- (1) The policies and goals in this section are supplementary to existing authorities of the department.
- (2) It is the policy of the department to avoid or mitigate adverse environmental impacts which may result from the department's decisions.
- (3) The department shall ensure that presently unquantified environmental amenities and values will be given appropriate consideration in decision-making along with economic and technical considerations.
(4) When the environmental document for a proposal shows it will cause significant adverse impacts, the responsible official shall consider whether:
- (a) The environmental document identified mitigation measures that are reasonable and capable of being accomplished;
- (b) Other local, state, or federal requirements and enforcement would mitigate the significant adverse environmental impacts; and
- (c) Reasonable mitigation measures are sufficient to mitigate the significant adverse impacts.
(5) When the environmental document for a proposal shows it will cause significant adverse impacts, the responsible official may:
- (a) Condition the approval for a proposal if mitigation measures are reasonable and capable of being accomplished and the proposal is consistent with the policies in this section; or
- (b) Deny the permit or approval for a proposal if reasonable mitigation measures are insufficient to mitigate significant adverse environmental impacts and the proposal is inconsistent with the policies in this section.
- (6) The procedures in WAC 197-11-660 shall also be followed when conditioning or denying permits or other approvals.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.21C RCW. WSR 84-24-033 (Order 1843), § 16-236-120, filed 11/30/84.]