Search Results - Washington State Department of Ecology

Water quality monitoring methods for rivers & streams

Learn how we measure water quality in rivers and streams, including methods and parameters.

https://ecology.wa.gov/research-data/monitoring-assessment/river-stream-monitoring/water-quality-monitoring/river-stream-monitoring-methods

Watershed health — Puget Sound Region update

River and stream habitat in the Puget Sound Region shows variable conditions.

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

Toxics monitoring in consumer products

We design studies to test for toxic chemicals in consumer products.

https://ecology.wa.gov/research-data/monitoring-assessment/consumer-products-testing

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

SEPA Guidance on Categorical Exemptions

Guidance on SEPA exemptions.

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

Aquatic Plant & Algae Management General Permit

This permit covers the in-water and shoreline management of plants, algae, and phosphorus.

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

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

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

Municipal stormwater permit guidance

We provide guidance for developing and implementing municipal stormwater management programs.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/stormwater-permittee-guidance-resources/municipal-stormwater-permit-guidance

FAQ: Evaluate options to clean up homes and small businesses

These FAQs help homeowners and small businesses evaluate cleanup options and complete cleanup work.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/guidance-for-residential-cleanups/evaluation-cleanup-for-homeowners-small-busine

Primary response contractors for spill cleanup

We approve primary response contractors to allow them to be cited in industry oil plans.

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

Western Washington Hydrology Model

Western WA Hydrology Model models most hydrologic conditions for stormwater control and design.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/stormwater-permittee-guidance-resources/stormwater-manuals/western-washington-hydrology-model

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

Safer products for businesses

Learn how your business can find and purchase less toxic chemicals and products.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/safer-alternatives/safer-products-for-businesses

Antifreeze

Learn how your business can manage antifreeze and recycle spent antifreeze.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/common-dangerous-waste/antifreeze

Solvents

Most solvents become dangerous waste and must be managed properly.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/common-dangerous-waste/solvents

Accumulation

Learn more about on-site dangerous waste accumulation time limits and restrictions.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/dangerous-waste-basics/accumulation

Small quantity generators (SQGs)

Learn about the benefits and rules for dangerous waste small quantity generators (SQGs).

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/dangerous-waste-basics/generator-category/small-quantity-generators

Manuals & procedures for accredited labs

Download the procedure manual, and find tips and tools for accredited environmental labs.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/permits-certifications/laboratory-accreditation/manual-and-procedures-for-accredited-laboratories

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

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

Bridge & Ferry Terminal Washing Permit

This permit protects water from cleaning and painting activities at bridges and ferry terminals.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/permits-certifications/bridge-and-ferry-terminal-washing-permit

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

Underground Injection Control (UIC) program: Chapter 173-218 WAC

We regulate discharge of injection well fluids to protect against groundwater contamination.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/underground-injection-control-program

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

Programmatic EIS

Overview of programmatic environmental review for clean energy.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/sepa/clean-energy/programmatic-eis

SEPA Frequently Asked Questions

SEPA questions and answers.

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

Products required to meet recycled content minimums

This page explains which products are subject to the law and provides compliance information.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/recycled-content-products

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

Shellfish aquaculture 401 certification

We modified our certification process for shellfish growers because of new federal requirements.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/permits-certifications/401-water-quality-certification/shellfish-aquaculture

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

Notification of dangerous waste activity

Learn how to get an EPA/State Identification (ID) Number to report your dangerous waste.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/reporting-requirements/dangerous-waste-reporting-requirements/notification-of-dangerous-waste

Safer chemicals for manufacturers

Learn how to formulate products using safer chemicals and how to design more sustainable products.

