Environmental justice assessment notices
The Healthy Environment for All Act (HEAL Act) requires specific state agencies to conduct an environmental justice assessment for significant agency actions.
- The development and adoption of significant legislative rules as defined in RCW 34.05.328.
- The development and adoption of any new grant or loan program that the agency is explicitly authorized or required by statute to implement.
- A capital project, grant, or loan award costing at least $12,000,000.
- A transportation project, grant, or loan costing at least $15,000,000.
- The submission of agency request legislation to the Office of the Governor or OFM for approval.
An environmental justice assessment is a process to:
- identify and assess the impacts of a significant agency action on overburdened communities, vulnerable populations, and Tribes;
- solicit community and tribal input in the development of the action and on options to mitigate, reduce or eliminate harms and equitably distribute benefits associated with the action;
- report on how the agency did or did not modify the action based upon community and tribal input.
The goal of an EJ assessment is to help a state agency make decisions and to assist with:
- equitably distributing environmental benefits;
- reducing environmental harms;
- identifying and reducing environmental and health disparities through the implementation of the action.
Agencies covered by the HEAL Act or who have opted in to the HEAL Act requirements include these departments:
- Agriculture (WSDA)
- Commerce
- Ecology
- Health (DOH)
- Natural Resources (DNR)
- Transportation (WSDOT)
- Office of the Attorney General
- Puget Sound Partnership (PSP)
Under RCW 70A.02.090 each covered agency must file a notice with us of significant agency actions for which the agency is initiating an environmental justice assessment. We prepare a list of all filings received from covered agencies each week to post here every Friday.
Below is list of state agency environmental justice assessments that you can filter by agency or type of action, or use the search bar to find certains terms. Select the "+" symbol for desciptions of the action, how the public can provide input, and a link to the EJ assessment when completed. For a dashboard summarizing the assessments received to date, see the HEAL Act dashboards.
| Date submitted | Date initiated |
Date completed |
Agency | Type | Agency action | Description | Methods for providing public comment | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11/20/2024 | 11/20/2024 | Ongoing | Ecology, Department of | Significant legislative rules | Chapter 173-423 WAC, Clean Vehicles Program Rulemaking | Ecology is considering amendments to Chapter 173-423 WAC, the Clean Vehicles Program rule. Washington law (RCW 70A.30.010) requires Ecology to adopt certain California regulations to maintain consistency with California’s emissions standards for new motor vehicles and engines. To date, Ecology has delivered on this Legislative requirement to adopt regulations consistent with the following California programs: Advanced Clean Cars, Advanced Clean Cars II, Advanced Clean Trucks, and Heavy-Duty Low NOx Omnibus standards. Ecology is currently considering amendments to Washington regulations that will track amendments to California’s Advanced Clean Trucks and Heavy-Duty Low-NOx Omnibus regulations currently adopted and/or under consideration by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). These amendments are important to streamline program implementation, provide additional compliance flexibility, and maintain consistency with other states and the federal government. The Advanced Clean Trucks regulations apply to medium- and heavy-duty engine and vehicle manufacturers and require zero-emission models to make up an increasing percentage of new vehicle sales in Washington, starting with engine model year 2025. The Heavy-Duty Low-NOx omnibus regulation applies to heavy-duty internal combustion engine manufacturers and requires them to meet more protective air quality standards, particularly on oxides of nitrogen and particulate matter, starting in model year 2026. Ecology is also inviting public input about additional California motor vehicle emissions standards the agency should consider adopting in a future rulemaking to comply with the requirements in Chapter 70A.30 RCW and efficiently and cost-effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation in line with Washington’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction mandates in RCW 70A.45.020. | Ecology is initiating this environmental justice assessment and the rulemaking process and will provide engagement opportunities that include public meetings and comment periods. Ecology will host an initial public information session on December 10, 2024 from 10:00 AM-Noon. As we schedule additional opportunities for feedback and participation, we will share them through our website and distribution list. Please visit the rulemaking webpage or sign up for email updates here: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WAECY/subscriber/new?topic_id=WA.... Please contact Nikki Harris at nikki.harris@ecy.wa.gov for comments or questions. |
Ongoing |
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| 08/07/2024 | 08/07/2024 | Ongoing | Ecology, Department of | Significant legislative rules | Update to Water Quality Permit Fee Rule (173-224 WAC) | Ecology has initiated an agency rulemaking action to update our Water Quality Permit Fees (Chapter 173-224 WAC). This chapter carries out Ecology’s requirement under RCW 90.48.465 to establish, by rule, annual fees to recover Ecology’s program cost of administering the wastewater and stormwater permit programs. This chapter also considers the economic impact of our fees on permitted small dischargers and public entities, and makes appropriate adjustments where applicable. Ecology strives to update this chapter every two years to ensure our permit fees reflect the most current costs to Ecology and impacts on our permittees. We use these fees to recover our program costs to administer our permit programs, which protect Washington’s waters from pollution. This rule covers a statewide geographical scope. The anticipated impact of this rulemaking action is limited to the permitted facilities that pay these fees. This rulemaking action does not expect to introduce new environmental impacts or impacts specific to overburdened communities, vulnerable populations, and Tribes. | Ecology is beginning to develop draft rule language and will invite the public to participate in the development over the next few months. This may include workshops, webinars, and online comment periods. To stay engaged with this process, please join our email list (https://ecology.wa.gov/EmailList/WQfee) and visit our webpage for updates (https://ecology.wa.gov/WQ-fee-rule). Please contact Faith Wimberley at faith.wimberley@ecy.wa.gov to discuss this environmental justice assessment. |
Ongoing |
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| 06/27/2024 | 06/27/2024 | Ongoing | Board of Health, Washington State | Significant legislative rules | Primary and Secondary School Environmental Health and Safety Standards | The State Board of Health (Board), in collaboration with the Department of Health (Department) is conducting an Environmental Justice Assessment for proposed rules regulating environmental health and safety standards for K-12 schools. This rulemaking is required by a budget proviso that was included in the Washington State 2024 supplemental operating budget, (Section 222, subsection 159, page 492). The new chapter will establish updated, minimum statewide health and safety standards for schools and formalize school environmental health and safety inspection procedures. Topics that may be addressed in proposed rules are: • Indoor air quality including heating, cooling, and ventilation • Water quality • Noise • Moisture and mold • Lighting • Restrooms/showers • Playgrounds • Laboratory and shop safety • Sewage • Food safety | ~ May 2024: Invite Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Members - The proviso named specific organizations to work in collaboration with the Board to update the rules as part of a technical advisory committee (TAC). A full list of required representatives can be found on the agency webpage linked. The Board will include additional members such as Parent-Teacher Organizations, Teachers Unions, Students, and private schools. ~ Aug 2024 – Nov 2024: TAC Meetings - Work with members of the TAC to draft rule language and discuss implementation. TAC meetings are open to the public and everyone is welcome to join. ~ Dec 2024: Focus Groups- Virtual and in-person meetings will be held to discuss preliminary draft language to help the Board rulemaking team make informed decisions about finalized draft rule language. These meetings will take place across Washington state. All members of the public are welcome to participate in these focus groups. ~ Dec 2024: Informal Comment Period - Invite all interested parties to review and share feedback on the draft rule language. All members of the public are welcome to provide comments during the informal comment period. |
Ongoing |
