Search Results - Washington State Department of Ecology

Plastic bottle and trash bag makers must register with state by April 1

February 3, 2022 News release: New law requires some plastics include a minimum amount of recycled content beginning in 2023

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/feb-3-plastic-producer-registration

Statewide drought advisory issued for Washington

July 5, 2023 News release: The warmest May on record and an abnormally dry spring and early summer have prompted the Department of Ecology to issue a statewide drought advisory.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/5-july-statewide-drought-advisory-issued-for-washington

Washington proposes new rule to decrease methane emissions from landfills

October 30, 2023 News release: Ecology is proposing a rule to reduce more emissions of methane from municipal solid waste landfills.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/oct-30-decrease-methane-emissions-from-landfills

Puget Sound wastewater treatment plants to tackle nutrient pollution with new permit

November 30, 2021 News release: Wastewater treatment plants to start controlling nutrient pollution with new permit.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/dec-1-puget-sound-nutrient-permit

Plan to cut statewide fuel emissions 20% starts Jan. 1

November 28, 2022 News release: New Clean Fuel Standard will tackle Washington’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/nov-28-clean-fuel-standard-adoption

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

Water quality penalties fund environmental restoration

April 3, 2019 News release: Ecology to provide $331,000 for 12 local environmental enhancement projects

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/april-3-water-quality-penalties-fund-restoration

Ecology denies permit for Kalama methanol facility

January 19, 2021 News release: Ecology denies permit for Kalama methanol

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/jan-19-ecology-denies-permit-for-kalama-methanol

Una nueva campaña recuerda a los ciudadanos de Washington que es "Así De Simple" evitar tirar basura en las carreteras.

September 12, 2024 News release: La campaña "Así De Simple" se lanza el 13 de septiembre con publicidad en todo el estado y asociaciones con tiendas y grupos comunitarios.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/sept-12-una-nueva-campana-recuerda-a-los-ciudadanos-de-washington-que-es-asi-de-simple

Nuevo estudio calcula la cantidad de basura que se acumula en las carreteras y áreas públicas de Washington

September 18, 2023 News release: Acabar con la basura en su punto de origen es el objetivo de una nueva campaña estatal

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/sept-18-new-litter-campaign

New study tallies the litter accumulating on Washington’s roads and public spaces

September 18, 2023 News release: Statewide litter study finds the amount of debris on Washington's roads well above national average.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/sept-18-new-litter-campaign-1c0a5aec227ee54ac7f22b9cdb954bf0

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Initial site survey work on Port Angeles dock, shoreline to begin late August

August 12, 2019 News release: Field survey work is taking place at the dock and shoreline area leased by Rayonier Advanced Materials in Port Angeles.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/port-angeles-work

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

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

Coleman Oil settles fine for oil spill to Columbia River in Wenatchee

June 28, 2019 News release: Coleman Oil settles fine for oil spill to Columbia River in Wenatchee

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/coleman-oil-settles-fine-for-oil-spill-to-columbia

Lake Osoyoos water levels on the rise

May 14, 2020 News release: Water levels in Osoyoos Lake are rising as melting snow brings annual spring runoff. The lake serves as a source of water for irrigation and summer recreation in both British Columbia and Okanogan County.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/spring-runoff-at-lake-osoyoos

Statement from Ecology director on EPA rolling back water quality standards

April 17, 2020 News release: A statement from Ecology Director Laura Watson on the EPA rolling back water quality standards in Washington

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/statement-on-epa-rolling-back-water-quality-standa

Port Townsend mill fined $27,000 for water quality violations

May 17, 2022 News release: Repeated water quality violations at the Port Townsend Paper Corporation (PTPC) mill in Port Townsend led to a $27,000 penalty from the Washington Department of Ecology.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/may-17-ptpc-fined-for-water-quality-violations