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

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation General Permit

Permit for operations with large numbers of livestock for long periods of time.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/permits-certifications/concentrated-animal-feeding-operation

GIS Data

Ecology's authoritative GIS data layers are available for download.

https://ecology.wa.gov/research-data/data-resources/geographic-information-systems-gis/data

Aquatic Species Restoration Plan Research and Studies

The ASRP is a science-based plan to restore and enhance aquatic species habitat in the Chahalis Basin.

https://ecology.wa.gov/research-data/scientific-reports/asrp-research

Stormwater Action Monitoring - Effectiveness studies

Learning what works best to reduce urban runoff volumes and pollution in Western Washington.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/reporting-requirements/stormwater-monitoring/stormwater-action-monitoring/sam-effectiveness-studies

Equivalent stormwater manuals for municipal stormwater permits

We provide information for municipal stormwater permittees about equivalent stormwater manuals for Phase I and both the Eastern and Western Washington Phase II municipal stormwater permits.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/stormwater-permittee-guidance-resources/stormwater-manuals/equivalent-stormwater-manuals-for-municipal-stormw

Rulemaking at Ecology

Find out about our rulemaking activities.

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

New law will reduce the use of single-use utensils, condiments, straws beginning Jan. 1

December 6, 2021 News release: On Jan. 1, a new law will require restaurants to stop automatically adding single-use food service items like utensils and condiments to food orders and let customers decide which items they want.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/dec-6-new-law-will-reduce-the-use-of-single-use-ut

Después de éxitos de restauración, Ecología propone reglamentos específicos del sitio para el río Chelan

March 24, 2021 News release: El distrito de servicios públicos del condado de Chelan peticiona cambios después de que el salmón regresa al río.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/march-25-spanish

Ecology Awards program provides money to schools for compliance with new laws

November 24, 2021 News release: The Waste Not Washington Awards program offers schools up to $5,000 to pay for compliance with new waste reduction laws.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/2022-school-awards-deadline-extended

Single-use plastic bag ban begins Oct. 1 in Washington

July 21, 2021 News release: Washington's statewide ban on single-use plastic bags begins Oct. 1, 2021

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/statewide-bag-ban-begins-oct-1

Burn ban expires for Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Klickitat and Okanogan counties

December 9, 2019 News release: A Stage 1 burn ban in Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Klickitat counties and the Methow Valley in Okanogan County will expire at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, according to the Washington Department of Ecology.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/dec-9-burn-ban-expires-8-a-m-dec-10-for-chelan-do

Burn ban lifted for Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Kittitas, Okanogan, Pend Oreille and Stevens counties

January 15, 2019 News release: Burn ban lifted for Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Kittitas, Okanogan, Pend Oreille and Stevens counties at noon Jan. 15.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/burn-ban-lifted-for-chelan-douglas-ferry-kittit

Statewide plastic bag ban begins Friday, Oct. 1

September 27, 2021 News release: Washington's statewide plastic bag ban begins Friday, Oct. 1. All Washington businesses providing single-use plastic bags to customers at checkout must comply with the new law.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/sept-27-statewide-bag-ban-begins-friday

New business competition puts environment-focused entrepreneurs in front of like-minded investors

October 10, 2022 News release: NextCycle Environment-focused business competition shines light on primarily women- and minority-owned ventures that expand Washington's circular economy

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/nextcycle-business-pitch-competition

Ecology begins rulemaking for 2021 plastics law

November 8, 2021 News release: We have begun a rulemaking process that will increase the amount of recycled content used in some plastic containers, including beverage bottles.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/ecology-begins-rulemaking-for-2021-plastics-law

Settlement reached in appeal of Hanford Site leaking tanks Agreed Order

May 10, 2023 News release: Work to respond to actively leaking tanks and future tank leaks at the Hanford Site will continue to proceed as planned following a settlement agreement filed with Washington’s Pollution Control Hearings Board today.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/may-10-hanford-leaking-tanks-agreed-order-appeal-s

Plastic bottle and trash bag makers must register with state by April 1

February 3, 2022 News release: New law requires some plastics include a minimum amount of recycled content beginning in 2023

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/feb-3-plastic-producer-registration