Environmental justice assessment notices

Ecology is considering revisions to the surface water quality standards for nutrients in lakes and reservoirs. The surface water quality standards establish clean water requirements to protect rivers, lakes, streams, and marine water. Excess nutrients can contribute to harmful algal blooms, which may negatively impact recreation, and harm people, pets, and wildlife. If adopted, this rulemaking will set requirements to minimize nutrient pollution that provide additional protection for aquatic life, recreation, and drinking water sources.

Ecology will offer opportunities for vulnerable populations and overburdened communities who may be impacted by this rule to inform this rulemaking through specific engagement activities in 2026 and 2027. Ecology is also available to meet with individual organizations and small groups at their request during the rulemaking process. We will invite consultation with potentially impacted Tribes at each key phase of the rulemaking (rule announcement, proposal, and adoption) and meet regularly with Tribal water quality staff across Washington to answer questions and get feedback on the rulemaking.  During rule development, we will offer opportunities for the public to learn more about the rulemaking and to provide feedback on what people want in the rule. We will hold a formal comment period on proposed rule changes and respond to comments received.  Please check for engagement opportunities on the website linked or contact Marla Koberstein, the Rule Coordinator, at Marla.Koberstein@ecy.wa.gov.

Ecology is considering amendments to Chapter 173-423 WAC, Washington’s 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 statutory requirement by adopting regulations consistent with the following California programs: Advanced Clean Cars, Advanced Clean Cars II, Advanced Clean Trucks, and Heavy-Duty Low NOx Omnibus standards. These regulations ensure that new motor vehicles sold in Washington pollute less, and they are an essential policy tool for addressing climate change and improving air quality – particularly in communities overburdened by vehicle emissions. In this rulemaking, Ecology is considering amendments to Washington regulations that will track amendments to the following California regulations: Advanced Clean Cars, Advanced Clean Cars II, Advanced Clean Trucks, and Heavy-Duty Low NOx Omnibus standards. Additionally, Ecology is considering adopting components of California’s 2010 medium- and heavy-duty vehicle in-use standards to maintain consistency with RCW 70A.30.010, particularly in light of ongoing federal attempts to revoke California’s waivers for the current medium- and heavy-duty low-emission vehicle standards (i.e., Heavy-Duty Low NOx Omnibus). Although Ecology holds these recent federal waiver actions as unlawful, this rulemaking will ensure the cleanest available standards are implemented in Washington. Amendments under consideration also include any changes to components of these regulations in Chapter 173-423 WAC that are needed to address Washington-specific vehicle market conditions. These changes must be limited to aspects that do not create a “third vehicle” for regulatory purposes outside of those created for the California and federal markets, as is required by the federal Clean Air Act. Ecology is also evaluating additional fleet reporting requirements, beyond the one-time report required in 2023, to authorize additional data collection. These amendments are important to streamline program implementation, provide additional compliance flexibility and clarity, maintain consistency with other states and the federal government, and work toward meeting Washington’s requirements for greenhouse gas emissions. For a complete list of amendments being considered in this rulemaking, please see the rulemaking webpage.

Ecology identified the following engagement opportunities for the public to comment on this proposed action. We will conduct outreach with the public, community-based and environmental organizations whose missions are focused on climate or energy policy and air quality, and overburdened communities and vulnerable populations most impacted by the rulemaking: Informational meetings: To provide an opportunity to learn about this rulemaking and share input. Draft rule language meetings: To provide an opportunity for interested parties to learn about the rule language revisions and share input on the rule language drafts. Comment periods, both informal and formal: To provide opportunities to submit written comments online. Environmental justice-focused community forums: To gather feedback from potential overburdened and vulnerable communities, environmental justice organizations, and other members of the public on environmental justice issues related to these rulemakings. Overburdened communities and vulnerable populations near major roadways are most likely to be indirectly impacted by this rulemaking. Tribal Forums: To share rulemaking updates and gather feedback from Tribes. Public hearings: To gather feedback on the proposed rule language. Hearings will include time for oral testimony. ZEVergreen: This rulemaking is a part of ZEVergreen, Washington’s effort to make clean, affordable transportation more accessible for our communities and industry. As a part of this effort, Ecology will hold a series of workshops with partners to explore strategies for ZEV adoption that are in line with our state’s legally mandated greenhouse gas emission limits. In addition to helping Washingtonians save money, ZEVergreen will protect public health and the environment. Getting more of these vehicles on Washington’s roads reduces the harmful air pollution affecting communities located near major traffic corridors. Washington law requires a 45% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and a 95% reduction by 2050. Continuing zero-emission vehicle adoption is an important part of meeting these limits. Ecology will host an initial public information session on December 15, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. As we schedule additional opportunities for feedback and participation, we will share them through our website and distribution list.

