In order to effectively participate in land-use planning decisions, citizens must inform themselves of agencies’ proposed activities. The Federal Register (http://fr.cos.com/) is the official daily publication for rules, proposed rules, and notices of federal agencies and organizations, as well as executive orders and other presidential documents. Individual agencies produce documents containing proposals and environmental impact statements, as with the Forest Service’s Schedule of Proposed Actions and the National Park Service’s General Management Plans. The following listings of federal, state, and local agencies should help you to stay informed.

 

Federal

Army Corps of Engineers
The Corps provides engineering services to the nation through a civilian and military workforce. It develops and manages water resources on military installations and public lands.

Seattle District
PO Box 3755
Seattle, WA 98124
(206) 764-3742
www.nws.usace.army.mil

Walla Walla District
201 N 3rd Avenue
Walla Walla, WA 99362
(509) 527-7700
www.nww.usace.army.mil

 

Bonneville Power Administration
Under the Department of Energy, the BPA markets wholesale electricity and transmission to the Pacific Northwest’s public and private utilities as well as to some large industries. For this purpose, the BPA uses thirty-one federally owned dams in the region, one nuclear power plant at Hanford, and a nonfederal wind-energy program.

Street address:
905 NE 11th Avenue
Portland, OR 97232

Mailing address:
PO Box 3621
Portland, OR 97208-3621
(800) 282-3713
(503) 230-3000
www.bpa.gov/corporate/kc/home/index.cfm

 

Bureau of Land Management
The BLM, within the U.S. Department of the Interior, manages roughly 400,000 acres of grazing and recreation lands in Washington, as well as more than one million mineral leasing sites.

Spokane District Office
1103 N Fancher
Spokane, WA 99212
(509) 536-1200
www.or.blm.gov/Spokane

 

Bureau of Reclamation
Operating under the U.S. Department of the Interior, the Bureau is the largest wholesaler of water in the country and the second largest producer of hydroelectric power. The Bureau has thirty-nine projects in its Pacific Northwest Region.

Eastern Washington
Upper Columbia River Area Project
1917 Marsh Road
Yakima, WA 98901
(509) 575-5848, ext. 202

Western Washington
Lower Columbia Area Office
825 NE Multnomah Street, Suite 1110
Portland, OR 97232
(503) 872-2795
www.pn.usbr.gov

 


Environmental Protection Agency
The EPA works with other agencies, state and local governments, and Native American tribes to develop and enforce regulations under existing environmental laws. Washington is included in Region 10, the Pacific Northwest.

U.S. EPA, Region 10
1200 6th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101
(800) 424-4EPA
(206) 553-1200
www.epa.gov/region10

Washington Operations Office
300 Desmond Drive SE, Suite 102
Lacey, WA 98503

 

Fish and Wildlife Service
The FWS is part of the Department of Interior and is charged with conserving, protecting, and enhancing fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats. The agency manages more than thirty national wildlife refuges, fish hatcheries, and other areas in Washington State.

Regional Director, Pacific Region
911 NE 11th Avenue
Portland, OR 97232
(503) 231-6828
http://pacific.fws.gov

Hanford Reach National Monument
3250 Port of Benton Boulevard
Richland, WA 99352
(509) 371-1801
http://hanfordreach.fws.gov

 

Forest Service
As part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the USFS manages forests under the sustained yield, multiple-use concept, planning timber sales and managing federally designated wilderness. Within the agency’s Region 6, the USFS manages a scenic area, a national monument, and eight national forests in Washington (including two that share land with neighboring states).

Colville National Forest
765 S Main Street
Colville, WA 99114
(509) 684-7000
www.fs.fed.us/r6/colville/forest

Gifford Pinchot National Forest
10600 NE 51st Circle
Vancouver, WA 98682
(360) 891-5000
www.fs.fed.us/r6/gpnf

Idaho Panhandle National Forest
3815 Schreiber Way
Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815
(208) 765-7223
www.fs.fed.us/ipnf

Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest
905 64th Avenue W
Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043
(425) 775-9702
www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs

Okanogan National Forest
1240 2nd Avenue S
Okanogan, WA 98840
(509) 826-3275
www.fs.fed.us/r6/oka

Olympic National Forest
1835 Black Lake Boulevard SW
Olympia, WA 98512
(360) 956-2402
www.fs.fed.us/r6/olympic

Umatilla National Forest
2517 SW Hailey Avenue
Pendleton, OR 97801
(541) 278-3716
www.fs.fed.us/r6/uma

Wenatchee National Forest
215 Melody Lane
Wenatchee, WA 98801
(509) 662-4368
www.fs.fed.us/r6/wenatchee

Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
902 Wasco Avenue, Suite 200
Hood River, OR 97031
(541) 386-2333
www.fs.fed.us/r6/columbia

Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
42218 NE Yale Bridge Road
Amboy, WA 98601
(360) 449-7800
www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/mshnvm

 

 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
As part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA deals with oceanic and atmospheric issues through five major organizations, including the National Marine Fisheries Service and the National Ocean Service (both listed below). For a list of all NOAA offices and field stations in Washington see www.legislative.noaa.gov/noaainyourstate/washington.html.

