Wetlands & other waters

Follow these steps during the preliminary design phase of your project:

1. Document wetlands
2. Document streams
3. Document tidal waters
4. Evaluate ditches
5. Document buffers
6. Write the Wetland & Stream Assessment Report
7. Assume all waters are jurisdictional
8. Document impacts
9. Prepare a Section 404(b)(1) alternatives analysis
10. Write the Mitigation Plan
11. Request a pre-application coordination meeting
12. Coordinate with the Multi-Agency Permitting Program team on design-build projects

Document wetlands

If you will hire a consultant to do the assessment, use the Generic Scope of Work for Delineation (DOCX 51KB) to build the wetland and stream delineation and assessment section in your consultant contract. 

Review the project information you collected from the reconnaissance survey during scoping.

Use the Wetland and Stream Assessment Report (WSAR) tools, templates, & links to perform field work and prepare the report.

Coordinate with your region’s survey crew following field work. Provide a sketch map of all identified waters. Coordinate with the Project Engineer Office to develop and finalize plan sheets showing all identified waters and their buffers. Follow our Sensitive areas naming conventions (PDF 562KB) when identifying wetlands and other waters on plans and figures.

If wetlands or other waters are present in the project, follow the Corp’s Components of a Complete Wetland Delineation Report (PDF 124KB). Use the tools on the Tools, templates & links tab to delineate, rate and perform a functions assessment for all potentially impacted wetlands in the project study area. This includes wetlands occurring both below and above the Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM). See Q&A - Delineating wetlands on or near road prisms (PDF 233KB) for answers to frequently asked delineation questions.

For fish passage projects, document the functions and explain the ecological benefits of the project in the Section 404 permit application.

For most projects, use the Wetland Functions Characterization Tool for Linear Projects (PDF 96KB) (BPJ tool) to perform a function assessment of each wetland that will potentially be impacted. Use Wetland Functions Characterization Tool for Linear Projects ArcGIS Survey 123 Field Data Form Manual (PDF 243KB) to fill out the BPJ Tool field data form electronically using ArcGIS Survey 123.

Use the Credit/Debit method described on the Ecology Credits & debits for wetland mitigation website for in-lieu fee mitigation proposals on projects with minimal wetlands. Applying the Credit/Debit method to projects with more than a few wetlands is challenging, so the BPJ tool is preferable for most WSDOT projects.

For fish passage projects, don't perform functions assessment unless project specific factors determine it is a benefit. Instead, provide a narrative in the permit application form to show how the fish passage project provides overall aquatic habitat benefit. Explain how there is no net loss of aquatic functions and area. Provide enough rationale to support the determination that the ecological benefits from the fish passage project outweighs the potential aquatic losses.

Document streams

You will need:

• Ecology's Find your WRIA
• DNR Forest Practices Water Typing and Forest Practices Application Online Mapping Tool - To identify the DNR water type for streams and apply local stream buffers.
• Washington State Fish Passage - To find the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Site Identification Number for fish passage projects.
• Fish Passage Site Management Database (only accessible to WSDOT employees) - To identify fish species presence and habitat gain information for fish passage projects

For non-tidal streams and other waters, follow the Corps' methodology for OHWM delineation in non-tidal areas established in the Corps Regulatory Guidance Letter 05-05 (PDF 51.8KB). In addition, use the Corps' National Ordinary High Water Mark Field Determination Manual for Rivers and Streams (PDF 155.13MB).

Document tidal waters

Tidal waters include tidally influenced freshwater or brackish systems like river mouths. They may include estuarine wetlands that need to be delineated and documented as well.

To document tidal waters, delineate and add to the plan sheets:

• The OHWM to show Ecology’s jurisdiction of tidal waters (WAC 173-22-030).
• The Mean High Water line to show the Section 10 limits of Corps jurisdiction.
• The High Tide Line (HTL) to show the Section 404 limits of Corps jurisdiction as directed by the Seattle District of Corps Special Public Notice dated February 21, 2020 (PDF 158KB).

WSDOT staff, set up an early coordination meeting with the Corps to discuss project specific HTL jurisdiction limits prior to permitting. External partners, coordinate with your WSDOT project contact prior to submitting your permit application for HTL delineations. Be prepared to show photos, diagrams, maps, and data. Review the Corps Electronic Permit Guidebook – Streams, Rivers, and Tidal Waters page. 

