Search Results - Washington State Department of Ecology

Twelve agencies and organizations call on Pres. Biden to increase Hanford funding

August 9, 2022 News release: The states of Washington and Oregon, and a coalition of organizations, joined together to send a letter to President Joe Biden Tuesday calling for increased funding at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/hanford-funding-letter-to-president-biden

Ecology fines 35 plastic producers $416,000 for not using enough recycled plastic

October 3, 2024 News release: $416,000 in penalties handed to plastic producers that did not comply with recycled content law

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/oct-3-ecology-fines-35-plastic-producers-416-000-for-not-using-enough-recycled-plastic

Ecology files water rights adjudication in Whatcom County Superior Court

May 2, 2024 News release: Today Ecology filed a water rights adjudication in Whatcom County Superior Court. This legal process will review and prioritize all water use in the Nooksack basin and nearby areas.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/may-2-nooksack-adjudication-filing

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

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

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 announces action plan for addressing PFAS

November 3, 2021 News release: Ecology is rolling out its new PFAS Chemical Action Plan, a thoroughly researched set of recommendations intended to reduce uses and releases of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/nov-2-ecology-announces-action-plan-for-addressing

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

Grants awarded for Washington’s first electric fire engines

April 27, 2023 News release: Washington will receive the state’s first electric fire engines in 2026. Ecology has given $1.18 M to Bellevue and Redmond through our VW and Clean Diesel grant programs.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/april-27-grants-awarded-for-washington-s-first-ele

New Ecology rule updates dangerous waste regulations

October 1, 2020 News release: Washington has updated regulations preventing dangerous wastes from making their way into the environment.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/oct-1-new-ecology-rule-updates-dangerous-waste-reg

Single-use plastic bag ban begins Oct. 1 in Washington

July 21, 2021 News release: Washington's statewide ban on single-use plastic bags begins Oct. 1, 2021

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/statewide-bag-ban-begins-oct-1

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

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

Stronger protections for Puget Sound in final permits for Atlantic salmon farms

July 11, 2019 News release: Final water quality permits for Atlantic salmon farming in Puget Sound

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/july-11-strong-protections-for-puget-sound

50 electric buses coming to Washington transit agencies

June 12, 2019 News release: Ecology puts $13.3 million from VW settlement toward zero-emission buses

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/june-12-50-electric-buses-coming-to-washington-tra

Proposal to apply biosolids at five Lewis County sites approved

April 19, 2021 News release: Ecology finalized an agreed order with Fire Mountain Farms, Inc., to apply biosolids at five sites in Lewis County.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/fire-mountain-farms-agreed-order

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

New agreement broadens cleanup process at Boeing site on Duwamish

May 22, 2019 News release: The Boeing Company will continue cleanup work - begun under Ecology's Voluntary Cleanup Program - and expand studies of contaminated areas at its Developmental Center on the Duwamish Waterway under a proposed cleanup agreement with Ecology.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/may-22-boeing-developmental-center

Ecology proposes 2-year freeze on water quality permit fees

March 15, 2021 News release: Every two years we update the water quality permit fees.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/march-16-2-year-freeze-on-water-quality-permit-fee

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 proposes plan for $112.7 million VW settlement

November 16, 2017 News release:

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2017/nov-16-vw-settlement-plan

More than $300 million awarded to support clean water projects

June 21, 2023 News release: More than 125 clean water projects across Washington will receive $314 million in grants and loans from Ecology.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/june-21-more-than-300-million-awarded

Plastic bottles and bags to be made with more recycled content

October 31, 2023 News release: New regulations from the Washington Department of Ecology will increase the value of plastic that gets recycled and reused to make new plastic packaging.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/oct-31-law-increases-recycling-decreases-waste

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 announces new southwest region director

March 7, 2024 News release: Bobbak Talebi named Ecology's new Southwest Region director.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/march-7-ecology-announces-new-southwest-region-director

State moves to ban known carcinogen in cosmetics

February 6, 2025 News release: Proposed rule to restrict 28 formaldehyde-releasing chemicals in cosmetics made, sold or distributed in Washington.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/feb-6-tfca-formaldehyde-releasers-rulemaking-proposal

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

New steps to improve groundwater management in the Pasco Basin

May 9, 2025 News release: Working to meet water needs in the Pasco Basin.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/may-8-pasco-boundary-designation

Summary of environmental penalties issued the first quarter of 2019

June 14, 2019 News release: We issued $210,100 in 17 penalties of $1,000 or more in the first quarter of 2019.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/environmental-penalties-1st-quarter-2019

