Environmental Manual M 31-11 Chapter 400 Environmental ... · Environmental Review and Transportation Decision Making Chapter 400 ... Federal transportation law also allows “participating

WSDOT Environmental Manual M 31-11.18 Page 400-1 June 2018

Chapter 400 Environmental Review (NEPA/SEPA) and Transportation Decision Making

400.01 DefiningaTransportationProjectforEnvironmentalReview400.02 RolesandResponsibilities400.03 IdentifyingtheTypeofEnvironmentalDocument400.04 NEPA/SEPAProcedures400.05 EnsuringEnvironmentalDocumentQuality400.06 UsingExistingEnvironmentalDocuments400.07 DocumentinganEnvironmentalImpactStatement(EIS)400.08 DocumentinganEnvironmentalAssessment(EA)400.09 DocumentingCategoricalExclusions/Exemptions(CE)400.10 EnvironmentalDocumentLegalConsiderations400.11 ApplicableStatutesandRegulations400.12 AbbreviationsandAcronyms400.13 Glossary

400.01 Defining a Transportation Project for Environmental ReviewWSDOTusesaPracticalSolutionsapproachfortransportationdecision-making(RCW47.01.480).ThePracticalSolutionsapproachisperformancebasedanddatadriven,usingthelatesttoolsandperformancemeasurestosupportefficienciesinoperation,toreducetraveldemand,andtoreducetheneedforcostlynewinfrastructure.CommunityengagementisakeyfactorinfindingPracticalSolutions.Additionally,thereisemphasisondevelopingaconcisedefinitionoftheprojectperformanceneedstoincludeonlytheworknecessarytoachieveaneededimprovement.Indoingso,thesystemasawholereceivesthegreatestreturnoninvestment.PracticalSolutionsisanapproachtocompleteTransportationSystemManagementandhelpsfocusagencyeffortsfrommaintainingandoperatingtransportationinfrastructuretoplanning,defininganddeliveringatransportationproject.

WSDOTprojectstransitionfromTransportationPlanning(Chapter200)ProjectScopingandProgramming(Chapter300)phasesoftheWSDOTTransportationDecisionMakingProcess,totheEnvironmentalReviewphasewhentheprojectreceivesfederalorstatefunding.ThePracticalSolutionsapproach,includingPlanningEnvironmentalLinkage(PEL),ensuresasmoothtransitionfromplanningtodesign.TheEnvironmentalReviewphaseincludes:• Establishingthetypeofenvironmentaldocumentation.• Developingandanalyzingalternatives,asappropriate.• Analyzinganddocumentingenvironmentalimpacts.• Buildinguponpreviousoutreacheffortstoinvolvethepublic,tribes,andfederalandstateresourceagenciesinthedecisionmakingprocess.

• Selectinganalternativeandmakingenvironmentalcommitments(workonpermitsbeginsinthisphase).

• Finalizingandapprovingtheproject.

TheEnvironmentalReviewphaseisillustratedinExhibit400-1.

https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/about/practical-solutions

https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=47.01.480


Page 400-2 WSDOT Environmental Manual M 31-11.18 June 2018

The Environmental Review phase ends with approval of environmental documentation including:• NEPA/SEPA (Chapter 400)• Endangered Species Act (Chapter 436)• Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (Chapter 456)• Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act (Chapter 457)• Section 6(f) Outdoor Recreation Resources (Chapter 457)

After the environmental documents are finalized environmental permits can be issued and PS&E can begin. Also, if applicable, FHWA can approve an Access Revision (formerly known as an Interchange Justification Report or IJR) – refer to Design Manual Chapter 550 for a description of the required procedures, analysis, and coordination with the environmental documentation process.

WSDOT projects are required to comply with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) when those projects involve a federal action. That federal action could be an approval (land, acess break, etc.), funding, or a permit. When WSDOT initially scopes a project it determines whether or not a project will require NEPA, and the likely documentation path. This decision is routinely made between the federal lead, Program Management, and the Region/Modal Office.

Exhibit 400-1 Environmental Review and Transportation Decision MakingProject

Scoping and Planning

PhaseDesign and Environmental Review Phase

Environmental Permitting and PS&E Phase

Inter-disciplinary Team, Public Involvement Plan. PEL* documentation

EIS or EA Scoping

Gather Data

Develop and Evaluate Alternatives as

appropriate (EIS)

Select Preferred Alternative as appropriate for EA/EIS

Project Funding Evaluate Potential Impacts

Final Environmental Document

*Note: Planning and Environmental Linkage (PEL) refers to the approach of considering environmental goals in planning and using work done in planning to inform the environmental process.

400.02 Roles and Responsibilities

400.02(1) Lead AgenciesFederal and state laws require designation of an agency to lead the environmental review process. CEQ 40 CFR 1501.5 lists factors to consider in determining federal lead agency, as well as the process for resolving lead agency disputes. Likewise, guidance for determining lead agency for State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) is found in WAC 197-11-922. The primary role of the federal NEPA lead agency is to provide guidance and to independently evaluate the adequacy of the environmental document (see 42 USC 4332(2)(D) and 23 CFR 771.123).

Federal NEPA leads are determined by considering a project’s federal nexus. A federal nexus involves a major federal action including federal funding, permitting or approval of the proposed action. Most WSDOT projects involve FHWA as the NEPA lead. One Federal

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Publications/Manuals/M22-01.htm

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/publications/manuals/fulltext/M22-01/550.pdf


https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=e61eeca89bcab37404c83353a6309472&mc=true&node=se40.37.1501_15&rgn=div8

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=197-11-922

http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section4332&num=0&edition=prelim

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&SID=e08057acac55663ddc824fbe78ec011d&rgn=div5&view=text&node=23:1.0.1.8.43&idno=23#23:1.0.1.8.43.0.1.13

https://www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/nepa/oneFederal_decision.aspx

Environmental Review (NEPA/SEPA) and Transportation Decision Making Chapter 400


DecisionprovidesnewrequirementsforthefederalleadonEISlevelprojects,discussedfurtherbelow.

Agenciesmayco-leadtheenvironmentalreviewiftheprojectisfundedbymorethanonefederalagency.Otherfederalagenciesmayassumeleadorco-leadagencystatusiftheyhavecontributedprojectfunding,orhaveadditionalapprovalresponsibilities.PotentialNEPAco-leadsinclude,butarenotlimitedto:• FederalTransitAdministration(FTA)• FederalAviationAdministration(FAA)• FederalRailroadAdministration(FRA)• NationalParkService(NPS)• USArmyCorpsofEngineers(Corps)• UnitedStatesCoastGuard(USCG)• UnitedStatesForestService(USFS)

EachfederalagencyhasitsownuniqueregulationsandprocessestoimplementNEPA.WSDOTstaffisadvisedtocontactanyfederalleadorco-leadagencytounderstandtheirNEPArequirementsanddefinetheroleofeachco-leadbeforesettlingonastrategytocompleteNEPA.Note:IfyourprojectwillrequireaUSCoastGuardSection9permit,refertotheMOAbetweentheUSCoastGuardandFHWAforNEPAcoordinationrequirements.

WSDOT,FHWA,andthelocalgovernmentagencyshareco-leadagencystatusunderNEPAforlocalagencyprojectsfundedbyFHWA.Together,theco-leadagenciesapproveandsigntheNEPAenvironmentaldocument.However,thelocalagencyisgenerallytheleadagencyresponsibleforSEPA.

WSDOTistheSEPAleadagency(WAC197-11-926)fortransportationprojectsitidentifiesonthestatesystem.Inaccordancewithstatelaw,WSDOThasadopteditsownrulesandproceduresforimplementingSEPA(WAC468-12).WSDOT’sSEPAresponsibilitiesarebasedonitsauthoritytosite,design,constructandoperatestatetransportationfacilities.WSDOTtypicallyprepares,approvesandsignsitsownSEPAdocuments.

400.02(2) Cooperating/Consulted Agencies UnderNEPA,anyfederalagencywithjurisdictionmustbeaskedtobecomeacooperatingagency.Byservingasacooperatingagency,theagencycanensurethatanyNEPAdocumentneededfortheprojectwillbecraftedtoalsosatisfytheNEPArequirementsforitsparticularjurisdictionalresponsibility.WSDOT’spolicyistoinvitenon-federalagenciesandtribestobecooperatingagencieswhentheyhavejurisdictionorspecialexpertise.SeeExhibit400-2 forexamplesofpotentialcooperatingagencies.

CooperatingagenciesparticipateinEISorEAscopingtotoidentifypotentialenvironmentalimpacts,alternatives,mitigatingmeasures,andrequiredpermits.TheyreviewandcommentonEA/EISlevelprojectsandmayalsopreparespecialstudiesorshareinthecostoftheenvironmentaldocumentation.ForEISlevelprojects,concurrenceonkeymilestonesisrequiredfromcooperatingagencieswhoseauthorizationisrequiredfortheproject.ThetermsandrequirementsofagencyinvolvementunderSEPAaresimilartothatofNEPA.Forregulatoryguidance,seeCEQ40CFR1501.6,23CFR771.109and771.111,WAC197-11-408(2)(d),WAC197-11-410(1)(d),WAC197-11-724,andWAC197-11-920.


http://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=197-11-926

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=468-12

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=e61eeca89bcab37404c83353a6309472&mc=true&node=se40.37.1501_16&rgn=div8

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&SID=01d6b093741fa24fe6164dab90038aff&rgn=div5&view=text&node=23:1.0.1.8.43&idno=23#23:1.0.1.8.43.0.1.5

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&SID=65b8e604c6d1a877ab62be8f1a0e8f86&rgn=div5&view=text&node=23:1.0.1.8.43&idno=23#23:1.0.1.8.43.0.1.6








ForNEPAEISs,theleadagency,incoordinationwiththeprojectsponsorandthecooperatingagencies,developapermittingtimetable,identifyaprojectpointofcontact,anddefineandagreeonrolesandexpectationsatthebeginningoftheproject.ProjectteamswilldefinetherolesandexpectationsinanEISCoordinationPlan.

1. Requesting Cooperation –AccordingtoCEQregulations,federalagencieswithjurisdictionmustacceptcooperatingagencystatus.ThefederalNEPAleadcanacceptanagency’sdecisiontodeclinecooperatingagencystatusiftheagency’swrittenresponsetotherequeststatesthatitsNEPAregulationsdonotrequireanEISinresponsetotheproposedaction.

2. WSDOT as a Cooperating Agency–OtheragenciesmayaskWSDOTtobecomeacooperatingagencyforactionswhereWSDOTisnottheleadagency.Thiscouldoccuronprojectswhenalandholdingagency,suchastheU.S.ForestService,BureauofLandManagement,BureauofIndianAffairs,oratribalgovernment,proposesaprojectthatcouldimpactWSDOTfacilities.CountyandmunicipaltransportationorganizationscouldalsoinvolveWSDOTasacooperatingagencyforSEPAcompliance.

3. Local Agencies –ThatreceivefundsthroughWSDOT’sLocalProgramsOfficecanbecooperatingagenciesaswell.MoreinformationregardingLocalAgenciescanbefoundintheLocalProgramsEnvironmentalClassificationSummaryGuidelines.

