Significant Ecological Areas (SEAs) FAQ

What is an SEA?

Significant Ecological Areas (SEAs), as specified in the County General Plan, are ecologically important land and water systems that are valuable as plant or animal communities, often important to the preservation of threatened or endangered species and to conservation of biological diversity in the County.

SEAs overlap zoning and other land use designations. Because of the biological resources, the proposed development plan is reviewed by a panel of experts (SEATAC, SEA Technical Advisory Committee), and minutes of the meetings comprise the recommendations of the panel. This review is done to ensure that applicants and planners have advice on how to do the development in a way that will best accommodate longevity of those resources.

For more information on resources and locations of SEAs, please visit the SEA Program page.

What is an SEA - CUP?

The Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for development in an SEA will contain conditions that are specific to the proposed development in that SEA.