Use one of these three options to delineate the HTL:

Option 1 – Use the Highest Astronomical Tide datum

Highest Astronomical Tide (HAT) is an easy elevation to determine and for the Corps to approve. HAT is often higher than the 10-year average of Highest Predicted Tide (HPT) (see Option 2) and therefore more inclusive of tidal water for 404 jurisdiction. 

Select the appropriate tide station datum from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s Tides and Currents Datums – Station Selection page and look up the HAT elevation. Apply this elevation to the plan sheets.

Option 2 – Use the 10-year average of Highest Predicted Tide

This method often results in a lower elevation and therefore less inclusive of tidal water for 404 jurisdiction. This analysis takes longer to perform but is easy for the Project Engineers Office to apply the elevation to the plan sheets. It is also easy for the Corps to approve.

In the office, select the appropriate tide station to use from NOAA’s Tides and Currents page. Use our HPT calculator (XLSX 174KB) and Calculate Mean Highest Predicted Tide (PDF 583KB) to help document and determine the 10-year average HPT. Include the HPT data in an appendix of the WSAR. Record the last predicted high tide elevation prior to your scheduled field visit. 

In the field, locate field indicators of the most recent high tide. Assume the last predicted high tide elevation matches the field indicators. Subtract the last predicted high tide elevation from the HPT elevation. Estimate the difference in elevation on the ground so you can navigate to the HPT elevation. Look for field indicators of HTL to see if they match the HPT elevation. Take photos so you can show in the report if the field indicators matched HPT or HAT and be able to document how you placed the HTL. 

Option 3 – Use Ecology’s field indicators of Ordinary High Water Mark for tidal waters

This method takes significantly longer for the biologist. Also anticipate a longer timeline for the Corps to approve. Only use this option if specific project scenarios dictate, such as if the nearest tidal stations don’t provide relevant tidal data for the project location and therefore options 1 and 2 would result in an inaccurate estimate of HTL.

Refer to guidance in Ecology’s Determining the Ordinary High Water Mark for Shoreline Management Act Compliance in Washington State, Chapter 4, pages 66-110.

Evaluate ditches

Choose one to several, safe to access, representative ditch sections depending on the size of the project study area. Record width of the ditch between the OHWM on each bank. Ask the survey crew to survey all ditch bottoms in your project.

For sections of ditches meeting WOTUS wetland criteria:

• Document these wetland ditches in the wetland section of the Wetland and Stream Assessment Report (WSAR).
• Survey the ditch area and show feature(s) on plan sheets with a wetland boundary.

For ditches carrying streams/tributaries meeting WOTUS criteria:

• Document these channelized streams in the stream section of the WSAR.
• Survey the ditch area and show feature(s) on plan sheets with an OHWM or HTL boundary. 

For ditches not carrying a jurisdictional wetland or stream, just show a surveyed ditch centerline on the plan sheets.

Don’t document ditches in the WSAR or in a separate ditch memo. If the project may impact ditches that have jurisdictional waters in them, document proposed area of impacts (not volume) in the permit application and drawings. If submitting a Joint Aquatic Resources Permit Application (JARPA), provide a narrative of proposed impacts in the wetland section or stream section after describing all other WOTUS tributaries, as applicable. Use a line break to separate the two. Provide call outs and/or tables on JARPA drawings quantifying the area of impacted ditch sections. Use ditch width measurements collected during the field assessment. Include latitude and longitude for the center point of each impacted ditch section.

Document buffers

Document buffers on plans and permit application drawings. Follow How to document buffers for wetland & other waters (PDF 338KB).

Write the Wetland & Stream Assessment Report

Use our Wetland & Stream Assessment Report template (DOC 110KB) (updated 11/2024) to document the findings of your assessment. See example reports:

• I-5/US 101 McAllister Creek & Mud Bay Bridges - Repair Bridge Piles (PDF 6.93MB)
• US 101/Leland Creek and Tributaries - Remove Fish Barriers Project (PDF 22MB)

Avoid discussing jurisdiction or impacts in the WSAR. Reports are valid for five years from the date of field work. If the project is delayed, review field work and update the WSAR or prepare a report addendum.

Use Wetland and Stream Assessment Report Review Tips (PDF 170KB) to help review WSARs and make sure they are complete. 

Assume all waters are jurisdictional

For most projects, assume both the Corps and Ecology have jurisdiction over all waters to expedite project permitting. The Corps will use the permit application documents during final design to make a jurisdictional determination.

