• An environmental impact statement (EIS) provides an objective analysis of the likely environmental impacts, feasible alternatives, and measures that would avoid or minimize adverse environmental impacts.
• An “impact” is a change in consequence that results from an activity. Impacts can be positive, negative or both. An EIS describes impacts and may identify ways to mitigate them.
• There are three major milestones in an EIS – Scoping, Draft EIS, and Final EIS.

Scoping is the first step in the EIS process. During scoping, we invite agencies, tribes, and the general public to comment on the likely range of project alternatives and areas of impact that should be evaluated. These comments will be used to narrow the focus of the EIS to the likely significant environmental issues, eliminate insignificant impacts from study, and identify alternatives for analysis in the EIS.

The project team has preliminarily identified the following environmental elements for analysis in the EIS. For each environmental element, we will evaluate the probable impacts associated with the proposed action and operations:

See this document for more information on our SEPA Environmental Checklist. To access publicly available materials, please visit Pierce County PALS Online and search permit ID numbers 792206 and 792210.

The project is in the first phase of the EIS process, called scoping. During scoping, the public can provide formal comment on factors to be considered in the EIS. For example, helpful input for the scoping process could include:

• A reasonable range of alternatives to consider.
• Potentially affected resources or impacted areas.
• Possible measures to avoid, minimize, and mitigate effects of the proposed development.

Public comments are currently being accepted for EIS scoping now through December 17, 2020.

Public input is formally accepted at two points in an EIS process: first during the initial scoping, and again when a Draft EIS is ready for public review. The public comment period for the Draft EIS is anticipated for Fall 2021. Sign up for email updates to stay up-to-date.

The EIS Project Team is following all state guidance related to Governor Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” and current COVID-19 guidance, in the interest of the health and safety of the team and the public. This does not affect development of the EIS or overall project schedule, however, it does prevent in-person comment opportunities. The project team is committed to providing multiple options to comment, including:

Online
Submit a comment online using the space provided above.

Mail
Written comments can be mailed to the following address. You may use a printable comment form.

Puyallup City Hall – Development and Permitting Services
Attn: Michelle Ochs
333 South Meridian
Puyallup, WA 98371

Email
Send comments via email to comment@knutsonfarmseis.org .

Voicemail
Call (253) 260-4574 to leave a comment via voicemail.

All public comments will be documented and presented to the project team. In some cases, direct quotes from public comments may be included in the EIS Report and project webpage. The project team will use information from public comments to make decisions throughout the EIS process.

All email and comments become public records and, if requested, will be disclosed as required by the Public Records Act 42.56.RCW.

Your input is essential! Please join our email list to receive project updates and a reminder when the Draft EIS public comment period opens. The public comment period for the Draft EIS is anticipated for Fall 2021.