Search Results - Washington State Department of Ecology

Primary response contractors for spill cleanup

We approve primary response contractors to allow them to be cited in industry oil plans.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/plans-policies/contingency-planning-for-oil-industry/primary-response-contractors

SEPA Guide for lead agencies

SEPA guidance for lead agencies.

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

Safer products for businesses

Learn how your business can find and purchase less toxic chemicals and products.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/safer-alternatives/safer-products-for-businesses

Lithium-ion battery safety and management

Learn how to safely manage, store, and dispose of lithium-ion batteries.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/common-dangerous-waste/batteries/lithium-ion-batteries

Dental waste

Dental offices generate dangerous waste that must be disposed of properly.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/common-dangerous-waste/dentists

Nicotine and cannabis waste

Learn how your business can properly handle nicotine, vape, and cannabis waste.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/common-dangerous-waste/nicotine-and-cannabis-waste

Solvents

Most solvents become dangerous waste and must be managed properly.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/common-dangerous-waste/solvents

Pharmaceutical waste codes

Find common waste codes for pharmaceutical waste.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/common-dangerous-waste/pharmaceutical-waste/rcra-waste-codes

Small quantity generators (SQGs)

Learn about the benefits and rules for dangerous waste small quantity generators (SQGs).

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/dangerous-waste-basics/generator-category/small-quantity-generators

SEPA checklist guidance, Section B: Historic & cultural preservation

Guidance for historic & cultural preservation section in SEPA environmental checklist.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/sepa/environmental-review/sepa-guidance/sepa-checklist-guidance/sepa-checklist-section-b-environmental-elements/environmental-elements-13-historic-cultural-p

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

Small cosmetics manufacturer certification subsidy program

Small cosmetics manufacturers can apply for financial support to reformulate and certify their products.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/safer-alternatives/safer-chemicals-for-manufacturers/cosmetics-certification-subsidy-program

Manuals & procedures for accredited labs

Download the procedure manual, and find tips and tools for accredited environmental labs.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/permits-certifications/laboratory-accreditation/manual-and-procedures-for-accredited-laboratories

CLARC guidance

Use these guidance documents in combination with CLARC to establish cleanup levels.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/contamination-cleanup-tools/clarc/guidance

E-Cycle WA information for manufacturers

Find out whether you qualify as a manufacturer under the E-Cycle Washington program.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/electronics-ecycle-guidance-and-reports/manufacturers

Regulatory guidance for oil industry

Spills reporting and state requirements for Class 1-4 facilities, vessels, railroads, and pipelines.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/guidance-for-oil-industry

Underground Injection Control (UIC) program: Chapter 173-218 WAC

We regulate discharge of injection well fluids to protect against groundwater contamination.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/underground-injection-control-program

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

Recordkeeping

Learn what records your business must keep if you generate dangerous waste.

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

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

Aquatic Species Restoration Plan Research and Studies

The ASRP is a science-based plan to restore and enhance aquatic species habitat in the Chahalis Basin.

https://ecology.wa.gov/research-data/scientific-reports/asrp-research

Rulemaking at Ecology

Find out about our rulemaking activities.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/laws-rules-rulemaking/rulemaking

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

Hazardous waste service providers

Learn how your business can hire a waste service provider to handle and dispose of your dangerous waste.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/dispose-recycle-or-treat/hazardous-waste-service-provider

Dangerous waste permits

Facilities that store, treat, or dispose of dangerous waste must have a dangerous waste permit.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/permits-certifications/dangerous-waste-permits

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

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

EPA approves Budd Inlet water cleanup plan

January 10, 2023 News release: Last month, the Washington Department of Ecology received approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its water quality cleanup plan for Budd Inlet.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/jan-10-epa-approves-budd-inlet-tmdl

Planning for better water quality in Budd Inlet

June 8, 2022 News release: A new report from Ecology details the steps needed to protect Budd Inlet and provide relief to fish and wildlife, while also helping the inlet to meet state water quality standards.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/june-8-budd-inlet-water-quality-plan

Ecology revises Puget Sound net pen permits for steelhead

January 6, 2021 News release: Water quality permits updated to allow steelhead in four Puget Sound net pens.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/ecology-revises-puget-sound-net-pen-permits-for-st

City of Bellingham and Strider Construction fined for Padden Creek sewage spill

July 8, 2016 News release:

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2016/jul-8-city-of-bellingham-and-strider-contruction-f

Ecology adds additional phone-in only hearing for Kalama methanol testimony

September 17, 2020 News release: New phone-in only hearing scheduled for Kalama second Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/phone-in-only-hearing-scheduled-for-kalama-second

Proposed plan would guide Washington’s efforts to better prepare for and deal with climate impacts