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| 04/11/2024 | 04/11/2024 | Action did not move forward | Ecology, Department of | Significant legislative rules | Cap-and-Invest Linkage Rulemaking (Chapter 173-446 WAC and Chapter 173-441 WAC) | As required by the Climate Commitment Act (CCA), Ecology is investigating the option of linking Washington’s Cap-and-Invest Program carbon market with the California-Québec carbon market. In a linked Cap-and-Invest Program, Washington’s carbon market would combine with the joint California-Québec market to create a single shared market with joint allowance auctions and a common allowance price across all jurisdictions. Allowances could be traded across jurisdictions and used to cover emissions in any of the three jurisdictions. As part of this effort, the Legislature passed legislation in 2024 modifying the CCA in ways that facilitate linkage (Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 6058). This rulemaking is needed to modify Chapter 173-446 WAC and Chapter 173-441 WAC to implement these statutory changes as well as to make other changes to these rules necessary to facilitate linkage. These rule changes do not constitute linkage, nor do they require linkage or do anything that would make linkage inevitable. Additional steps would be needed, outside of the Washington rulemaking process, to establish linkage, including signing on to a linkage agreement. The Climate Commitment Act directs Ecology to consider linking Washington's Cap-and-Invest Program with other carbon markets. The law also requires Ecology to review specific criteria to ensure linkage would benefit Washington’s communities, economy, and climate goals. | Ecology is initiating this environmental justice assessment and the rulemaking process and will provide engagement opportunities that include public meetings and comment periods. Ecology plans to conduct public engagement, with outreach focused on people from overburdened communities, vulnerable populations, and Tribes, for the purpose of developing the environmental justice assessment for this rule. Ecology is also available to meet with individual organizations and small groups at their request during the rulemaking process. As we schedule opportunities for feedback and participation, we will share them through our website and distribution list. Please visit the rulemaking’s webpage for updates. Please contact Nikki Harris, Climate Pollution Reduction Program Rulemaking Coordinator, at nikki.harris@ecy.wa.gov for comments or questions. |
Action did not move forward Resubmitted as a new rulemaking |
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| 05/29/2025 | 11/15/2023 | Ongoing | Transportation, Department of | Transportation project, grant, or loan of at least $15 million | Bainbridge Island Ferry Terminal Electrification Project | Install underground power cable from the Bainbridge Island Murden Cove Puget Sound Energy (PSE) substation approximately 2.5 miles within State Route (SR) 305 right of way to metering and distribution equipment at the holding lanes, and then to a vessel charging system at terminal trestle slip 1. | WSFelectrification@WSDOT.WA.GOV |
Ongoing |
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| 06/27/2025 | 06/27/2025 | Ongoing | Ecology, Department of | Capital project, grant, or loan award of at least $12 million | Northshore Levee 2025-27 Capital Budget Proviso | The purpose of this action came from the 2025 State Legislature which provided a 2025-27 Capital Budget appropriation for a one-time grant solely as state assistance to the cities of Aberdeen and Hoquiam for: * Aberdeen-Hoquiam flood protection project. North Shore Levee. * North Shore Levee-West segments. Anticipated benefits from the 2025-27 Capital Budget proviso include providing state funds that supplement other local, state, and federal funds for the ongoing Northshore Levee mitigation efforts for flood control by the communities in Hoquiam and Aberdeen. The project once constructed will remove large areas of Aberdeen and Hoquiam from the floodplain and will place them in a mapped Zone X through a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Protected properties will benefit from the elimination of mandatory flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The levee system will include two levies, and an interior drainage pump system as required by FEMA. The North Shore Levee implementation efforts bring significant environmental and public health benefits. Residential households, developers, shellfish industry and consumers, and Tribes may experience these benefits. | Ecology’s Office of Chehalis Basin (OCB) plans to conduct engagement, focused on connecting with overburdened communities and vulnerable populations, for the purpose of the environmental justice assessment of this 25-27 Legislative provision in May 2025. OCB will conduct public engagement in July 2025, through an informational blog post and article in area media outlets, as well as provide time for public comments through emails to OCB contacts. We will respond to comments regarding overburdened communities or populations with vulnerabilities and will seek further involvement as needed to address concerns. Through methods yet to be determined, OCB will identify additional opportunities to engage overburdened communities in Grays Harbor County and the local communities and provide opportunities for their involvement in this legislative funding opportunity. OCB will invite Tribal consultation and conduct staff outreach with impacted Tribes which includes but may not be limited to the Quinault Indian Tribe and Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation. |
Ongoing |
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| 02/07/2025 | 02/07/2025 | Ongoing | Ecology, Department of | Capital project, grant, or loan award of at least $12 million | Water Quality Program Proposed Loan Offer to the City of Seattle | This significant agency action would provide $28.6 million in loan funding to Seattle Public Utilities to construct a new pump station. The pump station is part of the larger Ship Canal Water Quality Project, and it would transport sewage and rain runoff to the West Point Treatment Plant. This project would significantly reduce the volume of sewage and rain runoff that overflow into the Lake Washington Ship Canal by removing seven outfalls. Removal of these outfalls will improve water quality, public health, and the health of the aquatic ecosystem. This project is in a densely populated area of Northwest Seattle and affects the waters of the Lake Washington Ship Canal, which connects Lake Union and Salmon Bay with Shilshole Bay of the Puget Sound. This waterway is a critical habitat for salmon, including the ESA listed Chinook salmon, as well as coho, sockeye, chum, steelhead, and southern resident killer whales. In addition to their ecological role, salmon are deeply tied to the cultural identity of the region. Tribes have long emphasized the importance of the Salish Sea, salmon and their habitat; this action supports Washington’s Treaty obligations to protect this cultural and natural resource. By reducing sewage and stormwater overflows, this project will improve water quality, creating a healthier environment to reduce impacts to local Tribes and communities, while also protecting resources with cultural and ecological significance. | The public can submit feedback about the Water Quality Program's State Fiscal Year 2026 Draft Offer List, which includes this loan action, during the public comment period from 12 a.m. on Feb. 5, 2025 to 11:59 p.m. on March 7, 2025. Ecology also invites the public to attend a public meeting regarding the proposed funding on Feb. 13, 2025 at 1 p.m. via Zoom. To submit comments or register for the meeting, visit the Water Quality grants and loans webpage. Ecology will identify additional opportunities to engage with overburdened communities who may be impacted by this action and provide methods for their meaningful involvement in this funding decision. Please contact Faith Wimberley at faith.wimberley@ecy.wa.gov to stay informed of further involvement opportunities. Grants and loans webpage: https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-quality/water-quality-gran... |
Ongoing |
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| 12/30/2024 | 12/30/2024 | Ongoing | Ecology, Department of | Capital project, grant, or loan award of at least $12 million | Award for Chinook Marsh Restoration | The purpose of this action is to provide $16.7 million to Snohomish County to implement the Chinook Marsh restoration project, which will complete a tidal reconnection project in the Snohomish River estuary. This award is part of the NOAA Climate Resilience Regional Challenge (CRRC), for which the Washington Department of Ecology was awarded $73.5 million dollars to pass through in order to advance a portfolio of collaboratively developed climate resilience projects. The Department of Ecology collaborated with over 30 local jurisdictions, Tribal governments, state agencies, and nonprofit organizations to select and co-develop projects to improve resilience and enhance the climate adaptation capacity of local communities, prioritizing those that have been marginalized, underserved, and/or underrepresented. 81.3% of the Washington CRRC award funds (just under $61 million) will go towards projects located in or co-created with frontline communities and Tribes. $18.7 million will go toward projects located in disadvantaged communities (as identified by the federal Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool) while $41.7 million will go to projects implemented in partnership and in co-creation with Tribes. As one of the subawardees in this portfolio, Snohomish County will complete a tidal reconnection project in the Snohomish River estuary by breaching the existing levee system and constructing a setback levee. Funds will be used to secure contract services through a bid process to implement all required construction tasks according to the restoration designs currently under development. This work is necessary to provide natural resiliency to climate change exacerbated floods, storms, and sea level rise. | Washington Department of Ecology collaborated with Snohomish County in the planning for this project. This project was designed within the community and collaboratively with local stakeholders and partners. The project is located in a community identified as overburdened, and community members and Tribes helped co-develop the project and have ongoing opportunities to provide comments. The funds that are to be subgranted to Snohomish County are for the construction phase of this project. Snohomish County is currently in the conceptual design phase, with preliminary design anticipated by 2025 and final design anticipated by 2026. Snohomish County is currently collaborating with project partners and conducting outreach. They expect to make the preliminary project design available for review in spring 2025 and will incorporate comments and concerns into the final design. Opportunities for comment can be found on Snohomish County’s Chinook Marsh project page. Tribal partners are integrally involved with this project, and information sharing with other Tribal nations will be conducted by Snohomish County and NOAA. Additionally, the NOAA Office of Coastal Management will consult with potentially interested Tribes as part of the Federal Section 106 compliance process. Collaboration with and comment from the communities and tribes effected by this project will continue to inform the planning and design of this work. Snohomish County will report the result of their meetings, outreach and coordination to the Department of Ecology throughout the project period. Snohomish County and Ecology are open to and will continue respond to comments received via email regarding environmental justice, overburdened communities, or vulnerable populations impacted by the project and seek further involvement to address concerns. Ecology will do additional outreach with overburdened communities as needed to address Environmental Justice concerns. If you have comments on the Environmental Justice impacts or considerations for this project, you can reach out to the Ecology Project Manager, Julia, at jseb461@ecy.wa.gov. |