400.02(3) Participating AgenciesFederaltransportationlawalsoallows“participatingagency”status.ThistermisuniquetoUSDOT’scompliancewithNEPA.TheintentoftheparticipatingagencyistoencouragegovernmentalagencieswithaninterestintheproposedprojecttobeactiveparticipantsintheNEPAEISevaluation.Designationasaparticipatingagencydoesnotindicateprojectsupport,butitdoesgiveinvitedagenciesopportunitiestoprovideinputatkeydecisionpointsintheprocessinvolvementinthedevelopmentofaproject’senvironmentalchecklistandcoordinationplan,andconcurrenceonprojectschedule.

Anyfederal,state,tribal,regional,andlocalgovernmentalagenciesthatmayhaveaninterestintheprojectshouldbeinvitedtoserveasparticipatingagencies.Non-governmentalorganizationsandprivateentitiescannotserveasparticipatingagencies.Aparticipatingagencydiffersfromacooperatingagencyinthelevelofinvolvementthatagencyhasinaproject.Anagencywithjurisdictionbylaworspecialexpertiseinregardstoenvironmentalimpactsshouldbemoreinvolved,andthereforeinvitedtobeacooperatingagency.Anagencywithlimitedinterest,orasmallactionassociatedwiththelargerprojectshouldbeinvitedtobeaparticipatingagency.

Careshouldbetakenwhenevaluatingyourlistofpotentialparticipatingagencies.Itisnotnecessarytoinviteagenciesthathaveonlyatangential,speculative,orremoteinterestintheproject.ThesameagencieslistedinExhibit400-2maybeaskedtobeparticipatingagencies.

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/CD9AC400-7F5F-4FB6-923E-D744B4839C6F/0/WSDOT6002CoordPlanTemplate.pdf

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/87901EB4-008A-43A0-9DB7-2179E0BC939F/0/ECSGuidebookSecure.pdf



Therolesandresponsibilitiesofparticipatingagenciesincludebutarenotlimitedto:• Identifyingpotentialenvironmentalorsocioeconomicimpactsthatcouldsubstantiallydelayorpreventanagencyfromgrantingapermitorotherapprovalthatisneededfortheproject.

• ParticipatingintheNEPAprocess,especiallywithregardtothedevelopmentof:thepurposeandneedstatement;rangeofalternatives;methodologies;and,thelevelofdetailfortheanalysisofalternatives.

• Providingmeaningfulandtimelyinputonunresolvedissues.

ExpectationsandcommitmentsaboutagencyparticipationshouldbeaddressedintheEISCoordinationPlan(seetheNEPA&SEPAGuidancewebpage).Itisappropriatetotailoranagency’sparticipationtoitsareaofinterestorjurisdiction.

400.02(4) Tribal Participation TribescanbeinvolvedinfourcapacitiesunderNEPA:• Asacooperatingagency(withexpertiseand/orjurisdiction);• AsaparticipatingagencyonEISprojects;• Asaconsultedparty;• Asanaffectedcommunity.

SeeChapter530andtheWSDOTTribalConsultationwebpageforguidanceonwhenandhowtoconsultwithtribesduringtheNEPAenvironmentalreviewprocessonprojects.

400.02(5) Public Involvement / Community EngagementPublicinvolvementandasystematicinterdisciplinaryapproach(involvingotheragencieswithjurisdiction/expertise)areessentialpartsofthetransportationprojectdevelopmentprocess(23CFR771.105(c)).NEPAandSEPArequirenotificationandcirculationofenvironmentaldocumentstoallowconsiderationofpublicinputbeforedecisionsaremade.LackofpublicnoticecanjustifyanappealoftheproceduralaspectsofNEPAandSEPAprocessesanddelayprojects.

TherearenopublicnoticerequirementsforNEPAorSEPACEs,butopenhouses,newsletters,andotherpublicoutreachareencouragedforanytransportationprojects.Theproject’scomplexityand/orlevelofcontroversyshouldbeusedtojudgetherightamountofpublicinvolvement.

WSDOT’sagencyguidanceonpublicinvolvementisdetailedinDesign Manual Exhibits210-1through210-4andinWSDOT’sCommunityEngagementPlan(2016).

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/environment/technical/nepa-sepa

https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/tribal/default.htm



http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/planning/default.htm



Exhibit 400-2 Potential Cooperating AgenciesAgency Jurisdiction

Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Clean Air Act, Hazardous Waste Sites, Sole Source Aquifers, Water Supply

ederal Agency Land Manager: National Park Service (NPS) US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)Bureau of Land Management (BLM)U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Department of Defense (DoD)General Services Administration (GSA)

Land transfer from: National Park System National Wildlife Refuge Public LandsNational Forest System Military FacilitiesFederal Buildings

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airspace, hazardous wildlife, airport facilities, and other air transportation activities

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Regulatory floodwayFederal Transit Administration (FTA) Projects with transit fundingU.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Section 10 and Section 404 Permits, including wetland

fill activitiesU.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Projects involving water crossings (bridges or culverts)U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) Areas funded under various fish and wildlife related

grant programs or projects affecting endangered species (ESA)

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries

ESA, fish and wildlife natural habitat, wetlands, stream relocations, estuaries

National Park Service (NPS) Impacts to properties funded thru the Land and Water conservation Fund Act (Section 6(f)) and review of some Section 4(f) Evaluations

Rural Electrification administration (REA) Relocation of utilities constructed or assisted with REA loans

Tribal Governments Agency with expertise or jurisdictionWashington State Agencies:

Dept. of Archaeology & Historic Preservation (DAHP) Dept. of Ecology (DOE)Dept. of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)Dept. of Natural Resources (WDNR)

Agency with expertise or jurisdiction, Historic, cultural and archaeological sites:

Wetlands, water quality, stream relocations, estuariesFish and wildlife natural habitat, wetlands, water quality, stream relocations, estuariesUse of state owned aquatic lands

Environmental R

eview (N

EPA/SEPA

) and Transportation Decision M

aking C

hapter 400

WSD

OT Environm

ental Manual

M 31-11.18

Page 400-7 June 2018

Exhibit 400-3 NEPA/SEPA Environmental Review Process

Proposed Action

Initial Coordination & Analysis

Significant* Impact?

NEPA Categorically Excluded?

Prepare Environmental Assessment (EA)

Significant Impact? Yes

No

30 Day Public Review

DNS and Notice of Adoption

Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)

Public Notice and 14 Day Comment Period

Agency Action

Prepare Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

Optional: Issue Lim

itation on C

laims N

oticeIssue Notice of Intent and Scoping Process

Optional: Issue Notice of Action Taken

Publish Draft EIS

45 Day Public Review

Publish Final EIS

30 Day Waiting Period

Record of Decision

Optional: Issue Limitation on Claims NoticeAgency Action

Unknown (2%)

Yes(1%)

* Defined in 40 CFR 1508.27 and WAC 197-11-794. Percentages by level of significant impact sourced from WSDOT 2011-2013 Biennium data. Approximately 3% of projects did not require NEPA review.Percentages for SEPA Categorical Exemptions sourced from WSDOT Regional feedback (2016).

No(94%)

SEPA Categorically Exempt?

Yes

No further SEPA Action

NEPA CE Form

No(5%)

No

Yes(95%)

Determination of Non-significance (DNS) or DNS and Notice of Adoption

Supported by:NEPA CE formSEPA Checklist

Includes:Public Notice14 Day Comment Period



400.02(6) WSDOT Internal Roles and ResponsibilitiesSeetheNEPA/SEPADocumentationRolesandResponsibilityTableforasummaryofWSDOTandFHWANEPA/SEPArolesandresponsibilities.

Projects with WSDOT as the Lead Agency1. WSDOTRegionOfficesandModesleadtheproject,managetheprocessandconductthe

analysis.

2. TheEnvironmentalServicesOffice(ESO)supportstheregionalofficesandmodesanddevelopspolicies,programs,andinitiativestoimplementtheagency’senvironmentalpolicyandtoassistwithprojectdelivery.ESOstaffassistsregionandmodestaffbyensuringdocumentqualityandprovidinganindependentthirdpartyreviewpriortosignature.

TheDirectorofEnvironmentalServicesistheResponsibleOfficialforallNEPAEIS/EAsandSEPAEISsindraft,final,supplementalandadoptionformats.ForallotherNEPAandSEPAdocuments,theResponsibleOfficialistheRegionalorModalEnvironmentalManager.ThisappliestoallprojectswhereWSDOTistheleadagency,includingferryandrailprojects.TheESONEPASpecialistworkswithprojectteamsregardingprojectre-evaluations,includingassessingprojectswithnumerousre-evaluationstoensuretheESODirectorisawareofchangesintheprojectfollowingtheinitialdeterminationregardingsignificance.TheResponsibleOfficialisthesignatoryauthorityforthedocument.TheAgencyResponsibleOfficial:• Verifieswhethertheprojecthassignificantimpactsandtheappropriatelevelofstudyneededtodescribetheimpacts.

• AssurestheproceduralrequirementsofNEPA/SEPAhavebeensatisfied,includingpublicinvolvement(asappropriate),commentandresponse.

• Ensurestheprojecthasbeenidentifiedasbeingfiscallyconstrained(forexamplelistedontheSTIP).

• Signsenvironmentaldocumentstoverifythedocument’sadequacyandthatdocumentqualitystandardshavebeenmet.

3. NEPAEISs/EAs,SEPAEISsandanySupplementalEAs/EISspreparedbyregionalofficesandmodesarereviewedbyESObeforetheyaresubmittedasfinal.TheESODirectorsignsthesedocumentsalongwithFHWA,orotherfederaloversightagenciesforNEPApurposes.TheESODirectorsignsSEPAEISsandSupplementalEISsastheagencyapprover.

Projects with a Local Public Agency as the Lead Agency

LocalProgramsOfficeoverseesthedistributionoffederalfundstocitiesandcounties.TheLocalProgramsofficereviewsNEPAenvironmentaldocumentssubmittedbylocalgovernmentsforapprovalbyFHWA.TheLocal Agency GuidelinesM36-63providesmoredetailsonNEPAandSEPAproceduresforlocalgovernmentprojects.

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/7B1A66AB-53FC-403D-8B9E-7FAC2F8FB21D/0/NEPARolesTable.pdf




400.03 Identifying the Type of Environmental DocumentProjectsareclassifiedforenvironmentalreviewpurposesduringProjectScoping.ThisprocessisdocumentedusingWSDOT’sEnvironmentalReviewSummary(ERS)forWSDOTledprojects.Alsoinfluencingaproject’sclassificationandscopeareplanningtoolsandstudiessuchascorridorsketches,thedevelopmentofPlanningEnvironmentalLinkage(PEL)studies(Chapter200),andapplicationofPracticalSolutions(Design ManualChapter1100).Localagencyscopingishandleddifferently,accordingtoeachlocaljurisdiction’sprocess.Chapter300containsadetaileddescriptionoftheNEPAandSEPAclassificationsystems.TheNEPAorSEPAclassificationreflectsthelevelofpotentialenvironmentalimpactandcontrolsthetypeofenvironmentaldocumentasshownbelow.• ClassIprojectsrequireanEIS.• ClassIIprojectsareCategoricallyExcludedfromtheNEPAprocessorCategoricallyExemptfromtheSEPAprocess.ForFHWAprojects,NEPACategoricalExclusionsaredocumentedwithWSDOT’sCEChecklist(akatheERS/ECS).FTAandFRAuseCEworksheetstodocumenttheirdecisions.ForlocalagencyprojectsseetheLocal Agency GuidelinesM36-63.IfyouneedaccesstotheappropriateformtodocumentaNEPACEcontactyourenvironmentalstaff.

