will then go through a project- level SEPA review, if necessary, before the Commission would consider approving any lease. Proponent: Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission Location of proposal, including street address, if any: Squilchuck State Park is located in Section 18 of Township 21 North, Range 20 East, Willamette Meridian. Lead agency: Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission Phased Review: This SEPA checklist analyzes the non-project impacts associated with the new RBA designation recommended by staff for Commission consideration at Squilchuck State Park. If the Commission approves an RBA at Squilchuck, State Parks will solicit for development proposals. If any viable proposals are received, they will go through a project-level SEPA review, if necessary. Alternatives will be phased and evaluated individually to meet established development criteria. Phasing includes future project-specific proposals appropriate within the RBA. Phasing allows the agency to identify alternatives and impacts at a time when they can be meaningfully evaluated. All potential project specific proposals will be reviewed, resulting with some alternatives being, depending on the proposal, categorically exempt. For example, WAC 352- 11-055(2)(a). Categorically exempt projects do not require preparation of an environmental checklist or threshold determination. A policy document related to Real Estate Management Policy was developed to implement the Commission's interest in RBA’s. The policy is available for review at: http://parks.state.wa.us/900/Real-Estate-Policy-Update. The lead agency for this proposal has determined that it does not have a probable significant adverse impact on the environment. An environmental impact statement (EIS) is not required under RCW 43.21C.030(2)(c). This decision was made after review of a completed environmental checklist and other information on file with the lead agency. This information is available to the public on request. All comments are welcome and will be considered. Please address your comments to Jessica Logan, SEPA Responsible Official, at [email protected] by September 21, 2016. This Commission will consider this proposal at their September 22, 2016 meeting in Sequim, WA. Additionally individuals may provide comments directly to the Commission at the meeting. Responsible Official: Jessica Logan Position/Title: Environmental Program Manager Phone: (360) 902-8679 FAX: (360) 586-0204 Address: 1111 Israel Rd SW P.O. Box 42650 Olympia, WA 42650 Date: September , 7 2016 Signature: _________________________________________ "All Washington State Parks are developed and maintained for the enjoyment of all persons regardless of age, sex, creed, ethnic origin, or physical limitations." There is no agency SEPA appeal; however all comments are welcome and will be thoroughly considered. SEPA ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST A. BACKGROUND 1. Name of proposed project, if applicable: Squilchuck State Park, authorizing Recreation Business Activity concessions. 2. Name of applicant: Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission 3. Address and phone number of applicant and contact person: Steve Hahn 1111 Israel Road SW Olympia, WA 98504-2650 (360) 902-8683 4. Date checklist prepared: September 2, 2016 5. Agency requesting checklist: Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission 6. Proposed timing or schedule (including phasing, if applicable): The non-project action in this checklist will be considered by the State Parks Commission at its regularly scheduled meeting September 22, 2016 in Sequim WA. Individuals interested in commenting on this action may do so through this SEPA review, or may provide comments directly to the Commission in writing or at the meeting. 7. Do you have any plans for future additions, expansion, or further activity related to or connected with this proposal? If yes, explain. Yes. This SEPA checklist analyzes the non-project impacts associated with approving a Recreational Business Activity (RBA) site within a portion of Squilchuck State Park. The Commission’s decision will allow staff to solicit for private sector interest in RBA development through a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) later in 2016. If one or more viable RBA proposals are received, those proposals will go through a project-level SEPA review unless they are categorically exempt. If appropriate, the proposals may rely on this SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) May 2014 Page 1 of 21 checklist to avoid duplication and excess paperwork, consistent with SEPA’s rules governing phased review [WAC 197-11-060(5)(f)]. 8. List any environmental information you know about that has been prepared, or will be prepared, directly related to this proposal. No additional environmental information has been prepared directly related to this proposal, but state parks has gathered and reviewed past information, including: · SEPA Determination of Non-Significance and checklist for Wenatchee Confluence Classification and Land Management Plan · Federal Emergency Management Agency Flood Maps · Washington Department of Natural Resources. 2016. State of Washington Natural Heritage Program, data system search for Westhaven State Park. · Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). 2016. Web Soil Survey Data System research for Westhaven State Park. · Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. 2016. Priority Habitats and Species Program data system search for Westhaven State Park. · Literature reviews for historic and archaeological surveys and significant sites for Westport WA. · Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. 1998. Cultural Resources Management Policy. · Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. 2011. 73-04-1 Protecting Washington State Parks Natural Resources. · Rare Plant Inventory and Community Vegetation Survey Squilchuck State Park by Dana Visalli 2004 and Washington Natural Heritage Program, wnhp, GIS data 2016. 9. Do you know whether applications are pending for governmental approvals of other proposals directly affecting the property covered by your proposal? If yes, explain. No capital improvement are currently active within Squilchuck State Park, and none are currently included in the 10-Year Capital Improvement Plan. One partner-led project is currently under construction in the park to develop and improve mountain bike trails. This project is funded and constructed by the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance. The RBA project is not expected to impact the mountain bike trails. 10. List any government approvals or permits that will be needed for your proposal, if known. Approval by the State Parks Commission is required for this non-project action described in question 11 of this checklist. The Commission plans to consider approving RBAs as conditional activities within a portion of Squilchuck State Park at its September 22, 2016 meeting. 11. Give brief, complete description of your proposal, including the proposed uses and the size of the project and site. There are several questions later in this checklist that ask you to describe certain aspects of your proposal. You do not need to repeat those answers on this page. (Lead agencies may modify this form to include additional specific information on project description.) SEPA Environmental checklist (WAC 197-11-960) May 2014 Page 2 of 21 Squilchuck State Park is a 288-acre park covered with forests of fir and ponderosa pine. The park sits below Mission Ridge at an elevation of 3,200 feet. A group camp is available by reservations for groups of 20 or more. The Squilchuck Lodge and group camp also may be reserved for day-use events for groups between May and October. In January 2015, the Commission updated its Real Estate Management Policy to allow some forms of privately financed development on State Parks land. One approved development type is known as a Recreation Business Activity (RBA). RBAs are privately financed recreation developments that are intended to provide amenities for park visitors while also generating revenue to support the state park system. RBAs are conditional activities in areas of state parks classified Recreation, Resource Recreation, and Heritage Areas, meaning they are only allowed in those areas when specifically approved by the Commission. State Parks land classifications are similar to internal park zoning, designating which areas of a park are suitable for different kinds of developments. RBA developments must be consistent with the State Parks mission, vision, and