The Department of Ecology is starting the rulemaking process for a new rule, Chapter 173-316 WAC Food Center Grant Programs, to establish and implement new grant programs under the Washington Center for Sustainable Food Management (The Food Center). This rule will establish participant and project eligibility, additional grant eligibility, and reporting criteria. The rule will also establish criteria to help ensure applicants and projects reduce emissions from landfills and waste-to-energy facilities through the diversion of organic materials and food waste prevention, rescue, and recovery.

Email Network and Notifications Ecology will invite input through its Food Center email distribution list, which includes food recovery organizations, hunger-relief agencies, local governments, Tribes, nonprofit partners, and other stakeholders engaged in food waste prevention and rescue. Subscribers will receive updates about the rulemaking process, including draft materials, opportunities to provide feedback, and notices about upcoming public comment periods. These notifications will help ensure interested partners stay informed and can participate meaningfully throughout rule development. Public Meetings (Virtual and/or In-Person) Ecology will host public meetings, which may be held virtually, in person, or in hybrid formats, to share information about the proposed rule, answer questions, and gather feedback. These sessions will follow a similar format to other Ecology rulemakings, including a staff presentation, time for participant discussion, and recordings or summaries made available after the meetings. Ecology may also collaborate with community-based and hunger-relief organizations to support participation from overburdened and vulnerable communities and other food system partners. Online Public Comment Submission Ecology will accept public comments during designated comment periods and at public meetings throughout the rulemaking process.

The Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program (OGWRP) works towards stabilizing a declining aquifer that is vital to Central Washington farmers, workers, and communities. Ecology has been working with project partners since the early 2000s to bring water to this community. This specific action will provide $38.5 million in construction capital to build water supply infrastructure for over 17,000 acres of farmland. This action is anticipated to shift 34 wells from the Odessa aquifer to surface water.

Community outreach with an invitation to provide public comments will be provided through various community events. We will share information and opportunities for public comment on our website – https://ecology.wa.gov/ecologys-work-near-you/river-basins-groundwater/columbia-river-basin-projects/odessa-groundwater-replacement and through email. This information will also be publicized through the OGWRP Newsletter and the Columbia Basin Sustainable Water Coalition meetings and local radio stations. We will also work with project partners to make sure that the message is reaching overburdened communities or populations with vulnerabilities. This information will be available in both English and Spanish. OCR will also invite Tribal consultation.

Commerce contracted with an organization to conduct a study to identify economic, community, and workforce development opportunities resulting from Washington’s participation in the offshore wind supply chain through conducting convening’s, workshops, and studies as appropriate. The study will assess strategies necessary for Washington to engage in the offshore wind supply chain. This study may address public infrastructure needed for manufacturing, assembly, and transport of supply chain components, and an assessment of workforce needs and community benefits.

Community Feedback Sessions, Stakeholder Meetings

Community Participatory Budgeting was previously administered out of the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and was reappropriated to Commerce in the most recent capital budget – see Sec. 1029 of the ’25-’27 Capital Budget. Click here to see information regarding the prior budget appropriation from ’23-’25 at the Department of Health. The appropriation in Sec.1029 includes $2.8M to engage with overburdened communities and the environmental justice council to develop a participatory, community-driven, noncompetitive process to identify projects that will mitigate the disproportionate impacts of climate change on overburdened communities. It also includes $5.5M to provide grants for projects identified through the community-driven process to fund either decarbonization or resiliency projects, or both, that benefit overburdened communities as defined in RCW 70A.02.010.