Ongoing |
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| 07/19/2024 | 04/17/2024 | Ongoing | Agriculture, Department of | Significant legislative rules | Amending chapter 16-752 WAC, by adding species to the prohibited plants list. | Adds additional species to the noxious weed seed and plant quarantine, which would prohibit their sale and distribution. | Members of the public can direct their comments on this significant agency action to envjustice@agr.wa.gov. Community engagement, particularly for any communities identified as overburdened for this significant agency action, will also occur as part of the development of the environmental justice assessment. |
Ongoing |
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| 06/24/2025 | 06/19/2025 | Ongoing | Commerce, Department of | Agency-request legislation | Residential Weatherization RCW Update | RCW 70A.35 (Low-Income Residential Weatherization Program) is outdated and restrictive. As of 2016, the state weatherization program is no longer a matchmaker program, where state funds are matched dollar-for-dollar based on utility contributions. The state weatherization program is now Weatherization Plus Health, which is funded out of the capital budget. The state and utilities now fund weatherization separately via local agencies (Community Action Partnership agencies, municipalities, tribes). Currently, the state weatherization program can only serve projects that involve whole-home weatherization and is limited to serving low-income households. Updating this policy and increasing its flexibility support Commerce and the ED’s goals to serve more overburdened communities (from a community approach) with less friction and more efficiencies. We first recommend updating the outdated matchmaker program language to the current Residential Weatherization program language. This will increase compliance as the RCW has not been updated in years, and the program has evolved significantly. Low-income verification is required for local agencies to use federal dollars. Local agencies typically use federal and state dollars together on projects. As such, we recommend maintaining this low-income verification process, but also recommend adding categorical eligibility (e.g., OFM Overburdened Communities Map). Additionally, we propose allowing both partial (some measures) and whole-home weatherization (all cost-effective measures that apply). This will allow us to serve more communities (e.g., weatherizing homes in an at-risk neighborhood with scalable measures and without having to income qualify all residents). This also may make it easier for agencies to work with utilities and the state, as if the state reduces barriers, the utilities will likely follow suit. These updates will benefit Washington residents, weatherization providers (local agencies), utilities, other state agencies, and other Commerce programs. With new staff across Commerce, the current federal and state landscape, increased state investment in weatherization, and the fact that this policy has been outdated for many years, it is pertinent to accurately reflect this legacy program to grow it. As we encounter new programs and pilots from other state agencies, utilities, and Commerce, and increased community need, there is a greater opportunity to run new, more flexible, innovative, and scalable weatherization programs. | Advisory Groups |
Ongoing |
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| 02/08/2024 | 10/02/2023 | Ongoing | Transportation, Department of | Transportation project, grant, or loan of at least $15 million | SR 525 Mukilteo Bridge over Railroad – Bridge Replacement | The existing SR 525 bridge overcrossing the railroad in the city of Mukilteo is functionally obsolete and does not meet the multimodal traffic and active transportation needs for accessing the new ferry terminal. The intended Significant Agency Action includes constructing a new bridge and updating channelization of the roadway to improve bridge integrity, roadway continuity, and roadway capacity. | Online open house, listening sessions, workshops |
Ongoing |
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| 03/31/2025 | 03/31/2025 | Ongoing | Ecology, Department of | Significant legislative rules | Cap-and-Invest Program Updates and Linkage Rulemaking (Chapter 173-446 WAC and Chapter 173-441 WAC) | Last year, the Washington Department of Ecology initiated a rulemaking process to consider amendments to Chapter 173-446 WAC and Chapter 173-441 WAC that would facilitate the option of linking Washington’s carbon market with the California-Québec carbon market. We are announcing a new rulemaking today that replaces the previous rulemaking and expands the scope to include other necessary updates to the Cap-and-Invest program rules. In this new rulemaking, as required by the Climate Commitment Act (CCA) RCW 70A.65, the Department of Ecology is still exploring the option of linking Washington’s Cap-and-Invest carbon market with the California-Québec carbon market. This linkage would create a unified carbon market across the three jurisdictions so allowances issued by California and Québec could be used by Washington businesses for compliance, and vice versa. Linkage would also allow for joint allowance auctions, a common allowance price, and the free trading of allowances between jurisdictions. This rulemaking is needed to update Chapter 173-446 WAC and Chapter 173-441 WAC in line with these legislative changes and make other updates to ensure the rules are consistent with a potential linked market. The rule changes will not in themselves automatically establish linkage but will set the stage for future actions, such as signing a formal linkage agreement. Additionally, The Climate Commitment Act Program Rule requires the adoption of allowance budgets for the second compliance period (2027–2030), ensuring that emissions reductions align with Washington's 2030, 2040, and 2050 greenhouse gas emissions limits. This rule will also add one additional sector —waste to energy—to coverage under cap-and-invest as required by statute. Pursuant to the Climate Commitment Act Program Rule, Ecology will also modify and adopt rules to continue to address topics associated with imported electricity and centralized electricity markets. Ecology will consider rules relevant to allowance allocation to electric utilities. Through this rulemaking, Ecology will make updates as necessary to improve implementation of the Cap-and-Invest Program and to ensure the rule aligns with statute. | Ecology is initiating this environmental justice assessment and the rulemaking process and will provide engagement opportunities that include public meetings and comment periods. Ecology plans to conduct public engagement, with outreach focused on people from overburdened communities and vulnerable populations for the purpose of developing the environmental justice assessment for this rule. Ecology will also hold Tribal forums and invite government-to-government consultation with Tribes. Ecology conducted engagement for the Linkage rulemaking and the comments gathered during that process will also be used to inform this Environmental Justice Assessment. Ecology is also available to meet with individual organizations and groups at their request during the rulemaking process. As we schedule opportunities for feedback and participation, we will share them through our website and distribution list. Please visit the rulemaking’s webpage for updates. Please contact Surabhi Subedi, Climate Pollution Reduction Program Rulemaking Planner, at CPRRulemaking@ecy.wa.gov |
Ongoing |
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| 12/03/2024 | 11/28/2023 | Ongoing | Health, Department of | New grant or loan program | School Climate Plus Indoor Air Quality Grant Program | The Department of Health (DOH) received 2023-2025 legislative funding through ESSB 5187 to supplement the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)’s Small School District Modernization (SSDM) grant program. The SSDM program includes support for updates to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in schools. The grant program is available to school districts that received SSDM 2021-2023 or 2023-2025 funding for HVAC improvements and that serve children and young people who are more vulnerable to extreme heat and wildfire smoke exposure. | Email comments to airquality@doh.wa.gov |
Ongoing |
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| 11/01/2023 | 11/01/2023 | Ongoing | Ecology, Department of | Significant legislative rules | Rulemaking announcement: Amending Emergency Drought Relief, 173-166 WAC | Ecology is beginning a rulemaking to amend Chapter 173-166 WAC to streamline administration of emergency drought funding when a drought is declared. As droughts become more common with a changing climate, an updated drought rule will provide increased efficiency and transparency of emergency drought relief when a drought is declared. With the establishment of a permanent source of funding, an update to the rule will help streamline the process to distribute funding upon a drought declaration. This statewide rule amendment is also intended to consider options to integrate equity strategies into emergency drought funding distribution procedures, including considerations identified under the Healthy Environment for All Act. Eligible entities for emergency drought funding are (according to law, RCW 43.83B). • Federally recognized Tribes • Counties, cities, and towns • Water and sewer districts • Public utility districts • Port districts • Conservation districts • Irrigation districts • Watershed management partnerships | Ecology plans to conduct engagement for this assessment in late winter and early spring 2024 that focuses on assessing impacts to overburdened communities and vulnerable populations, alongside the rulemaking engagement. This will likely include virtual meetings, online public comments, and outreach with community-based organizations, including agricultural related. As Ecology plans out engagement opportunities for this assessment, they will be posted at the link below at the water resources program email list (https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WAECY/subscriber/new?topic_id=WA...). |
