Search Results - Washington State Department of Ecology

Ecology begins rulemaking on climate funds reporting

May 25, 2023 News release: Ecology is starting new rulemaking focused on reporting requirements for state agencies that receive and use CCA auction revenues.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/may-25-cca-funds-reporting

Statement from Ecology director on Supreme Court decision narrowing Clean Water Act protections

May 25, 2023 News release: A statement from Laura Watson on the May 25, 2023 Supreme Court Clean Water Act decision.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/may-25-director-watson-statement-on-supreme-court

Ecology penalizing barge owner $38,500 for fuel spill into Salish Sea

December 14, 2022 News release: Olympia Tug & Barge, Centerline Logistics is being penalized $38,500 for a spill to the Salish Sea.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/olympia-tug-barge-penalty

Stage 1 burn ban called for Kittitas and Klickitat counties

December 4, 2019 News release: Stage 1 burn ban called for Kittitas and Klickitat counties

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/dec-4-stage-1-burn-ban-called-for-kittitas-and-kli

Statement from Ecology Director Maia Bellon

December 2, 2019 News release: Maia Bellon announces she is stepping down as director of Washington's Dept. of Ecology

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/dec-2-statement-from-ecology-director-maia-bellon

Ecology and Portland-based contractor settle penalty for water quality violations

December 12, 2022 News release: Ecology has reached a settlement agreement with Portland-based 1108 South Hillhurst Subdivision LLC for a $135,000 penalty issued for multiple water quality violations.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/dec-12-vista-ridge-pud-penalty-settlement

Washington state targets methane gas from landfills to help slow climate change

December 8, 2022 News release: Washington continues to focus on decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and is now working on a rule requiring some municipal solid waste landfills to reduce the amount of methane they emit.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/landfill-methane-rule

Stage 1 burn ban called for Okanogan Valley

December 3, 2020 News release: Stage 1 burn ban called beginning Dec. 3 for Okanogan Valley.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/dec-3-stage-1-burn-ban-called-for-okanogan-valley

Additional environmental review required for Kalama methanol project

November 22, 2019 News release: We have determined that information submitted by Cowlitz County and the project applicants is insufficient and that additional environmental review is required.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/kalama-methanol-project-announcement

Federal court strikes down attempt to limit state, Tribal rights to protect water quality

October 22, 2021 News release: Ecology Director Laura Watson's comments on Oct. 21 court decision regarding federal Clean Water Act Section 401 rule.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/oct-21-statement-from-ecology-director-on-court-de

Burn ban lifted in Ferry, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, and Stevens counties

October 28, 2020 News release: A Stage 1 burn ban was lifted for four Northeast Washington counties.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/oct-28-burn-ban-lifted-in-ferry-pend-oreille-oka

Stage 1 burn ban called for Ferry, Okanogan, Pend Oreille and Stevens counties

October 26, 2020 News release: Stage 1 burn ban begins Monday, Oct. 26, for several counties in north-central and eastern Washington.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/oct-26-stage-1-burn-ban-called-for-ferry-okanogan

Franklin County farm fined for illegal water use

October 20, 2021 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology has issued a $304,000 penalty to Frank Tiegs LLC for illegally irrigating 250 acres of crops in Franklin County in 2021.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/water-right-penalty

Marine Servicecenter fined $30,000 for water pollution

November 13, 2019 News release: Marine Servicecenter finded $30,000 for water pollution.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/nov-13-marine-servicecenter-fined

Deer Lake resident fined $10,000 for illegal burning

October 22, 2020 News release: Ecology's Air Quality program fined a Deer Lake resident $10,000 for illegal burning.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/oct-22-deer-lake-resident-fined-10-000-for-illega

Pasco auto body shop fined $22,000 for air quality violations

November 10, 2022 News release: Barajas Auto Body has been fined $22,000 for operating without a required air quality permit and releasing air pollution from their paint booth and spray-in bed liner booth.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/nov-10-barajas-penalty

Greenhouse gas reporting rules updated for new climate law

October 13, 2021 News release: New greenhouse gas reporting rules proposed for Climate Commitment Act

