Search Results - Washington State Department of Ecology

GIS standards

Find standards for Ecology's GIS data.

https://ecology.wa.gov/research-data/data-resources/geographic-information-systems-gis/standards

We measure water's width, depth, and speed in rivers and streams to compute streamflow.

https://ecology.wa.gov/research-data/monitoring-assessment/river-stream-monitoring/flow-monitoring/river-stream-flow-monitoring-methods

SEPA laws and regulations: current & historical revisions

We manage SEPA and related rules and provide background about rulemaking.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/sepa/environmental-review/sepa-laws-rules

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

Infrastructure, rule, & program plans

Our plans and rules to improve air quality and meet national air quality standards.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/plans-policies/state-implementation-plans/infrastructure-sips

Managing pharmaceutical waste

Learn how to manage waste pharmaceuticals properly to keep them out of the environment.

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

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

Industrial Stormwater General Permit

Find information and helpful resources about the Industrial Stormwater General Permit.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Phase I Municipal Stormwater Permit

This permit regulates stormwater discharges in the most highly populated areas in Washington.

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

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

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

Technical resources for sediment cleanups

Access our technical resources to help support your sediment cleanup decisions.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/sediment-cleanup-resources

Rulemaking at Ecology

Find out about our rulemaking activities.

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

SEPA lead agency contacts

Browse tables containing SEPA contacts at state and local agencies in Washington.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/sepa/environmental-review/sepa-lead-agency-contacts

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

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

Illegal draining of wetlands on Whidbey Island leads to $120,000 penalty

September 12, 2024 News release: We have issued a $120,000 penalty to Island County landowners for illegally draining wetland on Whidbey Island.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/sept-12-whiteman-coury-penalty

Preparing Whatcom water users for adjudication

April 19, 2024 News release: Ecology has mailed 30,000 post cards to Nooksack area water users to let them know about adjudication.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/apr-19-adjudications-postcard

Environmental review halted after applicant cancels renewable fuels project in Ferndale

January 21, 2020 News release: We and Whatcom County are halting our joint environmental review of the proposed Green Apple renewable fuel facility near Ferndale. The company has announced it no longer plans to proceed with the project.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/jan-21-21-green-apple-cancellation

Washington seeks to link carbon market with California, Québec

November 2, 2023 News release: Director Laura Watson made a preliminary decision today to pursue linking Washington’s cap-and-invest program to carbon markets in California and Québec.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/nov-2-ecology-to-pursue-carbon-market-linkage

Drought spurs aid for farms, fish & public health

July 29, 2021 News release: $750,000 in grant funding was made available July 28 when Ecology adopted an emergency drought funding rule.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/emergency-drought-funding

New protections to reduce plastic and foam pollution from dock floats

December 13, 2023 News release: Starting in January 2024, floating plastic foam used to support floating docks and walkways must be fully encased in a durable shell.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/dec-13-new-protections-reduce-pollution-docks

Changes proposed for crude oil movement reporting requirements

September 2, 2020 News release: Changes proposed for crude oil movement reporting requirements

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/changes-proposed-for-crude-oil-movement-reporting

Weyerhaeuser’s Longview lumber mill fined $145,000 for stormwater violations

July 30, 2024 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology issued two penalties totaling $145,000 to Weyerhaeuser for stormwater violations at the company’s Longview lumber mill.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/july-30-lumber-mill-fined

Asphalt manufacturer and distributor penalized $27,000 for violating dangerous waste regulations

April 4, 2024 News release: Ecology is issuing a $27,000 penalty to an asphalt company for not properly managing their dangerous waste.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/apr-4-asphalt-toxic-waste-penalty

What’s in your backyard? Public invited to test soil samples for toxics

April 16, 2025 News release: Two upcoming soil testing events hosted by the Washington Department of Ecology will allow residents to check whether soils in their yards have traces of historic chemical contamination.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/april-16-soil-testing

Washington’s emission check program ends Dec. 31

December 30, 2019 News release: At 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31, Washington’s vehicle emissions check program will end, marking the close of 38 years of emissions testing on cars and trucks in major metropolitan areas.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/dec-30-washington-s-emission-check-program-ends-de

EPA approves Lower White River water cleanup plan

March 2, 2023 News release: Ecology recently received approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a water quality cleanup plan for the Lower White River.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/march-2-epa-approves-lower-white-river-tmdl

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

Ecology and Whatcom County launch environmental review of proposed renewable fuels facility

January 16, 2020 News release: We and Whatcom County are preparing to work on an environmental impact statement for a proposed renewable fuels facility in Ferndale. We're taking public comment on the scope of what this study should cover.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/jan-16-green-apple-scoping

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

Environmental penalties for second quarter of 2020

August 11, 2020 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology issued $360,700 in penalties of $1,000 or more from April through June 2020.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/aug-13-second-quarter-penalties-2020

Irrigators in Little Spokane River watershed will likely see water restrictions this summer

August 5, 2019 News release: Some water users in the Little Spokane River basin will have to curb their consumption if lower water levels persist this season.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/aug-5-little-spokane-river-water-restrictions-poss

Public input sought on environmental review for new Duwamish–Green river watershed plan

March 8, 2021 News release: A new plan for the Duwamish-Green watershed lays out priorities to protect fish habitat and ensuring sufficient water for rural residents. We're seeking public comments through April 8.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/mar-8-duwamish-green-watershed-sepa-comment-period

New testing methods better protect against waterborne disease

January 24, 2019 News release: New methods to test for waterborne disease in state waters will better protect people during recreational activities.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/updates-to-recreational-use-water-quality-testing

Whatcom County farm fined for illegal water use

August 1, 2023 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology has issued a $12,000 fine to RAN General Partnership for illegally irrigating about 40 acres of crops in Whatcom County in June and July of 2023.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/1-august-whatcom-county-farm-fined-for-illegal-water-use

Cleanup process moving forward at North Seattle site

December 3, 2020 News release: We're seeking public comment on a legal agreement to study pollution and cleanup options at a Seattle former gas station that's now part of an apartment building.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/dec-4-stone-way-apartments

Cleanup process moving forward at South Park site near Duwamish River

November 4, 2020 News release: We’re seeking public comment on a legal agreement with current and former owners of an industrial property in Seattle’s South Park to address contaminated soil and groundwater.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/nov-5-precision-engineering-site

State adopts new watershed plans for Puyallup River and Chambers-Clover basin

June 17, 2021 News release: New plans for the Puyallup-White and Chambers-Clover watersheds lay out priorities to protect fish habitat, while also ensuring sufficient water for rural residents.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/june-17-puyallup-chambers-clover