Search Results - Washington State Department of Ecology

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

State penalizes Lakehaven Water and Sewer District $85,200 for polluting Cold Creek

October 3, 2023 News release: We’ve penalized the Lakehaven Water and Sewer District $85,200 and issued an administrative order related to 2022 discharges of incompletely treated wastewater.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/oct-3-lakehaven-water-sewer-district-penalty

New report shows air pollution hits Washington’s most vulnerable the hardest

December 28, 2023 News release: A new Ecology report shows people in 16 overburdened areas of Washington face a higher death rate from air pollution than the state average.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/dec-28-new-report-shows-air-pollution-hits-washington-s-most-vulnerable-the-hardest

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

Port Townsend mill fined $56,250 for air quality violation

December 14, 2022 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology has fined Port Townsend Paper Corporation $56,250 for exceeding an air quality limit at their Port Townsend mill.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/dec-14-port-townsend-paper-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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Statement from Ecology director on lawsuit challenging federal emissions rollback

May 27, 2020 News release: A statement from Ecology Director Laura Watson on Washington joining a lawsuit challenging federal rollbacks of vehicle emissions standards.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/may-27-statement-from-ecology-director-on-lawsuit

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

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

Wallula paper mill fined $28,500 for air pollution

February 9, 2021 News release: Wallula paper mill fined $28,500 for air pollution.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/feb-9-wallula-paper-mill-fined-28-500-for-air-pol

Environmental review halted after applicant cancels renewable fuels project in Ferndale

January 21, 2020 News release: We and Whatcom County are halting our joint environmental review of the proposed Green Apple renewable fuel facility near Ferndale. The company has announced it no longer plans to proceed with the project.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/jan-21-21-green-apple-cancellation

Ilwaco seafood processor fined for repeated water quality violations

February 1, 2022 News release: Ecology has fined Safe Coast Seafoods $69,348 for ongoing water quality violations.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/feb-1-safe-coast-seafoods-penalty

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

Pierce County contractor fined $56,000 for multiple water quality violations

June 28, 2023 News release: Ecology has issued a $56,000 fine to Puyallup-based RM Homes LLC for multiple water quality violations at an Edwards Drive construction site in Gig Harbor.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/june-28-rm-homes-penalty

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

Puyallup construction material company fined for waste violations

July 13, 2023 News release: Carlisle Construction Materials was fined $40,000 by Ecology for failing to properly designate its hazardous waste for several years

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/july-13-ccm-penalty

Toledo sand and gravel operation fined $29,000 for failing to submit water quality data

July 27, 2023 News release: Ecology has issued a $29,000 fine to Toledo-based L Rock Industries for repeatedly refusing to submit required quarterly reports that monitor stormwater discharge.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/july-27-l-rock-industries-penalty

Ecology, Olympia Brewery owner reach settlement over 2019 spill

November 8, 2023 News release: Ecology and Olympia Brewery reach settlement over 2019 spill

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/nov-8-ecology-olympia-brewery-owner-reach-settlement-over-2019-spill

Lakehaven Water and Sewer District settles penalty for sewage spills

July 11, 2024 News release: The Lakehaven Water and Sewer District has paid $40,000 to resolve violations of its water quality permit as part of a settlement agreement with Ecology.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/july-11-lakehaven-water-and-sewer-district-settlement

Settlement reached in penalty for Lake Washington Ship Canal fuel spill

June 17, 2024 News release: The Department of Ecology has settled a $22,000 penalty issued to Coastal Transportation Inc. for a February 2023 spill of diesel into Seattle’s Lake Washington Ship Canal during a fuel transfer.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/june-17-settlement-reached-for-fuel-spill

Cleanup process moving forward at North Seattle site

December 3, 2020 News release: We're seeking public comment on a legal agreement to study pollution and cleanup options at a Seattle former gas station that's now part of an apartment building.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/dec-4-stone-way-apartments

Cleanup process moving forward at South Park site near Duwamish River

November 4, 2020 News release: We’re seeking public comment on a legal agreement with current and former owners of an industrial property in Seattle’s South Park to address contaminated soil and groundwater.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/nov-5-precision-engineering-site

Cleanup proposed for site on Duwamish Waterway

October 25, 2019 News release: A developer will do cleanup work and prepare for the final cleanup of 63 acres just south of Boeing Field in Seattle and Tukwila, under an agreement with us.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/oct-25-emerald-gateway

