Environment - Compliance

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NEPA / SEPA Guidance

The following guidance is available to help WSDOT interpret and implement the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA):   

WSDOT Guidance

  • Guidance on Preparing Cumulative Impact Analyses. EPA, FHWA and WSDOT collaborated on this project level cumulative effects guidance. Although we relied heavily on similar TXDOT and Caltrans guidance documents, this guidance is tailored to our state’s unique land use law, the Growth Management Act.
    While the new guidance is comprehensive, we recognize that practitioners may still have questions. We intend to develop answers to “Frequently Asked Questions”. These will serve as one method to address some of the more confusing areas. In the near future look for more information on this subject.
  • WSDOT Environmental Procedures Manual.  Part 4 of the manual describes WSDOT's procedures for complying with NEPA and SEPA.
  • Reader-Friendly Environmental Document Guidance
  • Signatory Agency Committee (SAC) Agreement. This agreement between WSDOT and several state and federal regulatory agencies describes WSDOT's procedures for complying with NEPA for certain existing projects that require an Individual U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit and a NEPA environmental impact statement.
  • Technical Memoranda and Discipline Report Guidance. This guidance is available to help WSDOT determine when and how to prepare a Technical Memorandum (to document a conclusion that a Discipline Report is not needed) or a Discipline Report (which is used to prepare an Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement when one is required under NEPA and/or SEPA.)
  • Template for Coordinated Review of Discipline Reports    

Other Federal and State Agency Guidance  

Example NEPA / SEPA Documents  

The following NEPA/SEPA documents can be used as examples by project offices. Additional examples and suggestions for improvement are welcome.

Project Administrative Documents

Environmental Review Summaries (ERSs)
I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East Project Study Plan (pdf 3.2 mb)
I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East Project Public Involvement Plan (pdf 601 kb)
I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East Project Communication Plan (pdf 105 kb)
I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East Project Preliminary Recommendation of Alternatives (pdf 622 kb)

Technical Memoranda

Alaskan Way Viaduct & Seawall Replacement Project - Environmental Justice (pdf 440 kb)
Alaskan Way Viaduct & Seawall Replacement Project - Economics (pdf 760 KB) 

Discipline Reports

SR-509 Corridor Completion/I-5/South Access Road - Land Use (pdf 4 mb)
I-405, Renton Nickel Improvement Project - Social (pdf 5 mb)
I-5/I-205 Salmon Creek Interchange Project - Water Resources (pdf 1.89 mb)
US 12 Wallula to Walla Walla - Phase 6 Project - Water Resources (pdf 3.77 mb)

Categorical and Documented Categorical Exclusions (CEs and DCEs)

SR 6/ Chehalis River Bridge Rehabilitation Project CE (pdf 67 kb)
SR 112 (MP 24.88) Environmental Retrofit Project DCE (pdf 66 kb)

Environmental Assessments (EAs)

I-405 Bellevue Nickel Project EA
I-405 Kirkland Nickel Project EA
Downtown Bremerton Pedestrian/BTC Access Improvements Project

Environmental Impact Statements (EISs)

I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East Project Draft EIS
Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement Project Draft EIS
US 395 North Spokane Corridor Final EIS
Vancouver Rail Project Final EIS

Records of Decision (RODs)

SR 704 (Cross Base Highway) (pdf 247 kb)
I-90 Two-way Transit and HOV Operations Project

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