HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025 11 26 DNS_Notice of PH (PC)_PUBLICATION
Please publish on November 26, 2025 and December 10, 2025
Contact Person: Chelsea Pronovost
Bill to: Community Development
621 Sheridan St.
Port Townsend, WA 98368
JEFFERSON COUNTY
STATE ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT (SEPA) 197-11
DETERMINATION OF NON-SIGNIFICANCE
AND
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
ISSUANCE DATE: November 26, 2025
CASE NO.: ZON2025-00012
APPLICANT: Jefferson County Department of Community Development
LOCATION OF PROPOSAL: The proposal will apply to all critical areas and associated buffers within
the unincorporated Jefferson County.
DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSAL: Jefferson County is updating its Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) to
strengthen regulations in alignment with the best available science (BAS) and to improve the
document’s layout, clarity, and usability. The County last completed a comprehensive CAO update in
March 2020. That effort incorporated reviews of BAS, including the County’s BAS record developed
during the 2008 update, reports prepared by Environmental Science Associates, Inc. in 2015 and 2016,
and topical white papers prepared by BERK in 2019. The primary purpose of the current update is to
address changes in BAS that have emerged since 2020.
A key issue under consideration is whether Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas should
continue to be managed using stream-type buffers (the current method) or whether riparian ecosystems
adjacent to waterways should be explicitly designated as critical areas. This riparian approach is
outlined in WDFW Riparian Ecosystems, Volume 1: Science Synthesis and Management Implications
(published May 2018, updated July 2020). To support this evaluation, Shannon & Wilson prepared a
Technical Memo dated May 13, 2025, reviewing the relevant WDFW literature. Additional revisions to
the CAO focus on enhancing readability and usability of the document, removing confusing or
redundant provisions, reducing subjectivity in regulatory language, and clarifying and better defining
key terms. The CAO establishes development regulations that protect the functions and values of
critical areas in unincorporated Jefferson County, while safeguarding public health, safety, and general
welfare.
Adoption of the updated CAO is a non-project action intended to refine existing policies and standards
consistent with the Growth Management Act (GMA). Future SEPA review may be required for specific
project actions undertaken pursuant to these revisions. This update does not propose or authorize any
specific projects or activities and is not limited to a particular site.
SEPA: The CAO update is a non-project action per WAC 197-11-704(2)(b). Phased review is a
component of a non-project action. The lead agency determines the appropriate scope and level of
detail of environmental review to coincide with meaningful points in the planning and decision-making
processes. Environmental review may be phased if it assists agencies and the public to focus on
issues that are ready for decision and exclude from consideration issues not yet ready. Broader
environmental documents may be followed by narrower documents such as site specific analysis
(project specific) per WAC 197-11-060(5).
LEAD AGENCY: Jefferson County is the lead agency and has determined that the above described
proposal would not have a probable significant adverse impact on the environment, and an
environmental impact statement is not required under RCW 43.21C.030(2)(c). This decision was made
after review of a completed environmental checklist, the record before the Planning Commission and
public comments obtained during seven publicly noticed meetings before the Planning Commission and
other information on file with the Department of Community Development. Speculative, possible, future
impacts without an actual site-specific application are not probable significant adverse impacts. This
determination does not constitute project approval.
SEPA COMMENT PERIOD: This determination is issued pursuant WAC 197-11-340(2), and
comments related to the SEPA threshold determination must be submitted by December 10, 2025.
This may be the only opportunity to comment on the environmental impacts of the proposal. Unless the
Responsible Official withdraws the threshold determination pursuant to WAC 197-11-340(3)(a), the
threshold determination shall be final at the end of the comment period. Agencies and interested
parties will be notified if the threshold determination is withdrawn. The threshold determination may be
appealed as part of the Board of County Commissioner’s final decision regarding adoption of the
amendments to Jefferson County Code Chapter 18.22. Contact the Responsible Official for SEPA
appeal procedures.
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE: Notice is hereby given that the Jefferson County Planning Commission
will hold a public hearing at its regular meeting on December 17, 2025 at 5:30p.m. The purpose of said
hearing is to hear all interested parties who wish to testify for or against the proposal. GMA requires
counties and cities “to periodically review, evaluate, and if necessary, revise” critical areas regulations.
Upon completion of the public hearing process, the Planning Commission will forward its
recommendations to the Board of Jefferson County Commissioners for its consideration and further
action.
COMMENT PERIOD AND WHERE TO VIEW THE DOCUMENTS: Interested parties are invited to
attend the public hearing and make their views known. To join the public hearing:
VIRTUALLY: Via the following Zoom, link: bit.ly/JEFFCOWAPC, Meeting ID: 959 9899 4925
Passcode: 306246
PHONE: (253) 215-8782,,95998994925#,,,,*306246# Access for the hearing impaired can be
accommodated using Washington Relay Service (WRS). To begin, dial 711, give them the following
number: (253) 215 8782 and then give them the meeting ID and passcode.
IN-PERSON: WSU Jefferson County Extension Classroom, 97 Oak Bay Rd, Port Hadlock-Irondale, WA
98339
To view documents by visiting the Customer Self-Service portal:
https://energovweb.jeffcowa.us/energov_prod/SelfService#/search?m=1&fm=1&ps=10&pn=1&em=true
&st=ZON2025-00012 or in Laserfiche, go to
https://test.co.jefferson.wa.us/WeblinkExternal/Browse.aspx and navigate to Community Development
> Planning Commission > Agendas/Materials > 2025 > 2025-12-17.
Written testimony is also invited beginning on November 26, 2025 and ending on December 17, 2025
at the end of the Public Hearing, unless extended by the Planning Commission.
AGENCY CONTACT: Greg Ballard, Development Code Administrator, SEPA Responsible Official,
gballard@co.jefferson.wa.us, or (360) 379-4450