Consideration of climate change

Use this information to incorporate consideration of climate change throughout the transportation planning process and for projects requiring an Environmental Assessment (EA) or an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

For information on greenhouse gas emissions, refer to the Air quality, greenhouse gas and energy webpage linked in the Preliminary design section below.

Public scoping comments 

For NEPA EAs and EISs, the project team should examine comments submitted during public scoping. Any climate change-related effects that do not tie directly to project but may impact resources that are also affected by the project, should be addressed in the climate change section. 

Identify prior studies that can inform your project-level analysis 

Determine if a planning level study was completed for the project area. This may be a locally developed plan or a WSDOT corridor study. Environmental Manual Chapter 200: Environmental considerations in transportation planning (PDF 274KB) explains how planning projects (any pre-NEPA plan) can consider environmental issues. If WSDOT conducted a planning effort, look to see if it contains a summary of climate change-related effects identified for the corridor.Guidance for considering climate change-related effects in WSDOT plans and studies (PDF 432KB)– this document provides direction on considering climate change-related effects during the transportation planning process, including Planning and Environmental Linkage studies. Refer to the Environmental Guidance for Planning Studies webpage for more information on the transportation planning process and planning studies.

Identify any local or regional transportation plans, Growth Management Act comprehensive plans, climate change resilience plans, and natural hazard mitigation plans that relate to the project area. 

Slow down on ice and snow.

It's easier to skid or lose control traveling at higher speeds. Give yourself more time to stop.

Carry chains, practice installing them.

Winter conditions could mean chains are required on your route. Practice putting them on your vehicle ahead of time.

Pack your winter car kit.

Carry extra supplies like warm clothing, ice scraper and brush, jumper cables and other emergency items.