(1) Preparation of draft and final EISs and SEISs is the responsibility of the responsible official. Before the County issues an EIS, the responsible official shall be satisfied that it complies with this chapter and Chapter 197-11 WAC.

(2) The draft and final EIS or SEIS shall be prepared by County staff, or by a consultant employed by contract to the County. Preparation of an EIS by the applicant or the applicant’s consultant can occur only in those circumstances where the scope of the EIS has been narrowed to no more than two (2) technical issues, such as storm water and transportation. In all cases the responsible official shall determine who prepares the EIS and shall have approval authority over its contents. If the responsible official requires an EIS for a proposal and determines that someone other than the County will prepare the EIS, the responsible official shall notify the applicant within ten (10) days after completion of the threshold determination. In such cases, the County will contract directly with a qualified consultant for preparation of the EIS.

(3) The responsible official may require an applicant to provide additional environmental or project description information, including specific investigations necessary to reasonably understand the proposal and its impacts and to enable the responsible official to make a well-reasoned environmental determination. However, the applicant is not required to supply information that is not required under this chapter or that is being requested from another agency. (This does not apply to information the County may request under another ordinance or statute.)

(4) If the responsible official determines that a consultant will be required to prepare an EIS, the Department of Community Development shall call for proposals and qualifications of firms to prepare the EIS within ten (10) days of completion of the EIS scoping process. A call for proposals may be made prior to completion of the scoping process, provided that a draft scoping notice has been completed to the satisfaction of the responsible official.

(5) The responsible official shall determine which consultants are qualified to complete an EIS as described in a call for proposal. The County shall place the names of consultants eligible to prepare the EIS on a list to be submitted to the applicant. The applicant shall select the consultant from the list and shall submit a letter to the responsible official providing the applicant’s consent to the consultant. Clallam County shall then enter into a contract for professional services with the consultant setting forth duties, responsibilities and costs for preparation of the EIS. Fees for preparation of the EIS shall be required of the applicant as set forth in CCC 27.01.300 and Chapter 3.30 CCC.