Ongoing |
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| 05/29/2025 | 02/03/2025 | Ongoing | Transportation, Department of | Transportation project, grant, or loan of at least $15 million | State Route 542 Glacier Bridge Replacement Project | This project will replace the State Route 542 bridge over Glacier Creek in Whatcom County, in the Community of Glacier. The new bridge will connect to the existing Gallop Creek Bridge, and together, these new structures will reduce flood risk, restore salmon habitat, and improve safety for all travelers by including active transportation connections. This project will follow a Complete Streets approach and will require an environmental justice assessment. | TBD; Agency, Tribal and Community engagement will be conducted throughout the project. Specific engagement opportunities will be updated as the project advances. Find more information on the project page linked in the notice title. |
Ongoing |
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| 06/27/2025 | 06/27/2025 | Ongoing | Ecology, Department of | New grant or loan program | Spokane River Grant Program 2025 | Ecology is proposing a new grant program that will invest $1 million in a Spokane River Basin Toxics Reduction grant program. The funding for this program comes from the state 2025-2027 operating budget, which provided Ecology with funds to address toxics and other contaminants in the Spokane River Basin. Eligible projects will be determined based on toxics reduction, feasibility of the project, benefit to the watershed, consideration of Tribal government priorities, alignment with other established watershed protection plans, and impact to overburdened communities. This grant program will invest state funds in Spokane watershed communities including Tribes for projects that reduce pollutants found in the river such as PCBs, PFAS, and mercury. These projects will result in cleaner water and healthier fish that are safe to eat. | Ecology has presented and requested feedback on this potential grant program in three public meetings of the Spokane River Advisory Committee. In addition, Ecology has collaborated directly with members of the community that are interested in this proposed grant program. Through the fall of 2025, Ecology will initiate additional ways for members of overburdened communities, vulnerable populations, and community-serving organizations to inform this proposed grant program. Ecology does not plan to host a public comment period on this action. |
Ongoing |
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| 02/07/2025 | 02/07/2025 | Ongoing | Ecology, Department of | Capital project, grant, or loan award of at least $12 million | Water Quality Program Proposed Loan Offer to King County | This significant agency action would provide $28.6 million in loan funding to King County for constructing needed improvements at the West Point Treatment Plant (WPTP). The project would primarily consist of replacement pumps and improvements to the grit removal system to increase reliability and meet water quality permit requirements. The construction of these improvements will increase WPTP’s capacity to treat raw wastewater and avoid the release of untreated wastewater to Puget Sound. Untreated wastewater presents environmental and health risks to aquatic life and people, so this action supports public health and protects the quality of state waters. This project is in northwest Seattle on a saltwater beach off Elliott Bay. The plant sits within Discovery Park, a 534-acre natural area with public access to 11 miles of walking trails, picnicking, a preschool. The park receives over 250,000 visitors annually. The site is of cultural significance for Indigenous people since time immemorial and is home to the United Indians of All Tribes Foundation, which describes itself as “a social service provider, community center, and cultural home for urban Indians.” | The public can submit feedback about the Water Quality Program's State Fiscal Year 2026 Draft Offer List, which includes this loan action, during the public comment period from 12 a.m. on Feb. 5, 2025 to 11:59 p.m. on March 7, 2025. Ecology also invites the public to attend a public meeting regarding the proposed funding on Feb. 13, 2025 at 1 p.m. via Zoom. To submit comments or register for the meeting, visit the Water Quality grants and loans webpage [LINK]. Ecology will identify additional opportunities to engage with overburdened communities who may be impacted by this action and provide methods for their meaningful involvement in this funding decision. Please contact Faith Wimberley at faith.wimberley@ecy.wa.gov to stay informed of further involvement opportunities. Grants and loans webpage: https://ecology.wa.gov/water-shorelines/water-quality/water-quality-gran... |
Ongoing |
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| 12/30/2024 | 12/30/2024 | Ongoing | Ecology, Department of | Capital project, grant, or loan award of at least $12 million | Award for Washington State Coastal Climate Resilience Initiative – Washington State Department of Transportation North Olympic Peninsula – State Route 112 Highway Resilience | The purpose of this action is to provide $24.8 million to Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to implement the State Route 112 (SR 112) resiliency project. This award is part of the NOAA Climate Resilience Regional Challenge (CRRC), for which the Washington Department of Ecology was awarded $73.5 million dollars to pass through in order to advance a portfolio of collaboratively developed climate resilience projects. The Department of Ecology collaborated with over 30 local jurisdictions, Tribal governments, state agencies, and nonprofit organizations to select and co-develop projects to improve resilience and enhance the climate adaptation capacity of local communities, prioritizing those that have been marginalized, underserved, and/or underrepresented. 81.3% of the Washington CRRC award funds (just under $61 million) will go towards projects located in or co-created with frontline communities and Tribes. $18.7 million will go toward projects located in disadvantaged communities (as identified by the federal Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool) while $41.7 million will go to projects implemented in partnership and in co-creation with Tribes. As one of the projects in this portfolio, WSDOT will implement design, permitting, and construction of a suite of high priority projects on the critical transportation route State Route (SR) 112, which provides primary access for communities on the North Olympic Peninsula. Natural hazards like flooding and landslides, which will be exacerbated by climate change, impact and/or partially close the highway most winters, disrupting the only public road access for the Makah Tribe and remote communities in the region. This highway is a priority for WSDOT and is considered one of the most problematic travel corridors in the state. The bulk of funds will directly address climate hazards through the implementation of nature-based shoreline stabilization and raising the highway grade in high priority areas from MP 0-17. This project has been co-created with the Makah Tribe. WSDOT has also budgeted significant funds towards planning detour routes for this stretch of highway to ensure the Makah Tribe maintains access to critical and emergency services during SR 112 closures. Funds will also be allocated to a Pysht River Valley Corridor Realignment and Predesign Study to address flooding and erosion from MP 24-29; and New Alignment Studies at the Hoko River Crossing at MP 12, MP 32 at Jim Creek, MP 36, and Sumas Pass. Together, these projects will comprehensively address hazards in priority areas for the Makah Tribe, Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, Clallam County, and the surrounding community. | Washington Department of Ecology has collaborated with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) in the planning for this project. Outreach and public comment was and will be led by WSDOT in their role as the grant recipient and project lead. The project is located in a community identified as overburdened, and community members and Tribes helped co-develop the project and have ongoing opportunities to provide comments. WSDOT has held community meetings, stakeholder engagement and public comment on their designs for these projects on SR112. WSDOT has and will continue to collaborate with the Makah Tribe in the planning and design of this project in order to address critical coastal erosion concerns that threaten rural areas and support the planning work that will improve the resilience of Tribal lands and cultural resources while supporting future resilience actions, and support Tribal sovereignty in this climate adaptation planning and implementation. These projects were designed within Tribal communities and collaboratively with local stakeholders and tribes. Collaboration with and comment from the communities and Tribes affected by this project will continue to inform the planning and design of the SR 112 construction work. Tribal partners are integrally involved with this project, and information sharing with other Tribal nations will be conducted by WSDOT and NOAA. Additionally, the NOAA Office of Coastal Management will consult with potentially interested Tribes as part of the Federal Section 106 compliance process. WSDOT will report the result of their meetings, outreach and coordination to the Department of Ecology throughout the project period. WSDOT and Ecology are open to and will continue respond to comments received via email regarding environmental justice, overburdened communities, and vulnerable populations impacted by the project and seek further involvement to address concerns. Ecology will do additional outreach with overburdened communities as needed to address environmental justice concerns. If you have comments on the environmental justice impacts or considerations for this project, you can reach out to the Ecology Project Manager, Julia, at jseb461@ecy.wa.gov. |