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/oct-13-greenhouse-gas-reporting-rules-updated-for

City of Bellingham and Strider Construction fined for Padden Creek sewage spill

July 8, 2016 News release:

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2016/jul-8-city-of-bellingham-and-strider-contruction-f

Stage 1 burn ban called for Asotin, Columbia, Garfield and Walla Walla counties

November 8, 2019 News release: Stage 1 burn ban called for Asotin, Columbia, Garfield and Walla Walla counties

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/nov-8-stage-1-burn-ban-called-for-asotin-columbia

Electron Hydro settles penalty for water quality violations in Puyallup River

November 8, 2022 News release: Electron Hydro LLC will pay a reduced penalty and contribute to a water quality and fish habitat improvement project under a settlement agreement with Ecology.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/nov-8-electron-dam-settlement

Settlement for unauthorized irrigation in Skagit Valley benefits salmon

October 31, 2022 News release: Under a settlement with The Washington Department of Ecology, Skagit Valley Farm will pay $138,500 for the unauthorized irrigation of 348 acres in the Skagit area.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/oct-31-settlement-for-unauthorized-irrigation-in-s

King County fined for sewer overflow violations

November 6, 2019 News release: King County will pay $105,500 to Ecology and EPA for violating conditions of its state water quality permit that regulate combined sewer overflows from parts of the county’s sewer collection system.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/nov-6-king-county-sewer-overflow-violations

Governor Inslee declares drought for three Washington regions

March 12, 2015 News release: With snowpack at near record lows, Gov. Inslee declared a drought on the Olympic Peninsula, on the east side of the central Cascade Mountains including Yakima and Wenatchee, and the Walla Walla region.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2015/governor-inslee-declares-drought-for-three-washing

Stage 1 Burn ban for Ferry, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, and Stevens counties

November 1, 2019 News release: Stage 1 Burn ban for Ferry, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, and Stevens counties

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/nov-1-burn-ban

Report outlines plan to reduce bacteria levels in Yakima-area creeks

October 13, 2020 News release: Strategies to address fecal bacteria in Cowiche Creek, Wide Hollow Creek and the Moxee Drain watersheds are outlined in a draft technical report that’s now available for review and comment.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/oct-13-mid-yakima-bacteria-tmdl

Summer positions now open for the Washington Conservation Corps

April 11, 2023 News release: Young adults ages 18-25 can apply to the Washington Conservation Corps to spend a summer outdoors gaining experience in the environmental field.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/summer-positions-now-open-for-the-wcc

Public invited to comment on PFAS Chemical Action Plan

October 8, 2020 News release: Ecology is asking the public to provide input on a draft Chemical Action Plan that addresses PFAS, a class of highly persistent chemicals that do not break down in the environment.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/oct-8-public-invited-to-comment-on-pfas-chemical-a

Tukwila business settles dangerous waste penalty

October 31, 2019 News release: A Tukwila aircraft parts manufacturer has paid us $12,000 to settle an appeal of a larger penalty.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/oct-31-fatigue-technology-settlement

Ecology applauds EPA effort to add Bradford Island to “Superfund” list

September 8, 2021 News release: The EPA proposed adding Bradford Island at Bonneville Dam to the National Priorities List, better known as the Superfund cleanup list.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/bradford-island

Leaking hazardous waste container leads to $37,000 fine for Clean Earth Specialty Waste Solutions

October 10, 2022 News release: Clean Earth Specialty Waste Solutions, a hazardous waste transportation company, received a $37,000 penalty from Washington’s Department of Ecology for allowing a storage container to leak corrosive waste.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/oct-10-clean-earth-penalty

Public comment period extended for the Kalama second Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement

September 29, 2020 News release: Public comment period extended for the Kalama methanol facility until Oct. 9.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/comment-period-extended-for-kalama-methanol-facili

Contractor settles penalty for Lacey water quality violations

October 6, 2022 News release: Milestone LLC will pay a reduced penalty, provide additional employee training, and contribute to a water quality improvement project under a settlement agreement with Ecology.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/oct-6-milestone-penalty-settlement

