Identify existing contamination
Use the Hazardous Materials webpage and coordinate with the HazMat program.
Identify receiving waters
Use the Wetlands & other waters webpage during scoping to identify waters in your project area based on how those waters are used. Look up the applicable water quality standards and mixing zones by designated use.
Determine if your project will discharge to impaired water bodies
Use Ecology’s Water Quality Atlas or our GIS Environmental Workbench to:
- Find out if any of the receiving waters where the project will have an outfall (temporary or permanent) are impaired. Impaired water bodies include those on the 303(d) list or covered by a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL).
- Identify all potential discharge points (i.e., temporary outfalls for construction or permanent outfalls) to surface water bodies. Coordinate with the project hydraulic engineer(s) as needed.
Inventory stormwater discharge points
When preparing the hydraulics report for your project, use the following tools to identify where the project will discharge stormwater to receiving waters:
Determine permit needs
Section 401 Water Quality Certification (WQC)
Work that needs a Federal permit or approval (Section 404 discharge permit, Section 10 structure permit, or Section 9 Bridge Permit) and discharges or has the potential to discharge pollutants into WOTUS must receive a Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certification (WQC) from the appropriate Section 401 certifying agency or tribe.
Determine certifying agency
For work not on tribal lands, the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) has authority.
For work on tribal lands, see contacts for a list of tribes that have WQC authority. If your project is on tribal lands for a tribe not listed, the Environmental Protection Agency has authority.
Determine if you need an Individual WQC
Use the Wetlands & other waters webpage to determine if your work requires a Section 404,10, or Bridge permit.
If you qualify for a Nationwide Permit (NWP), use the NWP guidance and resources on the Wetlands & other waters webpage to determine if you may need an Individual WQC from the certifying agency or if you fit the conditions to be covered under the programmatic WQC.
For Individual 404, 10, and Bridge permits, you will always need an Individual WQC.
Individual WQC require additional materials to determine validity of application and adequacy of application materials. To be considered valid, the WQC request must include a pre-filing request form (30 days prior to request submittal), a 401-request form, and information regarding Water Quality monitoring.
To be determined as adequate for issuance of an individual WQC, the information typically housed within a Water Quality Monitoring Plan (WQMP) must be included in the application materials. The use of the WQMP template is strongly recommended.
For information on policies and guidance for Section 401 compliance in Washington State please visit Ecology's Section 401 Water Quality Certifications webpage.
Coordinate with liaisons
Coordinate with the Corps and Ecology Liaisons if you need help scoping the permitting needs.
Section 402 general permits
Section 402 permits regulate sources of pollutants that could make their way to surface waters like streams, lakes, and the Puget Sound. They contain limits on what WSDOT can discharge, monitoring and reporting requirements, and other requirements to protect water quality. Determine if your project can be covered under a general permit listed below.
Construction Stormwater General Permit
Apply for coverage under the CSWGP during final design if your project has the potential to discharge stormwater to surface waters and will either disturb one or more acres of soil or is part of a larger plan that will end up disturbing one or more acres of soil.
If your project is smaller than one acre with known contamination, you may be required to apply for coverage under the CSWGP and be issued an Administrative Order (AO), particularly if your project will discharge to a jurisdictional storm sewer system. Coordinate early with Ecology to determine coverage needs and prevent permitting delays.
WSDOT Municipal Stormwater General Permit
Projects located within areas covered by a Phase I or Phase II Municipal Stormwater General Permit must comply with specific conditions in this permit. This permit authorizes the discharge of stormwater from stormwater systems owned or operated by WSDOT along highways, at ferry terminals, rest areas, park & ride lots, maintenance facilities, vactor decant and street sweepings facilities, and winter chemical storage facilities.
Use the following links to access details on this permit and how to comply with its conditions:
Industrial Stormwater General Permit
A permit may be required for certain industrial activities. It authorizes stormwater and conditionally approved non-stormwater discharges associated with industrial activities. WSDOT has coverage under this permit at the Washington State Ferries Eagle Harbor Repair Facility.
See Ecology’s Industrial Stormwater General Permit for details on this permit and how to comply with its conditions.
