WSR 23-14-075

PUGET SOUND PARTNERSHIP

[Filed June 29, 2023, 8:38 a.m.]

DETERMINATION OF TYPES OF SIGNIFICANT AGENCY ACTIONS (SAAs)

Pursuant to RCW 70A.02.060, the Puget Sound partnership (partnership) and covered agencies will conduct environmental justice assessments for significant agency actions (SAAs) identified in RCW 70A.02.010 (12)(a) through (e):


•	Adopting or developing significant legislative rules as defined in RCW 34.05.328.
•	Adopting or developing new grant or loan programs initiated after July 1, 2023.
•	Designing or awarding capital projects, grants, or loans of $12 million or more.
•	Developing agency request legislation.
•	Any other actions deemed significant consistent with RCW 70A.02.060.

The partnership has identified the following specific SAAs:

Per RCW 70A.02.010 (12)(c):


•	Puget Sound acquisition and restoration biennial grant round.

Per RCW 70A.02.010 (12)(e) and 70A.02.060:


•	The Puget Sound partnership science work plan, 2025-2028 and beyond.
•	The action agenda for Puget Sound, 2026-2030 and beyond.

Starting July 1, 2023, the partnership will complete an environmental justice assessment for significant agency actions to inform and support consideration of tribal nations, overburdened communities, and vulnerable populations when making decisions, and to assist the agency with the equitable distribution of environmental benefits, the reduction of environmental harms, and the identification and reduction of environmental and health disparities.

The partnership can identify additional types of SAAs which will require environmental justice assessments starting July 1, 2025. The partnership will annually identify any potential additional SAAs by reviewing any new legislative requests and any new decision packages which may establish a new SAA.

We invite feedback and comments on the list of SAAs and other types of partnership actions that would benefit from an assessment starting in 2025. The partnership will continue to consult and engage with and review comments from tribal nations, overburdened communities, and vulnerable populations on an ongoing basis. Input will inform decisions on conducting assessments and how the partnership communicates and engages with the public.

Comments may be sent via email to Melissa Schutten, equity and environmental justice manager, at melissa.schutten@psp.wa.gov; or by mail at Puget Sound Partnership, C/O Melissa Schutten, P.O. Box 40900, Olympia, WA 98504.