(1) The terms used in these rules shall be uniform throughout the state as applied to SEPA (WAC
197-11-040). Agencies may add to certain of these definitions in their procedures, to help explain how they carry out SEPA, but shall not change these definitions (WAC
197-11-906).
(2) Unless the context clearly requires otherwise:
(a) Use of the singular shall include the plural and conversely.
(b) "Preparation" of environmental documents refers to preparing or supervising the preparation of documents, including issuing, filing, printing, circulating, and related requirements.
(c) "Impact" refers to environmental impact.
(d) "Permit" means "license" (WAC
197-11-760).
(e) "Commenting" includes but is not synonymous with "consultation" (Part Five).
(f) "Environmental cost" refers to adverse environmental impact and may or may not be quantified.
(g) "EIS" refers to draft, final, and supplemental EISs (WAC
197-11-405 and
197-11-738).
(h) "Under" includes pursuant to, subject to, required by, established by, in accordance with, and similar expressions of legislative or administrative authorization or direction.
(3) In these rules:
(a) "Shall" is mandatory.
(b) "May" is optional and permissive and does
not impose a requirement.
(c) "Include" means "include but not limited to."
(4) The following terms are synonymous:
(a) Effect and impact (WAC
197-11-752).
(b) Environment and environmental quality (WAC
197-11-740).
(c) Major and significant (WAC
197-11-764 and
197-11-794).
(d) Proposal and proposed action (WAC
197-11-784).
(e) Probable and likely (WAC
197-11-782).
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.21C.110. 84-05-020 (Order DE 83-39), § 197-11-700, filed 2/10/84, effective 4/4/84.]