Search Results - Washington State Department of Ecology

Inspecting vessels for substantial risk

We inspect ships operating in state waters and take further action if they pose a substantial risk.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/compliance-enforcement/vessel-inspections

Fresh Fruit Packing General Permit

Find out about the Fresh Fruit Packing General Permit and get helpful resources.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/permits-certifications/fresh-fruit-packing-general-permit

VBAP / ECOPRO voluntary certification program for tank vessel spill prevention

Our voluntary spill-prevention programs (VBAP and ECOPRO) improve the safety of Washington waters.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/permits-certifications/voluntary-certification-program-spills-prevention

Spill enforcement

Spills into water harm the environment, violate state law, and may result in a penalty.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/compliance-enforcement/spill-enforcement

401 Water Quality Certifications for hydropower licenses

We work with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) licensing process for hydropower dams.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/permits-certifications/401-water-quality-certification/certifications-for-hydropower-licenses

Municipal stormwater general permits

This permit covers urban areas that collect stormwater runoff in public storm sewer systems.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/permits-certifications/stormwater-general-permits/municipal-stormwater-general-permits

Clean Water Act: Section 401 Water Quality Certifications

Under the Clean Water Act, we help make sure projects, actions, and activities don't harm state waters.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/permits-certifications/401-water-quality-certification

Municipal stormwater permit reissuance

Information about the reissuance of 2024 Western and Eastern Washington Municipal Stormwater permits.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/permits-certifications/stormwater-general-permits/municipal-stormwater-general-permits/municipal-stormwater-permit-reissuance

Guidance for contaminated water on construction sites

Information on how to manage contaminated water on construction sites.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/stormwater-permittee-guidance-resources/contaminated-water-on-construction-sites

Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs)

Information on how to contact state and local emergency planning officials.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/reporting-requirements/emergency-planning-community-right-to-know-act/local-emergency-planning-committees

Combined sewer overflows

We're working to control combined sewer overflows to keep water clean.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/permits-certifications/combined-sewer-overflows

Accumulation

Learn more about on-site dangerous waste accumulation time limits and restrictions.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/dangerous-waste-basics/accumulation

Emergency Planning & Community Right-to-Know Act

Overview of Washington's EPCRA program and general reporting requirements.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/reporting-requirements/emergency-planning-community-right-to-know-act

Water rights and dam safety policies, procedures & guidance

Policies, procedures & guidance guide our water right and dam safety work

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/plans-policies/water-rights-dam-safety-policies-procedures-guidan

Puget Sound Nutrient General Permit

The voluntary Nutrient General Permit helps WWTPs reduce nutrient pollution in Puget Sound.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/permits-certifications/nutrient-permit

Construction Stormwater General Permit

Construction that disturbs land and discharges stormwater may need a construction stormwater permit.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/permits-certifications/stormwater-general-permits/construction-stormwater-permit

State Emergency Response Commission (SERC)

State Emergency Response Commission implements the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to Know Act

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/reporting-requirements/emergency-planning-community-right-to-know-act/state-emergency-response-commission

SEPA guide for project applicants

SEPA guidance for private proponents.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/sepa/environmental-review/sepa-guidance/guide-for-project-applicants

Pollution prevention assistance (PPA)

Businesses can get free, non-regulatory pollution prevention help from local PPA specialists.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/pollution-prevention-services/pollution-prevention-assistance

Municipal stormwater permit guidance

We provide guidance for developing and implementing municipal stormwater management programs.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/stormwater-permittee-guidance-resources/municipal-stormwater-permit-guidance

Western Washington Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit

Permit regulates stormwater discharges in the 2nd-most highly populated areas in Western Washington.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/permits-certifications/stormwater-general-permits/municipal-stormwater-general-permits/western-washington-phase-ii-municipal-stormwater

Shellfish aquaculture 401 certification

We modified our certification process for shellfish growers because of new federal requirements.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/permits-certifications/401-water-quality-certification/shellfish-aquaculture

Meet our team

Businesses can contact our team for non-enforcement pollution prevention (P2) technical assistance.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/pollution-prevention-services/toxics-reduction-assistance/meet-our-team

Lead agency determination and responsibilities

SEPA guidance for determining lead agency and evaluating the proposal.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/sepa/environmental-review/sepa-guidance/guide-for-lead-agencies/lead-agency-determination-and-responsibilities

Stormwater Action Monitoring - Effectiveness studies

Learning what works best to reduce urban runoff volumes and pollution in Western Washington.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/reporting-requirements/stormwater-monitoring/stormwater-action-monitoring/sam-effectiveness-studies

SEPA subject index

References to SEPA topics in rule and statute.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/sepa/environmental-review/sepa-guidance/sepa-subject-index

No bags in the bin! Plastic bags contaminate recycling system

April 5, 2023 News release: Ecology awareness campaign aims to reduce plastic bags contamination in Washington’s residential recycling.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/recycle-right-no-bags-in-the-bin

Washington adopts plan for transition to zero-emission vehicles

December 19, 2022 News release: Washington adopts plan for transition to new zero-emission vehicles by 2035.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/dec-19-clean-vehicles-ii-adoption

New agreement broadens cleanup process at Boeing site on Duwamish

May 22, 2019 News release: The Boeing Company will continue cleanup work - begun under Ecology's Voluntary Cleanup Program - and expand studies of contaminated areas at its Developmental Center on the Duwamish Waterway under a proposed cleanup agreement with Ecology.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/may-22-boeing-developmental-center

