18D.40.040 Environmental Impact Statement.
A. Pierce County adopts by reference WAC 197-11-400 through 197-11-460, as now or hereafter amended. The contents and preparation procedures for draft environmental impact statements shall be governed by the SEPA rules herein or as hereafter amended. Timelines for County review time during preparation of an EIS are established in Section 18D.10.070.
B. Preparation of the draft and final EIS (DEIS and FEIS) and draft and final supplemental EIS (DSEIS and FSEIS) shall be under the direction of the Responsible Official. Before the County issues an EIS/SEIS, the Responsible Official shall be satisfied that it complies with this Chapter and WAC Chapter 197-11.
1. The DEIS and FEIS or DSEIS and FSEIS shall be prepared by County staff, the applicant, or by a consultant selected by the County or the applicant. If the Responsible Official requires an EIS/SEIS for a proposal and determines that someone other than the County will prepare the EIS/SEIS, the Responsible Official shall notify the applicant within five working days after completion of the threshold determination. The Responsible Official shall also notify the applicant of the County's procedure for EIS/SEIS preparation, including approval of the DEIS, FEIS, DSEIS, and FSEIS prior to distribution.
2. The County may require an applicant to provide information the County does not possess, including specific investigations. However, the applicant is not required to supply information not required under this Chapter or information requested from another agency pursuant to this Chapter.
C. Public notice for issuance of a DEIS, FEIS, DSEIS, and FSEIS shall comply with provisions set forth in Chapter 18.80, Development Regulations – General Provisions.