Search Results - Washington State Department of Ecology

State fines City of Everett after discharge of incompletely treated wastewater to Snohomish River

October 27, 2022 News release: After a malfunctioning pump at Everett’s wastewater treatment facility allowed 9.9 million gallons of partially treated wastewater to flow into the Snohomish River, Ecology has fined the city $13,000.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/oct-27-city-of-everett-penalty

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

Ecology investigating King County sewage discharge

July 19, 2019 News release: Ecology is investigating sewage treatment failures at King County’s two largest sewage treatment plants on July 18 and 19.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/july-19-ecology-investigating-king-county-sewage-d

Mukilteo company fined $70,500 for water quality violations

May 20, 2021 News release: We have fined Mukilteo aircraft parts maker Advanced Aero System $70,500 failing to ensure its industrial wastewater discharges met state pollution limits.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/may-20-advanced-aero-systems

Battle Ground contractor settles stormwater penalty

January 5, 2023 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology has settled a $136,000 penalty issued to Hamilton Excavating LLC for multiple construction stormwater violations.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/jan-5-hamilton-penalty-settlement

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

PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center penalized $21,000 for dangerous waste violations

October 31, 2023 News release: Ecology is penalizing PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center $21,000 for repeated violations of the state’s dangerous waste laws.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/oct-31-peacehealth-st-joseph-dangerous-waste-penalty

Seattle and King County penalized for sewer overflow violations

November 30, 2023 News release: Ecology and EPA issue penalties to Seattle and King County for violations related to combined sewer overflows from Seattle’s sewer system

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/nov-30-seattle-and-king-county-penalized-for-sewer-overflow-violations

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

Pacific Northwest federal, state agencies to collaborate on prescribed fire, smoke management to confront wildfire crisis

April 5, 2024 News release: State and federal agencies and departments in Oregon and Washington have agreed to collaborate on addressing the escalating wildfire crisis by increasing use of larger prescribed fires.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/apr-5-pnw-agencies-collaborate-on-wildfire-crisis

Rising temperatures will shift timing of water availability, amplifying vulnerabilities in Columbia River Basin over next 20 years

August 1, 2022 News release: Anticipated future shifts in water supply and water demands will combine to create potential vulnerabilities related to water availability across many areas of eastern Washington.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/aug-1-2022-columbia-river-basin-outlook

Ecology is accepting comments on draft permits for Cooke Aquaculture

September 8, 2020 News release: We are announcing draft permits for Cooke Aquaculture net pen facilities are out for public comment.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/sept-9-draft-permits-cooke-aquaculture

EPA adds Bradford Island cleanup to “Superfund” list

March 17, 2022 News release: EPA adds Bradford Island to Superfund list.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/march-17-bradford-island

Environmental penalties issued for the 4th quarter of 2021

February 28, 2022 News release: Environmental penalties issued for the 4th quarter of 2021

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/march-1-4th-quarter-penalty-summary

Property owner fined $71,800 penalty for damage to wetlands, failure to abide by restoration agreement

January 7, 2025 News release: Ecology issued a $71,800 penalty to Chad Williams for damaging wetlands on property he owns near Camas, and failing to comply with an agreement he signed.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/jan-7-williams-wetland-penalty

Tacoma mill fined $52,500 for air quality violation

December 15, 2022 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology has fined WestRock CP, LLC $52,500 for failing to adequately treat hazardous air pollutants at their Tacoma mill.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/dec-15-westrock-tacoma-penalty

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 and Clark County contractor settle penalty for water quality violations

July 20, 2022 News release: Rotschy Inc. will pay $101,000 to the Washington Department of Ecology under an agreement to settle an appeal of a larger penalty for nine water quality violations

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/july-20-rotschy-penalty-settlement

Ecology and Auburn wood finisher settle $20,000 penalty

June 20, 2019 News release: Numatic Finishing of Auburn will pay $5,000 to settle its appeal of our $20,000 hazardous waste penalty from 2018, with $15,000 dismissed after two years if there are no more violations.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/june-20-numatic-finishing-settlement

Grays Harbor seafood processor fined for multiple water quality violations

April 14, 2022 News release: Pacific Seafood fined for water quality violations

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/pacific-seafood-fined-for-water-quality-violations

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

South Bend seafood processor fined $33,000 for water quality violations

July 26, 2023 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology is penalizing South Bend Products $33,000 for multiple water quality violations.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/july-26-south-bend-seafoods-penalty

Paper mill issued $42,000 penalty for hazardous waste violations

September 24, 2024 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology issued a $42,000 penalty to Cosmo Specialty Fibers for multiple dangerous waste violations.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/sept-24-cosmo-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

Ecology releases final environmental review of proposal to rebuild Eightmile Lake Dam

June 21, 2024 News release: Ecology has issued the final environmental impact statement (EIS) for the rebuild and restoration of Eightmile Dam, a 95-year-old dam located in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area west of Leavenworth.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/june-21-eightmile-lake-dam-feis

State and local agencies to host community event focused on Lower Yakima Valley drinking water

