Transportation Permit Efficiency and Accountability Committee

Watershed-Based Mitigation Subcommittee

Need/Purpose: To facilitate the development of a watershed-based approach to environmental mitigation for transportation projects with potential applicability to other processes; to develop methodologies for mitigation on a watershed basis at appropriate scales that meets multiple agency criteria for permitting.

Vision: A watershed-based approach to mitigation resulting in a streamlined permit process that enhances delivery of transportation projects, optimizes the value of investments in mitigation, and protects and enhances ecological integrity of the watersheds.

Objectives: The legislation directed that the subcommittee undertake specific activities, including:

Develop technical tools that use a watershed approach to expedite mitigation.
Develop multi-agency watershed-based mitigation policy guidance to expedite environmental permitting.
Complete a test of the policy and technical tools.
Develop a schedule (i.e. “Road Map”) to integrate watershed tools, policies, and procedures.

Authorization: Sec 4-6 of ESB 6188 directs TPEAC to develop a watershed approach to environmental mitigation.

Primary Membership:

Co-Chairs:
- Peter Birch, WA Department of Fish and Wildlife
- Richard Gersib, WA Department of Transportation
Other members and agency staff have included:
- WA Department of Ecology: Janice Sedlak, Stephen Bernath, Sandra Manning, Annie Szvetecz, Lisa Rozmyn, Lauren Driscoll
- WA Department of Fish and Wildlife: Peter Birch, Bob Zeigler, Margen Carlson, John Carleton
- WS Department of Natural Resources: Jay Udelhoven
- WA Deptartment of Transportation: Richard Gersib, Peter Downey, Virginia Stone, Tim Hilliard, Barb Aberle, Gary Davis, Barb Aberle, Susan Everett
- Governor’s Salmon Recovery Office: Philip Miller
- Office of Community Development: Wendy Compton-Ring
- NOAA Fisheries: Ann Garrett
- US Fish and Wildlife: Jennifer Quan
- US Army Corps of Engineers: Kate Stenberg
- US Environmental Protection Agency: Richard Clark, Elaine Sommers
- Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission: Darrell Phare
- Columbia River Intertribal Fisheries Commission: Jeff Spencer
- Upper Columbia United Tribes: Bryan Flett
- Association of Washington Cities: Jackie White, Ashley Probart
- Association of General Contractors: Willie O’Neil
- Washington State Association of Counties: Andy Meyer, Scott Merriman, Maureen Morris

Products: Click here to access all of the Watershed-Based Mitigation Subcommittees Products

Watershed Characterization Methodology
Four watershed characterization projects that have helped test and refine the concept of watershed characterization
Mitigation Screening Tool
Integrated Mitigation Guidance
Watershed Integration Schedule (Road Map)
Integrated Mitigation Policy Document and three watershed pilots using existing watershed information (US-12 near Walla Walla, SR539 north of Bellingham, and I-5 in Lewis County. These efforts integrated watershed planning with local planning
Working relationship improved between WSDOT and Local Governments, Tribes, and resource agencies

Other Significant Events/Milestones:

11/01 Developed mission statement.
12/01 TPEAC Resolution: Supported continued funding of SSHIAP.
1/02 TPEAC Resolution: Endorsed use of existing local watershed groups to develop watershed-based approach to environmental mitigation.
4/02 Presented draft methods to TPEAC. See http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/environment/watershed/docs/methods.pdf.
5/02 TPEAC Resolution: Approved selection criteria for selected SR522 as test case.
2/03 Presented draft SR522 Watershed Characterization Report for TPEAC review.
3/03 Selected I-405 Corridor to test and refine watershed methods.
6/03 Presented work plan at TPEAC meeting.
10/03 Technical team developed initial list of potential mitigation projects for North Renton.
12/03 I-405 Watershed Characterization products.
4/04 Presented and got approval to test Watershed Based Mitigation Guidance with TPEAC.
4/04 Presented current status and activities to TPEAC.
7/04 Completed first Interstate 405 watershed characterization project.
11/04 Began SR-167 watershed characterization project.
12/04 Completed second Interstate 405 watershed characterization project.
4/05 Completed SR-167 watershed characterization project.
5/05 Presented a “road map” to fully implement watershed characterization (as part of TPEAC annual report to legislature). See Watershed Mitigation in the Library.
2/06 Watershed Subcommittee adopts Road Map.

Level of Effort: The subcommittee has met monthly (sometimes twice monthly) from August, 2001 to the present. At most times, there are workgroups completing work needed to further the aims of the subcommittee. On the average 15-17 people attended meetings. Large amounts of work has also been completed by WSDOT staff under direction of the subcommittee as well as by consultants.

Results:

Watershed Characterization methods completed, tested, updated.
Completed four watershed characterizations covering various parts of the SR-522, I-405, SR-520, and SR-167 corridors, with conditions characterized for more than 700 square miles and producing prioritized lists of approximately 1,500 potential mitigation sites. See http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/environment/watershed/technical_report.htm.
Completed Integrated Mitigation Guidance. Developed Mitigation Screening Tool to help select areas where watershed characterization is the best tool.
Developed “Road map” to fully implement watershed characterization.

Lessons Learned:

Having multi-agency co-chairs was both a blessing and an asset to the subcommittee.
To be successful, there needs to be a dynamic balance and tension between policy and technical staff.
There’s a significant difference between working in a watershed and doing watershed work. Watershed work is all about putting individual restoration sites in a landscape context to better understand the constraints each site is under and the potential benefits each can provide