Ongoing |
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| 10/10/2024 | 07/01/2024 | Action did not move forward | Commerce, Department of | New grant or loan program | Clean Energy Ambassadors Program | Commerce is exploring a potential Clean Energy Ambassadors program that would offer education, planning, technical assistance, and community engagement across the state. If enacted, this program would offer funding for education, planning, technical assistance, and community engagement across the state to increase clean energy access for all and a just transition to a net-zero economy. Commerce is pursuing multiple funding sources that could enable the program to move forward in early 2025. Discussions at these community workshops will inform the future program. | Commerce seeks to listen and learn from communities and tribes about their visions for a clean energy future. This fall, we invite you to participate in regional workshops to share your ideas and learn about upcoming opportunities like Clean Energy Ambassadors. There are factsheets uploaded here (https://deptofcommerce.app.box.com/s/d6y2jd3wf0b1ghr6z4vjz9lxd2uag54a - soon to be available in multiple languages), and there is a registration form available here (https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/54e49f8a01034da4967c3a169aee030d). Both have more information on dates, times, and locations. Commerce will also distribute this information via email to the update list that you can sign up for on this webpage: https://www.commerce.wa.gov/epic/, to organizations that have expressed interest in the program, and through other networks and modes of communication. DRAFT EJA VIEWABLE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT HERE: https://deptofcommerce.box.com/s/vopxz1cxl72rfl3hj64fovjiob3rd7rq, |
Action did not move forward Program not moving forward due to budget |
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| 06/24/2025 | 06/19/2025 | Ongoing | Commerce, Department of | Agency-request legislation | Increasing AMI for Rural PSH | Expand RCW 36.22.250 Section 5 to include up to 50% AMI for Permanent Supportive Housing in rural areas. | Advisory groups, surveys |
Ongoing |
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| 02/08/2024 | 07/27/2023 | Ongoing | Transportation, Department of | Transportation project, grant, or loan of at least $15 million | I-90 Judkins Park Station – Reconnecting Communities | The goal of the I-90/Judkins Park Station – Reconnecting Communities Study is to recommend changes to the WSDOT I-90 ramps at Rainier Avenue South to improve the safe travel of all modes, especially safe access to the JPS Link station via transit transfer, walk and roll. | Online open house, listening sessions, workshops |
Ongoing |
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| 04/07/2025 | 07/01/2023 | Ongoing | Transportation, Department of | New grant or loan program | Electric-bicycle (E-bike) Lending Library Program | The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) was directed by the legislature to create a statewide e-bike lending library grant program for various government entities and tribes who administer or plan to administer an e-bike lending library or ownership program for their employees as part of their commute trip reduction goals. The department can also grant nonprofits and tribes who serve low-income communities and people living in overburdened communities. Grantees must agree to work with University of Washington to provide research data on mode shifts and vehicle miles travelled at a minimum. | The public will learn about comment opportunities through blog posts, press releases, WSDOT webpage and newsletter articles (existing Walk and Roll publication that has provided regular active transportation information since 2018) and community outreach. One to one outreach will be conducted with organizations and government entities across the state to learn what this opportunity means to them and how it could benefit their communities. Two virtual sessions are planned for potential grantees to bring their comments, suggestions and ideas on the grant process. Feedback from these will help inform the application process and program design. Additional comment or engagement opportunities will be updated as the project advances. Grant application will require grantees to conduct community engagement to guide their project design. The public will be able to provide comment throughout the project period via telephone, email, surveys, and opportunities to take part in research. Public comments for this EJA can be submitted to Adele Peers. If future funding is available for this project, the community feedback that was received will inform both the ways the public learns about comment opportunities and the methods for receiving comment. Public comments for this EJA can be submitted to Adele.peers@wsdot.wa.gov with the subject: “EJA - E-bike Lending Libraries” |
Ongoing |
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| 04/15/2025 | 03/31/2025 | Ongoing | Health, Department of | Agency-request legislation | Agency-request legislation to revise the definition of a "Public Water System" | The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is conducting an Environmental Justice Assessment on agency-proposed legislation that would change the definition of a “public water system” in RCW 70A.125.010(12) and WAC 246-290-020(1) and 246-291-010(51). The current definitions of a public drinking water system state that systems “with four or fewer connections all of which serve residences on the same farm” are not subject to regulation, but do not clarify if the exemption applies to Group A or Group B systems . The definitions in our state laws and rules need to be as strict as the federal Safe Drinking Water Act to ensure all water systems that meet the Group A threshold are regulated as Group A public water systems, without exception. We need a change in legislation (RCW) to allow clarification in state rules (WAC). This rule revision will: • Align state and federal definitions of a “public water system”, • Further clarify the difference between a Group A public water system and a Group B public water system, and • Clarify exclusions only from a Group B public water system for four or fewer connections to single-family residences on the same farm. | Community members will have an opportunity to engage with this EJA through public comment periods, surveys, and direct outreach/listening sessions. Community members will be notified of opportunities to engage through the distribution of One-pagers, Radio Announcements, Newsletters and other outreach methods. |
Ongoing |
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| 01/14/2025 | 08/27/2024 | Ongoing | Transportation, Department of | Transportation project, grant, or loan of at least $15 million | Community Transit Swift Gold Line | Community Transit is preparing to improve transit service for Arlington, Marysville, and Everett by expanding the Swift bus rapid transit (BRT) network with the Swift Gold Line. If Community Transit is awarded a Regional Mobility Grant, WSDOT would provide a $15 million grant award to support this work. | Community Transit’s Community Engagement team is utilizing a four-phased engagement approach that began by introducing the project and gathering input on route options July 11-Aug. 7, 2024. In 2025, Community Transit will conduct three additional engagement periods. At each phase, community members and riders will be notified of the opportunity to provide input through a variety of methods. Methods for gathering input include: 1. Online open house survey and interactive mapping exercise 2. Phone number for our Customer Care team to provide input and ask questions over the phone 3. Email address for submitting comments 4. By mail 5. At a variety of in-person events at libraries and other community events 6. Social media |
Ongoing |
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| 12/03/2024 | 09/04/2023 | Ongoing | Health, Department of | New grant or loan program | Alternative Drinking Water Program | The DOH is conducting an Environmental Justice Assessment on the Alternative Drinking Water Program (ADWP). This program was created with 2023-2025 funding provided through ESSB 5187. The goal of the ADWP is to assist with access to safe drinking water if private wells or Group B water supplies are impacted by contamination. Group B systems serve fewer than 15 residential connections and less than 25 people per day. | • Keep up to date through the website https://doh.wa.gov/community-and-environment/drinking-water/water-system... • Sign up for electronic notices at odw-adwp@doh.wa.gov • For questions about the ADWP or the EJ Assessment, contact us at odw-adwp@doh.wa.gov |
Ongoing |
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| 09/25/2024 | 08/07/2024 | Ongoing | Commerce, Department of | New grant or loan program | Federal Funds Grant Writing Assistance Program (FFGWAP) | The FFGWAP is designed for Washington community-based organizations, local government agencies, ports, housing authorities, tribes, businesses, and others eligible to receive Federal funds to prepare and submit grant applications, and to help Washington meet its clean electricity and greenhouse gas reduction goals using approaches that enhance equity, innovation, economic growth, and job creation. | Program participant survey; 1:1 intake sessions and meetings with contractor (Hagerty) and agency staff PUBLIC COMMENT IS OPEN ON THE DRAFT EJA LOCATED HERE: https://deptofcommerce.box.com/s/3qslblcjdns9nfspnuzd3izojxb2e80e. |
Ongoing |
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| 04/18/2024 | 08/28/2023 | Ongoing | Transportation, Department of | Transportation project, grant, or loan of at least $15 million | SR 900/57th Ave S to S 135th – Environmental Justice Assessment | Construct buffered shared-use-path; pedestrian illumination; retaining wall, ADA-compliant curb ramps, relocate signal cabinet; upgrade and relocate pedestrian push buttons to Accessible Pedestrian Signals; new traffic controls, and marked pedestrian crossings. The combination of elements will altogether reduce the level of stress for users. | To be determined. |
Ongoing |