May 20, 2024 News release: On May 29, state and local agencies are hosting an open house-style event to provide information about well water safety in the Lower Yakima Valley. Free door prizes, kids' activities, and food.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/may-20-gwma-open-house-notice

Updated clean water permit for Simplot Feeders, a large livestock operation, available for review

April 10, 2025 News release: We are seeking feedback on updates to the water quality permit for Simplot Feeders, the largest cattle feedlot in Washington.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/april-10-simplot-feeders-permit-updates

Loans for septic repairs and replacement now available to entire state

September 21, 2021 News release: Homeowners in every county can now access loans to repair and replace septic systems

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

Ecology helps Okanogan County fight smoke - with steam

July 18, 2019 News release: Ecology awarded Okanogan County’s solid waste department $85,000 to help purchase a new wood chipper and steam treatment equipment.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/july-18-ecology-helps-okanogan-county-fight-smoke

Ecology, Achilles reach settlement on spills that impacted wildlife

March 31, 2021 News release: Ecology and Achilles reach settlement on two 2018 spills that impacted wildlife

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/march-24-achilles-penalty-settlement

Cooke Aquaculture applies to modify water quality permits for steelhead farming in Puget Sound

April 13, 2020 News release: Cooke Aquaculture has submitted applications to modify its existing permits to raise steelhead.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/cooke-aquaculture-applies-to-modify-permits

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

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 issued for third quarter of 2024

January 14, 2025 News release: Ecology issued $439,340 in penalties of $1,000 or more from July 1 – Sept. 30, 2024.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/jan-14-environmental-penalties-issued-for-third-quarter-of-2024

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

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

Tukwila property owner penalized for oil spill to the Duwamish River

February 2, 2023 News release: Tukwila property owner penalized for oil spill to the Duwamish River

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/feb-2-john-roach-penalty

Ecology and Westport seafood processer settle penalty for water quality violations

July 12, 2022 News release: Pacific Seafood – Westport, LLC will pay $92,250 to the Washington Department of Ecology under an agreement to settle an appeal of a larger penalty for 49 water quality violations.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/july-11-pacific-seafood-settlement

Franklin County farm settles water rights penalty

April 21, 2022 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology and Frank Tiegs LLC have reached a $125,000 settlement over a penalty resulting from the illegal irrigation of 250 acres of farmland in Franklin County in 2021.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/april-21-franklin-county-farm-settles-water-rights

Weyerhaeuser mill fined $40,000 for water quality violations

February 17, 2022 News release: The Weyerhaeuser Company is being fined $40,000 for repeated water quality violations at its Longview mill.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/feb-17-weyerhaeuser-penalty

Olympia pays $15,000 fine for sewage spill into Percival Creek

January 4, 2021 News release: We fined the city of Olympia $15,000 for allowing a sewer to leak undetected into Percival Creek over the 2020 Memorial Day weekend. The city has paid.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/jan-4-olympia-pays-penalty

Longview paper mill fined $68,000 for water quality violations

February 16, 2022 News release: Repeated water quality violations at the North Pacific Paper Company LLC (NORPAC) mill in Longview led to a $68,000 penalty from the Washington Department of Ecology.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/feb-16-norpac-penalty

Cleanup of former Reynolds Metals site moving forward

January 24, 2019 News release: A $28 million cleanup of contamination left over from smelting operations at the former Reynolds Metals site will move forward after the Washington Department of Ecology finalized the plan and legal agreements to perform the work.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/reynolds-cleanup-moving-forward

Hazardous waste transportation company settles penalty with Ecology

June 22, 2023 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology has settled a $37,000 penalty issued to Clean Earth Specialty Waste Solutions (CESWS).

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/june-22-clean-earth-specialty-waste-solutions-settlement

Tacoma mill settles air permit violation

July 12, 2023 News release: WestRock Tacoma reached a settlement agreement with Ecology for a penalty and compliance order issued in December 2022 for a violation of the company’s air quality permit.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/july-12-westrock-tacoma-penalty-settlement

Weyerhaeuser’s Longview lumber mill fined $145,000 for stormwater violations

July 30, 2024 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology issued two penalties totaling $145,000 to Weyerhaeuser for stormwater violations at the company’s Longview lumber mill.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/july-30-lumber-mill-fined

Puyallup contractor settles water quality penalty

May 2, 2024 News release: Puyallup-based contractor RM Homes LLC will pay a reduced $40,000 penalty for water quality violations

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/may-2-puyallup-contractor-settles-penalty

Fish tender fined for fuel spill to Lake Washington Ship Canal

March 1, 2024 News release: Ecology is issuing a $22,000 penalty to Coastal Transportation Inc. for negligence in operations during a fuel transfer that led to diesel spilling into the Lake Washington Ship Canal.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/mar-1-fish-tender-fined-for-fuel-spill-to-lake-washington-ship-canal

What’s in your backyard? Public invited to test soil samples for toxics

April 16, 2025 News release: Two upcoming soil testing events hosted by the Washington Department of Ecology will allow residents to check whether soils in their yards have traces of historic chemical contamination.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/april-16-soil-testing