Environmental stewardship is a core value of the Hood Canal Bridge project team. Extensive plans are developed prior to all construction work to help protect wildlife and to minimize the affect of the bridge work on the environment. Weekly inspections at all construction sites ensure appropriate preventative measures are in place. When an incident does occur, these plans guide the crew's response.
As a result of the May 2001 passage of Senate bill 6188 --the Environmental Permit Streamlining Act (RCW 47.06) -- an interagency Transportation Permit Efficiency and Accountability Committee (TPEAC) was formed. The Hood Canal Bridge project was chosen as one of the pilot projects. The goal of the TPEAC committee for this project was to have all project permits by November 2002. A draft Unified Permit Application (UPA) was developed by the interdisciplinary team working on this project. Ongoing environmental safeguards are taken throughout the project in compliance with the permits issued for this project.
Throughout construction, WSDOT and the contractor have done their part to protect endangered, threatened or protected species such as salmon, marbled murrelet, pigeon guillemots, seals, sea lions, seagulls, geoducks, eelgrass and eagles. Crews make sure these species are not negatively affected by construction work by meeting requirements to be good stewards of the environment.
The construction sites are held responsible for protecting the environment by watching for spills, identifying leaky equipment, and taking other actions. Each individual site focuses on meeting environmental compliance requirements.
Concrete Technology- Tacoma, Wash.
The focus of environmental efforts at the pontoon construction site center on managing and treating water. A water handling system collects, retains and treats water inside the graving dock before it is pumped out. This system is inspected regularly and water quality tests are conducted monthly to maintain project environmental standards. No environmental incidents occurred at this site in 2006.
Todd Pacific Shipyards- Seattle, Wash.
The dry dock used for anchor construction is located on Elliot Bay in Seattle. In this marine environment, the focus of environmental efforts also centers on managing and treating water. The dry dock functions as a containment facility by keeping storm water and construction water runoff within the dock. The water is then transported into a large holding tank where it is tested for pH levels and discharged for treatment to meet established criteria. No environmental incidents occurred at this site in 2006.
Hood Canal Bridge site- Shine, Wash.
All in-water and land work at the bridge site that was guided by environmental regulations was completed in November 2006 in accordance with permit conditions. Crews installed permanent drainage systems and stabilized the slope at the north side of the east half of the bridge. This work required storm water collecting and filtering systems such as compost and trenches, and placing erosion control mats and plant life. Even after the severe winter storms this year, the storm water collecting and filtering systems held firm. Water quality testing will continue until plants are established. Two environmental incidents occurred at this site in 2006. Both were quickly resolved and reported to the appropriate agencies.
The Project
Throughout the remainder of the Hood Canal Bridge project, WSDOT,
K-G and subcontractors will continue their dedication to environmental stewardship by meeting environmental requirements.
For more information, please visit the WSDOT Environmental Services Web site.