Search Results - Washington State Department of Ecology

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

Ecology and Energy reach agreement to address Hanford’s leaking underground tanks

August 25, 2022 News release: The Washington State Department of Ecology and the U.S. Department of Energy have agreed on a plan for how to respond to two underground tanks that are leaking radioactive waste as well as any future tank leaks at the Hanford Site.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/hanford-leaking-tanks-agreed-order

EPA approves Lower White River water cleanup plan

March 2, 2023 News release: Ecology recently received approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a water quality cleanup plan for the Lower White River.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/march-2-epa-approves-lower-white-river-tmdl

Comment period extended for Goldendale Energy Storage Project draft EIS

June 6, 2022 News release: We're extending the comment period on a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for the proposed Goldendale Energy Storage Project adjacent to the Columbia River in Klickitat County.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/june-6-goldendale-energy-storage-draft-eis

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

CANCELED: New dangerous waste regs topic of April 2 workshop at Ecology's Union Gap office

February 20, 2020 News release: CANCELED: Dangerous waste regulations workshop on April 2 at Ecology's Union Gap office

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/dangerous-waste-regulations-workshop-in-central-wa

Restoration plan adopted for Icicle watershed

January 3, 2019 News release: Our Office of Columbia River and Chelan County adopt final programmatic EIS for Icicle Creek Watershed.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/jan-3

$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

Ecology adopts three updated watershed plans

January 28, 2021 News release: Updated plans for the Chehalis, Okanogan and Little Spokane watersheds will help to protect water levels and habitat around those rivers, while also ensuring water remains available for rural development.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/jan-28-ecology-adopts-3-streamflow-restoration-pla

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

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

Settlement reached in appeal of Hanford Site leaking tanks Agreed Order

May 10, 2023 News release: Work to respond to actively leaking tanks and future tank leaks at the Hanford Site will continue to proceed as planned following a settlement agreement filed with Washington’s Pollution Control Hearings Board today.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/may-10-hanford-leaking-tanks-agreed-order-appeal-s

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

Plan to close and clean up three Lewis County waste storage sites now open to public review

July 9, 2020 News release: Review and comment on the plan developed by two SW Washington companies to close three waste storage sites in Lewis County. The draft plan is available now through Aug. 7.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/july-9-plan-to-close-and-clean-up-lewis-co-waste

Ecology invites comment on updates to toxic cleanup regulations

February 16, 2023 News release: We invite the public to comment on proposed updates to toxic cleanup regulations. Proposed changes would improve the process for prioritizing, investigating, and cleaning up contaminated sites.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/mtca-rule-comment

Celebrating your local outstanding wastewater treatment plant

June 29, 2022 News release: Ecology is honoring wastewater treatment plant operators by recognizing 124 facilities with an Outstanding Performance Award.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/june-30-wastewater-treatment-plant-awards

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

Planning for better water quality in Budd Inlet

June 8, 2022 News release: A new report from Ecology details the steps needed to protect Budd Inlet and provide relief to fish and wildlife, while also helping the inlet to meet state water quality standards.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/june-8-budd-inlet-water-quality-plan

Drought designation extended for parts of Eastern Washington

May 26, 2022 News release: An amended drought declaration takes affect June 1 and reduces the area under a drought order from 96% of the state to 9%.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/may-26-drought-2022

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

Ecology director pushes for Hanford funding in D.C. visit

March 21, 2022 News release: Ecology Director Laura Watson visited Washington, D.C., in March to push for Hanford cleanup funding.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/march-21-ecology-director-pushes-for-hanford-fundi

State emissions rise in new greenhouse gas data

January 14, 2021 News release: New greenhouse gas data shows that emissions rose 1.3% from 2017 to 2018.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/jan-14-state-emissions-rise-in-new-greenhouse-gas

Recurring violations lead to dangerous waste fine for Tukwila business

February 7, 2019 News release: After repeatedly finding improper management of dangerous wastes at an aircraft parts manufacturer in Tukwila, we have fined the company $17,000.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/feb-7-fatigue-technology-fine

Applicants sought to serve on Hanford Advisory Board

September 5, 2023 News release: The Hanford Advisory Board (HAB) is seeking new members to advise federal and state agencies on the ongoing cleanup of the Hanford Site in southeast Washington.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/sept-5-applicants-sought-to-serve-on-hanford-advisory-board

Seattle shipyard penalized $112,000 for water quality violations

December 17, 2024 News release: Ecology is issuing a $112,000 penalty to Northlake Shipyard in Seattle for failing to protect water quality, including polluting Lake Union and mishandling toxic chemicals.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/dec-17-seattle-shipyard-penalized-112-000-for-water-quality-violations

The Home Depot penalized $1.6 million for selling restricted hydrofluorocarbon products

June 27, 2024 News release: The Home Depot was penalized $1.6 million for selling prohibited hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) products. HFCs are powerful greenhouse gases that do far more damage than carbon dioxide.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/june-27-home-depot-penalty

Diesel spill from sunken fishing boat in 2022 off San Juan Island leads to penalty

June 26, 2024 News release: Ecology is issuing an $18,000 penalty for diesel spilled during the sinking of a fishing vessel, the Aleutian Isle

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/june-26-aleutian-isle-penalty

Ecology orders Walla Walla station owner to continue work to protect community from gas spill

June 18, 2024 News release: Enforcement order order requires Walla Walla gas station owner to continue work to reduce harmful vapors from gasoline spill and remove contaminated water from nearby buildings.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/june-18-ecology-issues-enforcement-order-to-walla-walla-gas-station-owner

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

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

Washington’s recent climate auction results show continued stability

June 11, 2025 News release: New Cap-and-Invest auction results show market stability and Washington's continued climate leadership.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/june-11-washington-s-recent-climate-auction-results-show-continued-stability

New rules cut the use of climate change “super pollutants”

December 14, 2020 News release: Ecology adopts final rules to guide phase-out of hydrofluorcarbons, or HFCs, which are potent climate change chemicals.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/dec-14-new-rules-cut-the-use-of-climate-change-sup

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

Ecology and Portland-based contractor settle penalty for water quality violations

December 12, 2022 News release: Ecology has reached a settlement agreement with Portland-based 1108 South Hillhurst Subdivision LLC for a $135,000 penalty issued for multiple water quality violations.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/dec-12-vista-ridge-pud-penalty-settlement

Washington state targets methane gas from landfills to help slow climate change

December 8, 2022 News release: Washington continues to focus on decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and is now working on a rule requiring some municipal solid waste landfills to reduce the amount of methane they emit.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/landfill-methane-rule