Search Results - Washington State Department of Ecology

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

Policies and guidance for site cleanups

Policies and guidance interpret the MTCA cleanup law and help you clean up contaminated sites.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/plans-policies/toxics-cleanup-policies

Changes to existing water rights

If you want to change to an existing water right, we recommend a pre-application consultation.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/permits-certifications/water-right-permits/changes-to-existing-water-rights

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

Local solid and hazardous waste planning

Solid and hazardous waste management plans that local governments are required to submit to us.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/plans-policies/washington-state-waste-plan/local-waste-planning

Financial responsibility for oil spills

Tank vessels are required to have financial responsibility to pay for costs & damages from spills.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/financial-responsibility-for-oil-spills

Winery general permit

The winery general permit helps prevent possible pollution problems from winery wastewater.

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

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 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

Acronyms & glossary for the Toxics Cleanup Program

We have a list of acronyms and terms commonly used in contaminated site cleanup work.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/toxic-cleanup-acronyms

Sand & Gravel General Permit

This permit covers sand and gravel operations, rock quarries, and concrete and asphalt batch plants.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/permits-certifications/sand-gravel-general-permit

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

Leaking underground storage tanks

Cleanup resources for underground storage tanks that have leaked petroleum products into the ground.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/leaking-underground-storage-tanks

Boatyard General Permit

This permit protects marine waters from toxics that can get into stormwater runoff from boatyards.

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

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

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

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

Office of Columbia River legislative reports

Our Office of Columbia River reports to the Legislature on water supply development work.

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

Office of Columbia River

Our office oversees a program pursuing balanced water solutions across the Columbia River Basin.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/our-programs/office-of-columbia-river

Columbia & Snake River temperature TMDL

Working to reduce temperature in the Columbia and Lower Snake Rivers to protect salmon.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-quality/water-improvement/total-maximum-daily-load-process/directory-of-improvement-projects/columbia-snake-river-tmdl

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

Columbia River Policy Advisory Group

The Columbia River Policy Advisory Group advises the Office of Columbia River on policy issues.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/accountability-transparency/partnerships-committees/columbia-river-policy-advisory-group

Columbia River water supply projects

We are implementing projects to help meet water needs in the Columbia River Basin.

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

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

Odessa groundwater replacement

We're delivering surface water to irrigators who now pump from the declining Odessa Subarea aquifer.

https://ecology.wa.gov/ecologys-work-near-you/river-basins-groundwater/columbia-river-basin-projects/odessa-groundwater-replacement

Ecology names new director for Office of Columbia River

January 8, 2025 News release: Larry Mattson to oversee regional work protecting water supplies in the Columbia Basin

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/jan-8-ecology-names-new-ocr-director

Rising temperatures will shift timing of water availability, amplifying vulnerabilities in Columbia River Basin over next 20 years

August 1, 2022 News release: Anticipated future shifts in water supply and water demands will combine to create potential vulnerabilities related to water availability across many areas of eastern Washington.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/aug-1-2022-columbia-river-basin-outlook

In support of salmon recovery, Ecology seeks feedback on proposed rule changes

July 31, 2019 News release: Proposed changes would allow more spill over dams on the Snake and Columbia rivers, allowing more juvenile salmon to migrate.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/july-31-feedback-on-proposed-rule-to-support-salmo

EPA adds Bradford Island cleanup to “Superfund” list

March 17, 2022 News release: EPA adds Bradford Island to Superfund list.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/march-17-bradford-island

Coleman Oil settles fine for oil spill to Columbia River in Wenatchee

June 28, 2019 News release: Coleman Oil settles fine for oil spill to Columbia River in Wenatchee

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/coleman-oil-settles-fine-for-oil-spill-to-columbia

Forecast looks at Columbia Basin water availability

June 2, 2021 News release: Every five years, Ecology’s Office of Columbia River looks forward 20 years to examine water supply & demands for communities, farms and fish.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/june-2-2021-supply-demand-forecast

