Ecology PE License Issue
August 27, 2026
This issue has been resolved. Ecology has retracted its interpretation. Please see August 26, 2026 entry in Timeline below for Ecology's email retraction. Thank you to everyone who assisted with correcting this unfortunate chapter.
I would like to thank, especially, Tor Anderzen, ASCE Region 8 Chair; Tatiana Skadorwa, ASCE Columbia Section Secretary; Ken Fuller, Director for State of Washington Board of Registration for Professional Engineers & Land Surveyors; the Washington State Hydrogeological Society; Dr. Darryll Olsen on behalf of the Benton and Franklin County Water Conservancy Boards; and others who encouraged and thanked me personally for raising awareness.
I will post public records here, along with any other updates, as they arrive, to complete the documentation for future reference.
Thank you,
Tim Reierson, P.E., M.ASCE
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July 25, 2026
In a recent new interpretation, the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology), in effect, removed hydrogeology from the state's Professional Engineering license scope of practice. This prompted me to write an open letter to the engineering community. I will track developments here as I have time.
Tim Reierson, P.E. (he/him RYE er sun)
Streamline Water Consulting LLC
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2026-08-26 01:56pm Ecology Retraction Email - to water conservancy boards within Washington State.
Attachment to retraction email - original, now superseded, instruction to water conservancy boards.
2026-08-24 08:25am Reierson Response PostScript - to All - with questions addressed to G. Thomas Tebb.
2026-08-22 Dr. Darryll Olsen Response - to All - addressed to Noah Dudley.
Attachment to Olsen Response - Memorandums referenced as documenting problems with Ecology's Office of Columbia River.
2026-08-21 05:19pm Noah Dudley Response - to All - with mention of thanks addressed to G. Thomas Tebb.
2026-08-21 10:18am G. Thomas Tebb Response - to All - on behalf of Tebb & Associates, LLC.
Attachment to Tebb Response - Executive Memorandum dated August 20, 2026; addressed to Noah Dudley, Geology Board Licensing Chair.
2026-08-15 Dr. Darryll Olsen Response - to All - on behalf of Benton and Franklin County Water Conservancy Boards.
2026-08-14 FOLLOW-UP EMAIL - sent to those who received the Open Letter.
Attachment to Follow-up Email - New emails between Ecology and GCWCB with my response. Response includes example: Certified Water Right Examiners who are PEs are required to practice hydrogeology, which contradicts Ecology's interpretation excluding hydrogeology from PE scope of license.
2026-08-27 Email from Ecology Records Center - Ecology anticipates needing additional time but an installment may be ready on or before September 21, 2026.
2026-08-12 Email from Ecology Records Center - Anticipated fulfillment date is on or before September 21, 2026. In addition to the Ecology Water Resources Program, the records request is being sent to the Eastern, Central, and Southwest Regional Offices of Ecology.
2026-07-26 I filed a public records request with Ecology for documents they relied on in making the new interpretation.
[Note: File attached to the records request is Attachment 1 to the Open Letter.]
2026-08-28 Capital Press, article by Don Jenkins
Washington Dept. of Ecology reverses rules for water right change applications
2026-07-29 Capital Press, article by Don Jenkins
Washington Ecology baffles engineers with new twist on old rule
2026-07-20 Washington State Hydrogeological Society (WSHS), Press Release
Washington State Hydrogeological Society Accuses Ecology of "Unlawful Overreach" in Restricting Engineers' Hydrogeologic Work
Information about the WSHS is provided in their 2026-08-25 email to me.