Scoping project documentation requirements
Read Environmental Manual Chapter 300: Project scoping & programming (PDF 329KB) to learn more about determining a project's federal nexus and class of action.
Refer to the NEPA Environmental Documentation Toolkit (PDF 4.1MB) for procedures, guidance, flow charts and legal considerations to assist with preparing NEPA documentation.
Federal nexus and lead agency
Determine whether your project has a federal nexus, which means it has federal participation through funding or decisions/approvals. Use the Determining When NEPA is Necessary and Federal Agency Nexus flowchart (PDF 4.1MB) to help with this decision.
Most guidance on this page applies to projects where the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is the federal lead agency. If another federal agency has approval authority or provides funding, coordinate with that agency to understand its environmental review requirements. Some agencies may accept the environmental documentation prepared under FHWA’s NEPA process.
Coordinate early with WSDOT Real Estate Services when federal agency-owned property may be affected to avoid preventable post-NEPA discoveries and documentation strategy changes. Additional right of way needs involving agencies such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) may trigger additional federal coordination or NEPA documentation requirements.
Use the NEPA SEPA Document Distribution Matrix (PDF 186KB) to identify contacts at BIA and other federal, state, and local agencies.
Use the Federal Agency Compliance Requirements (PDF 4.1MB) to understand which regulations your project must comply with based on WSDOT's most common federal nexus types.
Determine NEPA/SEPA strategy
Use the NEPA/SEPA strategy checklist (PDF 739KB) to help understand the potential environmental documentation strategy.
Use the Identifying NEPA Class of Action section in the NEPA Documentation Toolkit (PDF 4.1MB) to help decide whether the project will require a Categorical Exclusion (CE), Environmental Assessment (EA), or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
Check for past environmental documents related to your project. Reference, incorporate, or append any relevant information to the environmental document.
Tribal consultation
Use the Model Comprehensive Tribal Consultation Process for the National Environmental Policy Act to understand when and how to consult with Tribes during environmental review. Consultation requirements vary based on project classification and potential effects on Tribal interests.
Corps permit
Projects without an FHWA or Federal Transit Administration (FTA) nexus that require a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) permit should follow Corps Federal Nexus and Jurisdiction for WSDOT NEPA (PDF 897KB).
Access ERS
Use Environmental Review Summary (ERS) to document your environmental scoping as part of the Project Summary package. Copy this information into an Environmental Classification Summary (ECS) when the project is programmed (preliminary design), which becomes your NEPA document for Categorical Exclusion (CE) projects.
Staff with a WSDOT login, follow these directions to gain access to ERS-ECS:
1. Contact region IT to have ‘TEIS Capital Projects’ system installed.
2. Contact hqithelpdesk@wsdot.wa.gov for access.
3. Launch the application to activate your account.
4. Contact NEPA-SEPA@wsdot.wa.gov to be added to the environmental group.
Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL)
PEL studies are conducted through a federal process used for some projects that are likely to require a NEPA Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). If your NEPA document included a pre-NEPA PEL study, coordinate with the NEPA/SEPA Program and PEL team on the PEL-to-NEPA transition. Review the PEL webpage for more information on PEL.
Read Environmental Manual Chapter 400: Environmental Review and Transportation Decision Making (PDF 592KB) to learn more about our NEPA and SEPA processes.
Refer to the NEPA Environmental Documentation Toolkit (PDF 4.1MB) for procedures, guidance, flow charts and legal considerations to assist with preparing NEPA documentation.
Use the Identifying NEPA Class of Action section in the NEPA Documentation Toolkit (PDF 4.1MB) to help decide whether the project will require a Categorical Exclusion (CE), Environmental Assessment (EA), or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
Identifying the Appropriate CE
For NEPA
Completing the Class of Action Verification Form (PDF 622KB) will help identify the appropriate CE.
Follow the Preparing a CE section in the NEPA Documentation Toolkit (PDF 4.1MB) to understand the CE documentation process and requirements.
