Ecology proposes removing polluted soil in North Spokane
A proposal to remove petroleum-polluted soil in Spokane’s historic Hillyard neighborhood to make way for construction of the North Spokane Corridor is ready for public review. (June 4 news release)
Cleanup funds identified for Buckhorn Mountain mine
Owners of the Buckhorn Mountain gold mine will post an additional $12 million in securities with the state of Washington to assure adequate funds are available for environmental cleanup and restoration at the Okanogan County mine that stopped extracting ore in July 2017. (June 1 news release)
Town of Concrete fined $12,800 for sewage treatment violations
The town of Concrete in Skagit County faces a $12,800 penalty from the Washington Department of Ecology for not properly maintaining and operating its wastewater treatment plant, discharging untreated wastewater, and for not reporting violations in a timely manner. (May 31 news release)
Draft EIS spells out Icicle Creek water strategy
Proposals for boosting streamflows and improving water resources in the Icicle Creek Watershed are moving forward after years of collaboration by stakeholders. Water availability in the Icicle is tight especially when fish and irrigators need it most. (May 31 news release)
It's wildfire season — know how to protect your health and the environment
This summer, be prepared if smoke from wildfires affects your community. Wildfire smoke is made up of gases and particulate matter that can be dangerous when inhaled. Carbon monoxide is risky to people who live and work near smoldering areas. (June 15 blog)
Eyes Under Puget Sound: Critter of the Month – Nebalia pugettensis
June’s tiny crustacean critter doesn’t have a common name, but it does have a fascinating projection on its head, so we're informally referring to it as the Unicorn Shrimp! It's a rarity in our benthic samples, although we know it occurs in all areas of Puget Sound. This might be because it can move around and avoid our grab of samples or because it just doesn’t exist in high abundances. Either way, its appearance is cause for excitement here in the benthic lab. (June 13 blog)
Puget Sound Nutrient Watch: Algal Blooms
“Puget Sound Nutrient Watch,” is an ongoing series of blogs that focuses on the problem of excess nutrients in Puget Sound. During the first week of June, Julianne Ruffner and Laura Hermanson from Ecology's BEACH Program noticed a red algae – Noctiluca – bloom during the course of their regular weekly bacteria monitoring at Saltwater State Park in Des Moines. (June 7 blog)
Curtailments come to the Chehalis River basin
After an unseasonably warm and dry May, we have notified 93 junior water right holders in the Chehalis River basin that their access to surface water for irrigation is curtailed until streamflows increase in the state’s second largest watershed and drainage basin. (June 7 blog)