Environmental training

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) staff can register for most instructor-led classes and e-learning courses through the Learning Center. Other participants can contact Barb Steusloff, Barbara.Steusloff@wsdot.wa.gov for more information regarding training provided by ESO instructors. 

Environmental training resources by topic

Review our training opportunities by topic below.

Compliance Assurance

Commitment Tracking System (CTS) is a web application for new CTS users and all WSDOT staff that tracks WSDOT project environmental commitments and environmental non-compliance events. This virtual training teaches users how to create a project, add commitments to a project, copy commitments from other sources to a project, enter non-compliance events that occur on a WSDOT project, and run a variety of reports. 

Contractor Compliance Root Issues webinar guides WSDOT staff and consultants that are involved in project design and contract development, through three potential root causes that may lead to compliance concerns during project construction and provides possible solutions. This training focuses on when the contract is not being followed, when the contract is unclear or incorrect, and when the contract is missing required information. 

Environmental Compliance for Construction is provided in-person and virtually, introduces project staff to a variety of topics that relate to environmental compliance during the construction phase of WSDOT projects. Learn about project environmental commitments, compliance with environmental permits, contract enforcement, and responding to environmental non-compliance. 

Environmental Non-compliance is a webinar for all WSDOT staff that participate in project inspections or are involved in Environmental Compliance Assurance Policy (ECAP) and procedures. ECAP is used during design and construction phases of WSDOT projects to respond to known or suspected environmental non-compliance events.  Learn about ECAP policy and procedures and about proper documentation.

Poisonous plants

Learn how to identify poisonous plants by searching for the course title “Poisonous and harmful plants of Washington State” in the Learning Center.

Construction site erosion and sediment control training

WSDOT trains staff and consultants on policies and procedures for complying with construction stormwater and NPDES 402 Construction Stormwater General Permit (CSWGP) requirements on projects within the WSDOT Right-of-Way. Successful completion of this class is required for staff responsible for designing or implementing temporary erosion and sediment control (TESC) plans, collecting or reporting discharge samples, or ensuring compliance during design or in the field (as detailed in Ch.1 of the WSDOT TESC Manual). Classes are offered annually in January, February, and March, though additional classes may be offered based on popular demand. The class may be taken to recertify an expiring CESCL or in conjunction with an approved 8-hour Field BMP training course for the full CESCL certification. While CESCL certification is not typically necessary for WSDOT staff, obtaining and maintaining CESCL certification through the WSDOT classroom and Field BMP Classes is highly encouraged as it facilitates greater knowledge of appropriate TESC Best Management Practices for plan design, field inspection, and contract enforcement. 

Staff can sign up for "WSDOT ENV: Construction Site Erosion and Sediment Control" in the Learning Center. Consultants can request to be registered for WSDOT's class if deemed necessary. While WSDOT staff may obtain CESCL certification or re-certification through an external Ecology approved training provider, doing so does not replace the requirement for staff to complete the internal WSDOT training. 

Cultural resources training 

Cultural resources training promotes awareness, preservation and stewardship of Washington’s cultural resources. The Cultural Resources program provides customized training for transportation professionals (including engineering, planning, contracting, maintenance, biologists and other disciplines). Participants learn to address cultural resource management issues on transportation projects and gain hands-on experience in the field. Training focuses on state and federal regulations and compliance procedures, the National Register of Historic Places and alternative perspectives on values and significance.

Environmental Justice (EJ) training

Environmental Justice, Title VI and English Proficiency webinar for staff doing NEPA Categorical Exclusion evaluations. This training describes the basics, evaluation process and making determinations.

Fish & wildlife training

Training for Biological Assessment authors (PDF 149KB)  

Lists of consultants who have met the BA author qualification requirements:

• Prequalification roster consultants qualified to write BAs (PDF 23KB)
• Qualified BA authors not on the Prequalification roster (PDF 97KB)

Hazardous materials and spill prevention training 

We provide online training for WSDOT staff who review Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures Plans. WSDOT staff can access the course through the Learning Center by searching for the course title “WSDOT ENV: Spill Plan Reviewer Training (OLT).”

Permitting

Complete Permit Application for Section 404, 401, and HPAs is a webinar for environmental coordinators, consultants, and regional maintenance environmental coordinators. The training explains what is needed and how to prepare complete applications to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Cleans Water Act section 404 and Rivers and Harbors Act section 10, Washington State Department of Ecology's Clean Water Act section 401, and Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife's (WDFW) Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA).

Complete Permit Application Drawings is a webinar that builds off of the Complete Permit Application training and should be taken by environmental coordinators, consultants, and regional maintenance environmental coordinators. Learn how to complete permit application drawings for Section 404, 401 and HPAs. 

Introduction to Hydraulic Project Approval (HPAs) is a webinar for environmental coordinators, consultants, and regional maintenance environmental coordinators. Learn about the different types of HPAs, Hydraulic Project jurisdiction, non-compliance issues, how to submit a complete HPA, and where to find additional resources. 

No Permits Required is a webinar for environmental coordinators, consultants, and regional maintenance environmental coordinators. Understand when a permit is not required for the WDFW, fish passage, and transportation projects, know when authorization is not required by the Corps and ECY.

Section 404 and Section 401 Permitting is a webinar for environmental coordinators, consultants, and regional maintenance environmental coordinators. Learn about the 2021 changes to Nationwide permits (NWPs), Regional General Conditions, Washington State Department of Ecology section 401, and Coastal Zone Management. 

Wetlands 

Trainings related to wetlands include:

• Wetlands ecology and monitoring techniques internship – This internship program provides hands-on field and laboratory experience collecting and analyzing environmental data gathered from WSDOT wetland mitigation sites. Find more information on the WSDOT internship offered through the Evergreen State College and how to apply.
• Introductory wetland training – Introductory training is available to project inspectors tasked with overseeing compliance on project sites. WSDOT staff can access an introductory course through the Learning Center by searching for the course title “WSDOT ENV: Environmental Compliance for Construction (OLT)”.
• Field training – Wetland field training is available to WSDOT staff upon request. Contact the Wetlands Program manager for more information.

NEPA 

View the Local Programs NEPA Courses YouTube videos and reference our Region cross reference (DOCX 23KB) guide for differences between the local and regional processes.

Additional environmental training resources

Organizations and other WSDOT offices also provide environmental training. The list below provides links to these environmental training resources.

• Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) NEPA Overview as Applied to Transportation Projects – These short videos provide an overview of the National Environmental Policy Act as it applies to FHWA projects. These videos target local agencies but are relevant for the general NEPA process at WSDOT.
• Washington State Department of Enterprise Services (DES) Training – DES serves several state agencies, providing training on a variety of topics including computer, management and soft skills.
• Washington State Department of Ecology – The Shorelands & Environmental Assistance program offers training and resources on shoreline protection, conservation and the State Environmental Policy Act.
• Coastal Training Program – These courses provide science-based training to professionals making shoreline management decisions.
• National Highway Institute (NHI) – NHI offers a variety of courses, materials and seminars for the transportation community. Examples of training topics include Asset Management, Hydraulics, and Design and Traffic Operations.
• Associated General Contractors (AGC) Education Foundation – AGC offers courses for people working in project construction, such as Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Construction.
• Local Technical Assistance Program – These courses, coordinated through the WSDOT Local Programs Office, focus primarily on a local government audience.