• ClassIIIprojectsrequireaNEPAEnvironmentalAssessment(EA)oraSEPAEnvironmentalChecklisttodetermineprojectimpacts.Dependingonlevelofimpactfromthesedocuments,anEAresultsinaFindingofNoSignificantImpacts(FONSI)oraNoticeofIntenttodevelopanEIS(ifprojectimpactsarefoundtobesignificant).Similarly,anEnvironmentalChecklistleadstoaDeterminationofNon-Significance(DNS),oraDeterminationofSignificance(DS)andScopingNoticetodraftanEIS.(WAC197-11-310).

ProjectsexcludedfromNEPAreviewmaystillrequireSEPAreview(WAC197-11-660).Likewise,projectscategoricallyexemptunderSEPAmayrequireadditionaldocumentationfortheNEPAprocess.

EachlevelofenvironmentalreviewrequiresWSDOTandlocalagenciestocomplywithasetprocessandcompleteaspecifictypeofenvironmentaldocument.Exhibit400-3showstheNEPAprocessanddocumenttyperequiredforeachlevelofenvironmentalreviewandtheSEPAprocessanddocumenttype.Thetimerequiredforenvironmentalreviewvariesforeachdocumentationtype.

400.04 NEPA/SEPA ProceduresFederaltransportationlegislationisoftenpassedwithrulesthatmodifyhowUSDOTimplementsNEPA.

InAprilof2018,a“OneFederalDecision”memorandumofunderstandingwasissuedfortheimplementationofPresidentialExecutiveOrder13807.TheMOUandtheorderestablishaframeworkforfederalagenciestostreamlinetheNEPAEISandpermittingprocessesbyimplementingacoordinatedNEPAprocessthatresultsinasingleEISandROD.TheMOUestablishesspecificconcurrencepointsforcooperatingagenciesatkeymilestonessuchaspurposeandneeddevelopmentandrangeofalternatives.AlsopresentedisapermittingtimetableforcompletingNEPAwithintwoyearsfromtheissuanceofthenoticeofintentandarenewedemphasisonpre-scopingandPlanningEnvironmentalLinkage(PEL)work.ThisMOUisacontinuationoftheFASTActandMAP-21streamliningandefficienciesfocus.

https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/publications/manuals/fulltext/M22-01/1100.pdf






https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/presidential-executive-order-establishing-discipline-accountability-environmental-review-permitting-process-infrastructure/



In2015,theFixingAmerica’sSurfaceTransportationActorFASTActwassignedintolaw.FASTactstressesprojectcoordinationandbuildsontherequirementsinMovingAheadforProgressinthe21stCenturyAct(MAP-21).MajorchangestoNEPAincludecreatingaCoordinatedProjectPlanwithallParticipatingAgencies,establishingapermittingtimetablewithacomprehensivescheduleofcompletiondates,andtrackingprojectsonapermittingdashboard.TheActimposesseverallimitationsonjudicialreview,requiringthatchallengesbefiledwithintwoyearsofaROD(comparedtothedefaultsix-yearlimit),limitinglitigantstoonlythosethatcommentedontheoriginalNEPA,andrequiringthecourtstoconsiderimpactsofthecourtdecisiononjobsandtheeconomywhenissuingaprojectstayduringlitigation.

MAP-21,passedin2012,creatednewCategoricalExclusionsandprovidedopportunitytoacceleratetheEISprocessbyallowingcertainprojectstocompleteanFEISbyattachinganerratasheettoaDEIS.TheActrequiredaprogrammaticreviewtocompareandcontrastNEPAwithNEPA-likestatelaws.MAP-21modifiedthestatuteoflimitationsfrom180-daysstatuteoflimitationestablishedinSAFETEA-LUtoa150-daystatuteoflimitationsforchallengestoNEPAactions(23USC139(I)).

Safe,Accountable,Flexible,EfficientTransportationEquityAct:AlegacyforUsersorSAFETEA-LUwassignedintolawin2005,expiredin2009,butwasreneweduntilreplacewithMAP21.SAFETEA-LUbeganaseriesofdelegationsfromUSDOTtostateDOTs,includingdelegationofCategoricalExclusionsforallstatesandcompleteNEPAassignmentto5states.TheActincreasedresponsibilitiesforanewcategoryofNEPAstakeholderscalled“participatingagencies”andaddedproceduresfornoticeandcommentrelatedtodefiningprojectpurposeandneedanddeterminingprojectalternatives.

Proceduressupportingthesepoliciescanbefoundonthe NEPA&SEPAGuidance webpage.ThewebpageallowsthereadertofollowastepbystepprocessforcompletingNEPAandSEPAdocumentation.ThewebpagealsoincludesguidanceonnewNEPA/SEPArequirements,transportationfundingrules,policychangesandadescriptionofhowagencyrolestocompletetheNEPA/SEPAprocessarecarriedout.

Thefollowingsectionsincludegeneraldocumentrequirements,andspecificNEPA/SEPAdocumentationpolicies.Generaldocumentrequirementsincludehowtoensuredocumentqualityandstandardmessageseachdocumentmusthave.

400.05 Ensuring Environmental Document QualityWellwrittendocumentsmakeiteasyforgovernmentagenciesandinterestedcitizenstounderstandtheproject,encouragetimelyissueresolutions,reduceprojectcostsandhelpusmeetprojectdeadlines.

400.05(1) Document Standards and Plain TalkWSDOT’senvironmentaldocumentsfollowtheagencywidestandardssetintheCommunications ManualM3030.Documentspreparedforexternalaudiences,especiallythosethatcirculatetothepublicandagenciesforreviewandcomment,alsomustusetheagencywidestandards.

EISsandEAsshouldbeasconciseaspossible.BothNEPAandSEPAsuggestpagelimits,whichserveasusefulremindersthattheobjectiveistosummarizetherelevantinformation–nottoincludeeverydetail.Themainbodyofthedocumentshouldfocusonwhatisrelevanttothedecisionandincludeenoughinformationtosupportthedecisionwithouthavingtorefertoadditionalsupportingmaterials.

http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title23-section139&num=0&edition=prelim





Supportingmaterialsfortechnicalandlegalreviewers,suchastechnicalmemosanddisciplinereports,correspondence,publicandagencycomments,etc.,shouldbeprovidedintheappendices,orincorporatedbyreference.Guidancefordeterminingwhen,andproceduresforhow,towritedisciplinereportscanbefoundonthePreparingqualityenvironmentaldocumentswebpage.

WSDOT’sReaderFriendlyToolKitprovidesspecifictoolsfordevelopingEISsandEAs.Disciplinereports,intendedforspecifictechnicalaudiences,donotneedtoadheretothestandardreaderfriendlyformat.However,theyshouldbeclearlywrittenfollowingtheplainlanguageprinciples.TheWSDOTRegionandModalTeamshaveaccesstoexamplesofreaderfriendlyenvironmentaldocumentsandcanprovidethosetoothersuponrequest.

400.05(2) Publication Standard MessagesSeveralstandardmessagesmustbeincludedinallenvironmentaldocumentstomeetfederalrequirements.Standardmessagesinclude:• Availabilityandcostofenvironmentaldocument• TitleVIandADAcompliance• Astatementnottodistributeinternal/workingdraftstothepublicoragenciesthatarenotcooperatingagencies.

ConsultantlogosarenotallowedinWSDOTenvironmentaldocumentsbecausethosedocumentsareownedbytheagency.

400.06 Using Existing Environmental DocumentsCEQ’sNEPAregulationsandSEPArulesallowtheuseofexistingdocumentstoreduceduplicationandunnecessarypaperwork(RCW43.21C.150andWAC197-11-600).Ifananalysishasalreadybeendonefortheproposedprojectorasimilarproject,useitaslongasitisstilluptodate.Existingdocumentscanbeusedinanyofthefollowingways:• Adoption(40CFR1506.3andWAC197-11-630)• Addendum(40CFR1502.9andWAC197-11-625)• IncorporationbyReference(40CFR1502.21andWAC197-11-635)• SupplementalEIS(40CFR1502.9andWAC197-11-620)

400.06(1) Re-evaluations1. NEPA–WSDOTconductsNEPAre-evaluations,incompliancewith23CFR771.129-

130,whenitisnecessarytodeterminewhetherexistingdocumentsadequatelyaddressenvironmentalimpactsofaproject.ItisimportanttohaveconversationsearlywiththefederalNEPAleadagenciestodetermineifaformalre-evaluationisrequired.

Inpractice,WSDOTandFHWAre-evaluatetheNEPAdocumentationwhen:• IthasbeenmorethanthreeyearssincetheDEISwaspublishedandnoacceptableFEISontheprojecthasbeensubmittedtoFHWA.WSDOTre-evaluatesotherNEPAdocuments(e.g.,FEIS,SEIS,EA)ifmajorstepstoadvancetheactionhavenotoccurredwithinthreeyearsofthemostrecentFederalaction.FollowingapprovaloftheFHWAdecisiondocument(CE,ROD,orFONSI)WSDOTmustconsultwithFHWApriortofurtherFHWAapprovals(suchasauthoritytoundertakefinaldesign,acquisitionofasignificantportionofrightofway,orapprovaloftheplans,specificationsandestimates)todetermineiftheNEPAdocumentisstillvalid.

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/environment/environmental-technical/nepa-sepa-guidance/preparing-quality-environmental-documents


http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=43.21C.150


https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/40/1506.3


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• Thereisasubstantialchangeinprojectscopeorproposedactionanditisuncertainifasupplementalenvironmentaldocumentisrequired.Examplesincludeaddedaccesslikelytorequireareviewofthetraffic,airqualityandnoiseimpacts,orshiftsinalignment.Likewise,changesinESAlistedspeciesthatareimpactedbytheprojectmaycreatetheneedtodevelopasupplementalenvironmentaldocument.

• Majorstepstoadvancetheproject(suchasrightofwayorconstructionfundingauthorizations)havenotoccurredwithinthreeyearsofaROD,FONSI,orissuanceoftheenvironmentaldocument.Factorsthatmaycontributetotheneedforare-evaluationincludeanoutdatedtrafficanalysis(affectingthenoiseandairanalysis)orwetlanddelineation.

WSDOTorthefederalNEPAleadcaninitiateaNEPAre-evaluation.FHWAwilllikelyre-evaluateenvironmentaldocumentationatkeypointsoftheprojectdevelopment:FinalDesign,RightofWayAcquisition,andConstruction.TheFHWAAreaEngineermaymakeaninformalinquirywithanotetotheprojectfileorrequestthattheprojectofficecompleteaformalre-evaluation.

