Search Results - Washington State Department of Ecology

$11.3 million available for water banking grants

August 2, 2023 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology is now accepting applications for $11.3 million in water banking grants to help rural communities preserve water supplies for local use.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/august-2-water-banking-grants

Procurement document public inspection

Our current procurement documents are available for inspection through public records requests.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/payments-contracts-grants/contracts-bidding-opportunities/procurement-document-public-inspection

Floods & floodplain planning

We lead Washington floodplain management by offering planning and project resources to communities.

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

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

Sullivan Lake water rights

Our Sullivan Lake program makes new water rights available in northeastern counties.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/water-supply-projects-ew/columbia-river-basin-projects/lake-sullivan-water-rights

Ecology awards $63 million to reduce flooding, protect communities and farms, restore habitat

August 31, 2023 News release: Ecology awards $63 million to 12 entities across the state to transform how floodplains in the state's major river basins are managed.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/ecology-awards-63-million-to-reduce-flooding-protect-communities

Making improvements in the Spokane Watershed

Working with our partners to keep the Spokane River basin clean.

https://ecology.wa.gov/ecologys-work-near-you/environmental-projects/improving-spokane-watershed

Statewide drought declared due to low snowpack and dry forecast

April 16, 2024 News release: The Department of Ecology has declared a drought emergency for most of Washington.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/april-16-drought-declaration

Proposed plan would guide Washington’s efforts to better prepare for and deal with climate impacts

June 11, 2024 News release: Working with other state agencies to update Washington’s Climate Resilience Strategy, Ecology has released a draft of that strategy and is seeking public comment on the plan.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/draft-climate-resilience-strategy

Email notification lists

Sign up for email updates about environmental issues and activities affecting Washington.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/email-lists

Spokane River multi-parameter TMDL

We work with partners to increase oxygen and reduce metals and PCBs in the Spokane River.

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

Toxics source assessments

Scientists use the latest technology to detect sources of toxic chemicals in the environment.

https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/reducing-toxic-chemicals/toxics-studies/source-assessments

Environmental penalties issued for the first quarter of 2022

May 11, 2022 News release: Summary of penalties issued from January through March 2022.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/first-quarter-penalties-2022

Metering your water use

Certain water users are required to meter and report their water use.

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

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

Ocean Acidification Blue Ribbon Panel

Washington is monitoring and responding to the acidification of marine waters.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/accountability-transparency/partnerships-committees/ocean-acidification-blue-ribbon-panel

Solid Waste Handling Standards Rulemaking – Advisory Committee

Agendas and meeting notes from a series of advisory committees on the WAC 173-350 rulemaking.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/accountability-transparency/partnerships-committees/solid-waste-handling-rulemaking-advisory-committee

Voluntary Clean Water Guidance for Agriculture

We're working with an advisory group to develop clean water guidance for agriculture.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/accountability-transparency/partnerships-committees/voluntary-clean-water-guidance-for-agriculture-adv

Environmental penalties issued for first half of 2023

September 28, 2023 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology issued $562,540 in penalties of $1,000 or more from Jan. 1, 2023 – June 30, 2023.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/sept-28-environmental-penalties-for-first-half-of-2023

Ecology v Acquavella

The Superior Court has issued a final decree on the historic adjudication in the Yakima River Basin.

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

Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

Learn about Padilla Bay's research and education programs, and visiting our interpretive center.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/shoreline-coastal-management/padilla-bay-reserve

Education and training

Professional, science-based shoreline education and training that helps protect the environment.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/shoreline-coastal-management/education-training

Budd Inlet Dissolved Oxygen TMDL

We are working with partners to address water quality impairments in Budd Inlet.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-quality/water-improvement/total-maximum-daily-load-process/directory-of-improvement-projects/deschutes-river-watershed-area-budd-inlet

Walla Walla Water 2050 Strategic Plan

We're seeking comments on the Walla Walla Water 2050 Strategic Plan

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/water-supply-projects-ew/walla-walla-2050/strategic-plan

Our partners in oil spill prevention, preparedness, and response

We partner with government agencies and nonprofits in oil spill prevention, education, and response.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/accountability-transparency/partnerships-committees/spills-partners

Information for water conservancy board members

We provide training, operations, and process information for water conservancy board members.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/accountability-transparency/partnerships-committees/water-conservancy-boards

Water Quality

We protect water for recreation, drinking, public health, industry, and for fish and wildlife.

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

Shoreline management

We work to protect, restore, and responsibly develop state shorelines.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/shoreline-coastal-management/shoreline-coastal-planning

Water right adjudications

Adjudication is the legal process to resolve conflict and competition on a water source.

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

Water Quality improvement projects

See where we are working with partners across the state to improve water quality.

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

Water banks

Water banks facilitate the voluntary exchange of water rights.

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

Chamokane Creek

The tri-party agreement addresses impacts of permit-exempt wells on flows in Chamokane Creek.

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

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

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

Green-Duwamish watershed pollutant loading assessment

We work with stakeholders to assess water pollution in the Green-Duwamish watershed.

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

Chamokane Creek settlement agreement - Frequently asked questions

FAQs about the settlement agreement on impacts of permit-exempt wells on flows in Chamokane Creek.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/water-availability/chamokane-creek/frequently-asked-questions

Hanford cleanup

Our Nuclear Waste Program oversees mixed dangerous and radioactive waste cleanup at Hanford.

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

Eastern Region

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

Voluntary Stewardship Program

Find electronic data and other information supporting counties planning under Washington's VSP.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/accountability-transparency/partnerships-committees/voluntary-stewardship-program

Little Spokane River

We're working in partnership to improve water quality in the Little Spokane River.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-quality/water-improvement/total-maximum-daily-load-process/directory-of-improvement-projects/little-spokane-river-do-and-ph-tmdl

Padilla Bay tributaries bacteria TMDL

We are working in Padilla Bay to improve water quality for people and aquatic life.

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

Washington Coastal Zone Management

Preserving and protecting coastal resources, balancing uses, and supporting thriving coastal communities.

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

Wetland mitigation banking

Wetland mitigation banks are one option available to compensate for unavoidable wetland impacts.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/wetlands/mitigation/wetland-mitigation-banking

Trust Water Rights Program

Water rights placed into trust are protected from relinquishment and maintain their priority date.

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

Ocean management

We work with partners across Washington to protect, understand, and manage ocean resources.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/shoreline-coastal-management/ocean-management

Deschutes River, Percival Creek, & Budd Inlet tributaries

We are working with partners to restore water quality in tributaries to the Deschutes River.

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

Lake Whatcom multi-parameter TMDL

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

Palouse River

We are working with many partners to improve water quality in the Palouse River.

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

Sammamish River temperature & dissolved oxygen TMDL

We are studying the Sammamish River watershed to determine how to improve its water quality.

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

South Skagit Bay assessment

We are working with partners in the Samish and Padilla Bay watersheds to improve water quality.

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