Search Results - Washington State Department of Ecology

We are working with Bellingham and Whatcom County to improve Lake Whatcom's water quality.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-quality/water-improvement/total-maximum-daily-load-process/directory-of-improvement-projects/lake-whatcom-watershed-multi-parameter-tmdl

Single-use serviceware

Businesses can no longer automatically include single-use items in orders.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-recycling-waste/plastics/2021-plastic-pollution-laws/food-serviceware

Bothell area cleanup

Ecology is managing and investing in 24 cleanup sites in the Bothell downtown and surrounding area.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/cleanup-sites/bothell

Assessing contaminated sites

Assessing and rating contaminated sites can help us focus our resources.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/cleanup-process/assessing-contaminated-sites

Fatigue — it'll bite you

Fatigue is a primary cause of commercial fishing vessel casualties, many involving oil spills.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/spills/oil-spill-prevention/preventing-spills/fatigue-bites

Cleanup in Port Angeles Harbor

We are working on shoreline and sediment cleanup projects in the Port Angeles Harbor area.

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

External content on our internet website

Review our policy regarding the external content that is posted to Ecology's public website.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/accountability-transparency/website-information/external-content-policy

Office of Chehalis Basin

A joint effort to reduce flood damage and restore aquatic habitat in Chehalis River basin.

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

Stormwater Work Group

The Stormwater Work Group gathers information to improve stormwater management actions.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/accountability-transparency/partnerships-committees/stormwater-work-group

Spills Program rules and laws

We have ten rules and several state laws that direct our spills work.

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

On-site sewage system projects

Financial assistance for repairing and replacing on-site sewage systems, such as septic systems.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-quality/water-quality-grants-and-loans/on-site-sewage-projects

Historical incidents & failures

Despite our best efforts to promote dam safety some dams fail.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/dams/info-for-the-public/incidents-failures

2023 session legislation

The 2023 session passed bills on compostable product usage, plastic pollution, product stewardship for batteries, and more.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-recycling-waste/strategic-policy-and-planning/enacting-legislation/2023-legislation

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

City of Newport and the towns of Cusick, Ione, Metaline and Metaline Falls – Shoreline Master Program: Comprehensive Update and Periodic Review

The public comment period is closed for the city of Newport and the towns of Cusick, Ione, Metaline Falls SMP comprehensive update and periodic review.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/shoreline-coastal-management/shoreline-coastal-planning/state-approved-shoreline-master-programs/cities-of-newport-cusick-ione-metaline-and-metaline-falls

Island County shoreline master program: periodic review

We are seeking public comment on Island County’s proposed amendment to its Shoreline Master Program (SMP).

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

Green chemistry in higher education

Find green chemistry resources for faculty and students in higher education.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-toxic-chemicals/green-chemistry/green-chemistry-in-higher-education

Wetland Regulations

Wetlands are regulated by agencies at the state, local, and federal level, as well as tribes.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/wetlands/regulations

Wetland education & training resources

We offer education about wetlands in Washington through guides, videos, webinars, and classes.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/wetlands/education-training

Clean Fuel Standard

Learn how we are working to reduce carbon pollution from transportation.

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

Southwest Region

https://ecology.wa.gov/ecologys-work-near-you/regional-work/southwest-region

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

Puget Sound riparian systems grant application resources

Resources, guidance, and technical materials for the Puget Sound riparian grant program.

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

Commercial vessels

A no discharge zone is now in effect for all commercial vessels.

https://ecology.wa.gov/ecologys-work-near-you/river-basins-groundwater/puget-sound/no-discharge-zone/commercial-vessels

Drought Response

Drought declared for the Upper Yakima, Lower Yakima, and Naches watersheds April 8, 2025.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/water-availability/statewide-conditions/drought-response

National air quality standards

Learn about air pollutants we monitor that are unhealthy for people and the environment.

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

Community flood assistance & resilience

This program funds projects in the Chehalis River basin to prevent future flood or erosion damage.

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

No-cost allowance allocation

No-cost allowances are a powerful tool in balancing the CCA's Cap-and-Invest Program.

https://ecology.wa.gov/air-climate/climate-commitment-act/cap-and-invest/no-cost-allowances

Water Quality Assessment & 303(d) List

We assess water data to understand how clean the rivers, lakes, and marine waters are in the state.

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

Wood stoves & other home heating

Rules for heating with wood stoves and other wood burning devices.

https://ecology.wa.gov/air-climate/air-quality/smoke-fire/wood-stove-info

Driver information

Learn how Washington's vehicle emissions standards affect drivers.

https://ecology.wa.gov/air-climate/reducing-greenhouse-gas-emissions/vehicle-emissions-standards/drivers

Nonpoint pollution

We identify and reduce sources of polluted runoff as part of our Clean Water Act responsibilities.

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

Hanford leaking tanks

Our agency and Energy have reached an agreement on responding to leaking tanks at the Hanford Site.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/nuclear-waste/hanford-cleanup/leaking-tanks

Aquifer storage, recovery, & recharge

Artificially recharging groundwater can increase groundwater supplies and benefit surface water.

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

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

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

Continuing education for well drillers

Continuing education is required for a Washington state well operator's license.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/wells/information-for-drillers/continuing-education

Puyallup River basin TMDLs

We work with partners in the Puyallup River Basin to improve water quality for people and fish.

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

Recycling Development Center

The new Recycling Development Center is tasked with bolstering Washington's recycling markets.

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

Tank waste monitoring and closure

We oversee the safe management, retrieval and closure of the waste in Hanford's underground tanks.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/nuclear-waste/hanford-cleanup/tank-waste-management/tank-monitoring-closure

Affordable housing-related cleanup

We’re making it easier for once-contaminated properties to be redeveloped into affordable housing.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/brownfields/affordable-housing

Everett Smelter cleanup

Ecology is cleaning up lead and arsenic contamination in NE Everett. Enroll in soil sampling today.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/cleanup-sites/everett-smelter

Spill incidents

A list of current and past spill incidents.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/spills/spill-preparedness-response/responding-to-spill-incidents/spill-incidents

Environmental justice at Ecology

Prioritizing environmental justice in our work and our decisions.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/environmental-justice/prioritizing-ej

2021-2023 Shoreline Master Program funded competitive projects

2021-2023 Shoreline Master program competitive grant pilot program funded projects.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/payments-contracts-grants/grants-loans/find-a-grant-or-loan/shoreline-planning-competitive-grants/funded-projects

Bridge Point Development: Frequently Asked Questions

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https://ecology.wa.gov/ecologys-work-near-you/regional-work/southwest-region/bridge-point-development-tacoma-settlement/frequently-asked-questions

Economic analyses at Ecology

Learn how we conduct economic research & analysis for new/updated rules, permits, & other projects.

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

Region office contacts

Contact information for our region offices.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/contact-us/region-contacts

Reclaimed water

Reclaimed water is treated wastewater, safely used for irrigation, toilet flushing, or landscaping.

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

Chehalis Basin Long-Term Strategy

We are working to improve the health and resilience of the Chehalis Basin.

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