2014-11-21 Propane Discussion on November 21
Saturday, March 7, 2015

4:42 AM

Subject

Propane Discussion on November 21

From

Kinlow, Charla

To

Loren Cohen (Loren@mcconstruction.com); joe@pointruston.com

Cc

Johnson, David (PDS); Erickson, Ryan; McElligott (FF), Patrick

Sent

Friday, November 21, 2014 3:36 PM

Hi Loren and Joe,
I have cc’d everyone who was at today’s meeting regarding the propane proposal for Pt Ruston.
As a quick recap, propane lines are not exempt from Washington Administrative Code (WAC)
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) requirements.
WAC 197-11-800 lists the exemptions:
(2) Other minor new construction.
(h) The installation or removal of impervious underground or above-ground tanks, having a total
capacity of 10,000 gallons or less except on agricultural and industrial lands. On agricultural and
industrial lands, the installation or removal of impervious underground or above-ground tanks,
having a total capacity of 60,000 gallons or less.
(23) Utilities. The utility-related actions listed below shall be exempt, except for installation,
construction, or alteration on lands covered by water. The exemption includes installation and
construction, relocation when required by other governmental bodies, repair, replacement,
maintenance, operation or alteration that does not change the action from an exempt class.
(a) All communications lines, including cable TV, but not including communication towers or
relay stations.
(b) All storm water, water and sewer facilities, lines, equipment, hookups or appurtenances
including, utilizing or related to lines twelve inches or less in diameter.
(c) All electric facilities, lines, equipment or appurtenances, not including substations, with an
associated voltage of 55,000 volts or less; the overbuilding of existing distribution lines (55,000
volts or less) with transmission lines (up to and including 115,000 volts); within existing rights of
way or developed utility corridors, all electric facilities, lines, equipment or appurtenances, not
including substations, with an associated voltage of 115,000 volts or less; and the
undergrounding of all electric facilities, lines, equipment or appurtenances.
(d) All natural gas distribution (as opposed to transmission) lines and necessary appurtenant
facilities and hookups.
(e) All developments within the confines of any existing electric substation, reservoir, pump
station vault, pipe, or well: Additional appropriations of water are not exempted by this
subsection.
(f) Periodic use of chemical or mechanical means to maintain a utility or transportation right of
way in its design condition: Provided, the chemicals used are approved by Washington state
and applied by licensed personnel. This exemption shall not apply to the use of chemicals within
watersheds that are controlled for the purpose of drinking water quality in accordance with WAC
248-54-660.
(g) All grants of rights of way by agencies to utilities for use for distribution (as opposed to
transmission) purposes.
(h) All grants of franchises by agencies to utilities.
(i) All disposals of rights of way by utilities.
Ruston Documents from emails Page 1

 (i) All disposals of rights of way by utilities.

Since the installation of propane utilities is not called out as an exemption, it must comply with EIS
requirements. We would process this as an “Adoption and Addendum to the Existing Final
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement” (aka “Addendum”) that was issued for the site.
The existing tank, originally proposed at 1,000 gallons, is now 3,000 gallons and was allowed on a
temporary basis with the general understanding that natural gas would be installed at a later
date. Since that is no longer the case, the Addendum request should include both the proposed tank
and line to 1A as well as the existing tank and line that were previously installed.
Following that Addendum, we would expect a subsequent addendum for the full scope of the
permanent propane system, which would include any work in the City of Ruston.
Additionally, we are anticipating that a separate Addendum for the proposed combined garbage pick-up
area associated with the site as well as additional parking on the opposite side of Ruston Way.

Charla Kinlow
Planning and Development Services
253-594-7971

Ruston Documents from emails Page 2