Search Results - Washington State Department of Ecology

Skagit Valley Farm receives $267,000 penalty for irrigating 348 acres without a water right

April 5, 2022 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology has issued a $267,000 penalty to Skagit Valley Farm for irrigating 348 acres of vegetable crops in the lower Skagit and Samish watersheds without water rights.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/april-5-skagit-valley-farm-receives-267-000-penalt

Intalco fined for multiple air quality violations

February 1, 2019 News release: Intalco fined for multiple air quality violations of fluoride and particulate matter

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/feb-1-intalco-fined-for-air-quality-violations

New testing methods better protect against waterborne disease

January 24, 2019 News release: New methods to test for waterborne disease in state waters will better protect people during recreational activities.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/updates-to-recreational-use-water-quality-testing

Grant County farm fined for unpermitted water use

June 30, 2023 News release: Ecology has issued a $10,000 penalty to Stevens Land Holdings, LLC, for continuing to irrigate 100 acres of alfalfa in Grant County without a permit.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/june-30-grant-county-farm-fined-for-unpermitted-water-use

Grant County farm fined for unpermitted water use

June 30, 2023 News release: Ecology has issued a $10,000 penalty to Stevens Land Holdings, LLC, for continuing to irrigate 100 acres of alfalfa in Grant County without a permit.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/june-30-grant-county-farm-fined-for-unpermitted-water-use-c85df6316fff04157083430df795ec83

Ecology names new Office of Chehalis Basin director

October 28, 2023 News release: Ecology Director Laura Watson has tapped Jeff Zenk to lead the Office of Chehalis Basin.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/ecology-selects-jeff-zenk-to-lead-office-of-chehalis-basin

Illegal draining of wetlands on Whidbey Island leads to $120,000 penalty

September 12, 2024 News release: We have issued a $120,000 penalty to Island County landowners for illegally draining wetland on Whidbey Island.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/sept-12-whiteman-coury-penalty

Spokane County farmer fined for unpermitted water use

August 28, 2024 News release: We have issued a $15,000 penalty to a Spokane County farmer for continued unpermitted irrigation of 69 acres of crops.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/aug-28-greiff-penalty

Whatcom County farm fined second time for illegal water use

October 17, 2024 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology issued a $20,000 fine to RAN General Partnership and its owner Rick Alamwala for illegal irrigation.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/oct-16-water-right-penalty

Ecology proposes adopting federal human health criteria for water quality

September 17, 2024 News release: We are proposing to adopt the federal human health criteria for water quality in Washington.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/sept-17-proposal-on-federal-human-health-criteria

New grants will help Washington landfills reduce methane emissions

August 6, 2024 News release: Ecology is award $15 million in grants from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act to help cut climate-warming methane escaping from municipal solid waste landfills.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/ecology-opens-landfill-methane-grants

New incentives for clean aviation, heavy-duty trucking proposed in updates to Clean Fuel Standard

June 16, 2025 News release: New incentives for clean aviation, heavy-duty trucking proposed in updates to Clean Fuel Standard

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/june-16-new-incentives-for-clean-aviation-heavy-duty-trucking-proposed-in-updates-to-clean-fuel-s

New rules proposed to balance growth and preserve water for fish in five western Washington watersheds

June 16, 2025 News release: Ecology is opening rulemaking for five watersheds affected by the 2018 Streamflow Restoration Act.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/june-16-streamflow-restoration-rulemaking

Préstamos para reparar o reemplazar su sistema séptico ahora están disponibles en todo el estado

September 21, 2021 News release: Dueños de hogar en más de 17 condados ahora tienen acceso a un programa que ha ayudado a 1,200 dueños.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/sept-21-septico-prestamos

No food in landfills is goal of Food Waste Prevention Week, April 10-16

April 10, 2023 News release: It’s Food Waste Prevention Week 2023! Preventing food waste increases food security, improves agricultural productivity and efficiency, promotes resource conservation, and reduces harmful greenhouse gases.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/april-10

Ecology to improve hazardous waste planning fee rule

September 15, 2022 News release: Washington state’s Department of Ecology wants to make its hazardous waste planning fee more equitable by clarifying how it will be calculated.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/sept-15-ecology-to-improve-hazardous-waste-plannin