Community involvement sessions.

Install underground and overhead power cable from the Langley Puget Sound Energy (PSE) substations, located 2.8 miles to the northwest of the terminal along State Route (SR) 525 right of way to a point of delivery in the vicinity of Washington State Ferries’ terminal property, and then to a vessel charging system at trestle slip 1. The need for a shoreside battery energy storage system will be determined.

Via email at WSFelectrification@WSDOT.WA.GOV

The Anaerobic Digester Development (Dairy Digester) program is funded by the Climate Commitment Act (CCA) for the purpose of developing or repairing anaerobic digesters at Washington dairies

Community Involvement Sessions, Tribal Consultation, Email, Advisory Groups

This rulemaking updates Chapter 173-910 WAC to improve response plans, worker safety, and outreach to diverse communities for the Mercury-Containing Lights Product Stewardship Program. This effort will align the rule with legislative changes made to the law in 2024. This statewide program ensures safe, convenient, and environmentally responsible collection, transportation, and recycling of lights that contain mercury, a hazardous substance. By preventing mercury release into the environment, the program protects the environment and reduces health risks to Washington residents. Updates to the rule will require stewardship plans to include spill/release response plans and worker safety plans for collection sites, as well as targeted outreach and education materials that are conceptually, linguistically, and culturally appropriate for diverse populations, developed in meaningful consultation with affected communities.

Starting on January 1, 2029, a ban on the sale of most mercury-containing lights goes into effect. However, mercury-containing lights already in circulation still pose a risk, making it essential to maintain a robust product stewardship program through safe disposal and recycling options. The program is scheduled to conclude by January 1, 2035. However, the Washington State Department of Ecology may end the program earlier if it determines that the continued costs of the program outweigh the benefits of continuing collection efforts.

Ecology will implement a formal communication plan designed to engage all communities, with a focus on overburdened and vulnerable populations across Washington. The plan will prioritize meaningful engagement by leveraging existing relationships with community-based organizations and tailoring outreach efforts to meet community needs. Ecology will provide opportunities for people from overburdened communities or vulnerable populations to provide their input during multiple listening sessions and will be actively engaged during those meetings to learn how changes to the mercury lights collection program might affect people within these communities. There will be multiple ways to get involved in this rulemaking. People may participate in listening sessions, subscribe to the email list for this rulemaking to receive updates, submit written comments online during comment periods, participate in public meetings, email Krysta Thornton, and may visit the rulemaking webpage for more information.

The Eastside Sustainable Harvest Calculation (SHC) is a multi-year planning effort by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to determine how much timber can be sustainably harvested from forested state trust lands in eastern Washington over the next ten years. This calculation, required by state law (RCW 79.10.300–.340), helps DNR balance its legal trust obligations—such as generating revenue for schools and counties—with forest health, wildlife habitat, carbon storage, and other public values.
The SHC is a non-project agency action, meaning it does not directly authorize any on-the-ground activity. Instead, it sets harvest volume targets that guide future timber sales during the upcoming planning decade. Each timber sale will still go through its own, site-specific environmental review under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA).

To develop the SHC, DNR utilizes forest estate modeling to evaluate different timber harvest scenarios over time. These scenarios must align with existing laws, regulations, and policies, including DNR’s Habitat Conservation Plan and its responsibilities as a trust land manager. DNR is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the SHC, which will include a “no action” alternative and assess the potential environmental impacts of a range of action alternatives. Public input will be gathered during the Draft EIS public comment period.

