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What do you do when the polluter is a mountain?
For decades, a slow-moving landslide has been exposing the side of Sumas Mountain. The landslide material contains naturally-occurring asbestos and heavy metals — and it all ends up in Swift Creek.
Protecting Puget Sound’s No Discharge Zone

We are continuing to implement the NDZ to protect Puget Sound while the court case proceeds. 

Floodplain redesign delivers downstream benefits for all
This deliberate logjam is one piece of a plan to restore a functional floodplain along a three mile stretch of the North Fork Touchet River in Southeast Washington.
Ecology adopts rule to strengthen railroads’ oil spill response efforts

Ecology has adopted a new rule to strengthen railroads’ oil spill response efforts.

Let it snow!

More than half of the state's water supply starts out as snowpack, which is why it's important to keep an eye on it—not just for ski conditions, but as part of drought monitoring.

Boots on the Ground: Salmon carcasses make a splash in Chiwawa River

AmeriCorps member Kevin Wooldridge reflects on his first WCC project: adding salmon carcasses into the Chiwawa River along with his crew!

Partnering on safe well water in the Lower Yakima Valley
Recently, an independent advocacy group shared with us a study identifying several chemicals in groundwater that caught our attention.
Yakima River receives ‘water quality’ check-up
Our scientists are conducting a water quality checkup of the Yakima River to see how things are doing. We have been tackling water quality challenges in the Yakima River Basin for 20 years.
Slime on river rocks is a forensics tool for environmental scientists
While most of us may not appreciate the slime that grows on river rocks, Dr. William Hobbs and his colleagues have found slime useful for investigating the sources of toxic chemicals in the water.
Federal grants go toward repairing two Washington dams
Our Dam Safety Office regulates 1,055 dams. Many of those are doing just fine, but 409 pose a potential risk to people living and working below. We received funding to assist with two dam repairs.