June 11, 2024 News release: Working with other state agencies to update Washington’s Climate Resilience Strategy, Ecology has released a draft of that strategy and is seeking public comment on the plan.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/draft-climate-resilience-strategy

Ecology announces action plan for addressing PFAS

November 3, 2021 News release: Ecology is rolling out its new PFAS Chemical Action Plan, a thoroughly researched set of recommendations intended to reduce uses and releases of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/nov-2-ecology-announces-action-plan-for-addressing

Better protections proposed for salmon spawning and habitat

October 19, 2021 News release: Proposed updates will help ensure salmon have enough oxygen and a healthy habitat for spawning.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/oct-19-salmon-spawning-rule

Ecology is accepting comments on draft permits for Cooke Aquaculture

September 8, 2020 News release: We are announcing draft permits for Cooke Aquaculture net pen facilities are out for public comment.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/sept-9-draft-permits-cooke-aquaculture

Ecology tracking Hanford waste tank leak

April 29, 2021 News release: The U.S. Department of Energy announced Thursday an underground radioactive and dangerous chemical waste storage tank at the Hanford Site in Southeast Washington is leaking.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/ecology-tracking-hanford-waste-tank-leak

Additional environmental review required for Kalama methanol project

November 22, 2019 News release: We have determined that information submitted by Cowlitz County and the project applicants is insufficient and that additional environmental review is required.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/kalama-methanol-project-announcement

Ecology finds application incomplete for Kalama methanol project

October 9, 2019 News release: An Ecology statement regarding an application for a shoreline conditional use permit for a proposed methanol project in Kalama.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/oct-9-ecology-statement-on-kalama-methanol

Longview paper mill fined $68,000 for water quality violations

February 16, 2022 News release: Repeated water quality violations at the North Pacific Paper Company LLC (NORPAC) mill in Longview led to a $68,000 penalty from the Washington Department of Ecology.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/feb-16-norpac-penalty

Ecology and Energy reach agreement to address Hanford’s leaking underground tanks

August 25, 2022 News release: The Washington State Department of Ecology and the U.S. Department of Energy have agreed on a plan for how to respond to two underground tanks that are leaking radioactive waste as well as any future tank leaks at the Hanford Site.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/hanford-leaking-tanks-agreed-order

Electron Hydro fined $501,000 for Puyallup River pollution

June 8, 2021 News release: Ecology has issued a $501,000 penalty and an Administrative Order to Electron Hydro for the discharge of sports turf into the Puyallup River and ongoing water quality violations.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/june-8-electron-dam-penalty

Ecology proposes new and updated limits for toxics in water

February 22, 2024 News release: We are proposing a major update to the state’s aquatic life toxics criteria

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/feb-14-aquatic-toxics-criteria

Electron Hydro settles penalty for water quality violations in Puyallup River

November 8, 2022 News release: Electron Hydro LLC will pay a reduced penalty and contribute to a water quality and fish habitat improvement project under a settlement agreement with Ecology.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/nov-8-electron-dam-settlement

Ecology applauds EPA effort to add Bradford Island to “Superfund” list

September 8, 2021 News release: The EPA proposed adding Bradford Island at Bonneville Dam to the National Priorities List, better known as the Superfund cleanup list.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/bradford-island

Ecology and Clark County contractor settle penalty for water quality violations

July 20, 2022 News release: Rotschy Inc. will pay $101,000 to the Washington Department of Ecology under an agreement to settle an appeal of a larger penalty for nine water quality violations

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/july-20-rotschy-penalty-settlement

11 consumer products to be studied for toxic chemicals

July 14, 2020 News release: Following a 2019 state law aimed at keeping toxic chemicals out of consumer products, the Washington Department of Ecology last week submitted its report to the Legislature that outlines 11 products that need further study and potential regulation.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/11-consumer-products-to-be-studied-for-toxic-chemi

Clark County contractor penalized for discharging sediment into creek, wetlands

March 22, 2022 News release: Rotschy Inc. penalized for discharging sediment into creek, wetlands

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/march-22-rotschy-penalty

Ecology receives $8.95 million settlement to help reduce air quality impacts from South Tacoma warehouse project

November 21, 2024 News release: As part of a settlement agreement, $8.95 million will be invested in South Tacoma to help reduce air quality impacts from a proposed warehouse project.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/nov-21-bridge-agreement

Burn ban expires for Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Klickitat and Okanogan counties

December 9, 2019 News release: A Stage 1 burn ban in Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Klickitat counties and the Methow Valley in Okanogan County will expire at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, according to the Washington Department of Ecology.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/dec-9-burn-ban-expires-8-a-m-dec-10-for-chelan-do