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Full-Text Articles in Law
The Gap Between Informational Goals And The Duty To Gather Information: Challenging Piecemealed Review Under The Washington State Environmental Policy Act, Keith H. Hirokawa
The Gap Between Informational Goals And The Duty To Gather Information: Challenging Piecemealed Review Under The Washington State Environmental Policy Act, Keith H. Hirokawa
Seattle University Law Review
In 1971, Washington enacted the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), which requires agencies to make a threshold determination of whether a project is likely to significantly affect the environment and, where such impacts are likely, to produce an environmental impact statement (EIS). One problem faced in implementing the goals of SEPA is the practice of "piecemealing." Part I of this Article introduces the piecemeal problem by describing three common piecemeal situations. The first situation occurs when a project proposal is divided into such small parts that the environmental impacts from each individual part appear insignificant and the impact from the …
Sepa: A Proposed Standard For Judicial Review Of Agency Decisions Not To Require Preparation Of A Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement, Lori Ann Terry
Sepa: A Proposed Standard For Judicial Review Of Agency Decisions Not To Require Preparation Of A Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement, Lori Ann Terry
Seattle University Law Review
To enable citizens opposing projects and proponents defending projects to predict more accurately the results of litigation and to discourage spurious litigation, a more definitive standard of judicial review is necessary. This Article proposes a standard of judicial review that encompasses components of both the adequacy and negative threshold standards of judicial review. The proposed standard of review discourages lawsuits that are brought merely for purposes of delay while ensuring that the agency acted reasonably in making its determination. Before this new standard can be considered, the context in which it will operate must be reviewed. Part II of this …
Death By Sepa: Substantive Denials Under Washington's State Environmental Policy Act, Roger Pearce
Death By Sepa: Substantive Denials Under Washington's State Environmental Policy Act, Roger Pearce
Seattle University Law Review
This Comment seeks to answer the question raised by West Main II and Cougar Mountain of what procedural processes and substantive policies may be used in SEPA-based denials. After examining the nature of substantive SEPA authority and the relationship between substantive SEPA and Washington's vested rights doctrine, the Comment will discuss West Main II and Cougar Mountain and will argue that the two cases are consistent. It will then provide an informative assessment of the current limits of substantive SEPA authority. The Comment concludes by suggesting the following legislative or judicial changes in SEPA law: earlier vesting of SEPA policies, …
The Washington Forest Practices Act: When Is Compliance With Sepa Required?, Christine M. Cordes
The Washington Forest Practices Act: When Is Compliance With Sepa Required?, Christine M. Cordes
Seattle University Law Review
This comment analyzes the problems created by the Forest Practices Act’s scheme for environmental review. First, the comment examines the statutory definitions of the forest practices classes, determining which forest practice classes are within the scope of SEPA review under the FPA. Second, the comment discusses the effect of the 1981 State Environmental Policy Act amendment on the types of forest practices exempt from SEPA. The comment further points out the failure of the existing forest practices regulations to achieve the policy balance required by the FPA. The comment’s conclusion is two-fold: the Classic “U” holding best represents the legislature’s …