Biologists at WSDOT work to protect fish, wildlife and habitat resources from transportation projects through many different regulations. Some of these regulations are federal such as the Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act; and others are state regulations. The WSDOT Environmental Services Office has developed guidance for regional biologists, local agencies, consultants and maintenance crews to limit impacts to natural resources while following federal and state regulations.
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) has many influencing factors on activities conducted at WSDOT. The ESA requires that federal agencies supporting projects (such as WSDOT projects) do not jeopardize the continued existence of listed endangered and threatened species or their habitat. To ensure compliance with the requirements of the ESA, a process of environmental evaluation, documentation, and review is initiated. The process is initiated through a Biological Assessment (BA) that evaluates the potential effects of a project on listed and proposed fish, wildlife and plant species as well as critical habitats that are likely to occur in the vicinity of the project. This document serves as the basis for consultation with the regulatory agencies, USFWS or NOAA Fisheries.
WSDOT has developed guidance, quality standards, training and an author qualification program for preparing Biological Assessments and the WSDOT consultation process.
If you would like to receive email updates when biological assessment guidance is added or updated, please sign up for our BA Authors list (A list for people who prepare biological assessments).
WSDOT recommends three protocols and templates for evaluating wildlife, fisheries, or vegetation resources on transportation projects. The protocols and templates are useful when preparing Fish, Wildlife and Vegetation Discipline Reports during the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)/State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) process.
Templates and protocols used in Biological Assessments during Endangered Species Act consultations are available on the Biological Assessment pages.
Some of the most influential federal and state regulations affecting the work of WSDOT biologists include the Endangered Species Act, Bald Eagle Protection Act of 1940 (amended in 1962 to include golden eagles), Magnuson Stevens Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and sections of the Washington Administrative Code and the Revised Code of Washington pertaining to fish, wildlife, and habitat.
WSDOT policy directive (Executive Order 1031, "Protections and Connections for High Quality Natural Habitats") mandates consideration of habitat values and wildlife movement needs in all transportation activities. WSDOT and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife are co-leading development of a Statewide Habitat Connectivity Plan that will identify important wildlife corridors between wildland blocks statewide. This plan will be an important tool for the conservation of wildlife habitat and will identify the highway segments where wildlife movements are important to consider in transportation planning, project development, and operation of the transportation system.
In some instances, the needs of wildlife will require installation of fencing or crossing structures. There are several ongoing projects in which wildlife crossing issues play a key role. Some of the most visible project examples include:
Wildlife Carcass Removal Database
Deer carcass removal hotspots in Washington State (Click image for larger map)
WSDOT maintenance crews submit data on wildlife (primarily deer and elk) carcasses removed from state highways. WSDOT Geographic Information Systems and biological staff make these data available for mapping and general queries to help with project planning and identification of problem areas. These data are being used to identify the most important locations for installation of fencing and crossing structures to reduce wildlife mortalities and improve highway safety.
WSDOT deer and elk - carcass removal contact: Kelly McAllister.
Wildlife Related WSDOT Research:
Other Related Resources:
Biologists in the Environmental Services Office have been developing guidance for WSDOT maintenance personnel to assure that highway maintenance activities do not impact protected terrestrial species that occur on WSDOT bridges throughout the state. A summary of species that may inhabit WSDOT bridges and the regulations pertaining to them are highlighted in the Wildlife on Bridges brochure. Commonly asked questions and answers about wildlife on bridges can be found in this Question and Answer page.