Determine what type of analyses your project will require
Refer to the Air Quality Analysis Decision Tree (PDF 201KB) to determine which types of analyses your project requires. If your WSDOT project needs an analysis, inform the Environmental Documentation and Permit Specialist assigned to your project. See list of exempt project types in WAC 173-420-110.
Conduct and document analyses & prepare NEPA documentation
Follow the Guidance on Addressing Air Quality for WSDOT Projects (PDF 382KB) to address criteria pollutants and mobile source air toxics (MSATs) in project documentation. All WSDOT projects must follow this approach.
Conformity
Projects in air quality maintenance or nonattainment areas must demonstrate conformity. Washington State has areas under maintenance plans for course particulate matter (PM10), fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and carbon monoxide (CO). Find general information about transportation conformity requirements at the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) Air Quality and FHWA Transportation Conformity sites.
Carbon monoxide
Projects in CO maintenance areas require a hot-spot analysis. Use the Washington State Intersection Screening Tool to complete these analyses. Contact Lindsay Taylor, Lindsay.Taylor@wsdot.wa.gov, for methodology assistance.
Particulate matter
Larger projects in particulate matter maintenance areas may meet the EPA description of a "project of air quality concern" and could require a hot-spot analysis. EPA offers direction on Project-Level and Hot-Spot Analysis on their website. Refer to Appendix B of EPA’s Transportation conformity Guidance for Quantitative Hot-spot Analysis in PM2.5 and PM10 Nonattainment and Maintenance Areas for descriptions of projects that may and may not require PM hot-spot analysis. If your project may be a project of air quality concern, contact Lindsay Taylor, Lindsay.Taylor@wsdot.wa.gov, for assistance with the interagency consultation process.
Mobile Source Air Toxics (MSAT)
To determine the level of MSATs analyses for non-exempt projects, WSDOT follows FHWA's Updated Interim Guidance.
Review contract documents for commitments
See Environmental Manual Chapter 600: Construction (PDF 335KB) for policy guidance on how to track and comply with commitments during final design and construction.
Fugitive Dust
Reference the Memorandum of Agreement with Puget Sound Clean Air Agency - Fugitive Dust (PDF 22KB) for projects within King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish counties. Refer to the Guide to Handling Fugitive Dust from Construction Projects (PDF 862KB) from the Associated General Contractors of Washington for additional information on fugitive dust best management practices.