Search Results - Washington State Department of Ecology

We collect topographic data about Puget Sound beaches and bluffs.

https://ecology.wa.gov/research-data/monitoring-assessment/coastal-monitoring-assessment/projects/mapping-puget-sound-bluffs-and-beaches

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

Eastern Washington Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit

This permit regulates stormwater discharges in urbanized areas of Eastern Washington.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/permits-certifications/stormwater-general-permits/municipal-stormwater-general-permits/eastern-washington-phase-ii-municipal-stormwat-1

Data collection methods

We collect beach topography and nearshore bathymetry data using GNSS, boat-based lidar, sonar, and UAS.

https://ecology.wa.gov/research-data/monitoring-assessment/coastal-monitoring-assessment/data-collection-methods

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

SEPA Review and Commenting Guidance

SEPA guidance for document reviewers.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/sepa/environmental-review/sepa-guidance/review-commenting

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

CLARC glossary

A glossary for terms and acronyms in CLARC's resource pages.

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

Certified Erosion & Sediment Control Lead

Find a Certified Erosion & Sediment Control Lead or learn how to become one.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/permits-certifications/certified-erosion-sediment-control

Safer product certification subsidy program

Manufacturers can apply to receive reimbursement for the costs of certifying their products as safer.

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

Spill enforcement

Spills into water harm the environment, violate state law, and may result in a penalty.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/compliance-enforcement/spill-enforcement

Municipal stormwater permit compliance assurance program

We use a proactive approach to ensuring the permits are implemented and effective.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/compliance-enforcement/municipal-stormwater-compliance-assurance-program

Oil spill contingency planning standards

We verify standards for industry contingency plans using a GIS-based model.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/plans-policies/contingency-planning-for-oil-industry/spills-planning-standards

Water quality permit database — PARIS

Our PARIS database lets you access water quality permits, discharge-monitoring reports, and more.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/water-quality-permits-database

Monitoring for lead in lakes & streams

We monitor temporal changes in the lead levels of rivers and streams in the state.

https://ecology.wa.gov/research-data/monitoring-assessment/toxics-monitoring/lead-monitoring

Habitat monitoring

We collect data on the health of environmental systems that support plant and animal life.

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

Sumas-Blaine surficial aquifer long-term ambient groundwater monitoring

We sample 25 wells in the Sumas-Blaine aquifer annually for nitrate, chloride, and bromide.

https://ecology.wa.gov/research-data/monitoring-assessment/groundwater-quality-assessment/active-studies-index/sumas-blaine

Models & spreadsheets

Computer models predict changes and spreadsheets calculate. We offer these tools to the public.

https://ecology.wa.gov/research-data/data-resources/models-spreadsheets

Eyes Over Puget Sound

We provide documentation of Puget Sound waterways using community submissions and aerial photography.

https://ecology.wa.gov/research-data/monitoring-assessment/puget-sound-and-marine-monitoring/eyes-over-puget-sound

Geographic Response Plans (GRPs)

GRPs, a Northwest Area Contingency Plan tool, guide early, localized actions when oil spills happen.

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

Lower Columbia urban streams

This monitoring is funded by the municipal stormwater permittees in Clark and Cowlitz counties.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/reporting-requirements/stormwater-monitoring/stormwater-action-monitoring/sam-status-and-trends/lower-columbia-urban-streams

Aquatic pesticide permits

Find information about the various aquatic pesticide permits used in our state.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/permits-certifications/aquatic-pesticide-permits

Learning from incidents and spills

We learn from incidents and spills through investigations and share what we learn with others.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/learning-from-incidents-and-spills

SEPA checklist guidance, Section B: Aesthetics

Guidance for completing Aesthetics section for Part B of the 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-10-aesthetics

Long-term marine water & sediment data

We gather high quality data to help accurately reflect changes in marine environments over time.

https://ecology.wa.gov/research-data/monitoring-assessment/puget-sound-and-marine-monitoring/water-column-data

Marine algae & plankton

Marine algae blooms are overgrowths of plankton. They can look like a spill in the water.

https://ecology.wa.gov/research-data/monitoring-assessment/puget-sound-and-marine-monitoring/marine-algae-plankton

SEPA Guidance for Nonproject proposals

Completing SEPA review for "nonproject" proposals.