Bridge & Ferry Terminal Washing General Permit
A permit is required when you discharge water associated with work on bridges, ferry terminal transfer spans, or associated overwater structures. WSDOT also has coverage under Administrative Order #22962 (PDF 245 KB) to cover hydro-demolition activities intended to maintain Washington State bridges by removing deteriorated concrete deck surface and re-concrete the bridge deck to extend the lifespan of the bridge. This order allows WSDOT to discharge the collected hydro-demolition wastewater under the conditions of the Bridge and Ferry Terminal Washing Permit.
See Ecology’s Bridge and Ferry Terminal Washing General Permit for details on this permit and how to comply with its conditions.
Aquatic Noxious Weed Control General Permit
A permit is required for herbicide applications made near surface water to manage noxious and quarantine weeds. WSDOT has permit coverage statewide for all aquatic herbicide applications on our property.
Use the following links to access details on this permit and how to comply with its conditions:
Aquatic Plant & Algae Management General Permit
A permit is required for herbicide applications made in or near surface water to manage nuisance vegetation not on the state noxious weed list. It authorizes direct and indirect discharges of specific herbicides and other chemicals into surface waters. WSDOT has permit coverage statewide for all aquatic herbicide applications on our property.
Use the following links to access details on this permit and how to comply with its conditions:
Aquatic Mosquito Control General Permit
A permit is required for pesticide applications in or near surface water to control mosquitos. WSDOT has permit coverage statewide for all pesticide applications for mosquito control on our property.
Use the following links to access details on this permit and how to comply with its conditions:
Section 402 Administrative Order
If existing site contamination will be disturbed and potentially discharged, Ecology may issue an AO that adds additional project-specific requirements. It is highly recommended that early coordination with Ecology occurs to avoid or prepare for an AO.
Review the questions below to consider site contamination and determine the likelihood of an AO:
- Are you aware of contaminated soils present on the site?
- Are you aware of groundwater contamination located within the site boundary (i.e., parcel boundary or larger project area including off-site support areas)?
- If you answered yes to questions 1 or 2, will any contaminated soils be disturbed or will any contaminated groundwater be discharged due to the proposed construction activity?
Identify existing best management practices (BMPs)
Identify existing BMPs using as-builts, WSDOT’s GIS Workbench, hydraulics reports, the Stormwater BMP Specifications (SWABS) database, field verification, and guidance in the HRM.
Identify stormwater retrofit obligations, priorities, and opportunities
Many existing highways either lack or have insufficient stormwater treatment facilities or flow control to effectively mitigate the harmful effects of runoff.
For transportation improvement projects:
- Determine retrofit obligations and identify stormwater retrofit opportunities for projects using the guidelines in chapter 2-1 Stormwater Planning and Design Integration and chapter 3-4 Stormwater Retrofit Guidelines of the Highway Runoff Manual.
- Identify high priority areas for stormwater retrofit opportunities using WSDOT's Stormwater Retrofit Prioritization Web Map.
For stand-alone stormwater retrofit projects, see the WSDOT stormwater retrofit guidance on the Hydraulics & hydrology webpage under the Tool, templates & links tab.
Coordinate with Ecology on Section 402 permitting
If you determined during scoping that the project may disturb contaminated soils or discharge contaminated groundwater, coordinate early with Ecology to determine what information to submit with the NOI. This will help avoid permitting delays and an AO if feasible. See Special Condition 2.A.1.e of the CSWGP for examples of what to share with Ecology.
Prepare for an AO
If your project has an AO, the following requirements will likely be included in the AO, some of which may require submittals to Ecology prior to beginning certain aspects of construction:
- Contaminated stormwater and dewatering containment systems.
- Pre-treatment and treatment system design information prior to installation (flow-through treatment systems are optional, but if used, design information and an engineering report will be required prior to installation).
- A Request for Chemical Treatment Form prior to use of chemical treatment.
- Indicator Levels (sampling thresholds for known pollutants) that must be met prior to a discharge.
- Sampling and reporting requirements for monthly Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs).
- Use of registered or accredited laboratory to test samples.
- Contingency plans if Indicator Levels cannot be met (e.g., sanitary sewer or off-site disposal).
- Contaminated soil and sediment segregation or direct haul to an off-site disposal facility.
- Accounting for off-site contamination (e.g., contaminated groundwater plumes that migrate toward the project area).
Coordinate with Ecology on Section 401 Water Quality Certifications
If Ecology has 401 authority, it is strongly encouraged to have a pre-application meeting with the Permitting Liaisons when a project:
- Doesn’t meet state, federal, or tribal water quality standards. For example, requires an extended area of mixing.