ForCEs,projectchangescantypicallybedocumentedwithanewcategoricalexclusion.

Thereisnorequiredformatforawrittenre-evaluation.CheckwiththefederalNEPAleadtoensureyouarefollowingtheirprocedures.

ForFHWA,re-evaluationscanbedocumentedwithaletter,memo,orintheERS/ECSdatabasewithintheEnvironmentalDocumentationtab(whenprinted,Part2oftheCEChecklist(ECS)formwillidentifythedocumentasareevaluation).Whendeterminingwhichmethodtouse,considerhowmuchexplanationisneeded,howextensivethechangesare,andwhetherornotactionhasalreadybeentakenontheproject(e.g.acquisition).AnswerstorelevantquestionsinaNEPAre-evaluationshouldbebriefandtothepoint.Atwotothreesentenceexplanationcanbeadequate.However,projectteamsshouldincorporateasmuchadditionalinformationasrequiredtoexplainchangesinenvironmentalimpactsandsupportconclusions.

There-evaluationneedstoaddressalltheenvironmentalelementsandhowtheimpactshaveorhavenotchanged.Iftherearechanges,thesupportingupdatedanalysisisattachedtothere-evaluationshowingthatthenewimpactsarenotadverse(orsignificant).Ifthisisthecase,theNEPAupdateiscomplete.Oneofthepurposesofthere-evaluationistodemonstratefortheadministrativerecord,ifappropriate,thatthereisnoneedforasupplementaldocumentandtoaskthefederalleadagency(FHWA)iftheyconcur.Federalreviewandapprovalofthere-evaluationdocumentisrequired.

Are-evaluationisnotasupplementalenvironmentaldocument.IfsupplementalinformationisrequiredbytheFHWAAreaEngineer,are-evaluationcannotbeused.

2. SEPA–Under(WAC197-11-600(4),197-11-620,197-11-625)SEPArequiresare-evaluationifchangesoccurtoaprojectoritssurroundings,orpotentiallysignificant,new,orincreasedadverseenvironmentalimpactsareidentifiedduringotherphasesofprojectdevelopment,SEPAhasnospecificrequirementsforre-evaluation.Theregionalofficedeterminesiftheapprovedenvironmentaldocumentorexemptiondesignationisstillvalid:






• Iftheprojectchanges,oranalysisofnewinformation,wouldnotchangethesignificanceoftheproject’simpacts,changesarenotedinanaddendumtotheoriginalenvironmentaldocumentationordetermination.AnaddendumtoanEISmustbecirculatedtoallrecipientsoftheoriginaldocument.Addendatootherdeterminations(i.e.,onaSEPADNSorMDNS)may,butarenotrequiredto,becirculated.

• Ifprojectchangesresultinsignificantadverseenvironmentalimpacts,changesaredocumentedwithsupplementalenvironmentalinformation(i.e.,throughanEIS,orSupplementalEIS).

• There-evaluationprocessisnotusedforCEs.Projectchangesaredocumentedwithanewcategoricalexemption.

400.06(2) Supplemental DocumentsSupplementaldocumentsaredraftedwhenexistingenvironmentaldocumentsdon’tcoverthebreadthorscopeofimpactsofaproject.Supplementaldocumentsaregenerallyrequired:• Whenthereisasubstantialchangeintheprojectscope.• Iftheproject’sselectedalternativechanges.• Whenanewalternativeoutsidethescopeoftheonesconsideredintheoriginalanalysisisbeingconsidered.

• Whenimpactsormitigationrequirementshavesubstantiallychangedsinceissuanceoftheenvironmentaldocuments.

TheFHWAAreaEngineerorotherfederalleadwilldeterminewhenaNEPAsupplementaldocumentisrequired.NEPAsupplementaldocumentsincludeaSupplementalDEIS(SDEIS),oranewDEIS.(23CFR771.130and40CFR1502.9).

SEPAsupplementaldocumentsincludeaSupplementalEIS(SEIS),oranaddendumtoaDEISorFEIS(WAC197-11-620).ScopingisnotrequiredforaSEPASEISorsupplementingandadoptinganEA.AlthoughscopingmaybehelpfulforanewDEIS.

ThereisnorequiredformatforasupplementalNEPAEIS.BecausetheprocessissimilartothatofanEIS,thereisaDraftandaFinalSEIS.However,theFHWATechnicalAdvisoryT6640.8Aonpages49and50directsthatthefollowinginformationbesupplied:• Sufficientinformationtobrieflydescribetheproposedaction.• ThereasonwhytheSEISisbeingprepared.• StatusofapreviousDEISorFEIS.• OnlyaddresschangesthatrequiredtheSEIStobewrittenandnewinformationthatwasnotavailable.

• ReferenceandsummarizepreviousEISasappropriate.• UpdatestatusofcompliancewithNEPAandtheresultsofanyre-evaluations.

SupplementalenvironmentaldocumentsshallbereviewedanddistributedinthesamemannerastheoriginalDEIS.SeetheWSDOTNEPA&SEPAGuidancewebpageforguidance.




http://environment.fhwa.dot.gov/projdev/impTA6640.asp#supp




400.06(3) Using NEPA Documents for SEPAAllWSDOTprojectswithfederalfundingwillrequireNEPAandSEPAdocumentation.CompletingtheNEPAandSEPAprocessconcurrentlyandinthesamedocumentispreferredwhenaprojectrequiresanEIS(RCW43.21C.150andWAC197-11-610(3)).TheNEPAandSEPAprocessescanalsorunconcurrentlywithaNEPAEA.ANEPAEAisthefunctionalequivalentoftheSEPAChecklistandcanbeadoptedasaDNS(WAC197-11-610(2)).However,anymajorchangesthatoccuraspartoftheEA/FONSI,mustbereflectedintheprojectSEPAdocumentationaspartoftheprojectfile.TheSEPAdeterminationforanadoptedEAcanbeeitheraDNSoraDS.IftheleadagencydeterminestheinformationinanEAsuggeststheprojectwillhavesignificantadverseenvironmentalimpactsandthereforeissuesaDSfortheproject,theagencywillinitiatescopinganddevelopaSEPAEIS.

SEPAregulationsallowWSDOTtoadopttheNEPACEChecklist(ECS)astheSEPAchecklist(withsupplementalinformationattached).TheSEPAdeterminationandchecklistwouldthenbesentoutforpublicreviewasappropriate.AdoptingandsendingouttheECSforreviewinplaceoftheSEPAchecklistisnotrecommendedduetoitsunfamiliaritywithotheragenciesreviewingSEPAchecklists.

400.07 Documenting an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)AnEISispreparedforprojectsthatarelikelytosignificantlyaffecttheenvironmentorwhenthereissubstantialcontroversyonenvironmentalgrounds.TheEISprocessissimilarforbothNEPAandSEPA,asillustratedinExhibit400-3.SeetheNEPA&SEPAwebpageforstepbystepguidance.

IfyouareconsideringusingaProgrammaticorTier1EA/EISforabroadstrategicprogram,plan,orpolicyleveldecision(notproject-site-specific)makesureyoudiscussthisintheNEPAStrategyMeetingwithESO.

ThePracticalSolutionsapproachparallelsworkrequiredbyNEPAandSEPA.Definingaproject’spurposeandneed,assessingalternatives,andtheroleofcommunityengagementaresharedprinciplesofallthreeprocesses.Astheteampreparestodocumentaproject,ensureaPracticalSolutionsapproachisincluded.

400.07(1) Scoping ProcessAscopingprocessisrequiredforaNEPAEIS(40CFR1501.7,23CFR771.105(a-d),23CFR771.123,WAC197-11-408).ScopingisnotrequiredforaNEPAsupplementalEIS;however,theco-leadagenciesmaydecidetoholdanopenhouseearlyinthesupplementalEISprocess.

Thepurposesofscopingare:• TopresenttheprojectPurposeandNeedandsolicitcomment.• Topresenttherangeofalternativesthatwillbeconsideredintheenvironmentaldocumentandsolicitcomments.

• Toinitiatethepublicinvolvementprocess,inviteandsolicitcommentsfromaffectedcitizens,businesses,organizations,agenciesandtribes.

• Toidentifypotentialenvironmentalimpactsandbenefitsoftheproposedaction.• Begindocumentingtherationaleforsubsequentdecisions.

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Itisimportanttokeepinmindthattransportationfundingorpolicychanges,suchasthe2015FASTAct,canchangeoraddnewrequirementstoNEPA.GuidanceforhowtodesignthescopingprocessandonnewNEPAregulationsisprovidedontheNEPA&SEPAGuidance webpage.

Essential Elements of Scoping

1. Notice of Intent (NOI)–NEPACEQregulationsrequirethataNoticeofIntent(NOI)toprepareanEISbepublishedintheFederalRegisterpriortoinitiatingEISscoping.ProjectteamsmayincludethescopingnoticeintheNOI.Oncecomplete,thefederalleadsendsthenoticetobepublishedintheFederalRegister.

2. Coordination Plan –The2015FASTActrequiresthedevelopmentofacoordinationplanforpublicandagencyparticipationin,andcommenton,theenvironmentalreviewprocess.Thecoordinationplanisdevelopednomorethan90daysafterpublicationoftheNOI.FASTActalsorequiresascheduleforthecompletionoftheenvironmentalreviewprocessbeincludedaspartofthecoordinationplan.Concurrenceontheprojectschedulefromeachoftheprojectsparticipatingagenciesisrequired.AdditionalFASTActdetailscanbefoundontheNEPA&SEPAGuidancewebpage.

3. Purpose and Need Statement –Explainstheimportanceoftheproject.Itdemonstratesproblemsthatexistorwillexistifaprojectisnotimplemented.ThePurposeandNeedStatementdrivestheprocessforalternativedevelopment,analysis,andselection.Itshouldclearlydemonstratethata“need”existsandshoulddefinethe“need”intermsunderstandabletothegeneralpublicsuchasmobility,safety,oreconomicdevelopment.

Theleadagencymakesthefinaldecisionontheproject’spurposeandneed.However,theymustprovideopportunitiesforparticipatingagenciesandthepublictocommentonthepurposeandneedandtheymustconsidertheinputprovidedbythesegroups.TheopportunityforinvolvementoccursduringEISscoping.

FHWAguidanceondevelopingadraftpurposeandneedstatementisfoundontheirEnvironmentalReviewToolkitwebsite.

4. Alternatives to the Proposal–Theenvironmentaldocumentincludesacomparisonofimpactsfordifferentalternativestotheproposal.AnEISmustdiscussthenobuildalternativeandshouldincludeareasonablerangeofbuildalternatives.

Althoughtheleadagenciesmakethefinaldecisionontheproject’srangeofalternatives,theymustprovideopportunitiesforinvolvementbyparticipatingandcooperatingagenciesandthepublic.TheopportunityforinvolvementoccursduringEISscoping.Commentsandresponsesaredocumentedinthescopingprocess.