If you have a unique project where it would be critical to show that the waters are  not federally regulated and your project can tolerate a potential six month timeline to obtain a Corps  Approved Jurisdictional Determination (AJD), contact the MAPP manager at MAPP@wsdot.wa.gov to discuss your project. If a Corps AJD is required, use the Corps’ Regulatory Guidance Letter (RGL) 16-01: Jurisdictional Determinations (PDF 66KB). With the form in the RGL, submit the following documents to the liaisons at ESOPermittingLiaisons@wsdot.wa.gov:

• Drawings showing the location of waters in the project area and the relationship between ditches, streams, wetlands, and traditional navigable waters.
• The WSAR with all appendices.

Document impacts

Compare the surveyed wetland boundaries from the WSAR to proposed impact areas within the project area. Use the Common types of work and their impacts (PDF 185KB) for help determining what type of impact your proposed work will have on wetlands and streams.

Document potential impacts to wetlands and other waters and how they will be mitigated in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) document. Use the Wetland Discipline Report (PDF 49KB) checklist if needed. If impacts to wetlands and other waters will be completely avoided, this documentation during NEPA is all you need.

Prepare a Section 404(b)(1) alternatives analysis

If you determined during scoping that you will need an Individual Section 404 permit, prepare a Section 404(b)(1) alternatives analysis as part of the NEPA document or as a separate report.  Use the Corps Alternatives analysis framework (PDF 151KB) and the AASHTO Practitioners Handbook 14: Applying the Section 404(b)(1) Guidelines in Transportation Project Decision-Making website to prepare the analysis. Put the required information into the NEPA document or into a separate report with our Section 404(b)(1) alternatives analysis template (DOCX 57KB). Ask the Permitting liaisons to review the analysis before you finalize it.

Write the Mitigation Plan

If there will be unavoidable impacts, follow the Corp’s  Components of a mitigation plan (PDF 68KB) and Ecology’s Wetland Mitigation in Washington State: Part 2 – Developing Mitigation Plans (Joint Guidance) for Mitigation Plan requirements. Use our Mitigation Plan template (DOCX 119KB) that has comments with further instruction. Contact headquarters technical specialists to help review your Conceptual and Draft Mitigation Plan.

If you will purchase or use existing credits, write a Credit Use Plan and append it to the Mitigation Plan. See Washington State Department of Ecology's (Ecology) Wetland mitigation banking webpage for guidance on contents of Bank Credit Use Plans.  

The Credit Use Plan should include:

• Project description
• Aquatic resources impacts description (including acreage, function, and reference to the WSAR)
• Avoidance and minimization measures
• Description of how the compensatory mitigation option was determined
• Description of how the compensatory mitigation option provides appropriate compensation for impacted acreage and function of aquatic resources
• Ledger showing debits and remaining credits

If developing a new compensation site, use Ecology’s Selecting Wetland Mitigation Sites Using a Watershed Approach (Western Washington [PDF 1MB]) (Eastern Washington [PDF 2MB]) to select a site. Use Ecology’s 2012 Interagency Regulatory Guide: Advance Permittee-Responsible Mitigation (PDF 368KB) to determine when the agencies will consider a new site advance mitigation. Initiate property acquisition. Conduct on-site vegetation, soil, and hydrological surveys. Document wetlands or other waters currently on the site in a WSAR. Use Writing Performance Standards for Wetland Mitigation (PDF 216KB) to help draft performance standards.

Determine how to protect the site in perpetuity. Consider opportunities to develop partnerships with other natural resource management entities or local jurisdictions. If possible, find willing partners we can transfer the compensation site to for long-term management. 

If the site design for a new concurrent compensation site includes more wetland area than needed for project compensation, propose that the excess be available for use by other projects. Clearly state in the Mitigation Plan that any additional credit approved by the permitting agencies will be available for later use.

Request a pre-application coordination meeting

Pre-application coordination with WSDOT's MAPP team may occur when the project engineer or regional/modal environmental coordinator or biologist cannot answer complex questions with our web site and the Environmental Manual.

Consider having a pre-application meeting with the MAPP team when a project:

• Has unique work or construction methodology and you aren’t sure of the types of impacts it will have.
• Involves multiple partners (like a tribe) or stakeholders who have concerns that will not be resolved before the application is submitted.
• Doesn’t have a Federal Highways Administration nexus and the Corps is the federal lead.
• Is a bundle of multiple fish passage projects.
• The Mitigation Plan is not consistent with the Joint Guidance.

