(1) When another agency is the lead agency, the department's environmental review process will normally begin upon receipt of a determination of nonsignificance (DNS), determination of significance (DS), scoping notice, or draft environmental impact statement (DEIS). When the department is the lead agency for nonagency actions, review will normally begin upon receipt of a complete permit application and a complete environmental checklist. The department typically requests plans and a location map, pursuant to WAC 197-11-100. The applicant may choose to submit this information with the checklist so that review may proceed expeditiously. For department actions, environmental review will normally begin when the proposed action is sufficiently developed to allow preliminary decisions.

(2) Upon written request of an applicant, preliminary environmental review will be conducted prior to receipt of detailed project plans and specifications. In such instances, the applicant shall submit information judged by the department to be sufficient to make a preliminary review.

(3) The preliminary review will be advisory only and not binding upon the department. Final review and determination will be made only upon receipt of detailed project plans and specifications. The department will make a determination within ninety days after the application and supporting documents are complete pursuant to RCW 43.21C.033.