Forecast looks at Columbia Basin water availability

June 2, 2021 News release: Every five years, Ecology’s Office of Columbia River looks forward 20 years to examine water supply & demands for communities, farms and fish.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/june-2-2021-supply-demand-forecast

Summary of environmental penalties issued for 1st quarter of 2021

April 26, 2021 News release: We issued $82,300 in penalties of $1,000 or more from January through March of 2021.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/april-29-1st-quarter-penalties

Ecology announces environmental restoration grant awards

August 7, 2023 News release: Ecology awards environmental restoration grants that will distribute $318,478 for projects around the state.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/august-7-spills-restoration-grants

Environmental penalties issued for the third quarter of 2023

January 26, 2024 News release: Ecology issued $138,800 in penalties of $1,000 or more from July 1 – Sept. 30, 2023.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/jan-25-third-quarter-2023-penalties

On the path to cleaner water in the Spokane River watershed

May 13, 2025 News release: A new Ecology report shows that years of local efforts to reduce pollution in the Spokane River are producing a healthier river.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/may-13-spokane-watershed-nutrient-update

Environmental penalties issued for the 4th quarter of 2022

April 25, 2023 News release: Ecology issued $273,090 in penalties of $1,000 or more from October through December 2022. Penalties are issued for serious violations or those that continue after Ecology assistance or warnings.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/4th-quarter-2022-environmental-penalties

Environmental penalties for 2nd quarter of 2021

July 28, 2021 News release: Environmental penalties issued for the 2nd quarter of 2021 totaling $1,000 or more

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/july-28-2021-2nd-quarter-penalty-summary

Ecology awards $63 million to reduce flooding, protect communities and farms, restore habitat

August 31, 2023 News release: Ecology awards $63 million to 12 entities across the state to transform how floodplains in the state's major river basins are managed.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/ecology-awards-63-million-to-reduce-flooding-protect-communities

Five facilities to receive updated requirements to protect Spokane River

December 29, 2021 News release: Five Washington facilities on the Spokane River are due for revisions to their wastewater permits, which will better protect the river.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/dec-27-updated-requirements-for-spokane-river

Ecology issues water quality certification for proposed Goldendale Energy Storage Project

May 22, 2023 News release: Ecology issued the certification with conditions so that the project would meet state water quality requirements. This is just one of many approvals needed before the project can be built.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/may-22-goldendale-project-water-quality-certificat

Environmental penalties issued for the 3rd quarter of 2021

November 16, 2021 News release: Environmental penalties issued for the 3rd quarter of 2021.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/nov-16-3rd-quarter-environmental-penalties

Settlement reached in appeal of Hanford Site leaking tanks Agreed Order

May 10, 2023 News release: Work to respond to actively leaking tanks and future tank leaks at the Hanford Site will continue to proceed as planned following a settlement agreement filed with Washington’s Pollution Control Hearings Board today.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/may-10-hanford-leaking-tanks-agreed-order-appeal-s

State of Washington, federal agencies announce conceptual agreement in Hanford Site Holistic Negotiations

May 2, 2023 News release: USDOE, Ecology Ecology, and (EPA) announced that negotiating teams have reached conceptual agreement in Holistic Negotiations on revising plans for managing millions of gallons of waste stored in tanks at the Hanford Site.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/may-2-hanford-site-holistic-negotiations-conceptua

Ecology announces action plan for addressing PFAS

November 3, 2021 News release: Ecology is rolling out its new PFAS Chemical Action Plan, a thoroughly researched set of recommendations intended to reduce uses and releases of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/nov-2-ecology-announces-action-plan-for-addressing

Comment on proposed rule to boost recycled content in plastic bags, containers

May 2, 2023 News release: Ecology is now accepting comments on a proposed rule to implement the recycled content requirements of the 2021 Plastics Law

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/may-2-ecology-seeks-comments-on-rule-for-recycled

Environmental penalties issued for the 3rd quarter of 2022

December 5, 2022 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology issued $36,400 in penalties of $1,000 or more from July through September 2022.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/dec-5-3rd-quarter-penalties

