About Us > Closure information

Closure information due to mandated temporary lay-offs

UPDATE: At the end of February, Ecology met all of the requirements to achieve the $3.2 million in savings required by temporary layoff (furlough) legislation. It will not be necessary to close Ecology offices on March 28, April 22 or June 10 as previously planned. Details of Ecology's savings by month and fund source can be found here in Ecology’s final report.

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ESSB 6503 was signed into law on April 27, 2010. The new law provides that agencies must close on the ten (10) days specified in the bill, unless the agency has a compensation reduction plan that is approved by the Office of Financial Management (OFM). The law also identifies certain activities that are exempt from the compensation cost reductions.

Ecology offices will be closed on the temporary layoff days (sometimes referred to as furloughs). Staff will not be available to respond to emails or answer calls except as noted below.

• Ecology will continue to provide responders for environmental emergencies. If you need to report an environmental emergency - such as an oil spill or hazardous material release - when our office is closed, please call 1-800-258-5990 or 1-800-OILS-911.

If you have time-sensitive business with Ecology, all actions or documents due on a temporary layoff-day, will be considered ON TIME if submitted on the following business day.

Related Links

• About state agency office closures - Office of Financial Management
• Temporary Layoffs - Department of Personnel
• ESSB 6503 - Temporary Layoff Law
• Ecology budget information