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| 06/10/2025 | 06/10/2025 | Ongoing | Ecology, Department of | Other | New Rulemaking for Permit Program for state waters.Chapter 173-217 WAC – State Waters Alteration Permit (SWAP) A Permit required for alteration of state waters, including wetlands, and conditions on issuance of permit. | Ecology has initiated state rulemaking to establish a new permitting program for projects that could alter or impact state waters. We are responsible for protecting Washington waters, including wetlands and streams, under the 1945 state Water Pollution Control Act, the 1972 state Shoreline Management Act, and 1990 state Growth Management Act. We are using our long-standing authority under the state Water Pollution Control Act to add a new chapter, 173-217, to the Washington Administrative Code to establish a formal “State Waters Alteration Permit” program within Ecology. To protect state waters and process authorizations more effectively, permits issued through the new program will also outline the measures proponents must take to avoid, minimize and offset the adverse environmental impacts their projects pose to water quality and aquatic habitats. Currently, we issue administrative orders under the Water Pollution Contract Act to authorize projects seeking to alter or impact state waters. While administrative orders protect the environment, the process lacks public notice opportunities and timeline obligations for issuing decisions. A new state permitting program would replace the current administrative order process and provide positive customer service benefits by: - Providing better clarity and predictability about our actions and requirements. - Creating general permits to streamline approvals for projects with minor impacts. - Establishing opportunities for public review. - Setting mitigation requirements for projects. | Ecology plans to conduct engagement focused on connecting with overburdened communities and vulnerable populations for the purpose of the environmental justice assessment of this rulemaking. In doing so, we will focus on engaging with the communities and populations most likely to be impacted by projects or permit requirements. Broader public engagement for this rulemaking is anticipated throughout 2025 with a formal comment period in Summer 2026. Public meetings will be held virtually, in person, or both (depending on the need), during which time we will open the floor for Q&A and informal comments from the public. Ecology welcomes oral comments during public hearings(s), electronically submitted comments, and comments submitted by mail related to the Environmental Justice Assessment for this rulemaking. We will share details about engagement opportunities and resources on our website and through our email distribution list. More information will be provided on our webpage as the rulemaking further develops. |
Ongoing |
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| 07/01/2025 | 07/01/2025 | Ongoing | Commerce, Department of | Agency-request legislation | Critical Energy Infrastructure Protection | Proposing a change to RCW 42.56 Public Records Act which would exclude critical energy infrastructure information from public disclosure. This would encourage energy providers such as electric utilities to report physical and cybersecurity threats and damage with the Energy Resilience & Emergency Management Office, State Fusion Center, and other relevant agencies for coordination on response and restoration activities. | Advisory Groups, Email Comments, Focus Groups, Stakeholder Interviews |
Ongoing |
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| 02/11/2025 | 02/11/2025 | Action did not move forward | Ecology, Department of | Significant legislative rules | Amendments to Washington’s Floodplain Management Law – Floodway prohibition waivers for residential flood mitigation | Ecology is leading an expedited rulemaking to reflect a 2024 amendment to the state’s floodplain management law (RCW 86.16) that occurred with the passage of Senate Bill 5649. Through this rulemaking, Ecology will make minor changes to Chapter 173-158 WAC. The new rule will make it possible for Ecology to issue a waiver that would allow some lower-risk homes located in FEMA-designated “floodways” to be structurally altered (for example, through home elevation) to make the homes safer from future flood events, as long as other requirements of the local land use authority (county, city, or town) are met. The current rules only allow Ecology to issue such a waiver to make these structural changes after a home has been damaged by flooding, not beforehand. The new rule is also expected to make it more likely that lower value homes would be eligible for the waiver. The current rule applies statewide, but only affects areas that currently have mapped FEMA floodways, and/or any future FEMA-mapped floodway. The new rule would apply to the same areas. | Ecology will notify the public of this rulemaking through various outreach efforts and online resources, including engagement with the Washington State Association of Counties and the Association of Washington Cities. Ecology will solicit public input through agency webpages and written comments submitted via mail. To request more information about this rulemaking please contact Jonathon Loos at Jonathon.loos@ecy.wa.gov. |
Action did not move forward Resubmitted as another action |
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| 01/14/2025 | 01/14/2025 | Ongoing | Commerce, Department of | New grant or loan program | Green Jobs Infrastructure Grants | Grants to projects that demonstrate high-wage, clean job creation in Washington, provide risk reduction for investments in public and private infrastructure in order to increase a community's capacity for clean manufacturing, or provide investments in workforce development to attract and train the workforce required to grow the clean energy economy | Public comments period on the draft EJA has opened. Hosting of public Q / A Email Gov delivery WEBS notification Community Networking |
Ongoing |
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| 10/10/2024 | 10/10/2024 | Ongoing | Ecology, Department of | Significant legislative rules | Rulemaking to add Chapter 173-448 WAC, Air Quality in Overburdened Communities | Ecology is beginning rulemaking to add a new rule – Chapter 173-448, Air Quality in Overburdened Communities – to implement parts of Chapter 70A.65.020 RCW, Environmental justice review. This law passed in 2021 as part of the Climate Commitment Act and directs Ecology to reduce criteria air pollution in overburdened communities (OBCs) highly impacted by air pollution. The law requires Ecology to take certain actions, like adopt stricter emission standards in communities identified as overburdened and highly impacted by air pollution. The processes and details for these actions are not included in the law. As a result, this rulemaking is needed to specify the process and procedure that Ecology will follow to reduce criteria air pollution as instructed in the law. Intended environmental benefits include: • Reducing criteria air pollution will improve air quality in overburdened communities Intended health benefits include: • Reducing negative health effects associated with exposure to criteria air pollution Populations expected to be impacted • People who live, work, and spend time in overburdened communities • Businesses whose operations may be impacted | Ecology plans to conduct engagement, focused on connecting with overburdened communities and vulnerable populations. Engagement is anticipated to begin early in 2025 and will include virtual public meetings, comment periods, and other targeted outreach, additional details of which will be shared on our rulemaking website and email distribution list. |
Ongoing |
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| 09/05/2024 | 06/28/2024 | Ongoing | Transportation, Department of | Transportation project, grant, or loan of at least $15 million | State Route 3 Gorst Area Planning and Environmental Linkages Study | In June 2024, WSDOT will begin a Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study to look at State Route 3 in Gorst. The PEL will allow WSDOT to meet with a variety of stakeholders. These include regulatory agencies, the Suquamish Tribe, local governments and all users of the highway. During this process, WSDOT will work with these groups to define a purpose and need. WSDOT will also present and discuss design options for SR 3 near Gorst. These options will then go through an environmental process. This study looks at adding a lane to SR 3 in each direction from Gorst to SR 304. It also explores elevating the roadway through Gorst, replacing the Navy’s railroad crossing of SR 3 and replacing nearby fish barriers. | Various methods are still to be determined, but you can register your email address at the website linked below to stay up to date on this effort as changes occur. |
Ongoing |
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| 05/21/2024 | 11/08/2023 | Ongoing | Transportation, Department of | Transportation project, grant, or loan of at least $15 million | I-5/NB N Lake Samish to Nooksack River - Concrete Pavement Rehab | The Portland Cement Concrete Panels (PCCP) within these sections of Interstate 5 are near or have exceeded their design life. Rehabilitate the concrete pavement through the combination of several strategies such as concrete panel replacement, milling and inlaying of hot-mix asphalt (HMA) road surfaces to match the concrete pavement on tapers and ramps. | TBD |
Ongoing |
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| 06/24/2025 | 06/19/2025 | Ongoing | Commerce, Department of | Agency-request legislation | Streamline Housing Definitions | Three changes to bring RCW language in line with implementation needs, including coordinated updates to statutes to improve clarity and consistency: 1. Clarify the definition of Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) 2. Align definitions of “shelter” across RCWs 3. Add a definition of “imminently homeless” to RCW 43.185C | Advisory groups, focus groups, and surveys |
Ongoing |
