Search Results - Washington State Department of Ecology

Habitat preservation and restoration in Port Gamble Bay

Habitat preservation and restoration in Port Gamble Bay improves the environment and recreation

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/cleanup-sites/puget-sound/port-gamble-baywide/other-habitat-preservation-restoration

Aquatic Species Restoration Program

The ASRP is a science-based plan to restore and enhance the Chehalis River basin.

https://ecology.wa.gov/ecologys-work-near-you/river-basins-groundwater/chehalis-basin/aquatic-species-restoration-plan

Find a grant or loan

Find a grant or loan, and details about how to apply.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/payments-contracts-grants/grants-loans/find-a-grant-or-loan

Site history

We're cleaning up decades of industrial contamination in the Lower Duwamish Waterway.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/cleanup-sites/lower-duwamish-waterway/site-history

Hirst decision

A state Supreme Court decision changed how counties issue building permits that use exempt wells.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/water-rights/case-law/hirst-decision

Federal Puget Sound Grant Program

We manage funds addressing toxic chemicals, nutrients, and watershed restoration in Puget Sound

https://ecology.wa.gov/ecologys-work-near-you/river-basins-groundwater/puget-sound/helping-puget-sound/policy-regulation-federal-funding

Floodplains by Design

Floodplains by Design grant program helps reduce flood risks, restore river floodplains.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/shoreline-coastal-management/hazards/floods-floodplain-planning/floodplains-by-design

Nooksack River basin rule amendment

In 2020 we amended the existing instream flow rule for the Nooksack basin.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/protecting-stream-flows/instream-flow-implementation/nooksack-basin-rule

$22 million in grants available for streamflow restoration projects

January 30, 2020 News release: Up to $22 million in grants is now available for projects that will protect rivers and streams while providing water for rural homes in Washington. Ecology is accepting applications as part of its streamflow restoration competitive grant program.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/2020-streamflow-restoration-grants

Ecology adopts three updated watershed plans

January 28, 2021 News release: Updated plans for the Chehalis, Okanogan and Little Spokane watersheds will help to protect water levels and habitat around those rivers, while also ensuring water remains available for rural development.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/jan-28-ecology-adopts-3-streamflow-restoration-pla

$40 million available for streamflow restoration projects

January 2, 2024 News release: Up to $40 million in grants is available for projects that protect and enhance streamflows while providing water for rural homes. We’re accepting applications through Feb. 29.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/jan-2-streamflow-restoration-grants

Nonpoint funding requirements

Resources for Water Quality Program-funded projects that address nonpoint sources of water pollution

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-quality/water-quality-grants-and-loans/nonpoint-funding-requirements

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

Watershed planning

We support watershed planning to improve streamflows under the Streamflow Restoration Act.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/improving-streamflows/watershed-planning

Chehalis Basin projects receive $4.7 million to create jobs, restore habitat

June 10, 2020 News release: We provided funds to a team of experts who have awarded $4.7 million in grants for 20 aquatic habitat restoration projects in the Chehalis Basin.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/chehalis-basin-aquatic-habitat-grants

Water availability

We study and regulate water resources by watershed. Find yours and see water availability.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/water-availability

$2.2 million in grants awarded to improve water management and watershed restoration in the Walla Walla River Basin

June 29, 2023 News release: We are awarding $2.2 million in grant funding for watershed restoration and water management projects in the Walla Walla River Basin.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/june-29-water-management-grants-in-walla-walla

$2.2 million in grants awarded to improve water management and watershed restoration in the Walla Walla River Basin

June 29, 2023 News release: We are awarding $2.2 million in grant funding for watershed restoration and water management projects in the Walla Walla River Basin.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/june-29-water-management-grants-in-walla-walla-d6aec9105b52f49b93b3e53ec8138fe7

Ecology invests $53.5 million to help rivers and streams

October 8, 2024 News release: Ecology is investing up to $53.5 million in streamflow restoration grants for 25 high-priority projects in watersheds across the state.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/oct-8-streamflow-restoration-grants

Water recovery solutions

As water for new uses becomes harder to find, we look for innovative solutions to meet future needs.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/water-recovery-solutions

How we help Puget Sound

We protect and restore Puget Sound through a wide variety of programs and activities.

https://ecology.wa.gov/ecologys-work-near-you/river-basins-groundwater/puget-sound/helping-puget-sound

Port Angeles Harbor Natural Resource Damage Assessment

Agency and Tribal trustees assess contamination's impact to the environment and plan restoration.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/cleanup-sites/puget-sound/port-angeles-harbor/port-angeles-harbor-nrda

Ecology invests first $20 million to help protect rivers and streams

January 28, 2019 News release: A new grant program through the Washington Department of Ecology will invest up to $20 million across the state to support local projects to protect rivers and improve streamflows.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/jan-28-investing-20-million-to-protect-streamflow

Ecology announces environmental restoration grant awards

August 7, 2023 News release: Ecology awards environmental restoration grants that will distribute $318,478 for projects around the state.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/august-7-spills-restoration-grants

