Environmental Assessment Process

An environmental assessment for the project is currently underway. The state and county are required by the federal government to conduct this process to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and the Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA).

Some topics covered in the environmental assessment include how the proposed project may affect:

• the natural environment such as wetlands, wildlife, and water quality
• historic and cultural resources
• traffic operations and community connectivity
• the surrounding community such as noise impacts, right-of-way acquisition

Following the extensive study of design options beginning in 1997, the environmental assessment will consider changes that would occur in the area if the proposed project is constructed compared to a no-build option. Both options share the same assumptions about growth.

• The build alternative looks at what the area and traffic would look like in 20 years if the proposed project were constructed.
• The no-build alternative looks at what the area and traffic would look like in 20 years if the proposed project were not constructed.