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| 03/04/2024 | 07/01/2023 | Ongoing | Commerce, Department of | New grant or loan program | Transit Oriented Development of Affordable Housing - Match Program | Competitively awarded funding, managed by Commerce's Multifamily Housing Unit (MHU), for Transit Oriented Affordable Housing development. The language of the budget (ESSB 5200, Section 1022) laid out very specific parameters regarding both size and location of projects. As written, projects must be no smaller than 100 units in size, and must be located within 1/2 mile of light or commuter rail, or within 1/4 mile of bus rapid transit. this creates a very limited area in which projects can be sited (principally along the I-5 or I-405 corridors in King County), and effectively requires a high level of development experience from any interested organization, or partnership with a consultant that brings such experience. | An SAA was published to Commerce's webpage on 9/13/2023, and a public forum was held via Zoom in October of 2023. while the public forum's primary concern was to confirm Commerce's understanding of the budget language and articulate its plans for implementation, space was held for discussion concerning Environmental Justice considerations. MHU is working with Commerce's internal Environmental Justice workgroup to explore additional pathways to involve communities. |
Ongoing |
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| 04/16/2025 | 04/16/2025 | Ongoing | Ecology, Department of | Significant legislative rules | Amendments to Chapter 173-158 WAC, Flood Plain Management | Ecology is leading an expedited rulemaking to reflect a 2024 amendment to the state’s floodplain management law (RCW 86.16) that occurred with the passage of Senate Bill 5649. Through this rulemaking, Ecology will make minor changes to Chapter 173-158 WAC. The new rule will make it possible for Ecology to issue a waiver that would allow some lower-risk homes located in FEMA-designated “floodways” to be structurally altered (for example, through home elevation) to make the homes safer from future flood events, as long as other requirements of the local land use authority (county, city, or town) are met. The current rules only allow Ecology to issue such a waiver to make these structural changes after a home has been damaged by flooding, not beforehand. Under the state floodplain management law, owners of homes that are located fully or partially in a floodway are allowed to make structural changes to their home without seeking permission from Ecology, as long as the cost of those changes does not equal 50% or more of the home’s value. This impacts homes with different values in different ways. For example, if the average cost to elevate a home is $110,000, the owner of a $500,000 home would be able to elevate their home without triggering the 50% threshold; but the owner of a $200,000 home would have to seek a waiver from Ecology to take the exact same action. The change made to the law in 2024 was intended to address this, and the new rule is expected to make it more likely that lower value homes would be eligible for the waiver. The current rule applies statewide but only affects areas that currently have mapped FEMA floodways, and/or any future FEMA-mapped floodway. The new rule would apply to the same areas. | Ecology will notify the public of this rulemaking through various outreach efforts and online resources, including engagement with the Washington State Association of Counties and the Association of Washington Cities. Ecology will solicit public input through agency webpages and written comments submitted via email. We welcome comments and questions from members of overburdened communities and vulnerable populations. Please reach out to Jonathon at jloo461@ecy.wa.gov to discuss this rulemaking in more detail. |
Ongoing |
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| 12/03/2024 | 12/08/2023 | Ongoing | Health, Department of | New grant or loan program | Climate Health and Adaptation Initiative Community Capacity Building Grant Program | The CHAI Community Capacity Building grant program is a partnership among DOH and other state, federal, and academic entities designed to help communities address their self-identified needs in a changing climate. Applicants may apply for resources to provide community resilience planning, mental health support, local capacity building support and other needs for climate hazard resilience. | Visit https://doh.wa.gov/node/17638 for more information. For questions about the CHAI Community Capacity Building Grant Program or the environmental justice assessment, please contact staff at OEPHSShared@doh.wa.gov. |
Ongoing |
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| 11/16/2023 | 11/16/2023 | Ongoing | Health, Department of | Significant legislative rules | Private Detention Facilities Rule Making | The Department of Health (DOH) is conducting an environmental justice assessment for rulemaking related to Chapter 70.395 RCW, which allows DOH to investigate complaints and perform health and safety inspections in private detention facilities. This is to ensure facilities meet safety and hygiene standards and provide safe conditions for people being detained. | The Office of the Assistant Secretary (OAS) has participated in listening sessions with several advocacy groups and shared information regarding private detention facility rulemaking activities. OAS has created a program webpage (https://doh.wa.gov/about-us/executive-offices/prevention-safety-and-heal...) where the public can learn about rulemaking steps including upcoming listening sessions, anticipated time frames when the public can participate in multiple workgroup sessions to draft rule language, and timeframes for the informal proposed rule public comment period. Interested parties can e-mail comments directly to: privatedetentionfacilites@doh.wa.gov. |
Ongoing |
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| 07/18/2024 | 07/18/2024 | Action did not move forward | Commerce, Department of | Agency-request legislation | Advancing a Green Hydrogen Economy | This ARL will advance several key recommendations from Commerce’s recent green hydrogen and renewable fuels legislative report in order to support hydrogen deployment in Washington. Key items include: establishing a formal state target for in-state green electrolytic hydrogen production; creating a new tax incentive and grant program for hydrogen end users to help direct hydrogen to the most strategic sectors; and advancing environmental justice recommendations including hydrogen combustion testing to assess NOx emissions. | Those that have comments or feedback on the EJ assessment for the green electrolytic hydrogen and renewable fuels ARL can email them to Shannon Pressler, Engagement Specialist, at shannon.pressler@commerce.wa.gov. |
Action did not move forward Different priorities advanced during the supplemental session. |
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| 05/02/2024 | 05/02/2024 | Ongoing | Ecology, Department of | Significant legislative rules | Chapters 173-18, -20, -22, -26, and -27 WAC, Shoreline Management Act Rules Update | The Department of Ecology is conducting rulemaking to amend Chapters 173-18, -20, -22, -26, and -27 under the Shoreline Management Act. These Chapters contain Ecology’s rules that carry out the provisions of the Shoreline Management Act. This includes the guidelines for local governments developing, amending, and administering shoreline master programs (SMPs) and standards for SMP administration, permitting, and enforcement. During this rulemaking, we will amend each of these WACs to ensure that our rules are current, reflect changes to the Shoreline Management Act, and clearly and efficiently guide local governments in upholding the goals of the Act. The scope of this rulemaking will be refined through the public engagement process but will include sea level rise. Some of the other topics we are considering may include shoreline stabilization, critical area protections, channel migration zones, mooring buoys, and more. Ecology is amending Chapter 173-26 and 173-27 WAC to: • Comply with the Shoreline Management Act (Chapter 90.58 RCW) and address issues that have we have identified through the review, adoption, and implementation of SMPs. These revisions will provide clarity around SMP approval/amendment procedures and permit and enforcement procedures. Additional amendments may be included for clarity. • Add requirements for local governments to address the impact of sea level rise and increased storm severity on people, property, and shoreline natural resources and the environment. Ecology is also amending Chapters 173-18 and -20 WAC, to update the list of streams, rivers, and lakes in completed SMP updates and amending Chapter 173-22 WAC to clarify designations of shorelands and wetlands associated with shorelines of the state. This rulemaking will be statewide. However, the specific requirement to address the impact of sea level rise and increased storm severity will apply only to jurisdictions with marine shorelines. | For this rulemaking, Ecology will develop and follow a communication plan for public outreach, including a dedicated focus on connecting with people from overburdened communities and vulnerable populations. For the environmental justice assessment, we plan to connect through multiple methods, such as virtual meetings and listening sessions, which will take place in 2024 and 2025. There will also be additional opportunities for people to connect during the rulemaking public comment period and public hearings. To learn more about the rulemaking process and opportunities to get involved, visit our website, which will be updated with more information. You can also join our email list, which is also on our webpage. |
Ongoing |
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| 06/12/2025 | 01/01/2024 | Ongoing | Transportation, Department of | Transportation project, grant, or loan of at least $15 million | Interstate 5 Ship Canal Stormwater Treatment Project | This project will build a stormwater treatment facility beneath the north end of the I-5 Ship Canal Bridge. Stormwater runoff is the leading source of pollution in the Puget Sound and nearby waterways, impacting the health of communities, ecosystems, and wildlife. This facility will capture, carry, and clean stormwater runoff from I-5 by removing harmful pollutants, including 6PPD, a chemical used in tires that is toxic to salmon, before the water flows into the ship canal. | To be determined. |
Ongoing |