Discuss project questions with the Corps and Ecology liaisons at the MAPP team meetings. The meetings occur every Monday from 9:30am to 10:30am. To get on the agenda for a Monday meeting or to schedule a separate pre-application meeting, email the Multi-Agency Permit Program Coordinator, at MAPP@wsdot.wa.gov. 

Send the following information to the MAPP coordinator one week before the pre-application meeting:

• List of questions you have for the liaisons
• Project description
• Draft plan sheets
• WSAR or other delineation documents that show the location and classification of wetlands to be impacted
• Estimated impacts for the whole project, each wetland, and total loss of waters
• Ratings of wetlands that may be impacted
• Which NWP you think the work can be covered under

Other information you may end to help the liaisons understand the project includes:

• Site photos or drone footage
• Draft mitigation plan
• Draft JARPA form
• Topographical maps
• Timeline or summary of partner and stakeholder coordination
• Anything you think will help the liaisons better understand the project scope, impacts, or mitigation proposal

Coordinate with the Multi-Agency Permitting Program team on design-build projects

To find more information on design build, see the Design-build webpage.

Prior to requests for proposal

Prior to requests for proposal, you usually will only have general or incomplete design information.  Use the webpages during scoping to answer your questions and make a preliminary scope of permitting needs for the project. Contractors should use the webpages to determine staffing needs and develop statements of qualifications. Direct any questions you cannot answer to the Project Engineer.

During procurement         

You will have more design information and may have more design-specific questions. Use the webpages to answer your questions. Discuss your questions with the Project Engineer anytime there may be an issue or concern regarding contract requirements. If you still have unanswered questions, schedule a pre-application meeting with the MAPP coordinator.

After apparent best value determination

Once a contractor is chosen, the design will become more specific. If the project has an assigned liaison, ask them your questions directly. If not, you may need a pre-application meeting. See the Pre-application coordination section above.

The contractor should still go through the project engineer and environmental coordinator before contacting the liaisons. The chosen contractor may contact the liaisons directly with questions only if they cc the WSDOT environmental coordinator and the MAPP coordinator.

Follow these steps during the final design phase of your project:

1. Apply for Section 404/Section 10 permits, Section 401 & Administrative Orders
2. Apply for a Coastal Zone Management Act Consistency Determination
3. Apply for a Shoreline permit or approval
4. Finalize the Mitigation Plan
5. Purchase third-party mitigation credits
6. Modify permits

Apply for Section 404/Section 10 permits, Section 401 & Administrative Orders

See the Application documents matrix (PDF 84KB) to find out what documents to submit with your application.

Please note that if your project requires an Endangered Species Act Formal Consultation and the Corps is the Federal Lead, you will need to submit a "federally complete application" at the time of consultation request. Please visit the Endangered Species Act and Essential Fish Habitat page and the "submit the permit applications" section below for more information or contact the MAPP Coordinator. 

Determine if an application is needed for Nationwide Permits

If the work fits a Nationwide Permit (NWP), check the National, Regional, and NWP-specific conditions to determine if you need to submit an application. Some projects may be covered under the NWPs without an application to the Corps.  If no application is needed, document the coverage under the NWPs in Non-notifying NWP memo to file (DOCX 55KB).

Prepare the application

Application form

Use one of the following application forms depending on the type of work and type of permit coverage needed:

• NWP, Individual Permit, or Administrative Order (AO) for most projects - A Joint Aquatic Resource Permit Application (JARPA) form from the Office of Regulatory Innovation and Assistance’s JARPA form website
• NWP coverage for fish passage projects – our Fish Passage PCN (DOCX 105KB).
• NWP coverage for small maintenance projects – our Maintenance PCN (DOCX 58KB)

Supplemental information

Submit the following information for a complete application.

• Wetland assessment report including data forms and ratings
• Documentation that the work complies with other federal laws, including Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (consultation must be complete for the Corps to issue a permit decision) and Endangered Species Act (ESA) (consultation must be complete for the Corps to issue a permit decision if they are the federal lead agency)
• Mitigation plan - if greater than 1/10th acre of permanent wetland loss or greater than 3/100ths of an acre of streambed loss.
• Restoration plan – Show how impacted areas will be revegetated.
• Color photos of pre-project condition showing the Water of the US and Shoreline condition- This requirement is met if there are photos in the assessment report or mitigation plan. Additional photos assist the liaisons' understanding of site conditions and facilitate project review.

