Determine the scope of the geology and soils analysis
All projects require a geology and soils analysis. Review the Geology and Soils Discipline Report Checklist (PDF 276KB) to help identify the scope of the analysis needed for the project.
Contact Garrett Jackson, Garrett.Jackson@wsdot.wa.gov, for help creating a scope of work for the geologic and soils analysis.
Document impacts
Affected environment
For the affected environment:
- Describe the geologic and soil properties.
- Identify risks to the project.
- Identify where the project will affect geologic and soils resources.
For climate resiliency review the detailed information associated with the Climate Impact Vulnerability Assessment, provide the vulnerability rating, and discuss the problems associated with that rating and how future conditions may affect geologic or soil resources. Identify the rules and regulations that are specific to the project. Incorporate results of any specialized studies completed for the project.
Consult with the leads on complementary disciplines, such as surface water, groundwater, wildlife, and wetlands to determine if there are properties of the soil or underling geologic formation that could affect their resource areas. Do not repeat information covered by other disciplines.
Impact assessment
Separate the assessment of construction and operations impacts. Adverse effects should be clearly called out and the significance conclusion explained. Depending on the project, adverse effects may also be further segregated between direct, indirect, cumulative, and inducing. The level of analysis should be the same for all alternatives including the No-Action alternative.
When preparing the Mitigation Measures section, NEPA requires avoidance and minimization of adverse effects before applying mitigation measures. With complex projects and competing resources its likely that not all impacts can be avoided. Residual impacts caused by geologic or soils hazards can be overcome with proper engineering techniques which is part of the overall WSDOT design process. Implementing these design processes are not mitigation measures but rather part of the project. If a potential adverse effect is going to be reduced by a standard process, identify that process. For example, soil erosion during construction is addressed as part of the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan process which will result in development of a site-specific Temporary Erosion and Sediment Control Plan that will be implemented and inspected by certified personnel. Normally a specific technique is not identified, but rather WSDOT relies on the process and the experts implementing the process to reduce adverse effects to less-than-significant levels.
Checklist
Use the Geology and Soils Discipline Report Checklist (PDF 276KB) to verify that the necessary information has been collected and the required analyses completed.
Work with the Project Engineering Office to make sure that the design includes all the measures needed to reduce geologic and soil hazards that were identified and, were possible, the project design or alignment was altered to avoid to the maximum extent practicable resources such as prime farmland and wetlands. It is expected that as the design proceeds there will be changes in the temporary construction and permanent project footprints that may require updating of the analyses.
These are different disciplines than Earth, impact assessment said to avoid redundancy.
General guidance for all analysis, not just earth.
Manuals
Environmental Manual Chapter 420: Earth (Geology and Soils) (PDF 154KB) - To learn about project-level geology and soils analyses.
Geotechnical Design Manual – Find guidance on specialized analyses that address geologic and soils hazards.
Highway Runoff Manual and the Hydraulics Manual – For erosion control guidance as regulated under the Construction Stormwater General Permit.
Roadside Manual – For guidance on permanent site stabilization
Document impacts
Geology and Soils Discipline Report Checklist (PDF 355KB) - To verify that the necessary information has been collected and the required analyses completed.
Track & manage commitments
Environmental Manual Chapter 490: Tracking environmental commitments during design (PDF 208KB) - To track commitments.
Environmental Manual Chapter 590: Incorporating environmental commitments into contracts (PDF 343KB) - To manage commitments.
Commitment tracking system (CTS) web application - Track and manage environmental commitments. Find instructions on how to use CTS on the CTS help menu.
Project scope of work
Garrett Jackson
Garrett.Jackson@wsdot.wa.gov.
Technical assistance
Simon Page
HQ Hydraulics Section – Hydrology Program
Simon.Page@wsdot.wa.gov