First cap-and-invest auction raised $299 million for climate response

March 28, 2023 News release: Washington's first cap-and-invest auction raises over $299 million for critical climate projects.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/march-28-revenue-raised-by-cap-and-invest-auction

Ecology adds additional phone-in only hearing for Kalama methanol testimony

September 17, 2020 News release: New phone-in only hearing scheduled for Kalama second Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/phone-in-only-hearing-scheduled-for-kalama-second

Drought spurs aid for farms, fish & public health

July 29, 2021 News release: $750,000 in grant funding was made available July 28 when Ecology adopted an emergency drought funding rule.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/emergency-drought-funding

Statement from Ecology director about EPA’s proposed Clean Water Act rule

October 21, 2019 News release: Director Bellon's formal objections to EPA's proposed changes to Section 401 of the Clean Water Act.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/director-bellon-statement-on-epa-401-proposed-chan

Helping fire departments safely dispose of toxic foam

October 14, 2019 News release: We are helping local fire departments safely dispose of toxic firefighting foam.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/oct-14-helping-fire-departments-safely-dispose-of

Water quality violations result in $53,000 fine to San Juan sand and gravel mine

March 23, 2023 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology is issuing a $53,000 penalty to Myron Williams, Inc., for failing to protect water quality at its mining operation at Egg Lake Quarry on San Juan Island.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/march-23-water-quality-violations-result-in-fine

Ecology finds application incomplete for Kalama methanol project

October 9, 2019 News release: An Ecology statement regarding an application for a shoreline conditional use permit for a proposed methanol project in Kalama.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/oct-9-ecology-statement-on-kalama-methanol

Changes proposed for crude oil movement reporting requirements

September 2, 2020 News release: Changes proposed for crude oil movement reporting requirements

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/changes-proposed-for-crude-oil-movement-reporting

Summer jobs now open for Southwest Washington teens ages 14-17

March 15, 2023 News release: Ecology is hiring up to 18 teenagers in Lewis, Grays Harbor, and Thurston counties this summer as part of the Ecology Youth Corps.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/march-15-summer-litter-crew-jobs-for-teens

Ecology invites public comment on changes to some air quality permit fees

September 7, 2022 News release: Ecology is seeking public comment on a proposed rule for some air quality permit fees.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/sept-7-aq-permit-fees-public-comment

Ace Hardware fined for diesel spill to Snoqualmie River

July 1, 2021 News release: Ace Hardware fined for diesel spill to Snoqualmie River

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/ace-hardware-fined-for-diesel-spill-to-snoqualmie

Fall drawdown at Lake Osoyoos commences

September 16, 2019 News release: Lake Osoyoos is being drawn down for the winter. Which means increased flows to the Okanogan River this week

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/fall-drawdown-at-lake-osoyoos-commences

Public invited to comment on firefighting foam collection and disposal plan

September 1, 2020 News release: Ecology is seeking public comment on its determination of non-significance and SEPA review of its AFFF collection proposal.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/sep-1-afff-public-comment

125 wastewater treatment plants earn outstanding performance honors

August 25, 2020 News release: 125 wastewater treatment plants earn outstanding performance awards for 2019.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/125-wastewater-treatment-plants-awards

Pullman contractor fined for improper decommissioning of well

September 20, 2022 News release: A contractor in Pullman is facing penalties after illegally altering and filling a homeowner’s well with debris from a razed house in Whitman County.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/sept-20-pullman-contractor-fined-for-improper-de

Ecology adopts changes to air quality permit fees

March 3, 2023 News release: Fees associated with some air quality permits issued by the Washington Department of Ecology will increase for the first time since 2012 under a new rule adopted today.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/march-3-changes-to-air-quality-permit-fees

State works to set zero emission vehicle standards

June 24, 2021 News release: Adopting new standards for zero emission vehicles in Washington.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/june-24-state-works-to-set-zero-emission-vehicle-s

Environmental penalties for second quarter of 2020

August 11, 2020 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology issued $360,700 in penalties of $1,000 or more from April through June 2020.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/aug-13-second-quarter-penalties-2020