- Will be submitted as a Fish Passage Bundle.
- Will construct new PGIS and requires substantial changes to stormwater treatment in the area.
- Involves work in or around a contaminated site.
- Needs an Individual WQC Order.
Find additional information, like how to schedule a pre-application or coordinate meeting with the Permitting Liaisons, on the Wetlands & other waters webpage during preliminary design.
Always coordinate with the tribe or Environmental Protection Agency if they have 401 authority.
Document impacts
Impacts to surface water can be from work in, over, or near water bodies. Impacts could also come from erosion, spills, and increasing pollutants or flow volumes to water bodies from stormwater runoff.
Use the guidance below to write a surface water discipline report for NEPA/SEPA compliance:
Apply for a Section 401 Water Quality Certification
If you determined during scoping that the EPA or a tribe is the 401 authority, coordinate with them to determine what to put in your application and how to submit it.
For Ecology, use the information below and the Application document matrix (PDF 52KB) to prepare your 401 request (application). Use the same application you prepared for the Section 404/Section 10 permit per the instructions on the Wetlands & other waters webpage during final design.
Send the application documents in one of two ways:
- 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 – Send a link to the ftp website folder where the documents are located in the body of the email. Attach the Joint Aquatic Resource Permit Application (JARPA) or other Pre-construction Notification form directly to the email.
Send revised or updated project information directly to the liaisons working on your project, not to the Ecology Federal Permit Unit email address.
For NWPs
If you think your project meets the programmatic WQCs for the NWPs and a Pre-construction notification is required, email the application documents to the Ecology and Corps permitting liaisons at ESOPermittingliaisons@wsdot.wa.gov and copy the program management staff. The Ecology liaisons will review the application to determine if you need an Individual WQC or if you are covered by the programmatic WQC for the NWPs.
In the application, explain how:
- WSDOT will monitor water quality during in-water work.
- The contractor may protect water quality during on-site concrete pouring.
- The contractor may isolate in-water work areas. Show the location of the possible diversion on the permit application drawings.
- The contractor may manage turbidity during the dewatering and the installation and removal of any structures below the Ordinary High Water Mark.
Or, instead of putting the information in the application, use the optional Water quality monitoring template (DOCX 1.0MB) to write a monitoring plan. For design-build projects, the contractor must prepare a monitoring plan.
If you are submitting your application as a Fish Passage Bundle, please note that some culverts within that bundle may fit under the programmatic WQC and some may require an Individual WQC. See the "Bundle Fish Passage" section on the Wetlands and Other Waters page for more information.
For Individual WQCs
Send the application documents in an email to the Ecology Federal Permit Unit, ecyrefedpermits@ecy.wa.gov, copy the Ecology and Corps permitting liaisons at ESOPermittingliaisons@wsdot.wa.gov and program management staff.
To determine coverage, Ecology needs a minimum amount of information typically found in Water Quality Monitoring Plans (WQMP). This information must either be housed throughout the application materials or within an included WQMP.
Ecology may require additional information such as what is typically found in a Water Quality Monitoring and Protection Plan (WQMPP). If a WQMPP is required by the certifying authority, the WQMPP template is recommended for use.
Use of the WQMP template is preferred for ease of review. Use the tools, templates, & resources to prepare a WQMP. At a minimum, the WQMP/application must include:
- Brief project description
- Project Location and waterbodies where work will occur
- List of in-water activities
- Responsible parties and contact information
- How and where sampling will be conducted
- Reporting, notifications, and contacts
- Map with monitoring locations and an example monitoring form in the appendices - if monitoring locations may move, provide an example location/setup with acknowledgment that locations will be adjusted accordingly.
- Statement in the plan or application that “visual monitoring will be conducted throughout the life of the project during all in-water work.”
Include placeholders for any information that will later be filled out by the contractor.
Apply for a Construction Stormwater General Permit (CSWGP)
Apply for a CSWGP if your construction project has the potential to discharge stormwater to surface waters and will either disturb one or more acres of soil or is part of a larger plan that will end up disturbing one or more acres of soil. If your project is smaller than one acre with known contamination, you may be required to apply for coverage under the CSWGP and be issued an AO, particularly if your project will discharge to a jurisdictional storm sewer system.
