Search Results - Washington State Department of Ecology

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

Hanford Site agencies to hold cleanup dialogue meeting in Kennewick on Dec. 5

November 20, 2023 News release: The public is invited to ask questions and learn about Hanford Site cleanup during an in-person Hanford Dialogue meeting in Kennewick on Tuesday, Dec. 5.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/nov-20-hanford-dialogue-2023

Ecology offering $1.8 million to Washington communities for drought planning, preparedness

November 30, 2023 News release: The Department of Ecology will offer $1.8 million in grants to increase local drought preparedness throughout the state.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/nov-30-drought-planning-and-preparedness-grants

Washington restricts refrigerants linked to global warming

November 30, 2023 News release: Washington ban sales of new air conditioners and commercial refrigeration units that contain hydrofluorocarbons

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/nov-30-washington-restricts-refrigerants-linked-to-global-warming

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

Ecology seeks public comment on disposal of PFAS firefighting foam

December 20, 2023 News release: Ecology seeks public comment on a draft environmental impact statement outlining five disposal options for municipal firefighting foams with PFAS.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/afff-draft-eis-public-comment

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

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

Coleman Oil Company fined for spill near Colfax

December 12, 2024 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology has fined Coleman Oil $12,000 for the spill and for failing to notify authorities promptly.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/dec-12-coleman-oil-company-fined-for-spill-near-colfax

New report and dashboard show Climate Commitment Act investments

November 27, 2024 News release: See exactly how Climate Commitment Act funds have been spent on transit, wildfire preparedness, clean energy and more.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/nov-27-cca-investments

Ecology receives $8.95 million settlement to help reduce air quality impacts from South Tacoma warehouse project

November 21, 2024 News release: As part of a settlement agreement, $8.95 million will be invested in South Tacoma to help reduce air quality impacts from a proposed warehouse project.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/nov-21-bridge-agreement

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

Federal and state agencies seeking new board members to advise on Hanford nuclear cleanup

October 10, 2024 News release: The Hanford Advisory Board (HAB) is seeking new members to advise federal and state agencies on the ongoing nuclear cleanup of the Hanford Site in southeast Washington.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/oct-10-2024-hab-member-recruitment

Ecology invests $53.5 million to help rivers and streams

October 8, 2024 News release: Ecology is investing up to $53.5 million in streamflow restoration grants for 25 high-priority projects in watersheds across the state.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/oct-8-streamflow-restoration-grants

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

Industrial painting company fined $49,000 for hazardous waste violations at Kelso, Longview facilities

August 21, 2024 News release: Industrial painting company fined $49,000 for hazardous waste violations at Kelso, Longview facilities

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/aug-21-steel-painter-penalty

Ecology invites public comment on shoreline management updates for Thurston County

August 8, 2024 News release: Ecology seeks public input on changes to the Thurston County Shoreline Master Program (SMP) to help the county bring the plan up-to-date with state and local laws.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/aug-8-thurston-county-public-comment

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

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

Ecology upgrades Washington air quality map in time for wildfire smoke season

July 25, 2024 News release: Updated air quality map features real-time information about wildfire smoke and other air pollution and includes information about impacts in overburdened communities.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/july-25-ecology-releases-updated-air-quality-map

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

Ecology proposes rulemaking on electricity markets

June 28, 2024 News release: The Department of Ecology has proposed rule changes to ensure that greenhouse gas emissions from centralized electricity market imports are accounted for under the Climate Commitment Act.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/june-28-electricity-markets-rule-proposal

Seafood company reaches settlement over permit issues

June 24, 2024 News release: Seafood company South Bend Products will pay $16,000 to resolve violations of its water quality permit as part of a settlement agreement with the Washington Department of Ecology.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/june-24-seafood-company-settlement

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

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

Westport seafood plant penalized $222,000 for water quality violations

June 13, 2024 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology issued a $222,000 penalty to the Pacific Seafood-Westport facility for repeatedly sending polluted wastewater into Half Moon Bay in Westport.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/june-13-seafood-plant-penalized

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

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

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

Asphalt manufacturer and distributor penalized $27,000 for violating dangerous waste regulations

April 4, 2024 News release: Ecology is issuing a $27,000 penalty to an asphalt company for not properly managing their dangerous waste.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/apr-4-asphalt-toxic-waste-penalty

Washington Department of Ecology and Coast Guard respond to sunken vessel in Lake Union

April 1, 2024 News release: The Coast Guard and Washington Department of Ecology continue their response Monday to a sunken tugboat in Lake Union in Seattle, Washington.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/apr-1-sunken-vessel-in-lake-union

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

Summer jobs now open for central Washington teens

February 29, 2024 News release: Teens ages 14-17 can apply to Ecology Youth Corps by April 1 to pick up litter and keep our state clean.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/ecology-youth-corps-applications-open

Ecology names new central Washington region director

January 23, 2024 News release: David Bowen to oversee regional environmental work spanning water, air quality, cleanup, environmental justice and more.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/jan-23-ecology-names-new-central-washington-region-director

Proposal would require oil handlers, transporters to prove ability to pay for spills

January 19, 2024 News release: Ecology proposes rule requiring vessels, pipelines and facilities to show financial responsibility for worst-case spills.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/jan-19-cofr-rule-proposal

Waste disposal company penalized $25,000 for improperly managing dangerous waste

January 9, 2024 News release: Ecology issued a $25,000 penalty to Burlington Environmental-Washougal for failure to comply with Washington's dangerous waste regulations.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/jan-9-clark-county-dangerous-waste-penalty

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

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

Washington’s emission check program ends Dec. 31

December 30, 2019 News release: At 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31, Washington’s vehicle emissions check program will end, marking the close of 38 years of emissions testing on cars and trucks in major metropolitan areas.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/dec-30-washington-s-emission-check-program-ends-de

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 completes environmental review for proposed Goldendale Energy Storage Project

December 21, 2022 News release: Ecology's analysis examines the project's potential adverse environmental impacts. Permitting agencies will use the environmental review in project-related decision making over the next two years.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/ecology-completes-environmental-review-for-propose

Washington inks deal with carbon emissions auction platform

December 20, 2021 News release: Ecology signs deal for greenhouse gas emissions auction services with WCI, Inc.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/dec-20-washington-inks-deal-with-emissions-auction

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

Inslee names Laura Watson director of Washington State Department of Ecology

December 20, 2019 News release: Gov. Jay Inslee named Laura Watson director of the Washington State Department of Ecology today. She replaces Maia Bellon, who Inslee appointed in 2013.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/dec-20-inslee-names-laura-watson-director-of-ecolo

Seattle and King County fined for sewer overflow violations

December 18, 2020 News release: We and EPA are fining King County $14,000 and Seattle $32,500 for violations of their combined sewer overflow consent decrees

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/dec-18-king-county-and-seattle-cso

Washington adopts plan for transition to zero-emission vehicles

December 19, 2022 News release: Washington adopts plan for transition to new zero-emission vehicles by 2035.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/dec-19-clean-vehicles-ii-adoption

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

New law will reduce the use of single-use utensils, condiments, straws beginning Jan. 1

December 6, 2021 News release: On Jan. 1, a new law will require restaurants to stop automatically adding single-use food service items like utensils and condiments to food orders and let customers decide which items they want.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/dec-6-new-law-will-reduce-the-use-of-single-use-ut

Ecology Awards program provides money to schools for compliance with new laws

November 24, 2021 News release: The Waste Not Washington Awards program offers schools up to $5,000 to pay for compliance with new waste reduction laws.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/2022-school-awards-deadline-extended