Making sure that a project has completed all the necessary environmental procedures is a challenge. Chapters 410 and 411 of the Environmental Procedures Manual (EPM) describe the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), and explain other environmental policy.

We provide "how to" guidance for completing those required environmental documents below.

The information on this page is designed for a technical audience.

During the Project Scoping phase, WSDOT staff define projects by entering information into the WSDOT Project Summary Database. This process defines the purpose and need for the project, identifies and evaluates alternatives, and documents the overall scope and cost of the project. This information allows WSDOT and the legislature to prioritize projects for funding.

• ECS/SEPA Checklist ShareDot database - this database allows WSDOT staff to complete SEPA documents and NEPA CEs & DCEs. This page is available to WSDOT employees only and can be accessed from the WSDOT Intranet Environment page.

Critical Path timelines

The following example project schedules were developed for hypothetical projects requiring a:

• NEPA CE (Categorical Exclusion) (pdf 29 kb)
• NEPA DCE (Documented Categorical Exclusion) (pdf 31 kb)
• NEPA EA (Environmental Assessment) (pdf 36 kb)
• NEPA EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) (pdf 42 kb)

Documenting Environmental Information

Completed during the PS&E or Project Design Phase. This includes completion of DCEs, EAs, or EISs. Project Teams must consider Procedural, Documentation, and Quality requirements when working with NEPA and SEPA:

Process Guidance

• NEPA Roles Table (pdf 109 kb) - defines the role of WSDOT offices in NEPA document review
• Environmental Document Distribution Table (pdf 31 kb) - table listing the required number and type of copies for distribution

Documentation Guidance

• Discipline Report Guidance - example checklists
• Discipline Report Specialist List (pdf 60 kb) - lists contact names for the various disciplines

Assuring Document Quality

• Comment Form for Document Reviews (doc 95 kb) - the standard form for commenting
• Comment Form Analysis (pdf 102 kb) - describes common comments we have received on agency NEPA documents
• FHWA Tip Sheet of Common Issues with NEPA Documents (pdf 27 kb) - Lists most repeated document issues
• NEPA/SEPA Sample Documents Library- this database can be accessed from the WSDOT Intranet Environment page, and is available to WSDOT employees only.
• Reader Friendly Guidance 

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