Environmental justice assessment notices

This rulemaking is necessary to strengthen the state’s oil spill contingency planning requirements for vessels, facilities, pipelines, and railroads and ensure they continue to maximize the effectiveness and timeliness of oil spill preparedness and response. These updates will help protect Washington’s waters, natural and cultural resources, and significant economic assets by minimizing the impact of oil spills and ensuring the highest level of protection achievable through current technology, staffing, and operational practices.

During rule development, we will offer opportunities for the public to learn about the rulemaking, understand potential impacts, and provide input on what they would like to see in the proposed rule. Ecology will provide opportunities for vulnerable populations and overburdened communities who may be impacted by this rule to meaningfully inform the rulemaking through focused engagement activities from February through October of 2026, including meeting directly with groups that represent some of these populations. We are also available to meet with individual organizations and small community groups upon request throughout the rulemaking process. We will invite government-to-government consultation with potentially impacted Tribes, with particular focus on the mid-Columbia region, at each key phase of the rulemaking (rule announcement, proposal, and adoption) and continue to meet regularly with Tribes across and bordering Washington to answer questions, share updates, and incorporate feedback. A formal public comment period will be held on the proposed changes in 2027, during which all comments received will be reviewed and responded to. For updated information and upcoming engagement opportunities, please visit the rulemaking webpage or contact the rulemaking team at SpillsRulemaking@ecy.wa.gov .

The Washington State Department of Ecology is beginning a new rulemaking to update the Clean Fuel Standard by implementing Second Substitute House Bill 1409 (SSHB 1409), which was signed into law on May 17, 2025. The rulemaking will amend Chapter 173-424 WAC, Clean Fuels Program Rule and Section 150 of Chapter 173-455 WAC, clean fuels program fees. This rulemaking has statewide implications and will affect all populations in Washington.

We plan to conduct outreach with the public, community-based organizations and environmental organizations that focus on climate, energy policy, and air quality, especially those that work with overburdened communities. Types of outreach we anticipate using are listening sessions, virtual 1:1 meetings, public hearings, online public comments.

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR is proposing amendments to RCW 79.11.130, RCW 79.11.430, RCW 79.15.070, RCW 79.15.080, and RCW 79.15.150 to modernize our advertising processes and better serve both the agency and our purchasers. These updates are designed to give DNR greater flexibility and authority to use contemporary advertising methods, such as digital platforms and online listings, in addition to traditional newspaper notices and pamphlets. By embracing modern technology, we can reach a wider audience, provide more timely and accessible information about sales, and streamline the purchasing process. This modernization will benefit the department by increasing operational efficiency, reducing costs, and potentially boosting participation in sales. For our purchasers, it means easier access to sale information, improved transparency, and a more user-friendly experience, ensuring that our processes keep pace with current expectations and technological advancements.

DNR is using a combination of direct outreach and written requests for public comment. Direct outreach consists of e-mails to specific stakeholders as well as attendance at organizational meetings to present the proposal. The Timber Sale Efficiencies Amendments Bill proposal is posted on DNRs Timber Sale web page.

The 2025 law change requires Ecology to jointly approve landfill permits with jurisdictional health departments, enhancing oversight of solid waste facilities in Washington. By clarifying permit approval processes and strengthening inspection and enforcement authority, Ecology aims to reduce environmental impacts such as groundwater contamination, air emissions, and improper waste management, which can directly affect nearby residents. The geographic areas most likely to be affected include locations with existing municipal solid waste landfills across the state. The intended environmental benefits are achieved by requiring joint permit approval by Ecology and jurisdictional health departments, ensuring landfills follow both state and local environmental standards. Strengthened inspection and enforcement authority allows for quicker correction of noncompliance, reducing risks of soil, water, and air contamination. Mandatory facility access for inspections and sampling ensures ongoing monitoring and consistent compliance. These measures help protect all Washington residents, especially those from overburdened communities and vulnerable populations, by reducing pollution and promoting safer waste management practices. Ecology will provide opportunities for all communities, including those that have historically been excluded from decision-making, to participate and provide input on the rulemaking process through virtual meetings, consultation, and public comments. This rulemaking works to support equitable protection of all Washington residents.

Ecology will implement a formal communication plan designed to engage all communities, including 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 listening sessions and will be actively engaged during those meetings to learn how changes 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 Solid Waste Handling Standards email list to receive updates, submit written comments online during comment periods, participate in public meetings, and visit the rulemaking webpage for more information.

WSDA proposes establishing a quarantine of untreated out-of-state firewood to prevent the introduction of plants pests, including but not limited to tree pests and bee pests. Learn more reason about this action at:

• https://agr.wa.gov/services/inspections-and-investigations/inspections/weights-and-measures/firewood
• https://www.dontmovefirewood.org/

WSDA posts information and contact information:

• https://agr.wa.gov/about-wsda/news-and-media-relations/blog-posts?article=42478
• https://agr.wa.gov/services/rulemaking

Emailed current Tribal contacts, to Tribes along the state boarder, with a description of the action and contact information. More details found here: https://agr.wa.gov/about-wsda/environmental-justice/environmental-justice-assessments

As a result of a petition for rule making, WSDA is proposing expanding the apple maggot quarantine area in Okanogan County, Washington. The apple maggot is an invasive insect pest, which hosts include apples, crabapple, and native and ornamental hawthorn. During the larval stage, apple maggot can cause extensive damage to fruit. It is also economically significant to Washington’s apple industry because fruit from the pest-free areas has greater access to international markets. Recent apple maggot surveys provide evidence that the state’s apple maggot population has expanded its range into pest free areas of the county. Changes to the existing rule may better protect the apple industry by slowing possible movements of apple maggot from infested areas into the pest free area, and by securing access to international and interstate markets.

