Search Results - Washington State Department of Ecology

Foam docks and blocks law

New environmental protections will reduce plastic pollution in Washington’s waters.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-recycling-waste/plastics/docks-and-blocks

Nitrate in groundwater data & assessment

Nitrogen contamination of groundwater is a problem in several areas. See where and why.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-quality/groundwater/nitrate-data-assessment

Water conservancy boards

Water conservancy boards, where available, may allow you to change or transfer a water right faster.

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

Air Quality

We are the state's lead agency for managing air quality.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/our-programs/air-quality

Statewide wetland mapping inventory project

View the results of our 2022-2024 statewide wetland mapping inventory project.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/wetlands/tools-resources/mapping-resources/map-inventory-project

Lake Roosevelt water rights

Our Lake Roosevelt program makes new water rights available for Columbia River cities and industry.

https://ecology.wa.gov/ecologys-work-near-you/river-basins-groundwater/columbia-river-basin-projects/lake-roosevelt-water-rights

Saltwater

We work to protect Washington's marine resources.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-quality/saltwater

Responding to water supply needs

Learn how climate change might affect our water supplies.

https://ecology.wa.gov/air-climate/responding-to-climate-change/water-supply-impacts

Puget Sound riparian grants

Our riparian grant program is designed to increase restoration in and along Puget Sound rivers.

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

Contaminated sites with PFAS in drinking water

Some sites on our Contaminated Sites List have groundwater contaminated with PFAS. See these cleanup sites, check your water, and find health resources.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/cleanup-sites/sites-with-pfas-in-drinking-water

Washington Coastal Zone Management Program & policies

The Coastal Zone Management Act gives states the primary role in managing their coastal zone.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/shoreline-coastal-management/coastal-zone-management/programs-policies

Coastal Zone Management Program evaluation

NOAA conducts periodic performance evaluations of Washington's Coastal Zone Management Program.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/shoreline-coastal-management/coastal-zone-management/program-evaluation

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

Port of Seattle Wetland Mitigation and Habitat Conservation Umbrella Bank

Find out more about the proposed Port of Seattle Umbrella bank in King County.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/wetlands/mitigation/wetland-mitigation-banking/mitigation-bank-projects/port-of-seattle

Agricultural Burning & Research Task Force

The Agricultural Burning and Research Task Force develops best practices to reduce air pollution.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/accountability-transparency/partnerships-committees/boards-councils/agricultural-burning-research-task-force

Washington Coastal Marine Advisory Council

We participate in a council that advises ocean management along the Pacific coast.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/accountability-transparency/partnerships-committees/boards-councils/washington-coastal-marine-advisory-council

Westport SMP: Periodic Review Amendment

We conditionally approved the City of Westport's periodic review amendment.

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

WCC alumni resources

As a WCC alumnus, you are eligible for the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award as well as other networking and career resources offered through WCC and AmeriCorps.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/jobs-at-ecology/washington-conservation-corps/alumni-resources

Chehalis Basin Strategy

Joint effort underway to reduce flood damage and restore aquatic habitat in Chehalis River basin.

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

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

Water quality improvement

We protect Washington waters from pollution so they meet state water quality standards.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-quality/water-improvement

Skagit River basin mitigation program

There is a limited quantity of water available for landowners within the mitigation zone.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/protecting-stream-flows/instream-flow-implementation/skagit-river-basin/water-supply/mitigation-program

Fuel Exemptions Workgroup

The workgroup discusses fuel exemptions for marine, agricultural, and aviation customers set in law.

https://ecology.wa.gov/air-climate/climate-commitment-act/cap-and-invest/emissions-reporting/workgroup

Agricultural pollution

We provide guidance and work in partnership to manage runoff pollution from agricultural lands.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-quality/nonpoint-pollution/agricultural-runoff

Safety of Oil Transportation Act (ESHB1578)

Reducing Threats to Killer Whales by Improving the Safety of Oil Transportation Act, ESHB 1578

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/spills/oil-spill-prevention/safety-of-oil-transportation-act

Thurston County Shoreline Master Program: Comprehensive Update & Periodic Review

The public comment period for Thurston County's proposed update to its SMP is closed.

