SEPA – Washington State Environmental Policy Act

The Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) process identifies and analyzes environmental impacts associated with governmental decisions. These decisions may be related to issuing permits for private projects, constructing public facilities, or adopting regulations, policies, or plans. Information provided during the SEPA review process helps agency decision makers, applicants, and the public understand how a proposal will affect the environment. SEPA can be used to modify or deny a proposal to avoid, reduce, or compensate for probable impacts. 

The Port of Grays Harbor is the SEPA Lead Agency for all Port projects. Please see below for SEPA Determinations for current Port Projects.

Examples of environmentally beneficial activities of the Port

•  Fluorescent to LED conversion in the Port’s cargo yard, Westport Marina and Satsop Business Park – this is an ongoing program with the goal of replacing all of the fluorescent outdoor lighting through budgeted retrofits and replacements.

• Derelict Vessel Removal – As owner of the Westport Marina, the Port, through contracting directly or participating in the Department of Natural Resources program, removes and demolishes derelict boats that have become abandoned because of the pollution and safety risks associated with these vessels.

• Environmentally responsible design – The Port replaces wooden treated and creosote piling with new steel piling in repair and maintenance projects where possible. The Port is currently designing a project to replace a portion of water main at the Satsop Business Park that will remove the existing main from a creek bed to eliminate the impact to stream flow. The Port is also seeking funding for repair projects at the Friends Landing Pedestrian Bridget that will eliminate the need for hardening of the adjacent shoreline and resulting loss of habitat.

• Improvements in Dredging Practices – Semi-annual maintenance dredging is critical to the continued operation of the Port’s terminals. The Port is also the local sponsor for the Corps of Engineer’s Grays Harbor Navigation Project which includes annual dredging of the navigation channel. The Port has funded several studies by coastal engineers to improve the design of the dredge prism at Terminal 2, and realign a portion of the navigation channel to reduce the amount of dredging required in those areas.

• Environmental Clean Up – The Port has been proactive in identifying redevelopment opportunities for contaminated industrial properties, either owned by the Port, or located in the adjacent communities. The Port has worked with local partners to seek grant funding to complete assessments of potential properties and has applied for funding to complete cleanup projects. The Port also operates an oil recycling center for Marina tenants.

• Water Quality Improvements - The Port recently completed a multi-phased project to dredge the waters of the Westport Marina which included the disposal of approximately 220 cubic yards of debris. The Marina hosts the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Fishing for Energy Program which has removed approximately 40 tons of derelict gear from the waters of the ocean since 2016 which has been recycled and burned for electrical production.

Permitting

Development, redevelopment, and construction projects conducted by the port require a complex array of permits and approvals under federal, state and local laws. 

Local municipality and county permits are required to cover local building codes and meet the requirements of the Shoreline Management Act. Several development and operational activities are regulated by the Olympic Region Clean Air Authority (ORCAA) to comply with air quality standards.  Federal and state permits are usually required when impacts to navigable waters or fish and wildlife habitat are anticipated. Development activities waterward of the "mean higher high water" (MHHW) for tidal waters are regulated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE or Corps), Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE), and the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

In addition, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA Fisheries) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) must concur that any project requiring federal approvals (a USACE permit, for example) is consistent with the Endangered Species Act (ESA). These agencies will require that proposed projects avoid or reduce project impacts on certain fish and wildlife species through design and/or environmental controls or mitigate impacts through restoration activities.

The Satsop Business Park operates two utilities, one that provides potable water and one that handles sanitary sewer for users at the park.

The water utility is classified as a non-transient, non-community (NTNC) Group A drinking water system regulated by the Office of Drinking Water, a division of the Washington State Department of Health to ensure compliance with the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act.  The utility meets all of the requirements and procedures established by the department. The utility also provides non-potable water for fire protection that is separated from the drinking water facilities and regulated through building and fire codes.

The Wastewater Treatment Plant, managed by a state licensed operator, is regulated under a State Waste Discharge Permit which includes parameters and reporting requirements in compliance with the provisions of the applicable state and federal laws.  The plant has received an Outstanding WWTP Award from the Department of Ecology for several years in a row.