Department of Ecology extends drought funding

Published 2:35 pm Thursday, August 14, 2025

EVERETT — The Washington Department of Ecology extended emergency drought funding on Aug. 7 for municipalities, businesses and the public affected by the June 5 drought declaration.

In June, the department elevated its April drought advisory due to deteiorating conditions including early and rapid snowmelt coupled with unusually dry April and May weather.

The Aug. 7 ruling extends this decision until Dec. 5, with $4.5 million in grants available for municipalities, tribes, conservation districts, ports, water and sewer districts, and electrical districts.

The drought emergency and funding rule applies to the eastern portion of Snohomish County as well as all of Whatcom and Skagit counties and portions of Yakima, Kittitas, Benton, King, Pierce, Lewis, Thurston, Okanogan, Chelan, Clallam, Jefferson and Ferry counties.

The southwestern part of Snohomish County, including Everett and towns along Puget Sound, are in a drought advisory, which seeks to raise awareness of possibly developing drought conditions.

On May 23, the state Executive Water Emergency Committee determined that specific areas in Washington meet drought conditions defined by state law, stating that water supply was less than 75 percent of normal, causing strain on water users and the environment.

Interested parties can apply for a grant at https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/payments-contracts-grants/grants-loans or email Department of Ecology Grant Coordinator Dawn Drake at dawn.drake@ecy.wa.gov.

This story incorrectly listed what entities are eligible for grant funds. Department of Ecology drought assistance grants are only available for public entities, not private businesses and members of the public.

Eliza Aronson: 425-339-3434; eliza.aronson@heraldnet.com; X: @ElizaAronson.

Eliza’s stories are supported by the Herald’s Environmental and Climate Reporting Fund.