In addition to the EIS, DNR is conducting an Environmental Justice Assessment (EJA) under the Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act. An EJA is a tool used to identify and evaluate how agency decisions may affect overburdened communities, vulnerable populations, and Tribes, particularly in terms of environmental benefits and burdens. It considers both potential harms and opportunities for positive outcomes and helps agencies ensure fair treatment and meaningful involvement of communities that have the greatest environmental and health burdens in decision-making.

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is committed to making the Environmental Justice Assessment (EJA) process open, inclusive, and shaped by the voices of Tribes, overburdened communities, and vulnerable populations. There will be several ways to share feedback throughout the process:
1. Public Hearings at the Board of Natural Resources
DNR will host several public hearings related to the Sustainable Harvest Calculation. These meetings will be open to the public and will include time for both verbal and written comments. Dates and details will be posted on DNR’s Board of Natural Resources.

2. Comment Period on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
When the Draft EIS is released in 2026, there will be a formal comment period. Tribes, communities, and the public can review the document and submit feedback during the comment period. Instructions on how to submit comments will be available on the Eastern Washington Sustainable Harvest Calculation webpage.
3. Engagement During the EJA Process
DNR will provide several opportunities to comment directly on the Environmental Justice Assessment:
• Draft EJA (Mid 2026): DNR will complete a draft based on initial analysis.
• Outreach and Listening Sessions (Late 2025–Early 2026): DNR will meet with Tribes, overburdened communities, and vulnerable populations to gather input on the draft findings.
• Revising the EJA (Late 2026): Feedback will be reviewed and used to improve the assessment.
• Sharing the Revised Draft (Mid 2026): A revised version will be shared for additional comments.
• Final Review (Mid–Late 2026): Before finalizing, DNR will ensure the assessment reflects both potential harms and benefits to affected communities.
More information and opportunities to participate will be shared as the project moves forward.

The awarded Remedial Action Grant funds will provide The Port of Everett a state match of 50% to advance the work at Weyerhaeuser Mill A. These funds will allow the Port to progress the initial stages of dredging and construction of the confined disposal facility to help with ongoing cleanup efforts. As part of the Puget Sound Initiative, Ecology took a bay wide approach to some of the cleanup sites in Puget Sound. Port Gardner Bay in Everett, WA was selected as one of seven bays to focus on for the Puget Sound Initiative. The Weyerhaeuser Mill A site is one of the larger cleanups for Port Gardner Bay and Puget Sound. The site of Weyerhaeuser’s original mill, purchased in 1902, the site contains contamination from 100 years of lumbermill-related activities. Contaminants include wood waste, metals, PAHs, PCBs, dioxin and furan, and phthalates/phenols. The Port of Everett purchased the property in 1983 and developed it for use as a log yard. Log handling operations were performed until the mid-2000s. The site is currently being used as a cargo terminal. The site requires both in-water and uplands cleanup. Ecology finished the Cleanup Action Plan for the in-water cleanup in November 2024. The Port of Everett (Port) is working on the in-water pre-remedial design investigation. The in-water work is estimated to cost $200-$300 million and will take more than four years to complete (current ‘estimated’ start of cleanup work is the 2027-28 in-water work window). The in-water cleanup is a combination of dredging and placement into a built confined disposal facility, in water capping, monitored and enhanced natural attenuation in areas not dredged. In 2025, the Port completed an uplands interim action for stormwater system upgrades and started the remedial investigation/feasibility study.

We will provide an avenue for comments and feedback through a blog post that invites the public to comment and will continue to respond to comments. Ecology will work on identifying and contacting local organizations that work within the community to further address potential impacts to overburdened communities and vulnerable populations. We know the public needs to understand all the potential impacts the cleanup and future use of this property will have. Because this cleanup has been ongoing, we have had previous opportunities to gauge public interest, as recently as June 2024. Interest has been minimal, based on the number of comments, feedback, requests, and attendance at previous Port held meetings. Members of the community can continue to learn more about this site by subscribing to site updates, contacting Becky Dilba at becky.dilba@ecy.wa.gov, or through the various public commenting periods as this site progresses with the cleanup.