For SEPA
WAC 197-11-800 contains most SEPA exemptions. WSDOT projects that repair, reconstruct, restore, retrofit, or replace a transportation facility may be exempt under WAC 197-11-800(26). WSDOT has adopted agency-specific procedures in WAC 468-12, including maintenance-related exemptions in WAC 468-12-800. WAC 197-11-860 contains additional SEPA exemptions for WSDOT’s non-project actions, like speed limit changes. WAC 197-11-880 covers emergency actions.
Document a NEPA CE and/or SEPA checklist
For NEPA CEs with SEPA CEs
Follow the Preparing a CE section in the NEPA Documentation Toolkit (PDF 4.1MB) to understand the NEPA CE documentation process and requirements.
Follow the Task Guidance: Discipline Reports in the NEPA Documentation Toolkit (PDF 4.1MB) to help determine whether discipline reports are needed and how to prepare them.
Use the Environmental Classification Summary (ECS) form to document both NEPA and SEPA (even if there is no federal nexus or NEPA requirement). Use the 'HELP' buttons in the database to answer the questions.
For SEPA Checklists (with or without a NEPA CE)
If the project qualifies as a NEPA CE, but not a SEPA CE, or for state-only projects that exceed the SEPA CE threshold (see WAC 197-11-800), you must also complete a SEPA checklist and comply with required SEPA documentation requirements and comment periods. Use Ecology's SEPA document templates for WSDOT SEPA.
Additional SEPA documentation or analysis may be needed to address state-specific requirements such as climate change, greenhouse gas emissions, or other energy-related considerations. Contact the NEPA/SEPA Program to develop the appropriate SEPA strategy and visit Climate change-related effects, Energy, and Greenhouse gases for discipline specific guidance and assistance.
Refer to Environmental Manual Chapter 400: Environmental Review and Transportation Decision Making (PDF 592KB), section 400.06(3) Using NEPA documents for SEPA and 400.09(2) SEPA Checklist, for additional information related to NEPA CEs and SEPA Checklists.
Prepare an EA and EIS
Contact the NEPA-SEPA Program early if your project might involve an EA or EIS.
The following procedures provide the general process for preparing EAs and EISs, including coordination, administrative record, discipline reports, and signature briefings.
Preparing an EA section in the NEPA Documentation Toolkit (PDF 4.1MB).
Preparing an EIS section in the NEPA Documentation Toolkit (PDF 4.1MB).
Templates to assist with preparing EAs and EISs are available on the "Tools, templates & links" tab.
A Notice of Availability is required when publishing an EA or an EIS. Refer to Task Guidance: Notice of Availability in the NEPA Documentation Toolkit (PDF 4.1MB) for details.
The EA and EIS processes may also include environmental hearings. Refer to Task Guidance: Environmental Hearing in the NEPA Documentation Toolkit (PDF 4.1MB) for details.
The EA process ends with a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). Refer to Typical Contents of a FONSI in the NEPA Documentation Toolkit (PDF 4.1MB) for guidance.
The EIS process ends with a Record of Decision (ROD). Refer to Typical Contents of a ROD in the NEPA Documentation Toolkit (PDF 4.1MB) for guidance.
Discipline Reports
Follow the Task Guidance: Discipline Reports in the NEPA Documentation Toolkit (PDF 4.1MB) to help determine which discipline reports are needed and how to prepare them. Whenever possible, summarize environmental impacts directly in the environmental document and place supporting data in appendices. Prepare a separate discipline report when the analysis is especially complex or lengthy.
Document SEPA for a NEPA EA or EIS
Use the Determination of Non-significance (DNS) / Adoption of Existing Document Form to adopt the NEPA EA or EIS for SEPA. Additional SEPA analysis or documentation may be needed to address state-specific requirements, such as climate change, greenhouse gas emissions, or energy-related considerations. This information may be documented in a SEPA addendum before issuing the applicable SEPA Notice of Action Taken (NAT).
Contact the NEPA/SEPA Program to develop the appropriate SEPA strategy and visit Climate change-related effects, Energy, and Greenhouse gases for discipline specific guidance and assistance.
Document Reviews
Follow the Best Practices for NEPA Document Reviews section in the NEPA Documentation Toolkit (PDF 4.1MB) to understand the process and schedule for internal and external reviews.
Use the Review Comment Form (DOCX 95KB) or a similar method to sufficiently track substantive comments on environmental documents.
