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Environmental Services Program

The Department of Corrections (DOC) is committed to a prison system that is built and maintained in an ecologically sound and cost-effective manner.

The Capital Programs Environmental Services team provides a variety of services to help our agency comply with environmental laws and regulations.

Environmental issues managed by DOC include:

  • Air quality
  • Hazardous waste management and disposal
  • Energy conservation
  • Sustainability education, implementation and data collection
  • Drinking water supply
  • Stormwater management
  • Wastewater treatment

Matrix square  DOC’s Environmental Services Program Provides:

Capital Programs critical systems infrastructure support

Environmental review and pre-construction environmental permitting and approval for all agency construction projects

Activities include preparation of State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) checklists, SEPA threshold determinations, environmental impact statements, mitigation agreements, biological assessments and evaluations, and numerous permit applications.

ENVIRONMENTAL FOCUS

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In addition to supporting the agency's sustainability efforts, the Capital Programs Environmental staff members assist Capital Programs Project Managers in obtaining necessary permits for Capital Projects.

State Environmental Policy Act

Project-related documents are submitted to the Department of Ecology. The Department of Ecology publishes these documents are published for two weeks - or for the entire comment period - whichever is required.

Permits and/or approvals are needed for:

  • Wastewater treatment plants
  • Stormwater discharge
  • Air emissions
  • Solid waste disposal
  • Construction of any kind
  • Department of Natural Resources (DNR) leases
  • Department of Archeological and Historic Preservation (DAHP) review
  • National Marine Fisheries and Corp of Engineers consultation
  • Critical area avoidance or impact mitigation
  • Forest management

On-going environmental compliance support for all facilities

Many DOC activities are subject to environmental regulations.  Examples of operations that the Environmental Team is involved with include:

  • Air quality: boiler operations, emergency generator emissions; Correctional Industries (CI) operations
  • Indoor air quality: asbestos, lead paint, PCB survey and abatement
  • Contaminated sites: site investigation and cleanup; groundwater and soil monitoring
  • Hazardous waste: designation, storage and disposal; contingency, inspection, training and pollution prevention plans
  • Shorelines: construction projects near bodies of water or wetlands
  • Solid waste: composting, recycling, disposal and waste reduction
  • Stormwater: oil/water separators and retention ponds; stormwater pollution prevention plans; quality monitoring
  • Water systems: well construction, operation and decommissioning; wellhead protection; water rights, treatment and distribution
  • Wastewater: wastewater collection, treatment and re-use; grease traps and biosolids management
  • Stormwater Management Program

Environmental emergency mitigation and response

Any sudden or unplanned event which may result in an impact to the environment or human health may be considered an environmental emergency.  The environmental team assists DOC facilities in the event of:

  • Fuel spills to land or surface waters
  • Mold in occupied interior spaces
  • Contamination of drinking water
  • Contamination of stormwater
  • Sewage spills to land and water
  • Personnel exposure to toxic materials

Historic Preservation

The Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP) recognizes that archaeological sites are nonrenewable resources that contribute to our sense of history and place, and define our shared heritage. The wise stewardship of these sites is our collective responsibility.

Cultural & Historical Resources

  • DOC Historic Preservation - Information Coming Soon
  • Buildings
  • Cemeteries

Matrix square Contact us with your comments, questions, or feedback at:

Eric Heinitz, Environmental Specialist  [efheinitz@doc1.wa.gov]
Washington State Department of Corrections
PO Box 41112
Olympia, Washington 98504-1112
(360) 725-8352

 

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