Improving the way we do business

Sustaining quality of life in the 21st century means finding lasting solutions – ones that protect the environment, strengthen communities and support economic growth. To read about how well this can work, visit Economy and the Environment and Lean and Environment in Washington.

At Ecology, we are looking at what we do, and how we do it, through the eyes of those with whom we interact.

Ecology is examining its own regulatory and internal business processes to see where improvements can be made, especially in the following areas:

Eliminating duplications and delays.
Getting to action steps more quickly.
Prioritizing projects to maximize benefit to communities and the environment.
Regulations that add cost but not value.

To get there, Ecology is borrowing an idea that has worked well in the private sector, called Lean. Lean isn’t an acronym. It’s a method for pinpointing where efforts are being duplicated and delays are occurring. It allows those who work ‘where the rubber meets the road’ to figure out what changes need to be made, and then empowers them to make those changes right away. Learn more about lean projects at Ecology that are making a big difference to local communities.

Working smart

Ecology also is using technology to deliver services as efficiently and effectively as possible. Many people rely on the Web and social media tools for information that affects their daily lives. Ecology makes wise use of technology to deliver timely information to the public and regulated entities.

We have many interactive sites that allow citizens to search for a wealth of information on line. These include: A new state water rights map (with short video tutorial) that allows you to, among other things, locate and research water rights on land parcels throughout Washington.

PARIS – an online permitting and reporting system that makes it easy for:
- Businesses with water quality permits -- especially those with multiple permits -- to enter their discharge monitoring reports online, saving time and reducing errors.
- The public to serve itself in finding information about facilities’ wastewater discharges.
A Facility/Site tool that provides detailed information on solid waste facilities, underground storage tanks, hazardous waste generators, dairies, state cleanup sites, Federal Superfund sites.
The Environmental Information Management system, with millions of records on air, water, soil, sediment and aquatic animals and plants.
Our Geographic Information Systems (GIS) web site, an easy way to explore all of Ecology’s data sets.
Washington’s Coastal Atlas that helps users find public beaches and read about beach closures.

Other resources: