For draft and final EISs and SEISs:

(1) Preparation of the EIS is the responsibility of the lead agency, by or under the direction of its responsible official, as specified by the lead agency's procedures. No matter who participates in the preparation of the EIS, it is the EIS of the lead agency. The responsible official, prior to distributing an EIS, shall be satisfied that it complies with these rules and the procedures of the lead agency.

(2) The lead agency may have an EIS prepared by agency staff, an applicant or its agent, or by an outside consultant retained by either an applicant or the lead agency. The lead agency shall assure that the EIS is prepared in a professional manner and with appropriate interdisciplinary methodology. The responsible official shall direct the areas of research and examination to be undertaken as a result of the scoping process, as well as the organization of the resulting document.

(3) If a person other than the lead agency is preparing the EIS, the lead agency shall:

(a) Coordinate any scoping procedures so that the individual preparing the EIS receives all substantive information submitted by any agency or person;

(b) Assist in obtaining any information on file with another agency that is needed by the person preparing the EIS;

(c) Allow any party preparing an EIS access to all public records of the lead agency that relate to the subject of the EIS, under chapter 42.17 RCW (Public disclosure and public records law).

(4) Every agency shall specifically provide in its own procedures those situations in which an applicant may be required or authorized to help prepare an EIS. Agency procedures may not require more information of an applicant than allowed by WAC 197-11-100, but may authorize less participation. An applicant may volunteer to provide any information or effort desired, as long as the EIS is supervised and approved by the responsible official. These rules do not prevent an agency from charging any fees which the agency is otherwise allowed to charge (WAC 197-11-914).