For NWP coverage, also submit information required by Regional General Conditions. Please note that you may be required to apply for Individual Water Quality Certification coverage. See the Stormwater and water quality webpage for more information.

For Individual Permits, also submit the Section 404(b)(1) alternatives analysis from preliminary design and the required CZMA documents.

For Administrative Orders, also submit the erosion and stormwater control plans. See the Stormwater & water quality webpage for instructions on how to prepare Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (TESC), Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), and Water Quality Monitoring and Protection Plans during final design.

Tribal summary

With the application for NWP coverage or an Individual Permit, submit a chronological summary of all the tribal coordination efforts, which tribes were consulted, issues that were raised, resolution of issues, and approvals of the design by the tribes. The Corps doesn’t require this information, but it may help you get through permitting quicker.

Drawings

All application drawings must meet the requirements on the Corps’ Drawing Checklist (PDF 43KB). Find sample drawings for different types of work on the Corps' Electronic Permit Guidebook - Samples & Drawing Checklist. Ensure that the information provided in your drawings matches the information throughout your application materials.

Drawings should clearly show:

• Existing conditions
• Location of waters of the US and the State and their buffers
• Proposed work details (area, depths, quantities, and material types) - Include information on tree removal through AutoCAD or by providing additional information. Although not required, it facilitates a better understanding of the work and site conditions for review.
• Impacts (permanent and temporary) from the proposed work

Use the Environmental Permit Application Drawing Template (PDF 613KB) for recommended title blocks, colors, symbols, hatch patterns, fonts, and page layouts. In the MicroStation WSDOT menu, use the search function to find the permit application or Environmental Permit elements.

Submit the permit applications

Before you submit an application, you must perform a Quality Control check. Ask a coworker or supervisor who is not familiar with the project to review the application for completeness and clarity. Thorough quality controls have been shown to greatly reduce permit issuance times.

Follow the steps below to format electronic application documents:

1. If you have already been assigned a Corps reference number, put the number in the subject and body of the submittal email and on all application documents. If you do not have a reference number, leave a space to add one in the future.
2. Convert all documents to PDFs.
3. Submit each application document as a separate file. Do not combine documents into a single large file.
4. Reduce the file sizes as much as possible.
5. Name each file using this format: YYYYMMDD-DocumentType.pdf. Use the document submittal date and the “Document Type” acronym from the JARPA and supplemental documents matrix (PDF 52KB).  Use the date you submit the application at the beginning of the file name.

Send 404/10/401 applications in an email to the Corps at NWS-PermitApp@usace.army.mil, and Ecology at ecyrefedpermits@ecy.wa.gov. Carbon copy the MAPP team at ESOpermittingliaisons@wsdot.wa.gov and program management staff, and either:

• Attach documents to the email – The Corps can receive emails with up to 40 mb of attachments. Send multiple emails if the attachments are larger than the limit and include the number of emails in the subject line. Example: NWS-1234-5278 Project Name application (1 of 3).
• Post documents to ftp sites – Request a link to the Corps ftp site from the Corps application email address. The Corps will send you a single-use link to access their ftp site. Post the application documents by following the instructions on the site.

For an individual water quality certification, you must submit a Pre-Filing Meeting Request form, found on Ecology's Publications and Forms webpage, 30 days before submitting the WQC application. You must include a 401 request in the WQC application submittal.

For administrative orders and individual water quality certifications that were not combined with a Corps application, send the application documents in an email to ecyrefedpermits@ecy.wa.gov, cc’ing ESOPermittingliaisons@wsdot.wa.gov and program management staff, and either:

• Attach documents to the email – Ecology can receive emails with up to 30 mb of attachments. If the attachments are more than 30 mb, follow the ftp instructions below.
• Post documents to ftp sites – In the body of the email, include a link to the WSDOT ftp website folder where the documents are located. Attach the Joint Aquatic Resource Permit Application (JARPA) directly to the email.

Apply for a Coastal Zone Management Act Consistency Determination

If the project needs a listed federal permit or license and is not programmatically covered by the NWP determination, email the Federal Consistency Certification form for activities which require federal approval (PDF 198KB) as part of the Section 404/10 Permit application or to the USCG for a Section 9 Bridge Permit. The Corps needs the form before they can issue the public notice for an Individual Permit. Please note that this includes Water Quality Certifications that may be required under reverification of section 404 permits. For more information on Individual Water Quality Certifications, see the Stormwater and water quality webpage.

