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A CHAPTER 6: NEXT STEPS 6.3 Environmental once preliminary design and environmental Analysis and screening has occurred,the County will work with WSDOT to prepare information for FHWA Documentation regarding how to move forward with NEPA. 1-90 is a federal facility and is maintained and Consultation with FHWA will be critical to operated by WSDOT. Because of this federal determine the appropriate NEPA documentation. nexus (and potential federal funding) federal The necessary NEPA documentation can range environmental regulations must be followed. from a Categorical Exclusion (CE) (a checklist As funding becomes available the County, in which is often accompanied by technical partnership with WSDOT and in consultation studies)to an Environmental Assessment(EA) with the Federal Highway Administration (more robust than a CE and requires a formal (FHWA),will prepare environmental public comment period)to an Environmental documentation pursuant to the National Impact Statement(EIS).An EIS requires lengthy, Environmental Policy Act(NEPA). In addition, in-depth analysis and formal public comment because of state and county involvement,the periods and hearings. The County will work with Washington State Environmental Policy Act WSDOT and FHWA to determine which class of (SEPA) and Healthy Environment for All(HEAL) action is appropriate for this project. Act would also be part of the environmental The County will determine the level of and approval process. documentation to comply with SEPA. If it is Historically, FHWA has encouraged agencies determined a SEPA Checklist will be completed to prepare a Planning and Environmental (with technical studies),the County may choose Linkages (PEL)study prior to moving forward to adopt the NEPA documentation as part of with NEPA. However, WSDOT has determined a their SEPA process. PEL is not necessary for this project since the purpose of such a study is to reduce the range 6.4 Outreach and of alternatives by identifying those that are not feasible (i.e., those that have fatal flaws) or do Engagement not meet the purpose and need for the project. This feasibility study will be widely available Because this feasibility study narrowed down via the STEER 1-90 website to the general the alternatives and identified those that are public and stakeholders to review and provide not feasible and do not meet the purpose and comments. Comments received on this need, preparation of a PEL would be a costly document will be compiled and reviewed and and unnecessary step.Therefore,the next step will be a key consideration when designing the in environmental review is to identify the NEPA scope of work and analysis approach for the documentation (class of action) required for NEPA/SEPA process. this project. It is the County's and WSDOT's intent to Preliminary engineering will be developed re-initiate and expand upon the community to help identify potential impacts for key and stakeholder outreach that was completed environmental areas including, but not limited as part of this feasibility study as the project to: noise, wildlife connectivity,fish passage, moves into the NEPA/SEPA process. and cultural resources. VOLUME 1: FEASIBILITY REPORT 1-90 Corridor Easton to Cle Elum Feasibility Study 1 84