Title VI & ADA publication language
Use the agency’s standard Title VI and ADA language for public notices on Title VI/Limited English Proficiency. Contact the Title VI Staff for help.
Confirm final design and documentation strategy
Project teams should confirm final design details, environmental commitments, and permit needs before finalizing project documentation and contract plans.
Carefully track environmental commitments throughout the design process, particularly those found in regulatory permits. See commitment tracking resources on the "Tools, templates & links" tab.
Re-evaluate NEPA
Confirm whether project changes affect the environmental documentation strategy or require additional federal coordination. Re-evaluation generally occurs when a project has elements not previously evaluated (e.g., design changes) or when a previously inactive project becomes active again. You may need to re-evaluate NEPA if:
- The project scope has changed.
- The project area has changed - including WSDOT selected staging areas.
- More than three years has elapsed since the last federal NEPA lead agency action.
- New laws, regulations, or policy, affect the project analysis or documentation.
Review Chapter 400: Environmental Review and Transportation Decision Making (PDF 592KB), section 400.06(1) for a more detailed list of reasons a project may need a re-evaluation and related policy.
Refer to Task Guidance: NEPA Re-evaluations in the NEPA Documentation Toolkit (PDF 4.1MB) to determine whether a NEPA re-evaluation is needed and documentation requirements for CEs, EAs, or EISs.
Manuals
Environmental Manual
Chapter 300: Project scoping & programming (PDF 329KB) – Scoping, federal nexus, and project classification.
Chapter 400: Environmental Review and Transportation Decision Making (PDF 592KB) – NEPA and SEPA processes.
Chapter 530: Tribal Approvals (PDF 207KB) – Policy for working with Tribes.
Communications Manual
Communications Manual (PDF 6.32MB) – Agency-wide standards for environmental and other documents prepared for external audiences.
NEPA Environmental Documentation Toolkit (PDF 4.1MB) – Procedures, guidance, flow charts and legal considerations to assist with preparing NEPA documentation.
2024 FHWA/WSDOT NEPA CE Programmatic Agreement (PCE) (PDF 163KB) – Guiding foundation for WSDOT NEPA CE options and approvals.
FHWA's Environmental Review Toolkit – Provides useful information for documenting NEPA for FHWA project.
NEPA and SEPA Documentation Requirements flowchart (PDF 4.1MB) – Interactions between NEPA and SEPA and various documentation pathways.
NEPA Roles Table (PDF 253KB) – Defines WSDOT NEPA roles and responsibilities.
NEPA SEPA Document Distribution Matrix (PDF 186 KB) – Contacts for coordination with resource and regulatory agencies. This information changes often, but the document is only updated annually, or as new information emerges. Contact the NEPA-SEPA Program, with questions or updates to share.
Creating a Project File to Support the Administrative Record (PDF 195KB) – Assists with administrative record set up, including related best practices and tips.
Washington State Department of Ecology’s SEPA – General SEPA compliance and discipline information. Three helpful resources include:
Model Comprehensive Tribal Consultation Process for the National Environmental Policy Act – Tribal consultation requirements during the environmental review process.
AASHTO's Practitioner's handbooks provide older, but still helpful guidance.
WSDOT NEPA Documentation Templates
The following NEPA documentation templates are referenced in the NEPA Environmental Documentation Toolkit (PDF 4.1MB).
General templates for EA or EIS documentation
Templates to assist with preparing an EA
Templates to assist with preparing an EIS
Training
Local Programs NEPA Courses – Seven YouTube video modules including information on the most common environmental disciplines like air, noise, and stormwater. Please review the Course notes on variations for WSDOT Regions (PDF 148KB) guide for differences between the local programs and regional NEPA processes.
FHWA's Overview of NEPA as Applied to Transportation Projects – Includes videos and links to additional NEPA-related topics for FHWA projects.
View additional Environmental training opportunities offered by the Environmental Services Office.
Track & manage commitments
Environmental Manual Chapter 490: Tracking environmental commitments during design (PDF 208KB) – Track commitments.
Environmental Manual Chapter 590: Incorporating environmental commitments into contracts (PDF 343KB) – 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.
