Use the Biological Assessment (BA) preparation manual, template, and review checklist for individual Endangered Species Act (ESA) consultations. Make sure you always use the latest version of these documents.
BA Manual
Refer to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) BA preparation manual for specific standards and guidance on BA content. Information you need to prepare a BA is listed by chapter below. Also find links to additional information to supplement some manual chapters.
Introduction
Part 1 - General Information for BA Authors
Part 2 - Guidance on Specific BA Topics
- Ch. 4 Components of a Biological Opinion (pdf 369 kb)
- Ch. 5 Endangered Species Act and Mitigation (pdf 353 kb)
- Ch. 6 Impact Avoidance and Minimization Measures (pdf 661 kb)
- Ch. 7 Construction Noise Impact Assessment (pdf 1.8 mb)
- Noise assessment guidance for BAs page - Use the information on this page with chapter 7, including thresholds, spreadsheets, pile driving information, and the underwater noise monitoring plan template.
- Ch. 8 Action Area (pdf 987 kb)
- Ch. 9 Environmental Setting (pdf 645 kb)
- Ch. 10 Delayed Consequences (pdf 1.0 mb)
- Ch. 11 Cumulative Effects (pdf 351 kb)
- Ch. 12 Effect Determination Language (pdf 735 kb)
- Ch. 13 Effect Determination Guidance (pdf 742 kb)
- Ch. 14 In-Water Work (pdf 357 kb)
- Ch. 15 Performance-Based, Batched, and Programmatic Biological Assessments (pdf 260 kb)
- Ch. 16 Essential Fish Habitat (pdf 696 kb)
- Ch. 17 Stormwater Impact Assessment (pdf 915 kb)
- Stormwater guidance for BAs page - Use the information on this page with chapter 17, including eastern Washington guidance, western Washington guidance (HI-RUN), programmatic stormwater monitoring, and the indirect effects stormwater runoff analytical method.
Part 3 - Additional Resources for BA Authors
BA template and checklist
Meet Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) requirements by using the latest BA template and checklist for Washington state. WSDOT updates these documents as needed. Check this webpage for the most current versions prior to each use.
- BA template (doc 279 kb) – The FHWA requires the use of a standard template for BAs. This template should be used for projects that result in a not likely to adversely affect (NLTAA) and/or likely to adversely affect (LTAA) determination.
- To remove or display hidden text when using this template, Click on File on the top left side of the Word document.
- Scroll down to the bottom and click on the Options button.
- When the Word Options screen comes up, click on the Display button on the left. In this screen, it’s possible to either check or uncheck the option to print hidden text.
- WSDOT BA Review Checklist (doc 256 kb) Use this checklist to guide the level of detail and content for each section of the BA.
Washington State Ferries Biological Assessment Reference (BAR)
Use the Biological Assessment Reference with the guidance provided above when preparing biological assessments for ferry terminal projects. Information provided in the BAR is listed by chapter and selected appendices below.