Statement from Ecology director on federal vehicle emissions rollback

March 31, 2020 News release: A statement from Ecology director Laura Watson on the federal Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient Vehicles Rule.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/march-31-director-watson-statement-on-federal-vehi

Skagit, Snohomish landowners now have legal water source

March 19, 2020 News release: As part of the Washington Department of Ecology’s commitment to find water solutions for Skagit Basin landowners, water is now available for some landowners in Skagit and Snohomish counties affected by a 2013 state Supreme Court ruling.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/mar-19-skagit-snohomish-landowners-have-legal-wat

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

Pipeline company fined for spill near Woodinville

January 27, 2022 News release: In Feb. 2020, BP was performing construction that caused to two spills at the Olympic Pipeline near Woodinville.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/jan-27-pipeline-company-fined-for-spill-near-woodi

Battle Ground contractor fined $136,000 for repeated water quality violations

January 26, 2022 News release: Ecology has fined Hamilton Excavating LLC $136,000 for repeated water quality violations during construction activities at the Highland Terrace Subdivision in La Center.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/jan-26-highland-terrace-penalty

Stage 1 burn ban for Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Kittitas, Okanogan, Pend Oreille and Stevens counties

January 11, 2019 News release: A ban on outdoor burning and the use of uncertified stoves and fireplaces begins at 10 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 13, in Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Okanogan, Ferry, Pend Oreille and Stevens counties due to poor air quality predicted for the region.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/jan-11-stage-1-burn-ban-begins-sunday-for-north-ce

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

New protections to reduce plastic and foam pollution from dock floats

December 13, 2023 News release: Starting in January 2024, floating plastic foam used to support floating docks and walkways must be fully encased in a durable shell.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/dec-13-new-protections-reduce-pollution-docks

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

Preparing Whatcom water users for adjudication

April 19, 2024 News release: Ecology has mailed 30,000 post cards to Nooksack area water users to let them know about adjudication.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/apr-19-adjudications-postcard

Ecology begins rulemaking for 2021 plastics law

November 8, 2021 News release: We have begun a rulemaking process that will increase the amount of recycled content used in some plastic containers, including beverage bottles.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/ecology-begins-rulemaking-for-2021-plastics-law

Ecology releases draft environmental review of options to rebuild Eightmile Lake Dam

April 19, 2023 News release: How to repair a deteriorating, 90-year-old dam in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness near Leavenworth is the subject of a draft environmental impact statement released today.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/april-19-eightmile-lake-dam-deis-release

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

No bags in the bin! Plastic bags contaminate recycling system

April 5, 2023 News release: Ecology awareness campaign aims to reduce plastic bags contamination in Washington’s residential recycling.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/recycle-right-no-bags-in-the-bin

Washington state issues enforcement order against US Army over Yakima Training Center contamination

February 1, 2023 News release: With contamination threatening drinking water near the training center, Ecology's order requires the Army to address the environmental threat in line with state and federal standards.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/yakima-training-center-enforcement-order

Achilles penalized for two spills that impacted wildlife

June 18, 2020 News release: Achilles penalized for two spills Negligence a factor in 2018 spills at Everett facility

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/achilles-penalized-for-two-spills-that-impacted-wi

Department of Ecology issues drought advisory for most of the state

May 27, 2021 News release: Ecology has issued a drought advisory for most of Washington state, including all areas east of the Cascade Mountains, portions of Southwest Washington and the Washington coast.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/may-27-2021-drought-advisory

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

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

Pullman business penalized for oil spill to the South Fork Palouse River

June 29, 2023 News release: Pullman business Four Star Supply penalized for oil spill to the South Fork Palouse River

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/four-star-penalty-for-oil-spill-to-south-fork-palouse-river

Pullman business penalized for oil spill to the South Fork Palouse River

June 29, 2023 News release: Four Star Supply penalized for spilling oil to the South Fork Palouse River

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/june-29-four-star-penalty-for-oil-spill-to-south-fork-palouse-river