STATE ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT DETERMINATION OF NON-SIGNIFICANCE BELLINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 501 NORTHERN HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PLAYGROUND Date of Issuance: February 25, 2026 Lead Agency: Bellingham School District #501 Agency Contact: Curtis Lawyer DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSAL: The proposed action is for permit approval from the City of Bellingham (City) for the replacement of the existing playground located along the eastern side of Northern Heights Elementary School. All improvements will occur within the existing playground footprint and will include installation of new playground equipment and rubber surfacing. The scope of work for playground improvements includes the removal of existing play equipment and wood chips, and the installation of new play equipment, play-area surfacing, play-area drainage, and associated site enhancements. Playground surfacing will consist of rubber tiles in the K–5 play area and synthetic turf in both the hillside play area and the Pre-K play area. All play areas will be constructed on a concrete subbase, and the playgrounds will be replaced to roughly match the size of the existing playgrounds. Fencing would be placed around the project area and in the future there may be additional fencing for the entire site. PROPONENT: Bellingham School District No. 501 LOCATION OF PROPOSAL: Northern Heights Elementary School is located at 4000 Magrath Road in Bellingham, Washington. The Whatcom County Assessor denotes that the elementary school site is comprised of a single tax parcel, which is designated as Parcel ID #58020 / Parcel Tax #380315069460 and is almost 16 acres in size. The Northern Heights Elementary School campus is within the northwest quarter of Section 15, Township 38 N., Range 3 E., WM. LEAD AGENCY: The lead agency for this proposal has determined that it does not have a probable significant adverse impact on the environment. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is not required under RCW 43.21C.030(2)(c). This determination assumes compliance with State law and City of Bellingham (City), as the permitting agency, ordinances related to general environmental protection including but not limited to drainage/stormwater and utilities extension. The City may require additional notification related to compliance with their regulations, which are separate from the notification of this SEPA determination. Issuance of this threshold determination does not constitute approval of the permit(s). This proposal will be reviewed for compliance with all applicable City codes, which regulate development activities. This decision was made after review of a completed environmental checklist and other information on file with the lead agency. This information is available to the public upon request. It is the policy of the Bellingham School District (District) that, when undertaking an action involving the exercise of substantive SEPA authority, the District shall consider, as appropriate under the circumstances, the ramifications of such action as to one or more of the factors listed in Bellingham School District Policy, State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Compliance 6890, C. Substantive Authority and Appeals. This Determination of Non-Significance (DNS) is issued under WAC 197-11-340(2). The lead agency will not act on this proposal for 14 days from the published date below. Comments must be submitted by March 10, 2026 to the Responsible Official as named below. Responsible Official: Curtis Lawyer Title: Capital Projects Director Address: Bellingham School District #501 1985 Barkley Boulevard Bellingham, Washington 98226 Email: Curtis.Lawyer@bellinghamschools.org Phone: (360) 676-6531 Published/Issued: February 25, 2026 There is no administrative appeal process for this determination. IPL0317251 Feb 25 2026