PUBLIC NOTICE
DETERMINATION OF NONSIGNIFICANCE FOR A NON-PROJECT ACTION
WAC 197-11-970
Project Name: Port of Tacoma 2021-2026 Strategic Plan and update to the Port’s Comprehensive Scheme of Harbor Improvements (CSHI).
Description of proposal: The Port of Tacoma has developed its Strategic Plan to guide the organization in achieving economic growth and business success. The Port encompasses approximately 2,400 acres of land in Pierce County, with the majority of the land on the Tacoma Tideflats. The Plan sets the course for the next 5 to 10 years, with focus on near-term actions. The Plan outlines five (5) foundational goals and twenty-one (21) strategies. The following are the five foundational goals of the 2021-2026 Strategic Plan: Economic Vitality. Advance living-wage job creation and business development opportunities in Pierce County with a focus on marine trade and transportation.
Environmental Leadership. Protect and enhance the environment of Commencement Bay and the Puyallup River by continuing to clean up contaminated land, improve habitat and water quality, and minimize air emissions from Port operations.
Organizational Success. Create and sustain a transparent culture prioritizing the Port’s fiduciary role as trustee of public assets and commitment to financial responsibility.
Transportation Advocacy. Promote road, rail and navigation infrastructure and technology vital to the region, maritime industry and economy.
Community Connections. Engage and advance relationships with the Pierce County community and beyond in a timely, accessible, and inclusive way.
Proponent: Port of Tacoma
Location of proposal, including street address, if any: The Port of Tacoma’s planning boundary per its Comprehensive Scheme of Harbor Improvements (CSHI) and Industrial Development District (IDD) includes all of Pierce County. Port of Tacoma’s land holdings largely reside in the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) designated Port of Tacoma Manufacturing Industrial Center (MIC) as well as mitigation sites located elsewhere in Pierce County.
Lead agency: Port of Tacoma , the lead agency for this proposal, has determined that the non-project action does not have a probable significant adverse impact on the environment. An environmental impact statement (EIS) is not required under Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 43.21C.030(2)(c). This decision was made after review of a completed environmental checklist and other information on file with the lead agency. Additional project and/or State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) information is available upon request at the Port of Tacoma’s Administrative building, located at One Sitcum Plaza, Tacoma, WA 98421 or at the Port’s website at http://www.portoftacoma.com/sepa.
Comments and Request for Reconsideration: This Determination of Non-Significance (DNS) is issued under Chapter 197-11-340(2) Washington Administrative Code (WAC). Pursuant to Port policy, all interested parties shall have fourteen calendars days to comment on the proposed SEPA threshold determination. Only those who commented within the fourteen-day comment period shall have standing to file a Request for Reconsideration. Any challenge to a SEPA threshold determination shall be initiated by filing a Request for Reconsideration with the Responsible Official or designee no later than seven calendar days following the end of the fourteen-day comment period for the SEPA determination. The lead agency will not act on this proposal for fourteen days from the start date of the comment period described below. Comments shall be submitted to the Port of Tacoma, Environmental Programs, C/O Heather Curbow at One Sitcum Plaza, Tacoma, WA 98421 or at the Port’s website at http://www.portoftacoma.com/sepa.
Comment Start Date: 3/22/2021
Comment End Date: 4/5/2021
Request for Reconsideration End Date:
4/12/2021
IDX-922523
March 19, 2021