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

SEPA checklist guidance, Section B: Air

SEPA Guidance for Environmental Checklist

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/sepa/environmental-review/sepa-guidance/sepa-checklist-guidance/sepa-checklist-section-b-environmental-elements/environmental-elements-air

SEPA checklist guidance, Section B: Groundwater

Guidance to complete Groundwater section for Part B of 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-3-water/environmental-elements-groundwater

SEPA checklist guidance, Section B: Transportation

Guidance for Transportation section for Part B of 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-14-transportation

Curtailing water use

As we do most years, we are curtailing water use around the state because of declining stream flows.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/compliance-enforcement/water-use-compliance/curtailing-water-use

Heat pump & air conditioning return flow UIC wells

Groundwater circulated through a heat pump/air conditioning (HAC) system has to meet requirements.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/underground-injection-control-program/heat-pump-air-conditioning-return-flow-wells

Wildlife response service providers

Wildlife response service providers (WRSP) manage wildlife response activities during an oil spill.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/plans-policies/contingency-planning-for-oil-industry/wildlife-response-service-providers

SEPA checklist guidance, Section D: Nonproject actions

SEPA Guidance for Environmental Checklist Part D

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/sepa/environmental-review/sepa-guidance/sepa-checklist-guidance/sepa-checklist-section-d-non-project-actions

Oil spill drills

We require oil spill drills to test and improve industry contingency plans.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/plans-policies/contingency-planning-for-oil-industry/oil-spill-drills

SEPA Frequently Asked Questions

SEPA questions and answers.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/sepa/environmental-review/sepa-guidance/sepa-faq

SEPA guidance

Overview, purpose, and details of SEPA review process.

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

E-Cycle WA 2026 preliminary administrative fee tier schedule

The administrative fee covers the costs associated with implementing the E-Cycle.

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

Modeling the environment

Computer models mathematically represent part of the environment to predict potential changes.

https://ecology.wa.gov/research-data/data-resources/models-spreadsheets/modeling-the-environment

Watershed health — Lower Columbia update

River and stream habitats in the Lower Columbia Region show some slight downward trends.

https://ecology.wa.gov/research-data/monitoring-assessment/river-stream-monitoring/habitat-monitoring/watershed-health/regional-reports/lower-columbia

Watershed health — Snake River update

River and stream habitat in the Snake River Region shows variable conditions.

https://ecology.wa.gov/research-data/monitoring-assessment/river-stream-monitoring/habitat-monitoring/watershed-health/regional-reports/snake-river

Aquatic & Invasive Species Control

We have issued a combined state agency general permit.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/permits-certifications/aquatic-pesticide-permits/aquatic-invasive-species-control

Stormwater Action Monitoring - Administering pooled resources

Credible and transparent administration of Stormwater Action Monitoring program.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/reporting-requirements/stormwater-monitoring/stormwater-action-monitoring/administration

PCBs in building materials

Learn about possible sources of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in building materials.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/common-dangerous-waste/construction-and-demolition/pcbs-in-buildings

TransAlta Power Plant

The TransAlta agreement lowers harmful air pollutants from Washington's only coal-fired power plant.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/compliance-enforcement/transalta

State Solid and Hazardous Waste Plan

Washington state’s management plan for solid waste and toxic materials.

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

Certification for incinerator & landfill operators

How to get certified to operate and inspect solid waste incinerator and landfill facilities.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/permits-certifications/certification-for-incinerator-landfill-operator

Fresh Fruit Packing General Permit

Find out about the Fresh Fruit Packing General Permit and get helpful resources.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/permits-certifications/fresh-fruit-packing-general-permit

Terrestrial Ecological Evaluations

Terrestrial Ecological Evaluations (TEEs) identify and protect native plants and animals at sites.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/terrestrial-ecological-evaluation

Determining whether SEPA is required

Guidance on whether a proposal needs environmental review under SEPA.

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