Washington’s litter prevention campaign aims to curb roadside debris

June 5, 2022 News release: Washington marks National Secure Your Load Day on June 6, which commemorates people whose lives were impacted or taken by unsecured loads.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/2022-litter-prevention-campaign-aims-to-curb-roads

Vessel owner fined for spill at Brownsville Marina

December 13, 2021 News release: On Sunday, December 22, 2019, the Port of Brownsville reported a spill involving a sinking vessel pulling down their docks. The marina identified Arnold Haskin as the vessel’s owner.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/dec-14-vessel-owner-fined-for-spill-at-brownsville

Tacoma mill fined $52,500 for air quality violation

December 15, 2022 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology has fined WestRock CP, LLC $52,500 for failing to adequately treat hazardous air pollutants at their Tacoma mill.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/dec-15-westrock-tacoma-penalty

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

Summer positions now open for the Washington Conservation Corps

April 11, 2023 News release: Young adults ages 18-25 can apply to the Washington Conservation Corps to spend a summer outdoors gaining experience in the environmental field.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/summer-positions-now-open-for-the-wcc

Public invited to comment on PFAS Chemical Action Plan

October 8, 2020 News release: Ecology is asking the public to provide input on a draft Chemical Action Plan that addresses PFAS, a class of highly persistent chemicals that do not break down in the environment.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/oct-8-public-invited-to-comment-on-pfas-chemical-a

Ecology applauds EPA effort to add Bradford Island to “Superfund” list

September 8, 2021 News release: The EPA proposed adding Bradford Island at Bonneville Dam to the National Priorities List, better known as the Superfund cleanup list.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/bradford-island

Ecology adopts changes to air quality permit fees

March 3, 2023 News release: Fees associated with some air quality permits issued by the Washington Department of Ecology will increase for the first time since 2012 under a new rule adopted today.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/march-3-changes-to-air-quality-permit-fees

Highway contractors fined for stormwater violations

June 17, 2021 News release: Two highway contractors are fined for releasing muddy wastewater to the Cle Elum River and other violations on numerous occasions. The river supports migrating and spawning sockeye salmon.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/june-17-kuney-klb-penalties

Summer jobs now open for Central Washington teens

February 21, 2023 News release: Teens ages 14-17 can apply to Ecology Youth Corps to pick up litter and keep our state clean. Applications are due by April 3.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/feb-21-ecology-youth-corps-central-wa-2023

Ecology to host webinar, answer questions about Nooksack adjudication

January 26, 2023 News release: Ecology is hosting a webinar Jan. 30 to discuss the upcoming Nooksack water rights adjudication and answer questions.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/jan-26-nooksack-adjudication-webinar

Growing Quincy data center seeks revised air permit

June 3, 2020 News release: As part of a planned expansion, Sabey Data Center Properties has applied to modify an existing air permit at its Intergate.Quincy facility.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/june-3-sabeycomment

Oil spill equipment exercise in Grays Harbor

June 22, 2022 News release: The Washington Dept. of Ecology, Port of Grays Harbor, Washington State Maritime Cooperative, and the National Response Corporation will hold an oil spill equipment exercise in Hoquiam on June 23.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/june-22-oil-spill-equipment-exercise-in-grays-harb

Ecology and Auburn wood finisher settle $20,000 penalty

June 20, 2019 News release: Numatic Finishing of Auburn will pay $5,000 to settle its appeal of our $20,000 hazardous waste penalty from 2018, with $15,000 dismissed after two years if there are no more violations.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/june-20-numatic-finishing-settlement

Skagit landowners have new mitigation option for water

March 31, 2021 News release: Qualifying Skagit River Basin landowners can now apply for water access for new domestic water uses.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/skagit-water-option

Public comment needed on cleanup plans for contaminated BSB Diversified site in Kent

May 12, 2022 News release: Washington’s Department of Ecology needs feedback regarding plans to continue cleanup of the BSB Diversified property in Kent.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/may-12-public-comment-needed-on-cleanup-plans-for

Intalco agrees to install new sulfur dioxide controls

May 8, 2019 News release: Alcoa Intalco Works, Washington’s only operating aluminum smelter, plans to install new pollution control equipment in order to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/may-8-intalco-agrees-to-install-new-pollution-cont

Summer jobs now open for Central Washington teens

March 5, 2020 News release: Ecology plans to hire as many as 72 teenagers to help clean Central Washington parks and roadways as part of the Ecology Youth Corps this summer.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/litter-crew-jobs-in-central-washington

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

Ecology objects to EPA’s attempt to roll back clean water rule in Washington

April 10, 2019 News release: Ecology is notifying the public that EPA is proposing to reverse the clean water rules in Washington.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/april-10-ecology-objects-to-epa-s-attempt-to-rollb

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