General Guidance
WSDOT Environmental Procedures Manual (EPM)
The WSDOT Environmental Procedures Manual (EPM) defines the procedures WSDOT will use to ensure compliance with all applicable environmental laws and regulations throughout the WSDOT Transportation Decision-Making Process, which includes Transportation Planning, Project Scoping and Programming, Design and Environmental Review, Environmental Permitting and PS&E (Plans, Specifications, and Estimates), Construction, Maintenance and Operations, and Property Management. The manual is generally updated and published on the webpage accessed above on an annual basis, and any errata or addenda prepared between updates will be posted here:
Interagency Agreements
WSDOT's current agreements with other agencies on environmental matters are listed in Appendix A of the Environmental Procedures Manual.
Environmental Executive Orders
Environmental Executive Orders issued at the federal and state level can address a variety of policy matters, and they remain active until rescinded.
Environmental Directives
The following directives issued by the Governor deal with environmental matters:
The following directives issued by the Secretary of Transportation deal with environmental matters:
- D 22-22 - Noise Evaluation Procedures for Existing State Highways
- D 27-09 - Public Notice U.S. Army Corps of Engineers/U.S. Coast Guard
- P 2038 - Wetland Protection and Preservation (supersedes D 31-12)
Environmental Instructional Letters
Occasionally WSDOT Executives will issue what is known as an "Instructional Letter" to accomplish a particular purpose within a specified period of time. Usually, such letters will have both an effective date and an expiration date that will allow enough time for a prescribed procedure to be incorporated into an appropriate WSDOT manual.
Environmental Compliance Assurance Procedure (ECAP)
WSDOT developed an Environmental Compliance Assurance Procedure (ECAP) for construction projects in 2004, and the procedure has since been incorporated into the WSDOT Construction Manual. It is designed to enable WSDOT to recognize and eliminate environmental violations during the construction phase on WSDOT construction sites, and to ensure prompt notification to WSDOT management and agencies.
WSDOT has also developed an Environmental Compliance Assurance Procedure (ECAP) for maintenance projects. It may be found in Chapter 790 of the WSDOT Environmental Procedures Manual. The procedure is also incorporated into several Regional Environmental Compliance Plans applicable to maintenance.
Environmental Permit Guidance