Apply for a Shoreline permit or approval

To apply for a shoreline permit or approval, contact the shoreline planner at the city or county for direction on how to get a shoreline permit.  Determine whether the local agency requires a JARPA or using their own permit application. 

Finalize the Mitigation Plan

Before you finalize the plan, get written conditional approval of the Draft Mitigation Plan from the permitting agencies. Prepare the final compensatory mitigation site design for contract during the design phase with development of the final plans, specifications, and estimates.

If you are developing a new compensatory mitigation site (compensation site), submit a Draft Long-Term Management (LTM) Plan to the Corps and Ecology. Incorporate the LTM Plan as an addendum to the approved Mitigation Plan or as a separate memorandum. The agencies must approve the LTM plan before the end of the compensation site monitoring period.

Purchase third-party mitigation credits

If purchasing third-party mitigation credits, purchase after the permitting agencies approve the Credit Use Plan and the permit is verified. If there’s more than one bank, continue with a competitive process or document a formal justification as to why you won’t. If there’s only one bank, pursue a sole source of contract. Complete a formal sole source justification. Post all credit purchases on The Department of Enterprise Services, Washington Electronic Business Solutions as required. 

Work with a procurement professional or contracting officer to create a contract between WSDOT and the bank sponsor. Use the standard form contract. Contact your contracting officer if you need assistance.

Obtain and pay an invoice from the bank sponsor. Use the appropriate contract number and object code JA11 on the payment document. Then submit purchase documentation to the regulatory agencies.

Permit Reverification or Modification

Design changes sometimes occur after a permit has been issued. These changes may require either a reverification to ensure the project still fits under the verified NWP or a modification if an Individual permit. 

If you need to reverify your project, please use the "Reverifications/Modifications impact tables (PDF 186KB)" as an attachment to your request. 

If your design or impacts change after you receive permits, contact the Corps and Ecology for more information. Reverification requests should be sent to ESOPermittingLiaisons@wsdot.wa.gov.

1. Training
2. Wetland delineation tools
3. Wetland rating forms
4. Wetland functions characterization tool
5. Report templates
6. Corps permit resources
7. Permit applications
8. Other permits
9. Track & manage commitments
10. Wetland Monitoring Reports

Training

Environmental Manual Chapter 431: Wetlands (PDF 223KB) - Become familiar with policies and our process for protecting wetlands, streams, and other aquatic resources.

Wetlands webinars (FTP server) - Find webinars on wetlands and other waters technical topics.

WSDOT Clean Water Act Section 404/401 Permitting video (YouTube)

Poisonous plants of Washington State (PDF 6.5MB) and e-learning training - Avoid poisonous and harmful plants when working in the field.

Wetland delineation tools

Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual (PDF 1.3MB) - Follow when delineating wetlands.

Corps Regional Supplements to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual - Use the Corps Excel automated data sheets found under "General Information" that are available for each regional supplement.

Vegetation

Corp’s National Wetland Plant List - Download the most recent plant list. 

Auto-text macro for Microsoft Word (FTP server) - Inserts information when you enter plant codes, including scientific name, common name, and WIS. 

Soils

NRCS Field Indicators of Hydric Soils - Determine presence of hydric soil indicators.

NRCS Field Book for Describing and Sampling Soils - Key descriptors, conventions, and concepts from soil science and geomorphology.

NRCS Web Soil Survey - Soil data and maps for your project area.

NRCS Official Soil Series Descriptions - Reference all existing soil series descriptions applicable to the mapped soils in the project.

NRCS State Soil Data Access Hydric Soils List - Map units in the US with either a major or minor component that is at least partially hydric.

Hydrology

Corps Antecedent Precipitation Tool, Version 2.0

How to Determine if Observed Precipitation is “Normal” for a WSDOT Delineation Report (PDF 1.4MB)

NRCS Field Office Technical Guide - Current and historic precipitation data.

United State Geological Survey Current Water Data for Washington – Current and historic stream data.

Wetland rating forms

Ecology Wetland Rating System – This page has instructions for accessing Ecology's Washington Tool for Online Rating along with the most up-to-date rating manuals.