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

Compostable labeling outreach materials

Here you can find graphics and handouts to support outreach for Washington's compostable product labeling requirements.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-recycling-waste/plastics/compost-labeling/outreach-materials

Paint stewardship: PaintCare

Washington has a new product stewardship program for paint.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-recycling-waste/our-recycling-programs/paint-stewardship

Climate Commitment Act: Ways to engage

Learn about upcoming Climate Commitment Act (CCA) public and Tribal engagement opportunities.

https://ecology.wa.gov/air-climate/climate-commitment-act/cca-engage

Public records requests and disclosure

We're required to promptly make identifiable records available to the public.

https://ecology.wa.gov/footer-pages/public-records-requests

PFAS contamination at Joint Base Lewis McChord and surrounding communities

Ecology monitors multiple cleanup sites at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. This page focuses on PFAS contamination in the groundwater.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/cleanup-sites/sites-with-pfas-in-drinking-water/joint-base-lewis-mcchord

French and Pilchuck watersheds

We are working in the French and Pilchuck watersheds to improve water quality for aquatic life.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-quality/water-improvement/total-maximum-daily-load-process/directory-of-improvement-projects/french-creek-pilchuck-watersheds

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

FAQs and responses about the WRIA 1 (Nooksack) adjudication.

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

Economic impacts of Washington’s climate policies

How we analyzed potential economic impacts from Washington's climate policies.

https://ecology.wa.gov/air-climate/reducing-greenhouse-gas-emissions/clean-fuel-standard/economic-impacts

Wetland delineation resources

Use only approved methods and guidance to delineate wetlands on your property.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/wetlands/tools-resources/delineation-resources

Cap-and-Invest Program compliance

Find information on Cap-and-Invest Program compliance deadlines and obligations.

https://ecology.wa.gov/air-climate/climate-commitment-act/cap-and-invest/auctions-and-market/compliance

Clean Fuel Standard requirements for participation

Learn what fuel producers and suppliers are required to do under the Clean Fuel Standard.

https://ecology.wa.gov/air-climate/reducing-greenhouse-gas-emissions/clean-fuel-standard/requirements

Air emissions inventory

An air emissions inventory is a thorough, detailed estimate of air pollution.

https://ecology.wa.gov/air-climate/air-quality/air-quality-targets/air-emissions-inventory

Benefits of the Clean Fuel Standard

The Clean Fuel Standard benefits Washington residents and the environment.

https://ecology.wa.gov/air-climate/reducing-greenhouse-gas-emissions/clean-fuel-standard/benefits

Oil refinery greenhouse gas standards

Requirements for oil refineries to focus on efficiency and cutting carbon pollution.

https://ecology.wa.gov/air-climate/air-quality/business-industry-requirements/oil-refinery-requirements

Freshwater Algae Control Program

Get help identifying and managing toxic algae in Washington lakes.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-quality/freshwater/freshwater-algae-control

Water quality assessment Policy 1-11

Water quality policy 1-11 guides how we make decisions to list waters as polluted.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-quality/water-improvement/assessment-of-state-waters-303d/assessment-policy-1-11

Enacting waste and recycling legislation

Solid Waste Management is working to establish plans and programs created by the state legislature.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-recycling-waste/strategic-policy-and-planning/enacting-legislation

ERTV analysis

We're analyzing whether an ERTV would reduce oil spill risk.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/spills/oil-spill-prevention/safety-of-oil-transportation-act/risk-modeling/ertv-analysis

Tug escort analysis

We're using a quantitative model to analyze tug escorts requirements.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/spills/oil-spill-prevention/safety-of-oil-transportation-act/risk-modeling/tug-escort-analysis

Columbia River Basin Long-term Water Supply and Demand Forecast

Forecasting water supply and demand in Eastern Washington into the 2040s

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/our-programs/office-of-columbia-river/office-of-columbia-river-legislative-reports/water-supply-demand-forecast

Hydrofluorocarbons use restrictions

Learn about the rule requirements for the manufacturing and sale of products containing restricted refrigerants in Washington state.

https://ecology.wa.gov/air-climate/reducing-greenhouse-gas-emissions/hydrofluorocarbons/use-restrictions

Model ordinances for organics management

The legislature directed us to adopt a model ordinance that local governments could use to support managing their organic materials.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-recycling-waste/organics-and-food-waste/2022-organics-management-law/organics-management-for-local-governments/organics-model-ordinances

Clean, green boating

Boat owners play an important role in protecting water quality.

https://ecology.wa.gov/ecologys-work-near-you/earth-day/washington-waters-ours-to-protect-16d2378f76d0cd1251378b5dfa15b3be/clean-green-boating

Protecting orcas from extinction

Our work benefits Southern Resident orcas, an endangered species in state waters part of the year.

https://ecology.wa.gov/ecologys-work-near-you/river-basins-groundwater/puget-sound/protecting-orcas/orca-task-force