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| 07/02/2025 | 07/02/2025 | Ongoing | Commerce, Department of | Agency-request legislation | Small Business Training and Education Center | This request covers three programs which in the past have either 1) been successfully piloted, 2) have a track record of success but inconsistent funding, or 3) have been built using other revenue streams that will dry up in the 2025-27 biennium. A final request describes an asset mapping exercise to identify all small business training and education activities at the local, state and federal level to identify gaps, reduce redundancies and build a more cohesive training and education system that is intuitive for small businesses to use. Access to accurate, vetted business education and training is a historical barrier to those in underrepresented and underserved communities. For instance, while 90% of small businesses make it through their first year or two, 80% of black-owned businesses fail. The survival rate of any small business is 50% at year five, in part because owners don’t have the expertise and education to address the most common barriers to success – lack of capital or customers, poor location, incorrect pricing strategies, or lack of focus on core competencies. The Washington State Small Business Training & Education Center is a trusted site that provides free access to education, training, tutorials, webinars and academies developed by, and in many cases taught by, small business owners. This budget request will continue to provide stability to this vital resource where one’s bank account or first language aren’t barriers. Any individual can access the site and tap into its knowledge base. No registration is required. Mystartup365.com provides a business owner with all the training they need, from concept through exit strategy. In between they can learn how to master financials, improve decision-making, build a business plan, secure funding and reach new customers and markets. They can do this in any one of 58 languages from the comfort of their office or home, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. | Email comments Stakeholder interviews |
Ongoing |
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| 02/12/2025 | 07/01/2023 | Ongoing | Transportation, Department of | New grant or loan program | Electric-bicycle (E-bike) Rebate Program | WSDOT has been directed by the legislature to create a statewide rebate program for purchase of class 1, 2 or 3 e-bike purchases (excluding mountain e-bikes). The program is open to all Washington residents and will allocate 60% of vouchers to those who identify as income verified (meaning they live in a tax household at or below 80% of the median county income level). Additionally, minimum 35% of vouchers will go to those living in overburdened communities. Income verified participants will be required to provide supporting documentation as part of their application. Bike shop owners will be required to validate the applicants’ voucher and eligible ID when redeeming vouchers. | The public will learn about comment opportunities through blog posts, press releases, WSDOT webpage and newsletter articles (existing Walk and Roll publication that has provided regular active transportation information since 2018) and community outreach. Specific comment or engagement opportunities will be updated as the project advances. The public will be able to provide comment throughout the project period via telephone, email, surveys, and opportunities to take part in research. Public comments for this environmental justice assessment (EJA) can be submitted to Adele Peers. If future funding is available for this project, the community feedback that was received will inform both the ways the public learns about comment opportunities and the methods for receiving comment. Public comments for this EJA can be submitted to Adele.peers@wsdot.wa.gov with the subject: “EJA - E-bike Rebate” |
Ongoing |
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| 10/14/2024 | 08/12/2024 | Ongoing | Agriculture, Department of | Significant legislative rules | Establishing a quarantine to prevent untreated firewood from entering Washington State | The department is considering establishing a quarantine of untreated out-of-state firewood to prevent the introduction of plant pests and bee pests. The movement of firewood containing plant pests and bee pests poses a threat to Washington’s forests, agricultural, and environmental interests. Eggs, larvae, and adult stages of many invasive insect pests can be carried on or inside firewood and are easily spread when firewood is moved from one location to another. Introductions of these invasive insect pests have destroyed forests and are costly to control. Such invasive plant pests include emerald ash borer, spongy moth, Asian longhorned beetle, spotted lanternfly, pine wood nematode, Sirex woodwasp, Japanese cedar longhorn beetle, and other insects and organisms that can directly or indirectly injure or cause disease or damage in plants or parts of plants or in processed, manufactured, or other products of plants, or that can be considered bee pests. Many states, including Oregon, have already enacted firewood quarantines that prohibit out-of-state firewood that has not been properly heat-treated against pest organisms. These quarantines seek to prevent potentially infested firewood from entering the state and introducing invasive plant pests and bee pests. This firewood quarantine is necessary to disrupt a dispersal pathway for several invasive plant pests, especially wood-boring insects, and will help prevent their introduction into Washington. | TBD |
Ongoing |
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| 09/05/2024 | 09/05/2024 | Ongoing | Agriculture, Department of | Significant legislative rules | Rule Making to Amend Chapter 16-202 WAC, Application of Pesticides and Plant Nutrients through Irrigation Systems | The Department is considering modifying the rules for chemigation and fertigation monitoring to incorporate present technological capabilities and potential future automation capabilities for application of pesticides and fertilizers through irrigation systems. | Govdelivery notification and website posting. |
Ongoing |
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| 12/04/2023 | 09/19/2023 | Action did not move forward | Commerce, Department of | Agency-request legislation | Clarifying, updating and modifying office of homeless youth prevention and protection statutes | This is Department of Commerce, Housing Division, agency request legislation related to several technical clarifications that are needed in RCWs to improve the administration of Office of Homeless Youth (OHY) grant programs. The current RCW language presents barriers to the successful implementation of OHY programs or contributes to a lack of clarity about OHY's roles and responsibilities. The requested changes originated from requests from community providers and lived experts. | Community engagement on these technical fixes already took place, with the changes being developed in consultation with Office of Homeless Youth advisory groups and stakeholders. Since these are small technical fixes, we don't anticipate future concerns from stakeholders. We don't anticipate any impacts on Tribal Nations or lands. |
Action did not move forward Died in Session and did not move forward |
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| 07/29/2024 | 03/04/2024 | Ongoing | Transportation, Department of | Transportation project, grant, or loan of at least $15 million | State Route 7 Pre-design Study | WSDOT has a safety improvement project on State Route 7 between SR 507 and 267th Street. The project will build roundabouts at 260th Street E, 224th Street E, 22nd Avenue E and at SR 507. This pre-design study will also use Complete Streets to identify safety and accessibility improvements for everyone along and across SR 7 including active transportation users. Recommended improvements will become part of this project. | TBD |
Ongoing |
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| 09/12/2023 | 09/12/2023 | Ongoing | Ecology, Department of | Significant legislative rules | Cap-and-Invest Offsets Rulemaking (Chapter 173-446 WAC) | Ecology is considering amendments to Chapter 173-446 WAC to address new and revised cap and invest offset protocols. Offsets are projects or programs designed to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere. In Washington’s cap-and-invest program, offset projects must also provide direct environmental benefits to our state. Offsets allow businesses to balance out the negative impacts of their emissions by funding a project that benefits the environment such as capturing methane on dairy farms or planting trees in urban areas. The scope of this rulemaking will include consideration of protocol updates or addition of new protocols to increase the potential variety of offset projects that can be developed within the cap-and-invest program, as directed by RCW 70A.65.170(4)(b). This statute directs Ecology to conduct rulemaking that ensures that any updates or additions to the offset program are both based in the best available science, and support the needs of landowners and communities in Washington state. | Ecology is initiating this environmental justice assessment and the rulemaking process and will provide engagement opportunities that include public meetings and comment periods. As we schedule opportunities for feedback and participation, we will share them through our website and distribution list. Please visit the rulemaking’s webpage or sign up for email updates here: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WAECY/subscriber/new?topic_id=WA... . Please contact Nikki Harris at nikki.harris@ecy.wa.gov for comments or questions. |
Ongoing |
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| 04/10/2024 | 06/14/2023 | Ongoing | Health, Department of | New grant or loan program | Workplace Safety and Climate Change Grant Program | The Washington Department of Health (DOH) is conducting an Environmental Justice Assessment on a $10,000,000 grant provided by the legislature “solely to support and administer a workplace health and safety program for workers who are affected by climate impacts, including but not limited to, extreme heat and cold, wildfire smoke, drought, and flooding. This program will focus on workplace health and safety for farmworkers, construction workers, and other workers who face the most risk from climate-related impacts” (pg. 325 ESSB 5187). | Opportunities for public engagement and updates will be posted to the agency site linked below. |
Ongoing |
