The Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (PNSN) at the University of Washington, in cooperation with partner agencies, operates seismic stations to monitor and report on earthquake activity. This network consists of an array of seismographic sensors distributed throughout Washington and Oregon that provide high quality seismic data. These data are telemetered in real time to the PNSN and partner agencies and are subsequently archived and provided to governmental, public, and private institutions and to the public. PNSN and our partners are continuing a multi-year endeavor to construct, operate and maintain digital seismic stations for regional earthquake monitoring as well as to contribute to the earthquake early warning system called ShakeAlert. This system is managed by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and is designed to rapidly provide advanced warning of strong shaking from an earthquake. These warnings will ultimately be provided to public safety and governmental organizations, lifeline infrastructure operators, public transit agencies, corporate partners, and the public. To meet the operational requirements of EEW the PNSN will need to upgrade existing seismograph stations and install new ones. A key step before construction of new or upgraded instruments is obtaining a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Section 106 Categorical Exclusion (CatEx), which can be a lengthy and time-intensive process. We will need a contractor to perform desktop surveys for these potential seismic sites so that a report can be produced of the findings and all 14 questions on the NEPA CatEx form answered.
