Search Results - Washington State Department of Ecology

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

Ecology Youth Corps suspends summer litter crews for teens

March 23, 2020 News release: Ecology has canceled its 2020 Ecology Youth Corps summer litter crews for teens 14-17. Roadside litter removal will shift to adult crews for 2020 season

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/ecology-youth-corps-suspends-summer-litter-crews-f

Diesel spill from grounded vessel at Silverdale Waterfront Park leads to fine

May 11, 2022 News release: In December 2020, a grounded vessel caused a diesel spill.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/may-11-diesel-spill-from-grounded-vessel-at-silver

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

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

Public invited to meeting about Olympia brewery oil spill

April 15, 2019 News release: We're holding a public meeting on April 18 about how we are responding to the Olympia Brewery oil spill in the Deschutes River and Capitol Lake.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/april-15-olympia-brewery-spill-public-meeting

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

First comment period opens on future water use in Nooksack watershed

April 8, 2019 News release: First comment period opens on future water use in WRIA 1 Nooksack watershed

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/first-comment-period-opens-on-future-water-use-in

Stage 1 burn ban called for Omak area

January 19, 2021 News release: Stage 1 burn ban for Omak begins Jan. 19

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/jan-21-outdoor-and-indoor-burning-limited-to-impro

New Ecology director launches Twitter account

January 10, 2020 News release: New director launches Twitter account

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/jan-10-director-launches-twitter

Osoyoos water levels to rise earlier than normal

March 21, 2019 News release: Osoyoos Lake levels will rise earlier than normal this year at Zosel Dam near Oroville, Wash.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/march-21-zosel-2019

Summer jobs open for Central WA teens

February 4, 2022 News release: Our Central Region is recruiting youth to help pick up litter on our roadways this summer.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/feb-4-central-wa-eyc-recruitment

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

Public invited to comment on Ecology plan to clean up contaminated Georgetown site

January 13, 2022 News release: The property east of 4th Ave. is contaminated with chemicals suspected of causing cancer.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/jan-13-georgetown-cleanup-public-comment-period

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

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

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

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

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 rules add clarity for cap-and-invest program

September 7, 2023 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology has proposed new rules to clarify aspects of the Allowance Price Containment Reserve (APCR).

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/sept-7-apcr-rulemaking

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

Comments sought on proposed amendments to instream flow rule in Nooksack watershed

November 19, 2019 News release: We are seeking public input on a proposed rule amendment that would establish a water use conservation standard for some new homes in parts of Whatcom County and small areas in Skagit County.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/nov-19-comments-sought-on-proposed-amendments-to-i

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

Draft plan released to restore Chehalis River basin habitat

November 17, 2019 News release: Public invited to weigh in on proposed Chehalis basin aquatic species restoration plan

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/nov-15-draft-chehalis-basin-asrp

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

Hanford Advisory Board to meet in Yakima April 19, 2023

April 10, 2023 News release: The Hanford Advisory Board is on the road again for the first time since before the pandemic – holding its next regional meeting in Yakima later this month.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/april-hanford-advisory-board-meeting-in-yakima

Washington finalizes historic cap-and-invest plan to slash carbon pollution

September 29, 2022 News release: Washington finalizes historic plan to slash carbon pollution by adopting cap-and-invest regulations.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/sept-29-cap-and-invest-adoption

Awarding $312 million to communities for clean water projects

July 1, 2021 News release: Ecology is awarding $312 million in grants and loans for 108 high-priority clean water projects.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/july-1-awarding-312-million-to-communities-for-cl

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

Shoreline penalty resolved on Palmer Lake

August 12, 2019 News release: Shoreline penalty settlement on Palmer Lake in Okanogan County

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/aug-12-newmarch-settlement

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

Damage to wetlands in Grant County results in $267,540 fine

February 10, 2023 News release: Ecology has fined the owners of King Ranch for damaging at least 23 alkali wetlands located in Grant County.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/feb-10-wetlands-in-grant-county

State adopts updated Colville River watershed plan

June 30, 2020 News release: A locally-developed watershed plan will protect rivers and streams in the Colville River watershed while securing water for future rural growth.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/june-30-wria-59-colville-streamflow-plan

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

In support of salmon recovery, Ecology seeks feedback on proposed rule changes

July 31, 2019 News release: Proposed changes would allow more spill over dams on the Snake and Columbia rivers, allowing more juvenile salmon to migrate.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/july-31-feedback-on-proposed-rule-to-support-salmo