To reduce the risk of permitting delays, WSDOT projects are strongly encouraged to follow the Complete NOI Guidance (PDF 360KB) when applying for CSWGP coverage. This guidance covers the general eNOI CSWGP application process as well as applying for coverage for sites with existing contamination and/or impaired waterbodies, along with common issues that could impact your project.
Notice of intent (NOI)
For work in Indian Country
As defined in the CSWGP, use the Environmental Protection Agency’s NOI system to apply for the federal Construction General Permit.
For emergencies
Do not fill out an NOI before starting work. Submit a complete NOI to Ecology within 30 calendar days after earth-disturbing activities start. Contact Ecology’s Regional Permit Administrator for your area as soon as possible to meet project-specific expectations.
For all other projects
Use Ecology’s Water Quality Permitting Portal (WQWebPortal) to prepare and submit the NOI electronically (eNOI) 90 days before the project is advertised.
In the eNOI form, provide the following information:
- Contact information: For the permittee (Project Engineer) and site contact (If WSDOT will retain the permit, the WSDOT inspector. If transferred to the contractor, the project engineer).
- Facility/Site name: If WSDOT will retain the permit, put “WA DOT” at the start of the project name.
- Site & project info: Provide the supporting information and documents as triggered by how you respond to the checkboxes.
- Discharge locations: The permit will only cover discharges to outfalls identified in the NOI.
- NOI information: A copy of the SWPPP and BMPs. If the project will disturb contaminated soils or discharge to an impaired waterbody, follow the steps for getting a CSWGP on contaminated sites in the Complete NOI Guidance (PDF 360KB) during design and when filling out the NOI.
- SEPA: If the project is SEPA exempt, attach the SEPA exemption at the end after you complete all the eNOI sections.
- Public notice: Work with the Project Engineer to publish the notice in local news sources as required.
- Questions: Contact Information
The regional Ecology Permit Administrator will contact you if the NOI submittal is incomplete or does not fully address known risks.
Fill out Ecology’s Proposed New Discharge to an Impaired Water Body form (PDF 199KB) If your project will have an outfall to waters impaired for:
- Turbidity
- Fine Sediment
- pH
- Phosphorus
Use the Guidance for completing the Proposed New Discharge to an Impaired Water Body form (PDF 187KB). Submit the completed form to Ecology with a cover letter when submitting the NOI. Use the Discharge to Impaired Water Body Cover letter template (DOCX 56KB) to help write the cover. The information in the PNDIW should be consistent with the information you put in the eNOI. Document compliance with the form’s requirements in the TESC plan. Include references to where the information is located in the TESC plan.
Transfer of Coverage (TOC)
Design-build projects
Contractors obtain the CSWGP. Transfer of coverage is not necessary.
Special Cases
You may request approval from your region’s Assistant State Construction Engineer (ASCE) to retain CSWGP coverage through construction (non-transfer).
All other work
Transfer coverage of the CSWGP from WSDOT to the contractor before construction begins. Use the information below to transfer CSWGP coverage:
Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
Prepare a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) for all work, even when you are not applying for coverage under the CSWGP. The SWPPP is made up of two plans, the Spill Prevention Control & Countermeasures (SPCC) plan and Temporary Erosion & Sediment Control (TESC) plan.
SPCC plan
Contractors, use the following information to prepare an SPCC plan:
- SPCC Plan Template (PDF 591KB) – Use this template to create an SPCC Plan.
- Example Site Map (PDF 71KB) – SPCC Plans require a project site map that indicates the location of certain features, including drainage pathways, waterways, hazardous materials, and spill prevention and response equipment.
- Secondary Containment guidance (PDF 474KB) – Learn if your project requires secondary containment and how to maintain it.
- WSDOT Construction webpage – For information about our specifications, amendments, and general special provisions.
- Standard Specifications – Reference specification 1-07.15(1) to ensure your plan includes all the necessary requirements for spill prevention, control and countermeasures.
- Section 3406 of the International Fire Code – Find temporary fuel storage requirements in this publication, available through the WSDOT library.
Environmental staff, use the following information to review the SPCC plans to ensure compliance:
TESC plan
Contractors, prepare a TESC plan to identify stormwater-related erosion risks at construction sites and document your plan for minimizing those risks. Use the tools below to make sure TESC plans are complete and have the necessary information:
Environmental staff, use the TESC Plan Review Checklist (PDF 340KB) to make sure the contractor’s TESC plan is complete and meets CSWGP requirements.
