PROJECT DEVELOPMENT STAGE. All of the project purpose and need information developed during the project scoping and budgeting stage should be carried forward, updated, and refined in the purpose and need discussion for the project development stage (e.g., project status, legislation, social demands or economic development, modal interrelationships, capacity and transportation demand, safety, roadway deficiencies, air quality improvements and environmental considerations).
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT STAGE. When the preferred alternative is known and the signatory agencies have concurred, the project sponsor needs to develop a compensatory mitigation plan, including an initial mitigation plan, detailed mitigation plan, and final mitigation plan. The detailed mitigation plan will be developed and included in the final EIS. The detailed mitigation plan becomes the final mitigation plan when comments from agencies and the public are incorporated into the plan.
A. When the preferred alternative is known - After addressing all reasonable efforts to avoid and minimize impacts, the remaining unavoidable impacts can be mitigated by rectifying and/or compensating impacts to the affected environment.
1. Initial Mitigation Plan - The initial mitigation plan is a preliminary document that discusses anticipated or known unavoidable impacts to aquatic resources, and conceptual plans for compensatory mitigation. The focus of the initial mitigation plan will be to identify in general terms what will be considered adequate mitigation for the proposed project. It will be used as guidance in developing the detailed mitigation plan. The initial mitigation plan shall be completed for inclusion with the Draft EIS (XXXX) if the preferred alternative is known. If the preferred alternative is not known at the XXXX stage, the initial mitigation plan shall be included in the preliminary 404 application. The initial mitigation plan includes a preliminary investigation of candidate mitigation sites. The initial mitigation plan information can be obtained by site visits, cursory investigations, record searches of existing databases, and by referencing existing plans and land use documents. The purpose is to determine if there are suitable sites to support the mitigation activity being proposed. The initial mitigation plan will:
a. Identify unavoidable impacts to aquatic resources. Descriptions should include:
(1) General wetland descriptions including vegetation communities, hydrology sources, landscape/watershed setting, and functions and values;
(2) Summary table, which shall include the following for each wetland:
(a) Wetland Identification numbers (keyed to map)
(b) Xxxxxxxx classification (USFWS)
(c) Washington Department of Ecology (WDOE) categories
(d) Hectares (acres) impacted
b. Establish goals and develop objectives. Determine scope of mitigation project:
(1) WDOE category(ies) to be achieved
(2) Functions and values to be created or enhanced
(3) Vegetation (community types, sug...
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT STAGE. A. Agency Involvement
1. This interagency agreement outlines the activities of each agency. Project sponsors preparing XXXx should use the process in the NEPA, SEPA,3 and Section 404 EIS Concurrent Process outlined in Appendix B. For EAs or CEs, the project sponsor should refer to the NEPA, SEPA, and Section 404 EA/CE Concurrent Process outlined in Appendix C. 3Refer to Implementing Agreement between WSDOT & Ecology Concerning Wetlands Protection & Management, July 1, 1993.
2. If sensitive species are identified in the project area, the project sponsor will coordinate with the USFWS, NMFS, and the WDFW to identify the full extent of the sensitive species habitat, the potential project impacts, and the appropriate avoidance, minimization, and compensatory mitigation measures.4
B. Data Needs Data requirements for the documents referenced in this interagency agreement are described below.
1. EA Development - If an EA is the appropriate environmental document, the following data will be provided to signatory agencies to assist in EA development.
a. A detailed project description.
b. A detailed purpose and need statement (see Appendix D, Purpose and Need).
c. A draft Alternatives Analysis as described in Appendix E, Alternatives Analysis/Aquatic Resource Avoidance.
d. Preliminary conclusions regarding significance of anticipated impacts.
e. Information on aquatic sites and other Waters of the U. S./Waters of the State (if applicable):
(1) A delineation5 of all wetlands and other Waters of the U. S./Xxxxxx of the State that could be affected by the proposed project will be submitted to the XXX at the time of application. For projects that impact wetlands located on agricultural lands, the delineation will be submitted to NRCS.
(2) A detailed description of the site including a list of plant and animal species noted during field investigations, a list of habitat types, a list of appropriate indicator species and their status, and a table showing the amount of each wetland in hectares and acres.
(3) A discussion of the affected functions and values. The assessment should determine which functions are performed by 4Refer to 50 CFR Part 402 for the procedural regulations governing interagency cooperation under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. 5The preferred alternative is the only alternative that is delineated. wetland/waters, the value of those functions, and how the project will affect the continued performance of the identified functi...