TheDEISevaluatesthealternativestotheactionanddiscusseswhyotheralternatives,thatmayhavebeeninitiallyconsidered,wereeliminatedfromfurtherstudy.

a. NEPA Criteria for Alternatives–TheNo-Buildalternativemustbeincludedandservesasthebaselineconditionforcomparisonofallotheralternatives.TheNo-Buildalternativemayincludeimprovementsthathavenotbeenconstructedbutarealreadyfundedinaseparateproject.Normalmaintenanceactivities(suchassafetyimprovements)thatarepartofroutineoperationofanexistingroadwayalsomaybeincluded.Alternativesmusthavelogicaltermini,independentutility,andmustnotrestrictconsiderationofalternativesforotherreasonablyforseeabletransportationimprovements(23CFR771.111(f)).Typicalalternativesmayinclude:

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/fastact/



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• Improvementstotheexistingfacility.• Multimodaltransportationalternatives.• Alternativeroutesand/orlocations.• Acombinationoftheabovealternatives. Forguidanceonalternativedevelopment,seeFHWAtechnicalguidanceTA6640.8A.

b. SEPA Criteria for Alternatives–SEPARules(WAC197-11-440(5))requireanEIStodescribeandpresenttheproposalandotherreasonablealternativecoursesofaction.Theuseofthewordreasonableisintendedtolimitthenumberandrangeofalternativesandthelevelofanalysisrequiredforeachalternative.Reasonablealternativesinclude:• Actionsthatcouldeasilyattainorapproximateaproposal’sobjectivesatalowerenvironmentalcost,ordecreasedlevelofenvironmentaldegradation.

• The“noaction”alternative,whichshallbeevaluatedandcomparedtootheralternatives.

• Alternativesoverwhichanagencyhasauthoritytocontrolimpacts,eitherdirectlyorindirectly,throughrequirementofmitigationmeasures.

5. Evaluate Scoping Comments –Allscopingcommentsreceivedfromthepublicandotheragenciesmustbeevaluatedtodeterminetherelevanceofeachcomment.Allrelevantissuesmustbeaddressedintheenvironmentaldocument.

Leadagenciesarenotrequiredtosendawrittenresponsetoeveryindividualcommentreceived.However,tomaintaincredibilityduringtheenvironmentalprocess,allscopingcomments–whetherrelevantornot–needtobeevaluatedandaddressed.

Commentsmaybelistedindividually,orgroupedandsummarizedundergeneralheadings.Responsesmaybeassimpleasstatingthattheissuewillbeaddressedindetailintheenvironmentaldocument.Ifanissueraisedduringscopingwillnotbeaddressedintheenvironmentaldocument,theresponseshouldexplainthereasonwhyitwillnotbeincluded.

Commentsreceivedduringscopingandresponsestothosecommentsmaybedocumentedinascopingreportfortheprojectfile.Discussthescopingprocessandthecommentsreceivedinthesectionoftheenvironmentaldocumentthatdescribespublicandagencyparticipationandcommentsreceived.Commentsandresponsesmayalsobesummarizedinhandoutsatpublicmeetingsandinnewsletters.

ScopingcommentsmustbetakenintoconsiderationbeforedevelopingthefinalPurposeandNeedStatementandtherangeofalternativesthatwillbeevaluatedintheenvironmentaldocument.

http://environment.fhwa.dot.gov/projdev/impTA6640.asp#alts




400.07(2) Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)ADEISidentifiesprojectalternatives,whicharecomparedtoeachothertopresentananalysisofthealternatives’relativeimpactsontheenvironment.Itmayidentifyarecommendedcourseofactionifonealternativeisclearlypreferred.TheDEISsummarizestheearlycoordinationandEISscopingprocess,identifieskeyissues,andpresentspertinentinformationobtainedthroughtheseefforts.

1. Affected Environment –NEPAregulations(40CFR1502.15)requireenvironmentaldocumentstosuccinctlydescribetheexistingenvironmentofthearea(s)tobeaffectedorcreatedbytheproposedaction.Descriptionsshouldbenolongerthanisnecessaryforthereadertounderstandtherelativeimpactsofthealternatives.Dataandanalysisshouldbecommensuratewiththeimportanceoftheimpact,withlessimportantmaterialsummarized,consolidated,orsimplyreferenced.

Itisrecommendedthatthedescriptionoftheaffectedenvironmentandthediscussionofimpactsandmitigationmeasuresbecombinedinthesamechapteroftheenvironmentaldocument.

2. Analysis of Impacts-Direct, Indirect, and Cumulative –UnderCEQregulations(40CFR1502.16)thediscussionofimpactsformsthescientificandanalyticalbasisforacomparisonofalternatives.Theseverityofpotentialimpactsandthetype,size,andlocationofthefacilitywilldictatethescopeoftheimpactanalysis.ProjectteamsmayelecttocompletedisciplinereportsifadditionalinformationortechnicaldetailisneededtosupporttheanalysispresentedintheEISorEA.Thesereportsshouldbe“rightsized”toadequatelyaddresstheissuewithoutoveranalysis.GuidanceforcompletingadisciplinereportcanbefoundontheWSDOTPreparingqualityenvironmentaldocument webpageandonindividualdisciplinewebpages.

ThedraftEISshoulddefinetheissuesandprovideaclearbasisforchoiceamongthealternatives(40CFR1502.14).Agenciesshall:• Rigorouslyexploreandobjectivelyevaluateallreasonablealternatives.• Brieflydiscussalternativesthatwereeliminatedfromdetailedstudyandexplainwhytheyweredropped.

• Devotesubstantialtreatmenttoeachalternativeconsideredindetail,includingtheproposedaction,soreviewersmayevaluatetheircomparativemerits.

• Includeadiscussionofthenoactionalternative.• Identifytheagency’spreferredalternativeoralternatives.• Includeappropriatemitigationmeasuresnotalreadyincludedintheproposedactionoralternatives.

• Evaluateallalternativestoacomparablelevelofdetail.Theleadagencymaychoosetodevelopthepreferredalternativetoahigherlevelofdetail(23USC139(D))ifthepreferredalternativehasbeenidentifiedinthedocumentwithFHWA/leadfederalagencyapproval.

FHWAallowsflexibilityinthelevelofdesigndetailthatcanbeaddedtoadraftorfinalEIS.Moredetaileddesignmaybenecessaryinordertoevaluateimpacts,mitigation,orissuesraisedbyagenciesorthepublic(FHWATechnicalAdvisoryT6640.8ASectionV,PartE).




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Theenvironmentaldocumentmustdiscussimpactsonboththenatural(air,water,wildlife,etc.)andbuilt(historic,cultural,social,etc.)environmentforeachalternative.BothNEPAandSEPArequireanalysisofdirectandindirectimpacts,andcumulativeeffects.SeeChapter412forguidanceonanalysisofindirectandcumulativeimpacts.

Also,youshoulddiscussClimatechangeimplicationsoftheprojectasappropriate.SeetheWSDOTClimateChange–AdaptingandPreparingwebpageforthemostrecentclimatechangeguidanceandcontactinformation.

Impactsmaybetemporary,suchastheshorttermimpactsassociatedwiththeConstructionphaseofaproject,orpermanent,suchasthelongtermimpactofincreasingrunoffandcontaminationfromawidenedhighway.Asummaryofsignificantadverseimpactsremainingaftermitigationshouldfollowthediscussionofallimpacts.

It’simportanttoalsodocumenttheproject’sbeneficialeffectsandeffortstominimizeimpacts.Itisrecommendedthattheprojectteamkeepalistofadverseeffectsthatwereavoidedorminimizedaspartofprojectdevelopment.AstheteamdevelopstheEIS,makesuretodocumentbenefitsassociatedwiththeprojectandclearlypresentthemintheEIS.

3. Mitigation of Impacts–Theenvironmentaldocumentmustdiscusstheproposedmeanstomitigatetheidentifiedenvironmentalimpacts.UnderCEQregulations(40CFR1508.20),mitigationmayinclude:• Avoidingtheimpactaltogether.• Minimizingimpactsbylimitingthescaleoftheaction.• Rectifyingtheimpactbyrepairing,rehabilitating,orrestoringtheaffectedenvironment.

• Reducingoreliminatingtheimpactovertimebypreservationandmaintenanceoperations.

• Compensatingfortheimpactbyreplacingorprovidingsubstituteresourcesorenvironments.

4. Publish and Circulate the DEIS ––ForspecificinformationondistributingaDEIS(suchashowmanycopieseachagencyhasrequested)instructionsoncommenting,andhowtoprocessandrespondtocomments,seethePreparinganEISwebpage.CirculationofaDraftEISisrequiredunderfederalandstateregulations(40CFR1502.19,WAC197-11-455andWAC468-12-455.AllcopiessentoutduringthecirculationoftheDEISarefreeofcharge.Afterinitialcirculation,afeemaybechargedwhichisnotmorethanthecostofprinting.

TheprojectofficemustdistributeNEPADEISsbeforethedocumentisfiledwiththeU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(USEPA)forpublicationintheFederalRegister.Toensurethedocumentisdistributedbeforefiling,thedocumentsshouldbedistributedtoUSEPAatthesametimeitisdistributedtothepublicandagencies.FHWAwillpostEISprojectstotheFederalInfrastructurepermittingdashboard,asdescribedinthePreparinganEISprocedurelocatedontheWSDOTEIS/EAProcesseswebpage.

Thedateofissuance/filing/publicationoftheDEIS,isthedatethattheUSEPApublishesitsNoticeofAvailability(NOA).ThedateoftheNOAisthedateusedtotrackthe45daycommentperiod.

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/SustainableTransportation/adapting.htm






https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/environment/environmental-technical/nepa-sepa-guidance/environmental-impact-statement-eis



5. Public Hearing–UnderNEPA,publichearingsarerequiredforallNEPAEISprojects.

UnderSEPA,publichearingsareheldwhen(WAC197-11-502,197-11-535,468-12-510):• TheleadagencydeterminesthatapublichearingwouldassistinmeetingitsresponsibilitytoimplementthepurposesandpoliciesofSEPA.

• Whentwoormoreagencieswithjurisdictionoveraproposalmakewrittenrequeststotheleadagencywithin30daysoftheissuanceofthedraftEIS.

• When50ormorepersonsresidingwithinajurisdictionoftheleadagency,orwhowouldbeadverselyaffectedbytheenvironmentalimpactsoftheproposal,makewrittenrequeststotheleadagencywithin30daysofissuanceofthedraftEIS.

RefertoDesign Manual Chapter210forhearingrequirementsandprocedures.

400.07(3) Final EIS (FEIS)TheFEIS:containsWSDOT’sfinalrecommendationandpreferredalternative(s);listsorsummarizes(bygroup)thecommentsreceivedontheDEIS,andWSDOT’sresponsetothem;summarizescitizeninvolvement;and,describesproceduresrequiredtoensurethatmitigationmeasuresareimplemented.TheFEISneedstoidentifyspecificmitigationcommitmentsoritneedstodescribetheprocessthatwillbeusedtofinalizethemitigationcommitments,whythosecommitmentscan’tcurrentlybefinalized,andthetimeframeinwhichtheywillbefinalized.TheFEISalsodocumentscompliancewithenvironmentallawsandExecutiveOrders.