Submit Monthly Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs)
As soon as Ecology issues you coverage under the CSWGP, begin submitting monthly DMRs to Ecology’s WQWebPortal even if construction has not started or there have been no discharges. DMRs must be submitted by the 15th of each month. Continue monthly reporting until the CSWGP coverage terminates or permit coverage is transferred to the contractor.
Use the following tools to prepare your DMR:
Use Ecology’s Permit & Reporting Information System (PARIS) - To find CSWGP coverage status.
Apply for a Bridge and Ferry Terminal Washing General Permit
Before discharging wash water from bridge or ferry terminal washing activities, check the steel bridge, concrete bridge, or ferry terminal activity list. If your structure is listed, you do not need to submit an NOI. If your structure is not listed, then you must go through the NOI process listed in the permit. The bridge must be listed on an online activity schedule before construction. Contact the HPA Permit Lead , HPAPermitLead@wsdot.wa.gov to get your structure listed on the statewide activity schedule.
Ecology requires water quality monitoring for prep washing activities, so you must determine if WSDOT or the contractor will collect water monitoring samples. Coordinate with Patrick Svoboda, Patrick.Svoboda@wsdot.wa.gov on Ecology’s monitoring requirements.
Manuals
Environmental Manual Chapter 430: Stormwater and Water Quality (PDF 256KB) - For legal requirements and policies pertaining to stormwater and water quality.
Temporary Erosion and Sediment Control Manual (TESCM) – Find policies for preventing stormwater-related erosion during construction and how to meet the requirements of the CSWGP.
Highway Runoff Manual – To plan and design stormwater management facilities for existing and new Washington State highways and facilities. The HRM establishes minimum requirements and provides uniform technical guidance.
Scoping
Ecology’s Water quality standards – For water quality standards (WQS) by use and mixing zone information.
Surface water quality: designated uses – To find WQS and mixing zones based on the designated use.
Identifying impaired water bodies (PDF 284KB) – Determine if your project will discharge to an impaired water body.
Ecology’s Water Quality Atlas - Find out if your project will have an outfall to an impaired water body.
Hydraulic discharge point inventory instructions (DOCX 35KB) - Record basic stormwater discharge information for use in hydraulics report.
Stormwater feature & attribute definitions (PDF 1.08MB) – To understand standard WSDOT definitions for stormwater features and their attributes contained within the Stormwater Features Inventory Database.
Hydraulic discharge point inventory form (XLSX 20KB) – Enter collected information in this spreadsheet before submitting it for entry in the database.
Stormwater Retrofit Management Plan (PDF 1.5MB) - Information about our Stormwater Retrofit Program and prioritizing retrofits.
Document impacts
Procedures for surface water impact assessments (PDF 92KB) –Calculate annual pollutant loads and assess potential impacts to surface waters.
Writing discipline reports guidance (PDF 130KB) - To right-size the discipline report.
Stormwater discipline report checklist (PDF 178KB) - Consider all project-related stormwater impacts in the discipline report.
Stormwater retrofits
WSDOT Stormwater Retrofit Folio (PDF 1.99MB) – Learn about WSDOT’s stormwater retrofit program including action on 6PPD-quinone, Move Ahead Washington funding and priorities, and partnerships.
WSDOT’s Stormwater Retrofit Prioritization Web Map – View high priority highway segments for opportunistic stormwater retrofits for transportation improvement projects and for stand-alone stormwater retrofit planning.
WSDOT Stormwater Retrofit Survey123 (PDF 146KB) – View the flier to access the survey and understand the opportunity for tribes, local agencies, and interest groups to provide WSDOT with their top priority recommendations for WSDOT consideration for stand-alone stormwater retrofit planning.
6PPD-quinone – Learn about the tire rubber pollutant that is lethal to coho salmon from the Environmental Protection Agency.
Tire anti-degradant (6PPD) and 6PPD-quinone – Learn about the tire rubber pollutant that is lethal to coho salmon from Washington State Department of Ecology.
6PPD Stormwater Best Management Practices Research – Learn about 6PPD stormwater research being tracked by Washington State Department of Ecology.
Section 401 permits
401 Process for Nationwide Permits (PDF 730KB) – Flowchart for Section 401 permit coverage with Section 404 Nationwide coverage. Use this flowchart for project timeline estimations.