WSDA sent post cards with information and contact information to all records parcel records found on Okanogan County’s Assessor site, to the parcel address found within the proposed Quarantine area. Please see environmental justice assessment for postcard information. Rule making and public hearing information: https://agr.wa.gov/services/rulemaking/wac-16-470-apple-maggot-q-042324

The Whatcom Waterway site is a sediment cleanup site located in Bellingham Bay, near downtown Bellingham. Industrial activities, including the former Georgia-Pacific chlor-alkali plant, wood waste and degradation products from historical log rafting activities, and pulp mill wastewater discharges contaminated sediments along this waterfront. Portions of the site were cleaned up from 2015 to 2016 during Phase 1 of the cleanup. The remaining areas are in the process of designing the cleanup action. This remedial action grant will fund the remaining design, permitting, and construction work to complete Phase 2 of the cleanup action. This EJA covers Phase 2 of the Whatcom Waterway cleanup, however, we anticipate that the Port will complete Phase 2 over three construction seasons and that additional EJAs for individual awards over $12 million will be necessary. The number of EJAs will depend on if funding requests need to be broken up between biennia, which could result in more than one.

Completion of the cleanup will remove, cap, and/or monitor sediments contaminated with mercury, phenols, and dioxin/furan compounds.

The project area includes dredging contaminated sediments in the federal navigation channel, as well as adjacent to public beach access and recreational water use areas. Part of this project includes construction of a nearshore confined disposal facility within the inner portion of the existing Georgia-Pacific Aerated Stabilization Basin (ASB), which will provide sufficient capacity for disposal of the contaminated sediments to be generated during the cleanup of the Whatcom Waterway site and from other related Port sediment cleanups. Additionally, the ASB has been designated in the Port’s Comprehensive Scheme of Harbor Improvements for development of 12 to 14 acres of usable upland property fronting a similar acreage of navigable marine waters. Integral to that land use is the Port’s plan to reconnect the ASB aquatic use areas to Bellingham Bay following its cleanup. The Port also plans to incorporate public access along portions of the ASB berm and to incorporate habitat enhancements in portions of the ASB interior.

The Whatcom Waterway site is being cleanup under the State’s Model Toxic Control Act, which requires a public outreach process that may not be consistent with the objectives of this EJA. Vulnerable and overburdened communities and organizations serving those communities will be notified of this EJA through a postcard mailer. The public will be provided with the opportunity to provide feedback about how the cleanup of Whatcom Waterway may impact or benefit them through an online survey. In addition, we intend to post outdoor signs along Whatcom Waterway to target individuals directly interacting with the waterway, including those who may recreate in the waterway and use the beach area. To learn more contact: John Rapp, Site Manager John.Rapp@ecy.wa.gov (206) 247-3242 Kristen Forkeutis, Outreach Specialist Kristen.Forkeutis@ecy.wa.gov (425) 240-4353

DNR is proposing to adjust language throughout RCW 79.13 that would provide DNR the flexibility to lease other trust assets (such as water rights, equipment, buildings, etc.) in addition to leasing state land. Language changes proposed throughout the chapter modify leasing authority from just “state land” to “state land and other trust assets”. DNR is currently limited in revenue it can generate for its trust beneficiaries as any leasing activity needs to be tied to state land. For example, DNR’s water rights portfolio is estimated at almost a $1 billion value, but currently not all of the water rights utilized. DNR would be able to increase revenue and more effectively manage its water rights if they could be leased separately from state land. Water rights dictate the amount of water that can be used and each type of crop uses a specific amount of water so there are times when more water is available than needed for crops grown on state land. DNR is also proposing a couple of minor changes to its publication and noticing requirements for leasing to also allow the option of advertising online or as DNR determines is appropriate.

DNR is using a combination of direct outreach and written requests for public comment. Direct outreach consists of e-mails to specific stakeholders as well as attendance at organizational meetings to present the proposal. DNR is also utilizing Smart Comments in all of its outreach so interested parties and stakeholders have online access to provide comments.

The certified burn manager program managed by the department offers to any individual seeking to become a certified prescribed burn manager (certified burner) through the Washington Prescribed Burn Manager Program outlined in RCW 76.04.183. Participation in the program is not mandatory but encouraged so that an individual can enjoy the benefits of RCW 76.04.183 and RCW 76.04.196. The certified manger program is seeking to create a Washington Administrative Code for rules of the program.

The rulemaking process requires a public comment period. an in-person meeting will be held in a central location of the state, along with a virtual option and a Spanish translator.

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.