TheFEISispreparedafterthecloseofthepubliccommentperiodfortheDEIS.PublicandagencycommentsontheDEISareevaluatedtodetermineif:• Documentsufficientlyidentifiesandanalyzestheimpactsandmitigationofaproposedactionorwhetheradditionalstudiesarerequired.

• ImpactsofthepreferredalternativefallwithinanenvelopeofimpactsforalternativesdescribedintheDEIS(especiallyifamodifiedorhybridalternativeisselectedaspreferred).

1. Review and Publication of the FEIS–TheFEISisreviewedforlegalsufficiency(23CFR771.125(b))priortoFHWAformalapprovalofthedocument.ThereviewisconductedbyFHWAlegalstaffinSanFrancisco.Legalcounselhas30daystoreviewthedocument,andadditionaltimemayberequiredtoaddresstheircommentsanddetermineiftherevisionsareacceptable.ThedocumentisreviewedforcompliancewithFHWAandCEQNEPAlawsandregulationstominimizeopportunitiesforproceduralchallengesincourt.Italsoprovideshelpfulhintsintermsofdocumentationfromalegalperspective.CommentsareincorporatedintothetextandthedocumentissignedbyWSDOT.TheprocedureisdescribedontheEIS/EAProcesseswebpage.

2. Notice of Availability and Distribution of the FEIS–Afterapproval,theregionalofficeormodedistributescopiesoftheFEISoranoticethatitisavailable(40CFR1502.19(d),WAC197-11-460).ForproceduresseetheEIS/EAProcesseswebpage.• ANEPAFEISmustbedistributedbeforethedocumentisfiledwithUSEPAforpublicationoftheFEISNoticeofAvailabilityintheFederalRegister.

• ASEPAFEISisissuedwithin60daysoftheendofthecommentperiodoftheDEIS,unlesstheproposalisunusuallylargeinscope,theenvironmentalimpactassociatedwiththeproposalisunusuallycomplex,orextensivemodificationsarerequiredtorespondtopubliccomments.







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400.07(4) Record of Decision (ROD) UnderNEPA,theleadfederalagencyissuesaRecordofDecision(ROD)followingtheFEIS.TheRODexplainsthereasonsfortheprojectdecision,summarizesanymitigationmeasuresthatwillbeincorporatedintheproject,anddocumentsanyrequiredSection4(f)approval(40CFR1505.2).TheRODmustbemadeavailabletothepublicwithappropriatepublicnoticeprovidedasrequiredby40CFR1506.6(b).However,thereisnospecificrequirementforpublicationoftheRODitself,eitherintheFederalRegisterorelsewhere.ItisWSDOT’spracticetopublishaNoticeofAvailability(NOA)fortheRODinthesamenewspaperspreviouslyusedforotherprojectnotices.

AdraftRecordofDecision(ROD)isgenerallydraftedbyWSDOTforFHWAandiswrittenbasedontheFEIS.ThedraftRODissubmittedtoFHWAalongwiththedraftFEISduringtheenvironmentalreviewandapprovalprocess.SeetheNEPA&SEPAGuidancewebpageforprocedures.

400.08 Documenting an Environmental Assessment (EA) or SEPA ChecklistEnvironmentalAssessmentsorSEPAChecklistsarecompletedforprojectswhentheenvironmentalimpactsareunknownorarenotclearlyunderstood(seeChapter300 formoreinformation).ThepurposeoftheEnvironmentalAssessmentorSEPAChecklististoanalyzetheenvironmentalimpactsanddetermineifanEISiswarranted.ThestepsforanEAaresimilartothoseofanEIS,asillustratedinExhibit400-3.SeetheEIS/EAProcesseswebpageforstepbystepguidance.

400.08(1) NEPA Environmental Assessments1. Prepare the EA–ThepurposeoftheEAistodeterminetheextentandseverityof

environmentalimpacts.AsdescribedforanEIS,theEAshouldbesuccinct,describeimpactstoboththenaturalandbuiltenvironment,andaccountfordirect,indirectandcumulativeeffects.Iftheanalysisidentifiessignificantenvironmentalimpacts,anEISmustbeprepared.

a. Scoping–Isrecommended,butnotrequiredforanEA(40CFR1501.7,23CFR771.105(a-d),23CFR71.119(b),23CFR771.123,WAC197-11-408).BecausescopingisoptionalforanEA,aNoticeofIntent(NOI)isnotrequired.Advertisementoftheoptionalscopingmeetinginalocalnewspaper,orontheprojectwebsiteissufficient.

b. Alternatives to the Proposal –Theenvironmentaldocumentincludesacomparisonofimpactsfordifferentalternativestotheproposal.AnEAmustdiscussthenobuildalternative,butmayincludeonlyonebuildalternative.

2. Issue Notice of Availability (NOA)–(30daypublicreviewperiod)AfterapprovalofanEA,theregionalormodeofficedistributescopiesoftheEAoranoticethatanEAisavailabletointerestedparties(40CFR1502.19(d),WAC197-11-460).ForproceduresseetheWSDOTNEPA&SEPAGuidancewebpageorcontacttheEnvironmentalServicesNEPA/SEPAComplianceProgramforassistance.


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a. ApublichearingisrequiredforanEAwhen:• Thereareidentifiedenvironmentalissues(e.g.,heavytrafficvolumesonlocalstreets,visualquality),whichshouldbediscussedinapublicforum.Ifarequestforahearingisanticipated,planningforahearingwillsavetime.Ratherthanwaitinguntiltheendofthecommentperiodtostarttheproceduresforthepublichearing,startplanningthehearingassoonasapublichearingisanticipated.

• WSDOThasasubstantialinterestinholdingahearingtofurtherpubliccommentandinvolvement.

• Anagencywithjurisdictionovertheproposal(permittingagency)requestsahearing.

3. Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)–ThefederalleadissuestheFONSI.TheFONSIdescribeswhytheactiondoesnothaveasignificantimpact.ItincludesorreferencestheEA,andidentifiesanymitigationcommitmentsontheproject.TheFONSIincludesanydecisionsoragreementsthatledtotheFONSI.

TheFONSIisissuedbysendinganNOAtoaffectedresourceagencies,tribesandinterestedpublic.ForproceduresandtimingconsiderationsseetheWSDOTNEPA&SEPAGuidancewebpageorcontacttheEnvironmentalServicesNEPA/SEPAComplianceProgramforassistance.

400.08(2) SEPA Threshold Determination (SEPA Checklist)TheSEPArulesrequireagencyresponsibleofficialstomakeathresholddetermination(WAC197-11-330)basedonquestionsansweredintheSEPAenvironmentalchecklist.Ecologymaintainsguidanceforcompletingthechecklistonitswebsite.AtWSDOT,muchoftheinformationneededtocompletetheenvironmentalchecklistcanbefoundontheGIS–EnvironmentalWorkbench.RegionandmodalstaffuseGIStoanswerthechecklistquestions.RegionandmodeEnvironmentalManagersreviewthechecklistandmakeadeterminationregardingthesignificanceofprojectimpacts.Iftheprojectisminor,theregionissuesaDeterminationofNon-Significance.Iftheprojectislikelytoresultinsignificantadverseenvironmentalimpacts,theagencyissuesaDeterminationofSignificanceandbeginsscopingforanEIS(seeSection400.07).

AgencyproceduresforcompletingSEPAarelistedinWAC468-12.Thoseprocedures,alongwithWAC197-11,andRCW43.21CdefinetheSEPAprocess.

400.09 Categorical Exclusions/Exemptions (CE)CEsaredefinedasprojectsthatdonotindividuallyorcumulativelyhaveasignificantenvironmentaleffect(seeChapter300 fordescriptionsanddetailedexplanation).SomeprojectsareCategoricallyExcludedfromtheNEPAprocessorCategoricallyExemptfromtheSEPAprocess.NEPAandSEPAidentifythatconditionsmightexistthatwouldotherwiseremoveanexcluded/exemptedactionfromitsexemptstatus.

AgencyNEPAenvironmentalprocedures(23CFR771.117)describeconditionswhenotherwiseexcludedactivitiesrequirefurtherdocumentationtojustifytheexclusion.Likewise,Ecologyconditionseachcategoryofexemptiontodescribewhentheexemptiondoesnotapply(WAC197-11-800).Also,SEPArulesdonotallowtheuseofcertainexemptionsindesignatedcriticalareas(WAC197-11-908).




http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=468-12


http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=43.21C






AsdetailedbelowinSection400.09(1),withinWSDOT,authoritytosignthataprojectmeetsthecriteria/categoryofbeingaCErestswiththeRegion/ModalEnvironmentalManager,andtheLocalProgramEnvironmentalEngineerforLocalProgramsprojects.ACEisdocumentedinWSDOT’sCEChecklist,alsoknownastheERS/ECS(EnvironmentalReviewSummary/EnvironmentalClassificationSummary)databaseforhighwayprojects.FTAandFRAuseCEworksheetstodocumenttheirdecisions.WhereasFHWAhasdelegatedsomedecisionsregardingCEstoWSDOT(asexplainedbelow),FTAandFRAhavenotandmustsigntheCEasaNEPAdocument.

400.09(1) NEPA CEs (Categorical Exclusions)CategoricalExclusionsareprojectsthatbydefinition(23CFR771.117(a))donothavesignificantenvironmentalimpacts.WSDOThassignedaprogrammaticagreementwithFHWAthatallowsthedepartmenttoapproveNEPACategoricalExclusions(23CFR771.117(c)and23CFR771.117(d)).Projectswithunusualcircumstancesasdescribedin23CFR771.117(b)requirereviewandapprovalbyFHWA.

Projecttypesdescribedin23CFR771.117(d)requiresomeadditionaldocumentationtoverifythattheCEdesignationisappropriate.Subjectspecificanalysisshouldbe“rightsized”toreflectthelevelofenvironmentalimpact.ThiscanusuallybeaccomplishedwithinWSDOT’sNEPACEChecklist(ECS)form,orwithalettertothefilewithaveryshortsummaryofanalysistosupporttheCEstatus.ThisanalysisshouldbeincludedintheprojectfileandattachedtotheNEPAdocumentation.

EnvironmentaldocumentationforCElevelprojectsisaccomplishedintheERS/ECS.AsignedcopyoftheECSservesastheofficialNEPAdocumentation.GuidanceforcompletionoftheformandwhocansignthedocumentisprovidedinERS/ECSon-line“help”.ContactenvironmentalstaffforassistanceifyoudonothaveaccesstotheERS/ECSdatabase.

400.09(2) SEPA CEs (Categorical Exemptions)ThereisnorequirementtodocumentexemptionsinSEPA,butitisWSDOTpracticetodocumenttoensureSEPAwasconsidered.SEPAcategoricalexemptionsarelistedinSEPAlaw(RCW43.21C)intheStateSEPAProcedures(WAC197-11-800),withintheStateSEPAProceduresunderAgencySpecificProcedures(WAC197-11-860),andinWSDOT’sAgencySEPARules(WAC468-12-800).TheRegionorModeEnvironmentalManagerdeterminesifaprojectisexemptfromSEPA.