Western Washington forms (Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) adapted and automated):

• Western Depressional (XLSX 178KB)
• Western Slope (XLSX 170KB)
• Western Riverine (XLSX 172KB)
• Western Lake Fringe (XLSX 173KB) 

Eastern Washington forms (WSDOT adapted and automated):

• Eastern Depressional (XLSX 175KB)
• Eastern Slope (XLSX 167KB)
• Eastern Riverine (XLSX 170KB)
• Eastern Lake Fringe (XLSX 170KB) 

Wetland Functions Characterization Tool

Wetland Functions Characterization Tool for Linear Projects (PDF 96KB) (BPJ tool) - Functions assessment of potentially impacted wetlands.

Wetland Functions Characterization Tool for Linear Projects ArcGIS Survey123 Field Data Form Manual (PDF 243KB) -  Fill out the BPJ Tool Field Data Form electronically using ArcGIS Survey123.

Report templates

Wetland & Stream Assessment Report template (DOC 110KB) (updated 11/2024) 

Mitigation Plan template (DOCX 119KB) 

Corps permit resources

US Army Corps of Engineers Electronic Permit Guidebook - Information on Corps regulatory jurisdiction, delineating federally jurisdictional waters, evaluating impacts, applying for permits, and mitigating for impacts.

Corps Nationwide Permits webpage with the 2021 Nationwide Permits User Guide- Guidance on using the Nationwide Permits, including details on each permit, national and regional general conditions, Section 401 general and permit specific conditions, CZM consistency decisions and more.

Corps Regulatory Guidance Letters webpage - Find Regulatory Guidance Letters with Corps how-to guidance.

Coastal Zone Management Consistency Certification (PDF 198KB)

Section 404 permit predecessors diagram (PDF  229KB) – See what other permits you will need to have in-hand before the Corps can issue a permit decision.

Regulatory Guidance Letter (RGL) 16-01: Jurisdictional Determinations (PDF 66KB) – to apply for an Approved Jurisdictional Determination.

Regional Conditions for Seattle District (PDF 1.5MB) – For Regional General Conditions and NWP-Specific conditions for the Seattle District of the Corps.

Nationwide permit terms and conditions:

• 3 – Maintenance (PDF 1.0MB)
• 6 – Survey Activities (PDF 1.1MB)
• 13 - Bank Stabilization (PDF 1.1MB) -bank stabilization projects that occur within the Salish Sea may require additional review by the Corps. Contact the Corps liaisons early to determine review needs.  
• 14 - Linear Transportation Projects (PDF 1.0MB)
• 18 – Minor Discharges  (PDF 1.1MB)
• 23 - Approved Categorical Exclusions  (PDF 1.1MB) - if the CE you are using is not listed in RGL 05-07 (PDF 146KB), contact the Corps liaisons to determine if the work can be covered under this NWP.
• 27 - Aquatic Habitat Restoration, Establishment, and Enhancement Activities  (PDF 1.1MB) – for new Compensatory Mitigation Sites.
• 33 – Temporary Construction, Access, and Dewatering  (PDF 1.1MB)

Permit applications

Non-notifying NWP memo to file (DOCX 55KB) – To document permit coverage when a Pre-construction Notification to the Corps is not required.

Application documents matrix (PDF 22KB) - What documents to submit with your application.

Fish Passage PCN (DOCX 105KB) – To apply for NWP coverage for fish passage projects.

Maintenance PCN (DOCX 58KB) – To apply for NWP coverage for small maintenance projects.

Joint Aquatic Resources Permit Application (JARPA) Form website – To apply for NWPs for all projects that are not fish passage or maintenance.

NWP cover letter template (DOC 22KB)

NWP Cover letter example (PDF 33KB)

Reverification Stream and Wetland Impact Tables (PDF 186KB)

Application drawings

Corps Drawing Checklist (PDF 43KB) 

Corps Electronic Permit Guidebook - Samples & Drawing Checklist

Application drawing patterns (PDF 1,281KB)

Other permits

Corps Section 408 website – To determine if the project would impact a Corps Civil Works project and what to do if it does.

US Coast Guard Bridge Permit website

National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration’s State Federal Consistency list website – For federal guidance on CZMA.

Ecology Coastal zone management federal consistency review website – For state guidance on CZMA.

Ecology Shoreline & coastal management website – For guidance on Shoreline Permits.

Ecology Publications & Forms webpage - Prefiling Meeting Request for Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certification - To apply for Ecology 401 Individual Water Quality Certification. Must be submitted 30 days before Water Quality Certification application submittal.

Track & manage commitments

Environmental Manual Chapter 490: Tracking environmental commitments (PDF 208KB) - During design in our Environmental Manual – To track commitments.