Franklin County farm fined for illegal water use

October 20, 2021 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology has issued a $304,000 penalty to Frank Tiegs LLC for illegally irrigating 250 acres of crops in Franklin County in 2021.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/water-right-penalty

Ecology launches environmental review of proposed pumped storage energy project near Goldendale

January 13, 2021 News release: Environmental review of Goldendale Energy Project near John Day Dam

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/goldendale-energy-project

Vancouver fined $60,000 for spilling sewage into Columbia River

January 4, 2019 News release: We have fined the city of Vancouver $60,000 for spilling nearly 600,000 gallons of raw or partially treated sewage into the Columbia River in 2017

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/jan-4-vancouver

New efforts underway to improve groundwater management in Pasco Basin

July 13, 2022 News release: After a half-century under “interim” rules, we’re beginning the process to design a permanent groundwater management framework for the Pasco Basin.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/july-13-pasco-basin-groundwater-rulemaking

Osoyoos water levels to rise earlier than normal

March 21, 2019 News release: Osoyoos Lake levels will rise earlier than normal this year at Zosel Dam near Oroville, Wash.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/march-21-zosel-2019

Eastern Washington water projects

Our water supply and enhancement projects are providing water security in Eastern Washington.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/water-supply-projects-ew

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

Hanford Site agencies to hold cleanup dialogue meeting in Kennewick on Dec. 5

November 20, 2023 News release: The public is invited to ask questions and learn about Hanford Site cleanup during an in-person Hanford Dialogue meeting in Kennewick on Tuesday, Dec. 5.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/nov-20-hanford-dialogue-2023

Franklin County farm settles water rights penalty

April 21, 2022 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology and Frank Tiegs LLC have reached a $125,000 settlement over a penalty resulting from the illegal irrigation of 250 acres of farmland in Franklin County in 2021.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/april-21-franklin-county-farm-settles-water-rights

Lake Osoyoos water levels on the rise

May 14, 2020 News release: Water levels in Osoyoos Lake are rising as melting snow brings annual spring runoff. The lake serves as a source of water for irrigation and summer recreation in both British Columbia and Okanogan County.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/spring-runoff-at-lake-osoyoos

Environmental penalties for first quarter 2020

May 12, 2020 News release: We issued $1,035,200 in penalties of $1,000 or more from January through March 2020.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/may-12-1st-quarter-penalties

Ecology begins environmental review of proposal to rebuild Eightmile Lake Dam

December 17, 2020 News release: We are asking the public what we should examine as we study environmental impacts resulting from the construction and rebuild of the Eightmile Dam.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/dec-18-eightmile-dam-scoping

Stage 1 burn ban called for Asotin, Columbia, Garfield and Walla Walla counties

November 8, 2019 News release: Stage 1 burn ban called for Asotin, Columbia, Garfield and Walla Walla counties

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/nov-8-stage-1-burn-ban-called-for-asotin-columbia

Ecology completes environmental review for proposed Goldendale Energy Storage Project

December 21, 2022 News release: Ecology's analysis examines the project's potential adverse environmental impacts. Permitting agencies will use the environmental review in project-related decision making over the next two years.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/ecology-completes-environmental-review-for-propose

$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

Burn ban expires 10 a.m. Tuesday in Asotin, Columbia, Garfield and Walla Walla counties

November 12, 2019 News release: A Stage 1 burn ban in Asotin, Columbia, Garfield and Walla Walla counties will expire at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/nov-12-burn-ban-ends

Streamflow, fish, and habitat projects

Our Office of Columbia River is working to improve conditions for endangered fish species.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/water-supply-projects-ew/streamflow-fish-passage-habitat-projects

Environmental penalties issued for the 4th quarter of 2021

February 28, 2022 News release: Environmental penalties issued for the 4th quarter of 2021

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/march-1-4th-quarter-penalty-summary