Environmental penalties for third quarter 2019

October 30, 2019 News release: Third quarter environmental penalties for 2019

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/oct-30-3rdq-penalties

Ecology to expand air monitoring in overburdened communities

March 1, 2023 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology has identified numerous areas across the state to include in a new environmental justice initiative focused on reducing air pollution.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/march-1-overburdened-communities-announced

Damage to wetlands in Grant County results in $267,540 fine

February 10, 2023 News release: Ecology has fined the owners of King Ranch for damaging at least 23 alkali wetlands located in Grant County.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/feb-10-wetlands-in-grant-county

Public invited to comment on state draft commercial fish net pen guidance

June 1, 2021 News release: State agencies are releasing a draft marine net pen guidance for public review.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/june-1-net-pen-guidance

Ecology adopts new watershed plan for Duwamish-Green river basin

May 13, 2021 News release: A new plan for the Duwamish-Green watershed lays out priorities to protect fish habitat, while also ensuring sufficient water for rural residents.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/may-13-duwamish-green-watershed-plan-approved

Midway Sewer District fined for September sewage spill

April 28, 2021 News release: We have fined the Midway Sewer District $21,000 for allowing raw sewage to flow into McSorley Creek in September 2020.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/april-28-midway-sewer-district-penalty

Drought designation extended for parts of Eastern Washington

May 26, 2022 News release: An amended drought declaration takes affect June 1 and reduces the area under a drought order from 96% of the state to 9%.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/may-26-drought-2022

State takes steps toward banning persistent PFAS chemicals in food packaging

May 19, 2022 News release: A new report to the Washington State Legislature from the Department of Ecology identifies additional alternatives to food packaging that contains toxic chemicals.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/may-19-state-takes-steps-toward-banning-pfas-in-fo

Inslee expands drought emergency for nearly half of the state

May 20, 2019 News release: A total of 24 watersheds have been added to the emergency drought declaration.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/may-20-inslee-expands-drought-emergency

Decades-long water dispute settled on Chamokane Creek

May 14, 2019 News release: Ecology, Spokane Tribe & federal government settlement on Chamokane Creek water mitigation

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/may-9-chamokane-creek-settlement

CANCELED: New dangerous waste regs topic of April 2 workshop at Ecology's Union Gap office

February 20, 2020 News release: CANCELED: Dangerous waste regulations workshop on April 2 at Ecology's Union Gap office

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/dangerous-waste-regulations-workshop-in-central-wa

Ecology and Whatcom County launch environmental review of proposed renewable fuels facility

January 16, 2020 News release: We and Whatcom County are preparing to work on an environmental impact statement for a proposed renewable fuels facility in Ferndale. We're taking public comment on the scope of what this study should cover.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/jan-16-green-apple-scoping

Seattle shipyard penalized $112,000 for water quality violations

December 17, 2024 News release: Ecology is issuing a $112,000 penalty to Northlake Shipyard in Seattle for failing to protect water quality, including polluting Lake Union and mishandling toxic chemicals.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/dec-17-seattle-shipyard-penalized-112-000-for-water-quality-violations

State sets new limits for toxic chemicals in water

August 14, 2024 News release: New protections for set for toxics in water.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/aug-14-aquatic-life-toxics-criteria

Protecting streamflows and fish in the Walla Walla River and Mill Creek

August 9, 2024 News release: Learn more about how we're protecting streamflows and fish in the Walla Walla River and Mill Creek.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/aug-9-walla-walla-streamflows

Diesel spill from sunken fishing boat in 2022 off San Juan Island leads to penalty

June 26, 2024 News release: Ecology is issuing an $18,000 penalty for diesel spilled during the sinking of a fishing vessel, the Aleutian Isle

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/june-26-aleutian-isle-penalty

Ecology announces new southwest region director

March 7, 2024 News release: Bobbak Talebi named Ecology's new Southwest Region director.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/march-7-ecology-announces-new-southwest-region-director

West Plains residents to receive no-cost drinking water sampling for PFAS

February 21, 2024 News release: Drinking water testing for PFAS will soon be available to about 300 private and shared wells in the northeast West Plains area at no cost to residents.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/feb-21-west-plains-sampling-for-pfas