Port plans environmental studies at Terminal 90-91

October 24, 2019 News release: We're taking comment on a legal agreement where the Port of Seattle will study contamination in sediments at Terminal 90/91, leading to cleanup.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/oct-24-terminal-90-91

Cleanup proposed for site on Duwamish Waterway

August 26, 2019 News release: We're taking comment on an environmental cleanup plan for an industrial site along the Duwamish River in Tukwila.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/aug-26-8801-east-marginal

Cleanup proposed at former oil terminal on Salmon Bay

July 20, 2020 News release: We’re taking public comments on plans to complete cleanup work where re-development is planned at the former Time Oil bulk terminal near Salmon Bay in Seattle.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/july-20-time-oil-salmon-bay

Soil cleanup planned for Duwamish shoreline site

June 14, 2019 News release: The owner of an industrial site along Seattle's Duwamish Waterway has agreed to clean a portion the site and prepare for a future final cleanup of the rest.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/june-14-snopack-site-cleanup

Cleanup process to move forward at Port of Seattle site on Duwamish Waterway

April 23, 2020 News release: We're taking public comments on a legal agreement with the Port of Seattle and Boeing for environmental studies and cleanup plans for the Terminal 115 Plant 1 site on the Duwamish River in Seattle.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/april-23-terminal-115-plant-1

Rainier Valley site’s redevelopment will include environmental cleanup

April 8, 2021 News release: Under a proposed cleanup plan, redevelopment in Seattle’s Rainier Valley work will include affordable housing and will incorporate environmental cleanup into construction.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/april-8-grand-street-commons-cleanup

Boeing Everett cleanup advancing to final stages

March 1, 2021 News release: We're taking comments on plans and earlier studies to guide the Boeing Everett Plant site's final cleanup of contaminated soil and groundwater.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/march-1-boeing-everett-cleanup

Four firms plan cleanup projects in Seattle’s Georgetown

September 26, 2017 News release:

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2017/sep-26-cleanup-projects-in-seattle-s-georgetown

Ecology begins environmental review of proposal to rebuild Eightmile Lake Dam

December 17, 2020 News release: We are asking the public what we should examine as we study environmental impacts resulting from the construction and rebuild of the Eightmile Dam.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/dec-18-eightmile-dam-scoping

Ecology adopts regulations on toxic chemicals in consumer products

May 31, 2023 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology issued new regulations to reduce pollution from toxic chemicals in consumer products.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/may-31-new-safer-products-for-wa-regulation

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

Electron Hydro fined $501,000 for Puyallup River pollution

June 8, 2021 News release: Ecology has issued a $501,000 penalty and an Administrative Order to Electron Hydro for the discharge of sports turf into the Puyallup River and ongoing water quality violations.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/june-8-electron-dam-penalty

Ecology settles 2019 penalty with Tacoma hazardous waste facility

June 9, 2020 News release: The Stericycle hazardous waste facility in Tacoma has agreed to settle $2.2 million in penalties issued in 2019 by the Washington Department of Ecology.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/june-9-stericycle-settlement

“Charge Where You Are”: Ecology offers grants for EV charging stations

September 26, 2023 News release: Ecology will offer $3.5 million in grants to increase access to EV charging infrastructure across Washington.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/sept-26-charge-where-you-are-grant-announcement

Spokane Galvanizing penalized $32,000 for mismanaging dangerous waste

July 31, 2024 News release: Spokane Galvanizing received a $32,000 penalty for violating state dangerous waste laws.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/july-31-west-plains-sampling-for-pfas

State penalizes Kent recycling company $33,000 for dangerous waste violations

January 16, 2025 News release: Ecology is issuing a $33,000 penalty to Total Reclaim, Inc. (TRI) in Kent for violations of the state’s dangerous waste regulations

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/jan-16-state-penalizes-kent-recycling-company-33-000-for-dangerous-waste-violations

$30,000 penalty to plastics producer for failing to register products under 2021 law

March 13, 2025 News release: Penalties collected under the 2021 law provide financial support to local governments for solid waste programs.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/march-13-30-000-penalty-to-plastics-producer-for-failing-to-register-products-under-2021-law

Drought declared for Yakima region for third year in a row

April 8, 2025 News release: Ecology is extending a drought emergency for a third consecutive year in central Washington. It is also issuing a drought advisory for north-central Washington and parts of the Puget Sound region.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/april-8-drought

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