 

 

National Marine Fisheries Service
The NMFS states that its three goals are to rebuild and maintain sustainable fisheries, promote the recovery of protected species, and protect the health of coastal habitats.

Northwest Regional Office
7600 Sand Point Way NE
Seattle, WA 98115
(206) 526-6150
www.nmfs.noaa.gov/www.nmfs.go

 


National Ocean Service
The NOS governs the National Marine Sanctuary Program, implements Coastal Zone Management Plans through its Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, and works to prevent and mitigate harm to coastal resources through its Office of Response and Restoration.

Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary
115 East Railroad Avenue, Suite 301
Port Angeles, WA 98362
(360) 457-6622
www.oceanservice.noaa.gov

 

National Park Service
Under the U.S. Department of the Interior, the NPS preserves the natural and cultural resources and values of the national park system for enjoyment, education, and inspiration.

Mount Rainier National Park
Tahoma Woods, Star Route
Ashford, WA 98304
(360) 569-2211
www.nps.gov/mora

North Cascades National Park Service Complex
(including Lake Chelan and Ross Lake National Recreation Areas)
810 State Route 20
Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284
(360) 856-5700
www.nps.gov/noca

Olympic National Park
600 E Park Avenue
Port Angeles, WA 98362
(360) 565-3130
www.nps.gov/olym

Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area
1008 Crest Drive
Coulee Dam, WA 99116
or
1368 S Kettle Park Road
Kettle Falls, WA 99141
(509) 633-9441
www.nps.gov/laro

San Juan Island National Historical Park
125 Spring Street
Friday Harbor, WA 98250
(360) 378-2240
www.nps.gov/saj

 

U.S. Geologic Survey
The USGS is a scientific agency that manages water, biological, energy, and mineral resources. In Washington the USGS deals with geologic and hydrologic hazards, monitoring river nutrient transport, salmon and other fish issues, groundwater contamination, and water resources data.

Washington State USGS Representative
1201 Pacific Avenue, Suite 600
Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 438-3600, ext. 2602
www.usgs.gov

 

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State

Department of Ecology
The DOE promotes the wise management of Washington’s air, land, and water for the benefit of the public. It is Washington’s principle environmental management agency and deals with pollution clean up and prevention, as well as the support of sustainable communities and natural resources.

Headquarters
PO Box 47600
Olympia, WA 98504
(360) 407-6000
www.ecy.wa.gov

 

Department of Fish and Wildlife
The DFW is the steward of Washington’s fish and wildlife, managing species and habitat for the well-being of populations as well as for recreational interests.

Olympia Office (Main Office)
600 Capitol Way N
Olympia, WA 98501
(360) 902-2200
www.wa.gov/wdfw

 

Department of Natural Resources
The DNR manages more than 5 million acres of public land in Washington: forests, farms, commercial properties, and underwater lands. Much of the land is managed to support public institutions like schools and universities through timber and agricultural production. Lands are also managed for recreation and to protect public resources.

Olympia Headquarters
1111 Washington Street SE
PO Box 47000
Olympia, WA 98504
(360) 902-1000
www.dnr.wa.gov

 

Department of Transportation
The DOT manages statewide transportation systems and services. A seven-member Transportation Commission appointed by the governor is responsible for developing long-range plans and partnerships, overseeing operations, and enabling the public to participate in transportation decisions.

Street address:
310 Maple Park Avenue SE
Olympia, WA 98501

Mailing address:
PO Box 47308
Olympia, WA 98504
(360) 705-7070
www.wsdot.wa.gov/commission

 

Parks and Recreation Commission
Parks and Recreation acquires, operates, enhances, and protects a system of recreation, cultural, historical, and natural sites, including 120 parks. A board of commissioners is appointed by the governor to set policy for the agency.

Street address:
7150 Cleanwater Lane
Tumwater, WA 98504

Mailing address:
PO Box 42650
Olympia, WA 98504
(360) 902-8844
www.parks.wa.gov

 

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Local

City Web sites directory: www.mrsc.org/byndmrsc/cities.aspx

County Web sites directory: www.mrsc.org/byndmrsc/counties.aspx

County land-use planning information: www.evergreen.edu/library/govdocs/wastate/countygovt.html

Growth Management Act–related information for counties: 1000 Friends
of Washington, www.1000friends.org

 

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