Environmental Manual Chapter 590: Incorporating environmental commitments into contracts (PDF 434KB) –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.

2021 NWPs – Standard commitments crosswalk (PDF 653KB) – Table of commitments, how they are listed in CTS, and how they are covered in contract Standard Specifications and Special Provisions.

Wetland Monitoring Reports

Our Wetland Monitoring Reports FTP server hosts five types of reports for compliance with permits and other reporting requirements:

• Wetland monitoring reports - full-length reports that discuss the development of individual wetland compensation sites for federal, state and local permit compliance. The permits require quantitative wetland monitoring reports for the years specified in the permit document.
• Stream monitoring reports - full-length reports for stream compensation sites.
• Mitigation bank monitoring reports - full-length reports that discuss the development of mitigation banks for compliance with the Mitigation Bank Instrument (MBI). The MBI requires quantitative bank monitoring reports for specified years.
• Letter reports - short reports when a full-length report is not required. These reports are typically qualitative.
• Hydraulic project approval (HPA) monitoring reports - letter-format reports for compliance with HPA permits from the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Wetlands Program Technical Specialists

Kristen Andrews
Wetlands Program Manager
Kristen.Andrews@wsdot.wa.gov

For wetland assessment questions contact

Jennie Husby
Wetland Assessment Lead
Jennie.Husby@wsdot.wa.gov

For mitigation and mitigation bank questions contact

Evan Dulin
Mitigation Lead
Evan.Dulin@wsdot.wa.gov 

For compensatory mitigation site monitoring questions contact

Sean Patrick
Monitoring Manager
Sean.Patrick@wsdot.wa.gov

Region Specialists

Cindy Volyn
Environmental Program Manager
North Central Region Environmental Services
Cindy.Lysne@wsdot.wa.gov

Dan Corlett
Roadside & Environmental Restoration Manager
Southwest Region Environmental Services
Dan.Corlett@wsdot.wa.gov

Dave Molenaar
Biology Program Manager
Olympic Region Environmental & Hydraulics
David.Molenaar@wsdot.wa.gov

Glen Mejia
Biologist Lead
Northwest Region Environmental Services
Glen.Mejia@wsdot.wa.gov

Mark Norman
Biology Program Manager
South Central Region Environmental Services
Mark.Norman@wsdot.wa.gov

Carson Welch
Environmental Program Manager
Eastern Region Environmental Services
Carson.Welch@wsdot.wa.gov

Multi-Agency Permit Program (Section 404/10 & Administrative Orders)

Once a liaison is assigned to your project, coordinate with that liaison directly to get permit-specific questions answered. Find additional contact information for the liaisons in the WSDOT Global Address List in MS Outlook.

Contractors should go through the WSDOT project engineer and environmental coordinator before contacting the liaisons. Once a project has an assigned liaison, contractors may contact the liaisons directly with questions while cc’ing the WSDOT environmental coordinator and the MAPP coordinator.

Multi-Agency Permit Program Manager and Coordinator
MAPP@wsdot.wa.gov

404/10/401 Permit Lead - MAPP@wsdot.wa.gov

HPA Lead - MAPP@wsdot.wa.gov 

Permitting Liaisons

All liaisons - ESOPermittingliaisons@WSDOT.WA.GOV (also includes MAPP Coordinator and Manager)

Corps Liaisons

• Sandi Manning, Sandra.L.Manning@usace.army.mil
• Samantha Stanford, Samantha.M.Stanford@usace.army.mil

Ecology Liaisons

• Penny Kelley, Penny.Kelley@ecy.wa.gov
• Caroline Corcoran, Caroline.Corcoran@ecy.wa.gov

Shoreline Permits

Find contact information for the local agency planners on Ecology’s Shoreline management contacts website.

For help with Shoreline permits and approvals, contact:

Gary Dougherty
gary.dougherty@wsdot.wa.gov 

Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA)

For help with a project in review, contact your Ecology Liaison. For policy or procedural information on CZMA, contact MAPP@wsdot.wa.gov.

US Coast Guard Bridge Permit

For culvert navigability determinations, contact:

Multi-Agency Permit Program Coordinator
MAPP@wsdot.wa.gov

For bridge navigability determinations and help getting a bridge permit, contact:

Glenn Waldron
US Coast Guard Liaison & structures site data
WSDOT Bridge & Structures Office Glenn.Waldron@wsdot.wa.gov