Search Results - Washington State Department of Ecology

State lays out plan to tackle impacts of climate change in Washington

September 30, 2024 News release: The Washington State Climate Resilience Strategy works to prepare for climate change threats and impacts from drought, changing ocean conditions, flooding, extreme heat, and wildfires and smoke.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/sept-30-climate-resilience-strategy

Brownfields in Washington

Our Brownfields Program helps local governments put abandoned properties back into use.

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

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

Washington Conservation Corps opens 300 environmental positions statewide

July 3, 2019 News release: Washington Conservation Corps opens 300 environmental positions statewide

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/july-2-wcc-opens-300-positions

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

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

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

State environmental review of proposed Chehalis River Basin Flood Damage Reduction Project

Public comment period is open for environmental review of Chehalis flood damage reduction project.

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

Soos Creek watershed multi-parameter TMDL

We are working with partners in the Soos Creek watershed to improve water quality.

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

Environmental Justice Assessments

Ecology will conduct an Environmental Justice Assessment when we're planning a significant action.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/environmental-justice/heal/environmental-justice-assessments

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

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

Environmental penalties issued for third quarter of 2024

January 14, 2025 News release: Ecology issued $439,340 in penalties of $1,000 or more from July 1 – Sept. 30, 2024.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/jan-14-environmental-penalties-issued-for-third-quarter-of-2024

Tackling flood and habitat challenges in the Chehalis Basin

April 30, 2025 News release: Join free May 7 public webinar to help shape long-term Chehalis Basin Strategy.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/april-30-tackling-flood-and-habitat-challenges-in-the-chehalis-basin

Yakima River Basin Integrated Plan

A holistic approach to meeting the Yakima River Basin's long-term water and ecosystem needs.

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

Hangman Creek multi-parameter TMDL

We're working to improve water quality in Hangman Creek.

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

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

2023-25 Budget

Budget requests, summaries, and comparisons. All links are to pdf files.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/budget-legislative-priorities/our-budget/2023-25-budget

Source control areas

We are tracing sources of pollution to the Lower Duwamish Waterway in 24 source control areas.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/cleanup-sites/lower-duwamish-waterway/source-control/source-control-areas

Toxics Cleanup Program’s statutes and regulations

The Toxics Cleanup Program (TCP) operates under two major sets of laws.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/rules-directing-our-cleanup-work

Voluntary Cleanup Program

The Voluntary Cleanup Program helps people clean up sites independently.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/voluntary-cleanup-program

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

Washington Conservation Corps

Washington Conservation Corps is your chance to gain hands-on experience in the environmental field.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/jobs-at-ecology/washington-conservation-corps

Skagit Hamilton Lyman Coalition SMP: comprehensive and periodic review update

Public comment now closed on the Skagit Co. Coalition SMP comprehensive/periodic review update.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/shoreline-coastal-management/shoreline-coastal-planning/state-approved-shoreline-master-programs/skagit-hamilton-lyman-coalition

Shorelands & Environmental Assistance

We provide guidance, plans, and funds for communities where the water meets the land.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/our-programs/shorelands-environmental-assistance

Eightmile Dam rebuild & restoration

Repair and restoration of the Eightmile Dam is undergoing environmental review.

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

Lower Duwamish Waterway

We are leading efforts to control sources of pollution going into the Lower Duwamish Waterway.

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

About the Reserve

Padilla Bay Reserve protects more than 11,000 acres of critical intertidal and upland habitat.

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

Sediment staff contacts and expertise directory

We have experts who can answer your questions about sediment cleanups and sediment management.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/sediment-cleanups/sediment-staff-contacts

Protecting coastal communities

Washington’s coastal areas are inherently vulnerable to dynamic coastal processes and rising seas.

https://ecology.wa.gov/air-climate/responding-to-climate-change/sea-level-rise

Everett smelter cleanup in parks

Cleanup of American Legion Park, Wiggums Hollow Park, and Viola Oursler Park is complete.

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

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

Pe Ell Shoreline Master Program: comprehensive update and periodic review

We are seeking public comment on the Town of Pe Ell's proposed comprehensive update to its SMP, including amendments to satisfy the periodic review requirements.

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

Coulee Dam shoreline master program: comprehensive update & periodic review

We are seeking public comment on the Town of Coulee Dam's proposed SMP update and periodic review.

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

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

City of Oroville SMP: Comprehensive Update & Periodic Review

We are seeking public comment on the City of Oroville's proposed comprehensive update to its shoreline master program.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/shoreline-coastal-management/shoreline-coastal-planning/state-approved-shoreline-master-programs/city-of-oroville

Puget Sound is now a no-discharge zone for vessel sewage

A no discharge zone will protect Puget Sound from vessel sewage releases.

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

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

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

State wetland regulations

We protect and manage wetlands through multiple state laws, which define our regulatory authority.

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

Cleanup status

We're making progress on cleanup of contaminated sites around the Lower Duwamish Waterway.

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

Legislative reports for MTCA and Cleanup Settlement accounts

Our legislative reports describe how we're using funds to clean up contaminated sites under MTCA.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/our-programs/toxics-cleanup/tcp-legislative-reports

Funded integrated planning grants

Integrated Planning Grants funded in the 2019–2021 biennium.

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

About WCC

Learn about our milestones, mission, and purpose.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/jobs-at-ecology/washington-conservation-corps/about-wcc

Credits & debits for wetland mitigation

Learn about calculating credits and debits for compensatory mitigation.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/wetlands/tools-resources/credit-debit-method

Source control

Source control is tracing contamination to its source, then preventing it from reaching waterways.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/cleanup-sites/lower-duwamish-waterway/source-control

Wetlands & climate change

Wetlands are important for mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/wetlands/tools-resources/wetlands-climate-change

Bellingham Bay cleanup

We are cleaning up contamination at 12 sites in the Bellingham Bay area.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/cleanup-sites/puget-sound/bellingham-bay

Everett baywide cleanup and restoration (Port Gardner Bay)

The Puget Sound Initiative is making Everett’s waterfront a healthier place to live, work, and play.

https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/cleanup-sites/puget-sound/everett-area-baywide

Hanford cleanup process

An overview of our role in cleaning up the Hanford Site.

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