STATE ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT DETERMINATION OF NON-SIGNIFICANCE BELLINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 501 GENEVA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PLAYGROUND Date of Issuance: March 12, 2026 Lead Agency: Bellingham School District No. 501 Agency Contact: Curtis Lawyer DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSAL: The proposed action is for permit approval from Whatcom County for the replacement of the playground at Geneva Elementary School. The scope of work for playground improvements includes the removal of existing play equipment and wood chips, and 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 (existing grass slope area) and the Pre-K play area. There will be proposed seating area, trails, steps and assessable walkway included. 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. Site earthwork is estimated to be approximately 1,640 cubic yards (CY) excavation (cut) and 1,000 CY of fill. PRE-APPLICATION WHATCOM COUNTY: PRE2026-00003 PROPONENT/APPLICANT: Bellingham School District No. 501 LOCATION OF PROPOSAL: Geneva Elementary School is located at 1401 Geneva Street, Bellingham, Washington. The playground project redevelopment area is west and northwest of the school building. The school is in unincorporated Whatcom County within the Geneva neighborhood area. The Whatcom County Assessor denotes that the elementary school site is comprised of a single tax parcel, which is designated as Parcel ID #71496 / Parcel Tax #380327464081 and is about eight acres in size. The school campus is within Section 27, 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 Whatcom County (as the permitting agency) ordinances related to general environmental protection including, but not limited to drainage/stormwater and utilities extension. Whatcom County (County) 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 County 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 25, 2026 to the Responsible Official as named below. Responsible Official: Curtis Lawyer Title: Capital Projects Director Address: Bellingham School District No. 501 1985 Barkley Boulevard Bellingham, Washington 98226 Email: Curtis.Lawyer@bellinghamschools.org Phone: (360) 676-6531 Published/Issued: March 12, 2026 There is no administrative appeal process for this determination. IPL0321665 Mar 12 2026