Search Results - Washington State Department of Ecology

Fishing vessel owner fined for 2018 spill

April 30, 2020 News release: Phoenix Processors fined for 2018 spill Fishing Vessel Excellence

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/april-30-fishing-vessel-owner-fined-for-2018-spill

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

Wood stove turn-in event announced for Kettle Falls

April 11, 2022 News release: To help reduce air pollution in the Colville River Valley, the Department of Ecology is offering $300 for old wood stoves at a turn-in event.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/april-11-kettle-falls-wood-stove-turn-in

Incentives for innovation included in proposed updates to permit fees

March 8, 2019 News release: Proposed updates to the water quality permit fees include new incentives, winery permit, and inflation adjustments

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/march-8-incentives-for-innovation-proposed-permit

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

Ecology begins planning for future water use in Nooksack watershed

February 5, 2019 News release: Ecology begins rulemaking process for future water use in Nooksack watershed

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/planning-future-nooksack-water-use

Ecology invests first $20 million to help protect rivers and streams

January 28, 2019 News release: A new grant program through the Washington Department of Ecology will invest up to $20 million across the state to support local projects to protect rivers and improve streamflows.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/jan-28-investing-20-million-to-protect-streamflow

Lacey contractor fined $72,000 for multiple water quality violations

January 25, 2022 News release: Ecology is penalizing Milestone Companies $72,000 for multiple water quality violations during yearlong construction activities at the Woodbrook Townhomes project in Lacey.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/jan-25-woodbrook-townhomes-penalty

Moses Lake company fined $36,000 for air pollution

January 5, 2022 News release: Granite Construction has been fined $36,000 by the Washington Department of Ecology for air pollution released from their asphalt plant near Moses Lake.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/granite-construction-fined

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

Whatcom County farm fined for illegal water use

August 1, 2023 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology has issued a $12,000 fine to RAN General Partnership for illegally irrigating about 40 acres of crops in Whatcom County in June and July of 2023.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/1-august-whatcom-county-farm-fined-for-illegal-water-use

Ecology seeks community input on local air quality issues

November 2, 2023 News release: Ecology is holding open houses in Spokane, George and Mattawa as part of our work in overburdened communities under the Climate Commitment Act.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/ecology-seeks-community-input-on-local-air-quality

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ecology seeks feedback on rules to make products safer in Washington

December 8, 2022 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology is looking for input on a proposal that will help protect consumers by regulating some chemicals used in everyday products.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/dec-8-spwa-public-comment-period

New data shows Washington’s carbon emissions cooling

November 19, 2019 News release: New greenhouse gas emissions data from 2016 and 2017 shows the growth of emissions in Washington is slowing.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/new-greenhouse-gas-emissions-data

Bellevue developer fined $280,000 for multiple dangerous waste violations at downtown site

September 21, 2021 News release: The Department of Ecology has fined Bellevue Investors I LLC $280,000 for illegally sending soil contaminated with dry cleaning solvent to solid waste landfills.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/sept-21-bellevue-developer-fined-280-000-for-mult

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

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

Public discussion begins on plans to improve air quality in overburdened communities

September 19, 2022 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology opens public comment today on a new initiative to improve air quality in overburdened communities that are highly impacted by air pollution.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/sept-19-section-3-public-discussion

New efforts underway to improve groundwater management in Pasco Basin

July 13, 2022 News release: After a half-century under “interim” rules, we’re beginning the process to design a permanent groundwater management framework for the Pasco Basin.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/july-13-pasco-basin-groundwater-rulemaking

Ecology tracking Hanford waste tank leak

April 29, 2021 News release: The U.S. Department of Energy announced Thursday an underground radioactive and dangerous chemical waste storage tank at the Hanford Site in Southeast Washington is leaking.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/ecology-tracking-hanford-waste-tank-leak

40 electric school buses headed to Washington districts

April 29, 2020 News release: Ecology is helping 22 school districts across Washington buy a total of 40 new electric school buses.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/april-29-electric-school-buses-headed-to-wa

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

Environmental evaluation for proposed Chehalis River flood reduction project ready for review

February 27, 2020 News release: Ecology released the state EIS for a proposed flood retention dam on the Chehalis River, and seeking public comments through April 27.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/feb-27-chehalis-flood-reduction-project-eis

Cooke Aquaculture will pay full $332,000 penalty for fish pen collapse in Puget Sound

April 29, 2019 News release: Cooke Aquaculture will pay full $332,00 penalty for 2017 net pen collapse

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/april-29-cooke-aquaculture-will-pay-full-penalty

Yakima area air quality focus of March 24 listening sessions

March 10, 2022 News release: On March 24, the Washington Department of Ecology will host two virtual listening sessions for Yakima area residents to hear about their concerns with air quality issues in their communities.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/march-10-yakima-listening-sessions-on-march-24

Vancouver fined $60,000 for spilling sewage into Columbia River

January 4, 2019 News release: We have fined the city of Vancouver $60,000 for spilling nearly 600,000 gallons of raw or partially treated sewage into the Columbia River in 2017

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/jan-4-vancouver

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

New status, protections proposed for Soap Lake and the Cascade, Green and Napeequa rivers

July 18, 2023 News release: Proposal to name Soap Lake and the Cascade, Green, and Napeequa rivers Outstanding Resource Waters.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/july-18-proposed-protection-for-outstanding-resource-waters

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

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

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

Ecology proposes new and updated limits for toxics in water

February 22, 2024 News release: We are proposing a major update to the state’s aquatic life toxics criteria

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

$40 million available for streamflow restoration projects

January 2, 2024 News release: Up to $40 million in grants is available for projects that protect and enhance streamflows while providing water for rural homes. We’re accepting applications through Feb. 29.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/jan-2-streamflow-restoration-grants

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

Proposed changes to state’s water quality permit fees provide options for businesses, update costs

March 27, 2025 News release: We're proposing updates to the fees for our water quality permits. These permits help protect rivers, lakes, and marine water from pollution.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/march-27-water-quality-permit-fees

Ecology awards $9.6 million for landfill methane reduction

May 6, 2025 News release: Ecology awards nearly $10 million to landfill operators to comply with new methane emissions law.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/may-6-landfill-methane-emissions-reduction-grants

New climate research shows need for deep cuts in Washington’s greenhouse gas emissions

December 19, 2019 News release: New research predicts that climate change will damage Washington’s environment, so we recommend eliminating nearly all sources of carbon pollution by 2050.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/dec-19-new-climate-research-shows-need-for-deep-cu

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

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

Preventing litter? New campaign reminds Washingtonians it’s as ‘Simple As That’

September 12, 2024 News release: The “Simple As That” litter prevention campaign launches September 13 with advertising around the state and partnerships with retailers and community groups.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/sept-12-preventing-litter-new-campaign-reminds-washingtonians-it-s-as-simple-as-that

Ecology updates clean water permit for large livestock operations and manure lagoons

December 6, 2022 News release: We are updating the CAFO permit to better protect water quality at permitted facilities.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/dec-7-cafo-permit

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