(1) Environmental impact statements shall be readable reports, which allow the reader to understand the most significant and vital information concerning the proposed action, alternatives, and impacts, without turning to other documents, as provided below and in WAC 197-11-402.

(2) Environmental impact statements shall be concise and written in plain language. EISs shall not be excessively detailed or overly technical. EISs shall explain plainly the meaning of technical terms not generally understood by the general public. This may be done in a glossary or footnotes or by some other means. EISs may include an index for ease in using the statement.

(3) Most of the text of an environmental impact statement shall discuss and compare the environmental impacts and their significance, rather than describe the proposal and the environmental setting. Detailed descriptions may be included in appendices or supporting documents.

(4) The text of an EIS (WAC 197-11-430(3)) normally ranges from thirty to fifty pages and may be shorter. The EIS text shall not exceed seventy-five pages; except for proposals of unusual scope or complexity, where the EIS shall not exceed one hundred fifty pages. Appendices and background material shall be bound separately from the EIS if they exceed twenty-five pages, except if the entire document does not exceed one hundred pages or a FEIS is issued under WAC 197-11-560(5).

(5) If the lead agency decides that additional descriptive material or supporting documentation may be helpful for readers, this background information may be placed in appendices or in separate documents, and shall be readily available to agencies and the public during the comment period.

(6) Agencies shall incorporate material into an environmental impact statement by reference to cut down on bulk, if an agency can do so without impeding agency and public review of the action (WAC 197-11-600 and 197-11-635).