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On Feb. 23, 1970, Gov. Dan Evans signed into law a bill creating Washington's new Department of Ecology, set to open July 1 of that year.

In 2020, we plan on replacing soil in 58 yards in the Yard Program service area. In January we started on a group of six yards and three childcares.

On Feb. 12, we're marking the 50th anniversary of the Legislature passing the bill that created the Department of Ecology.

The Tacoma Smelter Plume Model Remedies Guidance provides straightforward directions on soil sampling and cleanup of soil contaminated with arsenic and lead. 

Dune Peninsula at Point Defiance offers walking paths, an amphitheater, and Puget Sound views on land that was once the ASARCO smelter slag heap.

Ecology is funding projects in six cities to help clean up contaminated properties – and help with the housing crisis.

This month we launched our new Dirt Alert Map. This online map focuses on the Tacoma Smelter Plume and  covers other areas in the state where arsenic- and lead-related soil contamination may exist.

To address soil contamination left behind by the former Asarco smelter, we're breaking ground, removing dirt, and cleaning up 39 yards in North Tacoma and 16 yards on Vashon-Maury Island.

Because a state capital budget was not approved, we must cut back on the services we offer to the residents of the Tacoma Smelter Plume area.

September marks the fast approaching arrival of fall, and a halfway point for this season’s Yard Program work in the Tacoma Smelter Plume.