Shorelands & Environmental Assistance

Our role in Washington

Our team is made up of floodplain, coastal, shoreline, and wetland planning staff. We administer state and federal grants to improve and protect the environment. We oversee the rules and guidance for the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). From ocean beaches to the banks of streams, we provide guidance for best management, technical assistance, and regulate land use along state shorelines.

Building stronger communities through partnership

Our work fosters the ideals of community conservation. We provide education to the public and professionals through Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and Washington's Coastal Training Program. We also coordinate our state investment through the Coastal Hazards Resilience Network, Marine Spatial Planning, Floodplains by Design, and the Office of Chehalis Basin.

Creating Washington's next environmental leaders

We host Washington Conservation Corps (WCC), an AmeriCorps program which partners with local organizations to provide opportunities for veterans and members aged 18-25 to restore critical habitat, build trails, and respond to local and national disasters.

Shorelands and environmental assistance programs

Shoreline & coastal planning

• Shoreline Master Programs
• Coastal Zone Management

Natural hazards management

• Floods & floodplain management
• Coastal erosion monitoring
• Stream channel migration
• Puget Sound landslides
• Adapting to sea level rise
• Earthquakes & tsunamis

Ocean management

• Marine Spatial Planning
• Assisting coastal communities
• Partnering on state ocean management
• Guiding national ocean policy

Wetlands

• Mitigation
• Education & training
• Tools & resources
• Regulation

SEPA - Environmental Review

• SEPA Register
• SEPA guidance & training
• SEPA laws & regulations
• SEPA at Ecology

Washington Conservation Corps (WCC)

• Join WCC! Positions available
• Serve on a field crew
• Individual placement internships
• Veteran Conservation Corps
• Disaster Response
• Puget SoundCorps

Regulation & permits

• Federal 401 Water Quality Certifications
• Coastal Zone Management federal consistency
• Shoreline permits & enforcement

Grants & loans

• Coastal Protection Fund - Terry Husseman Account
• Flood Control Assistance Account Program
• Floodplains by Design
• National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grants
• Shoreline Master Program (SMP) grants
• Watershed Protection & Restoration grants

Education & training

• Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
• Coastal Training Program
• Shoreline & Coastal Planners group
• Wetland education & training resources

Research & data

• Monitoring & assessment
• Online tools
• Scientific reports

Working toward Ecology's mission

Our work supports our agency's strategic priorities to:

• Protect and restore land, air, and water.
• Promote healthy communities and natural resources.
• Deliver efficient and effective services.
• Prevent pollution.

Learn more about Ecology's work.

Program vision

We envision communities working in partnership to create healthy shorelands, wetlands, and floodplains for sustainable economic vitality.

Program mission

Supporting community conservation efforts for our shorelands, wetlands, and floodplains.

Together, we:

• Manage and protect shorelines in partnership with local governments.
• Reduce flood risks and restore habitat on major rivers.
• Protect and restore watersheds.