As part of the environmental compliance process for the I-5 to Medina project, WSDOT applied for numerous federal, state, and local permits. As of March 23, 2012, all required permits had been issued, allowing WSDOT to proceed with replacement of the vulnerable SR 520 floating bridge and development of natural resource mitigation sites.
View an interactive map of our proposed natural resource and park mitigation sites.
What permits were issued for the SR 520, I-5 to Medina project?
Following several years of coordination, in late March 2012, WSDOT received the final permit necessary to begin construction on the SR 520 floating bridge. Local, state, and federal agencies issued the following permits and authorizations:
| City of Seattle Shoreline |
Status |
1. Floating Bridge and West Connection Bridge
2. Montlake Bascule Bridge
3. Portage Bay Bridge
4. Taylor Creek Mitigation Site
5. West Approach Bridge
|
Issued by City of Seattle on January 17, 2012
Approved by Department of Ecology on February 17, 2012
|
6. Magnuson Park Mitigation
7. Union Bay Natural Area Mitigation Site
8. WSDOT Peninsula Mitigation Site
9. Seward Park Mitigation Site
|
Issued by City of Seattle on January 17, 2012
Approved by Department of Ecology on February 17, 2012
|
| City of Medina Shoreline |
Status |
10. Floating Bridge and East Approach Conditional Use Permit
11. Floating Bridge and East Approach Shoreline Substantial Development Permit
12. Bridge Maintenance Facility Conditional Use Permit
13. Bridge Maintenance Facility Shoreline Substantial Development Permit
|
Issued by City of Medina on February 1, 2012
Approved by Department of Ecology on February 17, 2012
|
| State and federal permits covering I-5 to Medina |
Status |
| 14. Department of Ecology – Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certification |
Issued by Department of Ecology on February 15, 2012 |
| 15. Department of Ecology – Coastal Zone Management Program Consistency Determination |
Issued by Department of Ecology on February 21, 2012 |
| 16. U.S. Coast Guard – General Bridge Permit |
Issued by U.S. Coast Guard on March 9, 2012 |
| 17. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) – Hydraulic Project Approval |
Issued by WDFW on March 9, 2012 |
| 18. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Sections 10 and 404 permits |
Issued by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on March 23, 2012 |
Were the permit applications based off of the selected alternative design?
Yes, the permit applications were based on the design of the selected alternative, which WSDOT evaluated in the final environmental impact statement as the preferred alternative. This alternative was selected in the record of decision, which was issued by the Federal Highway Administration in August 2011.
How have permitting agencies been involved in the project?
WSDOT has worked closely with local, state and federal agencies throughout the planning and design process on issues such wetland and aquatic mitigation, in-water construction, stormwater, and fish passage.
Agency staff provided valuable input and feedback during the design process. Their feedback resulted in fewer impacts to natural resources, and helped the project team identify appropriate mitigation for impacts that could not be avoided or minimized.