Water rights

A water right is the legal authorization to use a quantity of water for beneficial uses.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/water-rights

Draft plan released to restore Chehalis River basin habitat

November 17, 2019 News release: Public invited to weigh in on proposed Chehalis basin aquatic species restoration plan

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/nov-15-draft-chehalis-basin-asrp

Groundwater permit exemption

The groundwater permit exemption allows four small uses of groundwater without a water right permit.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/water-rights/groundwater-permit-exemption

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

Ecology begins planning for future water use in Nooksack watershed

February 5, 2019 News release: Ecology begins rulemaking process for future water use in Nooksack watershed

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/planning-future-nooksack-water-use

Dirt Alert program

Information to help protect yourself from arsenic and lead in soil from industry and farming.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/dirt-alert-program

Unmanned aerial systems (drones)

Unmanned aerial systems are aircrafts or vehicles piloted by remote control or onboard computers.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/accountability-transparency/drones-uas

Port Gamble Bay and Mill Site

Major cleanup combined with restoration makes Port Gamble Bay a healthier place to work and play

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/cleanup-sites/puget-sound/port-gamble-baywide

Foster decision

This court decision reaffirms that instream flows adopted in rule must be protected from impairment.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/water-rights/case-law/foster-decision

Ecology invests $22 million to help rivers and streams

October 7, 2020 News release: Communities around the state will soon receive grant funds to support projects that protect rivers and improve streamflows. The Washington Department of Ecology is investing up to $22 million in 21 high priority projects located in 16 watersheds.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/oct-7-streamflow-restoration-grants

Icicle Creek water supply development

The Icicle Strategy addresses water supply issues in the Icicle Basin

https://ecology.wa.gov/ecologys-work-near-you/river-basins-groundwater/icicle-creek-strategy

Spill Prevention, Preparedness, and Response Program

We prevent, prepare for, and respond to oil and hazardous materials spills.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/our-programs/spills-prevention-preparedness-response

After restoration success, Ecology proposes site-specific rulemaking for Chelan River

March 24, 2021 News release: Following a decade of restoration work, we are considering site-specific water quality standards that reflect the unique nature of the river.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/march-25-chelan-river-rulemaking

Public input sought on environmental reviews for two new watershed plans in Pierce and King counties

April 29, 2021 News release: Ecology completed its environmental review of new watershed plans for the Puyallup-White and Chambers-Clover river drainage basins, and is seeking public comments through May 23.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/seeking-comment-on-environmental-reviews-for-water

Cleaning up contaminated sediment in Washington

Cleaning up contaminated sediment protects human health and Washington's valuable natural resources.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/sediment-cleanups

Ecology and Portland-based contractor settle penalty for water quality violations

December 12, 2022 News release: Ecology has reached a settlement agreement with Portland-based 1108 South Hillhurst Subdivision LLC for a $135,000 penalty issued for multiple water quality violations.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/dec-12-vista-ridge-pud-penalty-settlement

Nisqually watershed plan earns state’s first approval under new water law

February 1, 2019 News release: A locally-developed plan to protect natural resources in the Nisqually River watershed is the first to gain approval under Washington’s streamflow restoration law, adopted last year in response to the State Supreme Court’s “Hirst” decision.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/feb-1-nisqually-watershed-plan

Ecology invests nearly $35 million to help rivers and streams

October 5, 2022 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology is slated to distribute about $35 million for 26 streamflow restoration projects in 22 watersheds.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/oct-5-streamflow-grants

Wahkiakum County Shoreline Master Program: comprehensive update

The public comment period for Wahkiakum County’s SMP comprehensive update is closed.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/shoreline-coastal-management/shoreline-coastal-planning/state-approved-shoreline-master-programs/wahkiakum-county

Instream flow rule amendment adopted for Nooksack watershed

May 28, 2020 News release: Ecology has amended the instream flow rule that affects parts of Whatcom County and small areas in Skagit County. The amendment provides water for new rural homeowners and benefits streamflows in the Nooksack River watershed.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/may-28-nooksack-instream-flow-rule-amendment

First comment period opens on future water use in Nooksack watershed

April 8, 2019 News release: First comment period opens on future water use in WRIA 1 Nooksack watershed

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/first-comment-period-opens-on-future-water-use-in

Water quality penalties fund environmental restoration

April 3, 2019 News release: Ecology to provide $331,000 for 12 local environmental enhancement projects

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/april-3-water-quality-penalties-fund-restoration

Wetland program plan

See what we hope to accomplish in our strategic plan for the state's wetland program.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/wetlands/tools-resources/wetland-program-plan

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

Initial site survey work on Port Angeles dock, shoreline to begin late August

August 12, 2019 News release: Field survey work is taking place at the dock and shoreline area leased by Rayonier Advanced Materials in Port Angeles.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/port-angeles-work

WCC member positions

We support WCC positions for young adults and military veterans.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/jobs-at-ecology/washington-conservation-corps/join-wcc