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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 1 230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Purpose and Need PAGE 1-11 1.4.2.7 Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation DAHP is a formal Cooperating Agency and is responsible for reviewing cultural resource documents and issuing Archaeological Excavation and Removal Permits under Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 27.44 and RCW 27.53 and Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 25-48 on state and private lands in Washington. 1.4.2.8 Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife WDFW is a formal Cooperating Agency with responsibility for preserving, managing, and protecting fish, wildlife, and ecosystems within the State of Washington. 1.4.2.9 Washington State Department of Natural Resources DNR is a formal Cooperating Agency responsible for approving or not approving Pacific Power’s easements and access permit applications for crossing DNR managed uplands, and approving or not approving a use authorization for crossing state-owned aquatic lands. Prior to processing permit applications, the Project will need to comply with SEPA and meet DNR’s state substantive standards. DNR has special expertise in managing natural resources including natural areas, and will provide technical assistance to preserve and protect these environmentally sensitive areas consistent with state standards. 1.4.2.10 Grant County Grant County is a formal Cooperating Agency. Grant County has a coordinating ordinance (Chapter 21.04 Coordinating Government Regulation of Land and Natural Resource Use) which establishes as county law the basis and process for determining how federal and state agencies are to coordinate and consult with Grant County in actions affecting land and natural resource use within the county. A section of the Grant County Unified Development Code (Chapter 25.08) which historically regulated electrical transmission lines exceeding 115 kV as a major utility development and subject to land use and environmental review and a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) was eliminated through amendment to the county code by the Board of County Commissioners in July 2011. However, the Grant County Building Code does not exempt private regulated utilities, like Pacific Power from a requirement to obtain a building permit from the county. The building permit is considered a “Project Permit” and as such SEPA review is required (D. Hooper, Personal Communication, July 2011). The building permit is an administrative permit; no Planning and Zoning or Board of County Commissioners approval is required. Grant County may choose to adopt this FEIS to satisfy SEPA requirements. A Project-specific SEPA Environmental Checklist has been developed for the proposed Project and is included in Appendix D. 1.4.2.11 Kittitas County Kittitas County is a formal Cooperating Agency and is required by its County Code to review transmission lines over 115 kV through a Conditional Use Permitting process. The application for a CUP must be signed by all owners where a project is located before it can be accepted by the County. The Board of County Commissioners will make the final decision on the CUP. A project proposal must be found to meet criteria outlined with the County’s Code before the CUP is approved. A CUP must comply with SEPA. Due to the size and timing of the Project, a Development Agreement (DA) may also be required. The DA is subject to public notice, a public hearing before the Board of County Commissioners, and approval by the Board of County Commissioners prior to processing of the CUP and any other land use permits deemed necessary at the time of project permitting with Kittitas County. Kittitas County may choose to adopt this FEIS to satisfy SEPA requirements. A Project-specific SEPA Environmental Checklist has been developed for the proposed Project and is included in Appendix D. The Kittitas County Board of County Commissioners approved the County's updated Shoreline Master Program (SMP) on December 2, 2014. Washington State Department of Ecology (WDOE) granted final approval of the County’s updated SMP on February 22, 2016 making the County’s comprehensive SMP update