The time to act is now

Puget Sound is in trouble. In many areas, its seemingly clear, pristine waters actually contain a soup of noxious and poisonous chemicals. Every time it rains, thousands of pounds of toxic pollutants flow overland, eventually winding up in the Sound. Hundreds of toxic cleanup sites ring its 2,500 miles of shoreline. Critical habitat has been lost to development. Even in its deepest spots the Department of Ecology finds contaminants, some banned for use 30 years ago, in its underwater sediments.

However, by working together we can help reverse what seems a downward spiral. We all want to leave our children and our grandchildren a Puget Sound that’s clean and safe and alive. Ecology is committed to do all we can to help Puget Sound be a healthy ecosystem by 2020.

What we're doing about it

Ecology is bringing to bear our best science and research resources to understand the challenges facing Puget Sound and help find solutions. We have a duty to restore, protect and preserve the Sound using the regulations, permitting requirements, and mandates set by the Washington Legislature and Governor Chris Gregoire. We have an obligation to help our citizens, our neighbors, our businesses and industries, and our families understand what’s at stake – and what everyone can do to help save this national treasure.

In December 2005, Governor Gregoire and the Legislature launched the Puget Sound Initiative, a comprehensive effort by local, state, federal and tribal governments, business, agriculture and environmental communities, scientists, and the public to restore, protect and preserve Sound by 2020. Ecology is a hard working partner in this effort. Saving Puget Sound and the $20 billion of economic activities the Sound generates is among the Department of Ecology’s five Strategic Priorities.

SAVING THE SOUND

Overview | Threats | 2020 Action Agenda | Delivering Results

SOUND SCIENCE

Studies and Monitoring

Monitoring the Sound | Reports on the Health of the Sound | Puget Sound Models | Economic fact sheet (pdf) | Washington Coastal Atlas

ACTIONS

Prevention, Recovery Restoration

Puget Sound Initiative (PSI) Cleanup Sites | Water Quality studies | Issue Up Close: Protecting and Restoring a National Treasure | Puget Sound Marine Conservation Fund Projects | 2005-2007 Puget Sound Investment Atlas | Control of Toxic Chemicals in Puget Sound

EDUCATION

2007-2009 Action Agenda to Protect Puget Sound | Puget Sound Policy Brief (pdf) | Proposed 2007-2009 investments for Hood Canal and Strait of Juan de Fuca (pdf)

WHAT YOU CAN DO

What you can do | Stormwater | Washington Waters - Ours to Protect | Reducing Toxic Threats