Search Results - Washington State Department of Ecology

Instream flow rule amendment adopted for Nooksack watershed

May 28, 2020 News release: Ecology has amended the instream flow rule that affects parts of Whatcom County and small areas in Skagit County. The amendment provides water for new rural homeowners and benefits streamflows in the Nooksack River watershed.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/may-28-nooksack-instream-flow-rule-amendment

Ecology revises Puget Sound net pen permits for steelhead

January 6, 2021 News release: Water quality permits updated to allow steelhead in four Puget Sound net pens.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/ecology-revises-puget-sound-net-pen-permits-for-st

Cap-and-Invest offsets

Offset credits can be used by businesses to cover some of their emissions.

https://ecology.wa.gov/air-climate/climate-commitment-act/cap-and-invest/offsets

Comments sought on proposed amendments to instream flow rule in Nooksack watershed

November 19, 2019 News release: We are seeking public input on a proposed rule amendment that would establish a water use conservation standard for some new homes in parts of Whatcom County and small areas in Skagit County.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/nov-19-comments-sought-on-proposed-amendments-to-i

Dam safety technical notes

Dam safety technical notes for assessing and reducing risks.

https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-supply/dams/info-for-engineers/technical-notes

California, Québec and Washington to begin linkage agreement discussions

September 23, 2024 News release: This is the second joint statement released by California, Québec and Washington about their path toward linkage.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/california-quebec-and-washington-to-begin-linkage-agreement-discussions

Ecology is accepting comments on draft permits for Cooke Aquaculture

September 8, 2020 News release: We are announcing draft permits for Cooke Aquaculture net pen facilities are out for public comment.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/sept-9-draft-permits-cooke-aquaculture

No food in landfills is goal of Food Waste Prevention Week, April 10-16

April 10, 2023 News release: It’s Food Waste Prevention Week 2023! Preventing food waste increases food security, improves agricultural productivity and efficiency, promotes resource conservation, and reduces harmful greenhouse gases.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/april-10

Ecology declares drought emergency in 12 counties

July 24, 2023 News release: An emergency drought declaration has been issued for watersheds in Benton, Clallam, Columbia, Jefferson, Kittitas, Klickitat, Okanogan, Skagit, Snohomish, Walla Walla, Whatcom, and Yakima counties.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/july-24-ecology-declares-drought-emergency-in-12-counties

Auctions trainings & resources

Guides, forms, trainings, and other resources for participants in the Cap-and-Invest market.

https://ecology.wa.gov/air-climate/climate-commitment-act/cap-and-invest/auctions-and-market/trainings-and-resources

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

Nisqually watershed plan earns state’s first approval under new water law

February 1, 2019 News release: A locally-developed plan to protect natural resources in the Nisqually River watershed is the first to gain approval under Washington’s streamflow restoration law, adopted last year in response to the State Supreme Court’s “Hirst” decision.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/feb-1-nisqually-watershed-plan

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/waste-reduction-programs/recycling-development-center

Irrigators in Little Spokane River watershed will likely see water restrictions this summer

August 5, 2019 News release: Some water users in the Little Spokane River basin will have to curb their consumption if lower water levels persist this season.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/aug-5-little-spokane-river-water-restrictions-poss

Ecology offers $1.7 million in drought planning and preparedness grants

June 25, 2024 News release: To help Tribes, farmers and communities better plan and prepare for the impacts of drought, the Washington Department of Ecology is offering $1.7 million through a new grant program.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/june-25-drought-planning-and-preparedness-grants

Green chemistry

We work with schools, researchers, and businesses to integrate green chemistry into their work.

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

Ecology begins planning for future water use in Nooksack watershed

February 5, 2019 News release: Ecology begins rulemaking process for future water use in Nooksack watershed

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/planning-future-nooksack-water-use

Ecology invites public comment on shoreline management updates for Thurston County

August 8, 2024 News release: Ecology seeks public input on changes to the Thurston County Shoreline Master Program (SMP) to help the county bring the plan up-to-date with state and local laws.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/aug-8-thurston-county-public-comment

Index of interpretive and policy statements, and declaratory and final orders

Our interpretive and policy statements.

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

Ecology declares drought emergency

July 14, 2021 News release: Extreme heat and prolonged dryness result in emergency drought declaration for most of Washington state.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/2021-drought-declaration

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

Water quality permit holders to see updated fees in 2023

March 22, 2023 News release: The fees paid by the 6,800 water quality permittees in Washington state are undergoing a revision.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/march-22-water-quality-permit-fee-rule

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

Wetlands remain protected in Washington state despite recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling

June 5, 2023 News release: Wetlands retain state protections in Washington following a Supreme Court decision on federal protections.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/june-5-wetlands-permitting

Environmental evaluation for proposed Chehalis River flood reduction project ready for review

February 27, 2020 News release: Ecology released the state EIS for a proposed flood retention dam on the Chehalis River, and seeking public comments through April 27.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/feb-27-chehalis-flood-reduction-project-eis

CANCELED: New dangerous waste regs topic of April 2 workshop at Ecology's Union Gap office

February 20, 2020 News release: CANCELED: Dangerous waste regulations workshop on April 2 at Ecology's Union Gap office

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/dangerous-waste-regulations-workshop-in-central-wa

Orders, penalties, and settlements

Ecology may issue an order or penalty, or enter into a settlement for the Hanford site cleanup.

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

Health effects from smoke

Smoke can hurt your health.

https://ecology.wa.gov/air-climate/air-quality/smoke-fire/health-effects

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

California, Québec and Washington agree to explore linkage

March 20, 2024 News release: California, Québec and Washington officially express interest in the potential formation of a shared carbon market between the three jurisdictions.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/mar-20-shared-carbon-market

Cooke Aquaculture applies to modify water quality permits for steelhead farming in Puget Sound

April 13, 2020 News release: Cooke Aquaculture has submitted applications to modify its existing permits to raise steelhead.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/cooke-aquaculture-applies-to-modify-permits

Local wetland regulations: Growth Management Act technical assistance

We assist local governments in their efforts to adopt GMA regulations that protect wetlands.

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

Ecology encourages Washingtonians to ‘Use Food Well’ this holiday season

November 18, 2024 News release: The Use Food Well campaign focuses on preventing food waste through simple steps like smart shopping, meal planning, and proper food storage.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/use-food-well-this-holiday-season

Lower Yakima Valley Groundwater Management Area

We're partnering in a local effort to reduce nitrate concentrations in Lower Yakima Valley wells.

https://ecology.wa.gov/ecologys-work-near-you/river-basins-groundwater/lower-yakima-valley-groundwater-management-area

New biosolids permit boosts environmental protections and operational efficiencies

June 15, 2022 News release: New statewide biosolids permit boosts environmental protections and operational efficiencies; reduces time to approve or deny proposals

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/june-15-new-biosolids-permit-boosts-environmental

Achilles penalized for two spills that impacted wildlife

June 18, 2020 News release: Achilles penalized for two spills Negligence a factor in 2018 spills at Everett facility

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/achilles-penalized-for-two-spills-that-impacted-wi

Ecology tracking Hanford waste tank leak

April 29, 2021 News release: The U.S. Department of Energy announced Thursday an underground radioactive and dangerous chemical waste storage tank at the Hanford Site in Southeast Washington is leaking.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/ecology-tracking-hanford-waste-tank-leak

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

Puget Sound wastewater treatment plants to tackle nutrient pollution with new permit

November 30, 2021 News release: Wastewater treatment plants to start controlling nutrient pollution with new permit.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/dec-1-puget-sound-nutrient-permit

Ecology invites comment on Skagit County comprehensive update and review of Shoreline Master Program

March 27, 2023 News release: We're seeking public input on a combined Shoreline Master Program update for Skagit County and the towns of Hamilton and Lyman.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/march-27-skagit-smp-comment-period

Clean water permit for large livestock operations, manure lagoons available for review

June 21, 2022 News release: Ecology is proposing updates to the Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) water quality permit, which is how the agency oversees manure management at certain facilities.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/june-22-clean-water-permit-for-large-livestock-ope

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

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions about no discharge zones.

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

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

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

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

Legislative work

2018 and 2019 legislative work on spill preparedness, oil handling, and Puget Sound vessel traffic.

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

Stormwater management program components

Get answers to common questions about implementing municipal stormwater permits.

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

Advance permittee-responsible mitigation

Advance mitigation is one available option to compensate for unavoidable impacts to wetlands.

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

Reporting & notification requirements

Get answers to common questions about reporting requirements of the municipal stormwater permits.

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