Search Results - Washington State Department of Ecology

Report outlines plan to reduce bacteria levels in Yakima-area creeks

October 13, 2020 News release: Strategies to address fecal bacteria in Cowiche Creek, Wide Hollow Creek and the Moxee Drain watersheds are outlined in a draft technical report that’s now available for review and comment.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/oct-13-mid-yakima-bacteria-tmdl

Funding now available to public agencies for drought relief

June 4, 2019 News release: Public agencies experiencing hardships related to drought conditions may now be eligible for funds to ease drought-related effects.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/june-4-funding-for-drought-relief

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

Ecology names new Office of Chehalis Basin director

October 28, 2023 News release: Ecology Director Laura Watson has tapped Jeff Zenk to lead the Office of Chehalis Basin.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/ecology-selects-jeff-zenk-to-lead-office-of-chehalis-basin

Ecology, Olympia Brewery owner reach settlement over 2019 spill

November 8, 2023 News release: Ecology and Olympia Brewery reach settlement over 2019 spill

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/nov-8-ecology-olympia-brewery-owner-reach-settlement-over-2019-spill

Ecology offering $1.8 million to Washington communities for drought planning, preparedness

November 30, 2023 News release: The Department of Ecology will offer $1.8 million in grants to increase local drought preparedness throughout the state.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/nov-30-drought-planning-and-preparedness-grants

Illegal draining of wetlands on Whidbey Island leads to $120,000 penalty

September 12, 2024 News release: We have issued a $120,000 penalty to Island County landowners for illegally draining wetland on Whidbey Island.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/sept-12-whiteman-coury-penalty

Ecology names new central Washington region director

January 23, 2024 News release: David Bowen to oversee regional environmental work spanning water, air quality, cleanup, environmental justice and more.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/jan-23-ecology-names-new-central-washington-region-director

Engineering design for dams & spillways

Resources for designing dams and spillways.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/dams/info-for-engineers/engineering-design

Walla Walla Water 2050 Strategic Plan

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

https://ecology.wa.gov/ecologys-work-near-you/river-basins-groundwater/walla-walla-2050/strategic-plan

Toxics studies

Our scientists analyze toxic contaminants from a variety of places.

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

Plan sets steps for protecting Padilla Bay’s tributaries from bacterial pollution

October 22, 2020 News release: We're inviting public comment on a plan to reduce high bacteria levels in streams that flow into Padilla Bay.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/oct-22-padilla-bay-tributaries

Middle Yakima River Basin Bacteria TMDL

We are working to control fecal coliform bacteria in tributaries of the Middle Yakima River basin.

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

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

Planning for better water quality in Budd Inlet

June 8, 2022 News release: A new report from Ecology details the steps needed to protect Budd Inlet and provide relief to fish and wildlife, while also helping the inlet to meet state water quality standards.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/june-8-budd-inlet-water-quality-plan

Dungeness water management

The Dungeness water management rule protects rivers and streams and manages new groundwater uses.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/protecting-stream-flows/instream-flow-implementation/dungeness-water-management

Five facilities to receive updated requirements to protect Spokane River

December 29, 2021 News release: Five Washington facilities on the Spokane River are due for revisions to their wastewater permits, which will better protect the river.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/dec-27-updated-requirements-for-spokane-river

Inslee expands drought emergency for nearly half of the state

May 20, 2019 News release: A total of 24 watersheds have been added to the emergency drought declaration.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/may-20-inslee-expands-drought-emergency

Statewide drought advisory issued for Washington

July 5, 2023 News release: The warmest May on record and an abnormally dry spring and early summer have prompted the Department of Ecology to issue a statewide drought advisory.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/5-july-statewide-drought-advisory-issued-for-washington

State reviews record amount of water quality data in effort to prioritize improvements

April 8, 2021 News release: Ecology uses the water quality assessment to categorize state waters as clean or polluted. The new draft assessment is now available for review.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/draft-water-quality-assessment

New approach to determine the natural conditions of Washington’s waters

May 10, 2024 News release: New approach to determine the natural conditions. Proposed standards would help state identify pollution and set discharge limits

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/may-10-new-approach-to-natural-conditions

Ecology files water rights adjudication in Whatcom County Superior Court

May 2, 2024 News release: Today Ecology filed a water rights adjudication in Whatcom County Superior Court. This legal process will review and prioritize all water use in the Nooksack basin and nearby areas.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/may-2-nooksack-adjudication-filing

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

South Fork Nooksack temperature TMDL

We work with partners to improve the water quality of the South Fork Nooksack River.

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

Summary of environmental penalties issued the first quarter of 2019

June 14, 2019 News release: We issued $210,100 in 17 penalties of $1,000 or more in the first quarter of 2019.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/environmental-penalties-1st-quarter-2019

Washington communities to receive $309 million in clean water funding

June 28, 2024 News release: Ecology is awarding $309 million in clean water grants and loans.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/june-28-clean-water-funding

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

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 Chelan Reserve

The Lake Chelan Reserve has water for existing and future non-project uses.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/water-availability/lake-chelan-reserve

Yakima River Basin water projects

Our projects seek to achieve integrated water solutions and resiliency in the Yakima Basin.

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

Walla Walla Water 2050 water management plan

Walla Walla Water 2050 is renewing efforts to improve water supplies in the Walla Walla River Basin.

https://ecology.wa.gov/ecologys-work-near-you/river-basins-groundwater/walla-walla-2050

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

Henderson Inlet multi-parameter TMDL

We are working in Henderson Inlet to restore impaired water quality to meet state standards.

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

Water availability

We study and regulate water resources by watershed. Find yours and see water availability.

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

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

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

The Nooksack and Sumas Transboundary Flood Initiative

The Transboundary Flood Initiative is a collaborative effort to reduce flood risk & restore habitats

https://ecology.wa.gov/ecologys-work-near-you/river-basins-groundwater/nooksack-transboundary-flood-initiative

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

Become a bank sponsor

Find guidance on how to become the sponsor of a wetland mitigation bank.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/wetlands/mitigation/wetland-mitigation-banking/become-a-bank-sponsor

Icicle Creek water supply development

The Icicle Strategy addresses water supply issues in the Icicle Basin

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

Floodplains by Design

Floodplains by Design grant program helps reduce flood risks, restore river floodplains.

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

How we help Puget Sound

We protect and restore Puget Sound through a wide variety of programs and activities.

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

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

Find a grant or loan

Find a grant or loan, and details about how to apply.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/payments-contracts-grants/grants-loans/find-a-grant-or-loan

Emergency incidents: what owners should do

It is important for dam owners to be prepared for earthquakes, floods, and wildfires.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/dams/info-for-dam-owners/earthquakes-floods-wildfires

Interagency wetland mitigation guidance

Access current interagency guidance on wetland mitigation requirements in Washington.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/wetlands/mitigation/interagency-guidance

Straight to implementation

We use a process called straight to implementation as a tool to improve water quality.

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

Templates & guidance documents

Find guidance and templates to get started using or proposing a wetland mitigation bank.

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

Studies and reports

Scientific studies help us trace sources of pollution to the Lower Duwamish Waterway.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/cleanup-sites/lower-duwamish-waterway/studies-reports