Ecology's Section 401 Water Quality Certifications – Policies and guidance for Section 401 compliance in Washington State.
Regional Conditions for Seattle District (PDF 1.5MB) – Includes the Water Quality Certification conditions from Ecology, the EPA, and tribes.
Application document matrix (PDF 22KB) – What to include in your permit application.
Water quality monitoring template (DOCX 1.45MB) – Optional template for projects covered under the programmatic Nationwide Permit WQC. Recommended template for projects requiring an Individual WQC.
WQMPP Template (DOCX 120KB) – Optional template to make sure your WQMPP contains all the required information, if WQMPP is required by the certifying authority.
Water Quality Best Management Practices (BMP) Matrix (XLSX 78KB) – Identify appropriate BMPs to include in the WQMPP when work is in or over water.
Monitoring Guidance for In-Water Work (PDF 877KB) – Make sure in-water work is in compliance with state water quality standards. Also see the TESC Manual.
Sampling Form for In-Water Work (DOCX 29KB) – Include this template with the WQMPP, if required, for the contractor to submit sampling data to Ecology and the Federal Project Coordinator listed in the permit.
Section 402 permits
Find details and compliance guidance for general permits issued by Ecology:
Notice of intent
Complete NOI Guidance (PDF 360KB) - Utilize the guidance when applying for CSWGP coverage.
Environmental Protection Agency’s NOI system - Apply for the federal Construction General Permit for work in Indian Country.
Ecology's Water Quality Permitting Portal (WQWebPortal) - To prepare and submit the NOI electronically.
WQWebPortal guidance – To sign up for a SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account, register for the WQWebPortal, and apply for permit coverage with an NOI.
Ecology’s Proposed New Discharge to an Impaired Water Body form (PDF 199KB)- if your project will have an outfall to an impaired water body.
Guidance for completing the Proposed New Discharge to an Impaired Water Body form (PDF 187KB)
Discharge to Impaired Water Body Cover letter template
Transfer of coverage
Ecology’s CSWGP TOC Form (PDF 226KB) – Fill out this form when transferring coverage.
Instructions for processing the CSWGP TOC form (PDF 161KB) - Review before starting the TOC form.
Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
Spill prevention control & countermeasures (SPCC) plan
For contractors
SPCC Plan Template (PDF 591KB) – To create an SPCC Plan.
Example Site Map (PDF 71KB) – Showing the location of certain features, including drainage pathways, waterways, hazardous materials, and spill prevention and response equipment.
Secondary Containment guidance (PDF 474KB) – Learn if your project requires secondary containment and how to maintain it.
WSDOT Construction webpage – For information about our specifications, amendments, and general special provisions.
Standard Specifications – Reference specification 1-07.15(1) to ensure your plan includes all the necessary requirements for spill prevention, control and countermeasures.
Section 3406 of the International Fire Code – Find temporary fuel storage requirements in this publication, available through the WSDOT library.
For environmental staff & reviewers
Spill Plan Reviewers Guidance (PDF 1.6MB) - To understand the requirements of an SPCC.
SPCC Plan Checklist (PDF 244KB) - To review the contractor’s plan.
Temporary erosion & sediment control (TESC) plan
For contractors
TESC Plan template (DOCX 52KB) - To develop the narrative section of the TESC plan.
Abbreviated TESC Plan template (DOCX 39KB) - For work not covered by the CSWGP that disturbs soil and might discharge stormwater to surface waters.
For environmental staff & reviewers
TESC Plan Review Checklist (PDF 340KB) - To make sure the TESC plan is complete and meets CSWGP requirements.
Monthly Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs)
Procedures for preparing & submitting DMRs (PDF 457) – To submit your monthly DMRs.
Permit & Reporting Information System (PARIS) - To find CSWGP coverage status.
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 NPDES Construction Stormwater General Permit (Transfer of Coverage to Contractor) (PDF 297KB) - Table of commitments, how they are listed in CTS, and how they are covered in contract Standard Specifications and Special Provisions.
Training
Certified Erosion and Sediment Control
All WSDOT staff who design, implement, or inspect the implementation of TESC plans during construction are required to take the Construction Site Erosion Control Course every 3 years to stay current on how WSDOT ensures construction stormwater and CSWGP compliance on our projects. For most WSDOT projects, the prime contractor is responsible for ensuring CSWGP-related site inspections are performed by a Certified Erosion and Sediment Control Lead (CESCL). CESCL certification is not required for most WSDOT staff, however some regions and project offices may require staff to be CESCL certified. Contact Jeannie McCully, Jeannie.McCully@wsdot.wa.gov for questions about CESCL certification and the Construction Site Erosion and Sediment Control Course.