400.10 Environmental Document Legal Considerations

400.10(1) Statute of Limitations1. NEPA Statute of Limitations (SOL)–23CFR771.139andMAP21Section1308

establisha150daystatuteoflimitationsonclaimsagainstUSDOTandotherfederalagenciesforpermits,licenses,orapprovalactionstakenbyafederalagencyif:• TheactionrelatestoahighwayprojectfundedbyFHWA;and• AstatuteoflimitationsnotificationwaspublishedintheFederalRegisterannouncingtheaction;and

• Theactionisconsideredtobefinalunderthefederallaw.

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=0b34c597bdda707fa2b77e9dff105990&mc=true&node=pt23.1.771&rgn=div5#se23.1.771_1117



http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&SID=65b8e604c6d1a877ab62be8f1a0e8f86&rgn=div5&view=text&node=23:1.0.1.8.43&idno=23%20-%2023:1.0.1.8.43.0.1.9








https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/map21/qandas/qaeerad.cfm



Ifnostatuteoflimitationsnoticeispublished,theperiodforfilingclaimsisdeterminedbytheapplicableFederallaw.Ifnostatuteoflimitationsisspecified,thena6yearclaimsperiodapplies.

ItisWSDOT’spolicytorequestthatFHWApublishaStatuteofLimitations(SOL)noticeintheFederalRegisterwheredoingsowillexpeditetheresolutionofissuesaffectingtransportationprojects.Typically,anSOLwillbeissuedforallEISs,andmanyEAs.ProjectteamsshouldissueanSOLanytimeitidentifiescontroversythatcannotbeeasilyresolved.FHWAguidanceonwhentoissueastatuteoflimitationstolimitclaimsisprovidedinAppendixEofFHWA’s2006SAFETEA-LUEnvironmentalReviewProcessGuidance.

2. SEPA a Notice of Action (NAT) –AlsoreferredtoasaNoticeofActionTaken,isanoptionalprocessforthepurposeoflimitingpotentialcourtchallengesofanenvironmentaldocument.PublishingaNATlimitstheappealperiodto21daysafterthelastnewspaperpublicationoftheNoticeofAction.

WSDOT’spolicyistopublishaNoticeofActionanytimethereisreasontobelievechallengestotheenvironmentaldocumentwillbefiled.Substantialcontroversyorknownthreatsofchallengesbyprojectopponentsareindicatorsthatjudicialreviewislikely.Bylimitingappealstoacertaintimeperiod,projectschedulesarelesslikelytobedisrupted.ThedecisiontopublishaNoticeofActionismadebytheprojectoffice.NormallytheEnvironmentalManagerofaregionormodewillwriteandsigntheNoticeofAction.

RCW43.21C.080describestheprocessforpublishingtheNAT.GuidanceforpreparingtheNATisprovidedontheWSDOTNEPA&SEPAGuidancewebpage.

400.10(2) Administrative RecordTheadministrativerecordisaformalcataloguedocumentingtheagency’sdecision-makingprocessforaprojectandisrequiredwhenaprojectchallengewillberesolvedinthecourts.Itreflectstheprojecthistory,environmentalevaluationandpriordecisions.Agoodadministrativerecordshowsthepublicandthecourtsthatprojectdecisionswerenotmadeinanarbitraryandcapriciousmanner.Itisimportanttoincludeelectronicandpaperrecordsthatsupportwhyprojectdecisionsweremade,aswellasagencyandpubliccommentsandresponsestocommentstodocumenthowopposingviewswereconsidered.

Itisextremelyimportantthateachprojectteampresentaclearadministrativerecordiftheagencyisfacedwithacourtchallenge.Inaddition,individuals(region,modalandHQenvironmentalstaff)whohaveparticipatedinandsupporteddecision-makingshouldmaintainelectronicandpaperfilesappropriately.

Youmustmaintaintherecordsthatsupportyouradministrativedecisionbefore,oratthesametimeas,thedecision.Itisnotappropriatetoreconstructarecordafteradecisionismade.Thissectionidentifiestheappropriatecontentandstructureofanadministrativerecord.MoreproceduresandhelpfulguidanceonmaintaininganAdministrativeRecordcanbefoundontheNEPA&SEPAGuidancewebpage.

1. When to Prepare a Formal Administrative Record–Allprojectsmustbedocumentedtosupportkeydecisions.AformaladministrativerecordmustbepreparedforprojectsrequiringanEISwheresubstantialcontroversyexistsorinthelikelihoodofalegalchallenge.Formaldocumentationisoptionalforotherprojects.

https://wsdot.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2017/12/08/Env-NSepa-Pro400ab6LegalConsiderations.pdf



http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=43.21C.080





Projectfilesonallprojectsshouldbekeptinanorderlymannerthroughoutthelifeoftheproject,whetherornotanadministrativerecordisprepared.Asdecisionsaremadeontheproject,theyshouldberecordedandfiled.

2. Who prepares an Administrative Record–PreparinganadministrativerecordisacollaborativeeffortbetweentheAttorneyGeneral’sOffice(AGO)andtheWSDOTprojectteam.InmanycasestheFederalLeadagencymayalsobenamedinalegalchallenge,inwhichcasetheState’sAGwillworkwiththeFederalagency’slegalcounseltocompiletheadministrativerecord.IftheFederalagencyisnamedasadefendant,thecasewillusuallybedefendedbytheUSAttorneyinFederalcourt.TheAGsOfficeisultimatelyresponsiblefordefendingourdecisionsincourt.Assuch,projectteamsshouldgivetheAGOduedeferenceindeterminingwhatshouldgointotherecord.Oncedocumentsareidentifiedandorganizedbytheprojectteam,theAGOwilldeterminethecontentsoftheAdministrativeRecord.

3. Administrative Record Contents–Anadministrativerecordshouldcontainallfederal,state,regional,orlocalactions.Theseincludecorridorapproval,corridoradoption,designapproval,andregionapprovedtransportationmasterplansorprograms.Itmayalsocontainotherrelatedmaterial.

Projectteamscansupporttheadministrativerecordby:• Documentingthedecisionsonhowitapproachedenvironmentalreviewandtheinformationthatsupportedthosedecisions.

• Includingthenameoftheprojectinthesubjectlineofemailsrelatedtotheproject.• Keepingtrackofyourindividualemailsandfilesthatshowachangeindirectionforaproject–youdonotneedtosaveeveryemailaboutaprojectifitdoesn’taddsubstantivemerittotherecord(e.g.,meetinglogistics,sidenotestackedontoanemailstringthataren’trelevanttothesubjectmatterofthecommunication).Althoughyoumustkeeprelevantinformation,itisokaytocleanyouremailfoldersofitemsthatarenotsubstantive.

• RetainingSubstantiveemailsthatcontaindirectiononacourseofaction.Theseemailsarepublicrecords–DONOTDELETETHEM.

• Realizingtheprojectteamisthefocalpointforretainingprojectrecords.(Keepinmindthatpublicrecordrequestsaredifferentfromtheadministrativerecord.)

TheadministrativerecordofanEISshouldcontainthefollowingelements,asapplicable,inchronologicalorder:

• Tableofcontents• Projectprospectus• EnvironmentalClassificationSummary(ECS)• Regionaltransportationplansorstudies• Routestudies• NoticeofIntent• MinutesofEISscopingmeeting(s)• DisciplinespecificandInterdisciplinaryTeammeetingminutesandrecommendations• Agencymeetingminutesandphonecallsummaries• Commentsfrompublicopenhouses• Publichearingtranscript



• Correspondencefromagenciesorthepublicandresponsestothem(bothlettersandemails)

• Interofficecommunicationsrelatingtoprojectdevelopment• Disciplinereports• DraftandfinalEIS• CopyofallreferencescitedintheDEISandFEIS• Officialnotices• RecordofDecision• Corridor,design,andaccessplanapprovals• AffidavitofpublicationofNoticeofAction• Otherrelevantevidencesuchaslocalzoningorplanningreports,governmentstudies,questionnaires,oruniversitystudies

Theadministrativerecordneednotincludeeveryitemintheprojectfile.Generally,itemsthatdonotrelatetoamajorprojectdecisionshouldnotbeincluded.ProjectteamsshouldconsultwiththeAttorneyGeneral’sOfficetodetermineiftheprojectwillneedanadministrativerecord.IftheAG’sOfficerecommendsthatanadministrativerecordbeprepared,theprojectteamshouldcoordinatecloselywithourAssistantAttorneyGeneralwhenpreparingtherecord.

400.11 Applicable Statutes and Regulations

400.11(1) National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)PresidentNixonsignedtheNationalEnvironmentalPolicyAct(NEPA)inJanuary1970asthe“nationalcharterforprotectionoftheenvironment”(PL91190,asamended).TheintentofNEPA(40CFR1500–1508)istohelppublicofficialsmakedecisionsthatarebasedonanunderstandingofenvironmentalconsequences,andtakeactionsthatprotect,restore,andenhancetheenvironment.

NEPAimplementingregulationsapplicabletoallfederallyaidedprojectsweredevelopedbytheCouncilonEnvironmentalQuality(CEQ)andarecodifiedas40CFR1500–1508. FHWAregulationsapplicabletofederallyaidedhighwayprojectsarecodifiedas23CFR771.Itiscodified23USC139.

400.11(2) Other Federal Environmental StatutesInadditiontoNEPA,thereareanumberofotherfederalstatutesthatgovernfederalaidhighwayprojects.FHWA/otherfederalleadsrequiredocumentationofcompliancewiththefollowingrequirementspriortocompletingNEPA(i.e.approvaloftheECS,publishingaFONSIorFEIS)foraproject.

1. Endangered Species Act –Section7oftheEndangeredSpeciesActrequiresfederalagenciestoconferwiththeU.S.FishandWildlifeServiceorNationalMarineFisheriesService(seeChapter436fordetails).

2. Section 106 –Section106oftheNationalHistoricPreservationActappliestotransportationprojectsaffectinghistoricpropertylistedonoreligibleforlistingontheNationalRegisterofHistoricPlaces(seeChapter456fordetails).

https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/STATUTE-83/pdf/STATUTE-83-Pg852.pdf

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=65b8e604c6d1a877ab62be8f1a0e8f86&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title40/40cfrv34_02.tpl


http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=8c46cd9d3fa17bc9f64e2188358535ed&rgn=div5&view=text&node=23:1.0.1.8.43&idno=23

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=8c46cd9d3fa17bc9f64e2188358535ed&rgn=div5&view=text&node=23:1.0.1.8.43&idno=23




3. Section 4(f) Evaluation –ProjectsrequiringfundingorapprovalfromaUSDOTagencymustcomplywithSection4(f)ortheU.S.DepartmentofTransportationActof1966whichestablishedtherequirementforconsiderationofparkandrecreationallands,wildlifeandwaterfowlrefuges,andhistoricsiteswhensitingtransportationfacilities.Thelawcodifiedin49USC303and23USC138,isimplementedbytheFederalHighwayAdministration(FHWA)throughtheregulation23CFR774 (seeChapter457 fordetails).

4. Section 6(f)–OutdoorRecreationResources–Section6(f)oftheLandandWaterConservationFundAct(LWCFA)of1966prohibitstheconversionofpropertyacquiredordevelopedwithLWCFAgrantfundstoanon-recreationalpurposewithouttheapprovaloftheDepartmentofInterior’sNationalParkService(NPS)(seeChapters455and457 fordetails).

400.11(3) State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA)Washington’sStateEnvironmentalPolicyAct(SEPA)(RCW43.21C),adoptedin1971,directsstateandlocaldecisionmakerstoconsidertheenvironmentalconsequencesoftheiractions.StateSEPARulesaremaintainedbytheWashingtonStateDepartmentofEcology(Ecology).TheSEPARules(WAC197-11),andEcology’sguidance,theSEPAHandbook,arepostedontheEcologySEPAwebpage.

TheWSDOT’sAgencySEPAprocedures(WAC468-12,asamended)arelocatedattheOfficeoftheCodeReviserwebsite.

400.12 Abbreviations and AcronymsAASHTO AmericanAssociationofStateHighwayandTransportationOfficialsCE CategoricalExclusion(NEPA)orCategoricalExemption(SEPA)CEQ CouncilonEnvironmentalQuality(federal)CFR CodeofFederalRegulationsDEIS DraftEnvironmentalImpactStatementDNS DeterminationofNon-significance(SEPA)DS DeterminationofSignificance(SEPA)EA EnvironmentalAssessmentECS EnvironmentalClassificationSummaryEIS EnvironmentalImpactStatementERS EnvironmentalReviewSummaryESO EnvironmentalServicesOfficeFASTAct FixingAmerica’sSurfaceTransportationActFEIS FinalEnvironmentalImpactStatementFONSI FindingofNoSignificantImpact(NEPA)MAP-21 MovingAheadforProgressinthe21stCenturyActNAT NoticeofAction(taken)(SEPA)NEPA NationalEnvironmentalPolicyActNOA NoticeofAvailability(ofaNEPAdocument)NOI NoticeofIntent(toprepareaNEPAEIS)

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2011-title49/pdf/USCODE-2011-title49-subtitleI-chap3-subchapI-sec303.pdf


http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title23/23cfr774_main_02.tpl



https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/SEPA-environmental-review




OFD OneFederalDecisionPEL PlanningandEnvironmentalLinkageROD RecordofDecision(NEPA)SAFETEA-LU Safe,Accountable,Flexible,EfficientTransportationEquityAct:ALegacy

forUsersSDEIS SupplementalDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatementSEIS SupplementalEnvironmentalImpactStatementSFEIS SupplementalFinalEnvironmentalImpactStatementSEPA StateEnvironmentalPolicyActTEA-21 TransportationEquityActforthe21stCenturyUSDOT UnitedStatesDepartmentofTransportation

400.13 GlossaryCategorical Exclusion/Exemption–Anactionthatdoesnotindividuallyorcumulativelyhaveasignificantenvironmentaleffect,asdefinedinNEPA/SEPAregulations,andisclassifiedasexcluded(NEPA)orexempt(SEPA)fromrequirementstoprepareanEnvironmentalAssessment/ChecklistorEnvironmentalImpactStatement.SeecompletelistanddescriptioninSections300.04and300.05.

Cumulative Impact/Effect–Theimpactontheenvironmentthatresultsfromtheincrementaleffectoftheactionwhenaddedtootherpast,present,andreasonablyforeseeablefutureactions,regardlessofwhatagencyorpersonundertakessuchotheractions.Cumulativeimpactscanresultfromindividuallyminorbutcollectivelysignificantactionstakingplaceoveraperiodoftime(40CFR1508.8).

Direct Impact/Effect –Adirectimpact(oreffect)iscausedbytheproposedactionandoccursatthesametimeandplace.Directeffectsmayoccurduringconstructionoroperationoftheproject.Effectsmaybeecological,aesthetic,historic,cultural,economic,social,orhealthrelated.Forexample,ahighwaycrossingastreammaydirectlyaffectitswaterquality,thoughsuchimpactscanbemitigated(40CFR1508.8).

Discipline Report –AdetailedWSDOTreportormemotodocumenttheenvironmentalanalysisintherarecaseswheretheenvironmentalimpactsaresosubstantial,therequiredanalysisissocomplex,orthepertinentdataissovoluminous,thattheanalysiscannotreasonablybeincludedwithintheenvironmentaldocument.Adisciplinereportistypicallyincludedintheappendixoftheenvironmentaldocument.AdisciplinereportmayalsobewrittenifthesubjectspecificanalysisisneededtosupportsomeotherpermitorapprovalrequirementindependentoftheNEPA/SEPAprocess.

Environmental Document –Includesdocumentspreparedinresponsetostateandfederalenvironmentalrequirementssuchas:EnvironmentalImpactStatements(NEPAandSEPA),EnvironmentalAssessments(NEPA),SEPAThresholdDeterminations(DS,DNS,andMDNS)andassociatedEnvironmentalChecklists(SEPA),Section4(f)Evaluations,Section106Reports,EnvironmentalJusticeReportsandotherdocuments.

Environmental Checklist (SEPA)–Astandardformusedbyallstateandlocalagenciestoobtaininformationaboutaproposalandtoassisttheminmakingathresholddetermination.Itincludesquestionsabouttheproposal,itslocation,possiblefutureactivities,andquestionsaboutpotentialimpactsoftheproposaloneachelementoftheenvironment.TheSEPArulesunderWAC197-11-960listtheinformationrequiredinanenvironmentalchecklist.

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=3ee3247b011e74cefc713d604608fb97&mc=true&node=pt40.33.1508&rgn=div5





Environmental Review–IstheconsiderationofenvironmentalfactorsrequiredbyNEPAandSEPA.The“environmentalreviewprocess”istheprocedureusedbyagenciesandotherstogiveappropriateconsiderationtotheenvironmentindecisionmaking.

Feasible and Prudent Avoidance Alternative–AfeasibleandprudentavoidancealternativeavoidsusingSection4(f)propertyanddoesnotcauseothersevereproblemsofamagnitudethatsubstantiallyoutweighstheimportanceofprotectingtheSection4(f)property.

Federal Nexus–Adeterminationthatatleastonefederalagencyis:• Involvedasaproponentofaspecifiedproposal(usuallybyprovidingfundingoroversight)

• Mustissueafederalpermit,license,orotherentitlement(suchasarequesttousefederalfundsorfederalland)fortheproposaltoproceed.

Afederalnexus(evenonanotherwisenon-federalproposal)typicallytriggerstheneedforthefederalagencyoragenciestocomplywithvariousfederalstatutes.TheseincludebutarenotlimitedtoNEPA,Section106oftheNationalHistoricPreservationAct,Section4(f)oftheDepartmentofTransportationAct,Section6(f)oftheLandandWaterConservationFundAct,andSection7oftheEndangeredSpeciesAct.

Indirect Impacts/Effects (NEPA)–Effectsorimpactscausedbytheproposedactionoralternativethatoccurlaterintimeorfartherremovedindistance,butarestillreasonablyforeseeable.Indirecteffectsmayincludeeffectsrelatedtochangesinthepatternoflanduse,populationdensityorgrowthrate,andrelatedeffectsonairandwaterandothernaturalsystems,includingecosystems(40CFR1508.8).

Mitigation–NEPA(40CFR1508.20)andSEPA(WAC197-11-768)mitigationmeansavoiding,minimizing,rectifying,rehabilitating,restoring,reducingoreliminatingtheenvironmentalimpactovertimebypreservationandmaintenanceoperationsduringthelifeoftheaction.Mitigationcanalsomeancompensatingfortheimpactbyreplacingorprovidingsubstituteresourcesorenvironmentsforthoseimpactedbytheproject.

Non-project Action –Governmentalactionsinvolvingdecisionsonpolicies,plans,orprogramsthatcontainstandardscontrollingtheuseormodificationoftheenvironment,orthatwillgovernaseriesofconnectedactions.

Planning and Environmental Linkage (PEL)–Acollaborativeandintegratedapproachtotransportationdecision-makingthat(1)considersenvironmental,community,andeconomicgoalsearlyintheplanningprocess,and(2)usestheinformation,analysis,andproductsdevelopedduringplanningtoinformtheenvironmentalreviewprocess.SeeChapter200andtheNEPA&SEPAGuidancewebpageforadditionalPELguidance.

Practical Solutions–Anapproachtomakingprojectdecisionsthatfocusesonthespecificproblemstheprojectisintendedtoaddress.Thisperformance-basedapproachlooksforlowercostsolutionsthatmeetoutcomesthatWSDOT,partneringagencies,communitiesandstakeholdershaveidentified.Withpracticalsolutions,decision-makingfocusesonmaximumbenefittothesystem,ratherthanmaximumbenefittotheproject.Focusingonthespecificprojectneedminimizedthescopeofworkforeachprojectsothatsystem-wideneedscanbeoptimized.ForadditionalinformationseeDesign Manual Chapter1100 andtheWSDOTPracticalSolutionswebpage.









Project Description–Anarrativewrittenbytheproponenttodescribetheprojectproposal.Itmayincludeexplanationsoftheexistingphysical,environmental,social,andeconomicsettingaroundtheproposedproject,alegaldescriptionofthelocation,andanexplanationoftheintendedimprovements.

Responsible Official–OfficialoftheleadagencywhohasbeendelegatedresponsibilityforcomplyingwithNEPAandSEPAprocedures.

Scoping (public and agency scoping)–Aformalprocessforengagingthepublicandagenciestocommentontheprojectpurposeandneedstatement,identifytherangeofalternatives,environmentalelementsandimpacts,andmitigationmeasurestobeanalyzedinanenvironmentalimpactstatement(EIS)oranenvironmentalassessment(EA).Itshouldnotbeconfusedwithinternalscopingtosetaproject’sbudget.

Significant Impact –UnderNEPA(40CFR1500-1508)thedeterminationofasignificantimpactisafunctionofbothcontextandintensity,including:• Thetype,quality,andsensitivityoftheresourceinvolved.• Thelocationoftheproposedproject.• Thedurationoftheeffect(shortorlongterm).• Thesettingoftheproposedactionandthesurroundingarea.

UnderSEPA,WAC197-11-330specifiesaprocess,includingcriteriaandprocedures,fordeterminingwhetheraproposalislikelytohaveasignificantadverseenvironmentalimpact.

Threshold Determination (SEPA)–Thethresholddeterminationprocessistheprocessusedtoevaluatetheenvironmentalconsequencesofaproposalanddeterminewhethertheproposalislikelytohaveany“significantadverseenvironmentalimpacts.”TheSEPAleadagencymakesthisdeterminationanddocumentsitaseitheraDeterminationofNon-significance(DNS),oraDeterminationofSignificance(DS).ADSrequirespreparationofanEIS.Stateandlocalagenciesusetheenvironmentalchecklist(seeabove)tohelpmakeathresholddetermination.

Tribal Consultation –AsdefinedinWSDOTExecutiveOrderE1025,tribalconsultationmeansrespectful,effectivecommunicationinacooperativeprocessthatworkstowardsaconsensus,beforeadecisionismadeoractionistaken…onactionsthataffectidentifiedtribalrightsandinterests.



http://wwwi.wsdot.wa.gov/publications/policies/fulltext/1025.pdf