State works to set zero emission vehicle standards

June 24, 2021 News release: Adopting new standards for zero emission vehicles in Washington.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/june-24-state-works-to-set-zero-emission-vehicle-s

Public invited to comment on rule for Clean Fuel Standard

July 18, 2022 News release: Ecology is seeking public comment on the proposed rule for the Clean Fuel Standard, a new state climate policy effective Jan. 1, 2023.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/july-18-clean-fuel-standard-public-comment

Leaking hazardous waste container leads to $37,000 fine for Clean Earth Specialty Waste Solutions

October 10, 2022 News release: Clean Earth Specialty Waste Solutions, a hazardous waste transportation company, received a $37,000 penalty from Washington’s Department of Ecology for allowing a storage container to leak corrosive waste.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/oct-10-clean-earth-penalty

Rainier Valley site’s redevelopment will include environmental cleanup

April 8, 2021 News release: Under a proposed cleanup plan, redevelopment in Seattle’s Rainier Valley work will include affordable housing and will incorporate environmental cleanup into construction.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/april-8-grand-street-commons-cleanup

Plastic bottles and bags to be made with more recycled content

October 31, 2023 News release: New regulations from the Washington Department of Ecology will increase the value of plastic that gets recycled and reused to make new plastic packaging.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/oct-31-law-increases-recycling-decreases-waste

Plastic bottle and trash bag makers must register with state by April 1

February 3, 2022 News release: New law requires some plastics include a minimum amount of recycled content beginning in 2023

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/feb-3-plastic-producer-registration

Public comment needed on cleanup plans for contaminated BSB Diversified site in Kent

May 12, 2022 News release: Washington’s Department of Ecology needs feedback regarding plans to continue cleanup of the BSB Diversified property in Kent.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/may-12-public-comment-needed-on-cleanup-plans-for

Plan to cut statewide fuel emissions 20% starts Jan. 1

November 28, 2022 News release: New Clean Fuel Standard will tackle Washington’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/nov-28-clean-fuel-standard-adoption

New business competition puts environment-focused entrepreneurs in front of like-minded investors

October 10, 2022 News release: NextCycle Environment-focused business competition shines light on primarily women- and minority-owned ventures that expand Washington's circular economy

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/nextcycle-business-pitch-competition

Proposal to apply biosolids at five Lewis County sites now open to public review

October 14, 2020 News release: Fire Mountain Farms biosolids comment period

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/oct-14-fire-mountain-farms-biosolids-comment-peri

Plan to close and clean up three Lewis County waste storage sites now open to public review

July 9, 2020 News release: Review and comment on the plan developed by two SW Washington companies to close three waste storage sites in Lewis County. The draft plan is available now through Aug. 7.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/july-9-plan-to-close-and-clean-up-lewis-co-waste

Ecology invites comment on updates to toxic cleanup regulations

February 16, 2023 News release: We invite the public to comment on proposed updates to toxic cleanup regulations. Proposed changes would improve the process for prioritizing, investigating, and cleaning up contaminated sites.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/mtca-rule-comment

Ecology director pushes for Hanford funding in D.C. visit

March 21, 2022 News release: Ecology Director Laura Watson visited Washington, D.C., in March to push for Hanford cleanup funding.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/march-21-ecology-director-pushes-for-hanford-fundi

New report and dashboard show Climate Commitment Act investments

November 27, 2024 News release: See exactly how Climate Commitment Act funds have been spent on transit, wildfire preparedness, clean energy and more.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/nov-27-cca-investments

Comment on proposed rule to boost recycled content in plastic bags, containers

May 2, 2023 News release: Ecology is now accepting comments on a proposed rule to implement the recycled content requirements of the 2021 Plastics Law

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/may-2-ecology-seeks-comments-on-rule-for-recycled

Ecology funds more zero-emission public vehicles in communities across Washington

July 26, 2023 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology is offering $16.3 million in Volkswagen Settlement grants for switching out public vehicles and diesel equipment with zero-emissions models.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/july-26-new-vw-settlement-grants-for-diesel-vehicles-and-equipment

State penalizes Kent recycling company $33,000 for dangerous waste violations

January 16, 2025 News release: Ecology is issuing a $33,000 penalty to Total Reclaim, Inc. (TRI) in Kent for violations of the state’s dangerous waste regulations

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/jan-16-state-penalizes-kent-recycling-company-33-000-for-dangerous-waste-violations

Cleanup proposed for site on Duwamish Waterway

October 25, 2019 News release: A developer will do cleanup work and prepare for the final cleanup of 63 acres just south of Boeing Field in Seattle and Tukwila, under an agreement with us.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/oct-25-emerald-gateway

Boeing Everett cleanup advancing to final stages

March 1, 2021 News release: We're taking comments on plans and earlier studies to guide the Boeing Everett Plant site's final cleanup of contaminated soil and groundwater.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/march-1-boeing-everett-cleanup

Washington sets path to phase out gas vehicles by 2035

September 7, 2022 News release: Ecology is seeking public comment on a proposed rule for the Clean Vehicles Program, including zero-emission vehicles standards, through Oct. 19.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/sept-7-clean-vehicles-public-comment

New rules cut the use of climate change “super pollutants”

December 14, 2020 News release: Ecology adopts final rules to guide phase-out of hydrofluorcarbons, or HFCs, which are potent climate change chemicals.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/dec-14-new-rules-cut-the-use-of-climate-change-sup