Welcome to the Aquatic Resources Division. Washington’s 2.6 million acres of state-owned aquatic lands are an extremely valuable, but often overlooked, natural resource—unseen submerged lands beneath the shimmering marine and fresh waters, along with many beaches and tidelands. Our division manages these lands for the people of the state, and protects and enhances our state’s legacy of aquatic natural resources.
We develop policies and provide technical assistance, and scientific research and resources for the aquatic lands. We administer the sustainable geoduck harvest program, spartina control, and Ports program under port management agreements.
Our division works with public and private entities to clean up the many areas of contamination and dredged soils. We also work with partners to identify and develop the system of aquatic reserves along with many other projects.