For WSDOT staff (or consultants) interested in obtaining or recertifying CESCL certification:
Internal: See also Environmental training webpage.
- Recertifying: Successful completion of the Construction Site Erosion and Sediment Control Course fulfills the requirements for recertification for current CESCLs (i.e., <6 months past the CESCL expiration date on their card).
- For new or expired (i.e., >6 months past the CESCL expiration date): This class fulfills Ecology's 8-hour classroom requirement, however: successful completion of the Field BMP course is required for certification/recertification. Contact Gregor Myhr, Gregor.Myhr@wsdot.wa.gov for information about upcoming Field BMP courses.
External: Ecology-approved training providers - For internal or external staff interested in obtaining or recertifying CESCL certification, Ecology provides a list of approved CESCL training providers.
SPCC reviewers training
All WSDOT personnel who review SPCC plans must take the Spill Plan Reviewer training available through the Learning Management System.
Completing the NOI
Video tutorial for completing the NOI - Tutorials from Ecology to complete the NOI in WQWebPortal.
Help with SAW or eNOI systems
Water Quality Web Portal specialist
WQWebPortal@ecy.wa.gov
800-633-6193/Option 3
Stormwater
Tony Bush
Stormwater Branch Manager
Tony.Bush@wsdot.wa.gov
Sheena Pietzold
Stormwater Permit Program Manager
Sheena.Pietzold@wsdot.wa.gov
Nick Hehemann
Stormwater Monitoring & Research Program Manager
Nick.Hehemann@wsdot.wa.gov
Cory Simon
Stormwater Features Inventory Program Manager
Cory.Simon@wsdot.wa.gov
Jeannie McCully
Erosion Control Lead
Jeannie.McCully@wsdot.wa.gov
Garrett Starks
Municipal Stormwater Permit Lead
Garrett.Starks@wsdot.wa.gov
Elsa Pond
TMLD Lead
Elsa.Pond@wsdot.wa.gov
Tatiana Dreisbach
Stormwater Retrofit Outreach and Innovation
Tatiana.Dreisbach@wsdot.wa.gov
Permit Streamlining and HPA Lead
HPAPermitLead@wsdot.wa.gov
Section 401 permitting
WSDOT staff may, once a liaison is assigned to a project, coordinate with the liaison directly to get permit-specific questions answered. Find additional contact information in the WSDOT Global Address List in MS Outlook.
Once a project has an assigned liaison, the design builder contractor may contact the liaisons directly with questions while copying the WSDOT environmental coordinator. The contractor should go through the WSDOT project engineer and environmental coordinator before contacting the liaisons.
Multi-Agency Permit Program Manager
MAPP@wsdot.wa.gov
Ecology Liaisons
Contacts for work on tribal lands
EPA (for work with any tribes not listed below)
Sarah Burgess, Aquatic Ecologist, 206-553-6698,burgess.sarah@epa.gov
Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation
Mark White, 360-273-5911,mwhite@chehalistribe.org
Glen Connelly, gconnelly@chehalistribe.org
Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation
Todd Thorn, 509-634-2428,Todd.Thorn@colvilletribes.com
Kalispel Indian Community
Kenneth (Ken) Merrill, 509-447-7276,kmerrill@knrd.org
Lummi Tribe
Leroy Deardorff, LeroyD@lummi-nsn.gov
Makah Indian Nation
Dana Sarff, 360-645-3151,dana.sarff@makah.com
Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe
Dave Fuller, 360-297-6323,dfuller@pgst.nsn.us
Puyallup Tribe of Indians
Char Naylor, char.naylor@puyalluptribe.com
Quinault Indian Nation
Elyse Wulfkuhle, EWulfkuhle@quinault.org
Spokane Tribe of Indians
Brian Crossley, 509-626-4409,crossley@spokanetribe.com
Swinomish Indian Tribal Community
Todd Mitchell, 360-466-7201,tmitchell@swinomish.nsn.us
Tulalip Tribe
Kurt Nelson, 360-716-4617,knelson@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov
Todd Zackey, tzackey@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov
