Search Results - Washington State Department of Ecology

Stage 1 Burn ban for Ferry, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, and Stevens counties

November 1, 2019 News release: Stage 1 Burn ban for Ferry, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, and Stevens counties

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/nov-1-burn-ban

Helping fire departments safely dispose of toxic foam

October 14, 2019 News release: We are helping local fire departments safely dispose of toxic firefighting foam.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/oct-14-helping-fire-departments-safely-dispose-of

Water quality violations result in $53,000 fine to San Juan sand and gravel mine

March 23, 2023 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology is issuing a $53,000 penalty to Myron Williams, Inc., for failing to protect water quality at its mining operation at Egg Lake Quarry on San Juan Island.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/march-23-water-quality-violations-result-in-fine

Ecology finds application incomplete for Kalama methanol project

October 9, 2019 News release: An Ecology statement regarding an application for a shoreline conditional use permit for a proposed methanol project in Kalama.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/oct-9-ecology-statement-on-kalama-methanol

Summer jobs now open for Southwest Washington teens ages 14-17

March 15, 2023 News release: Ecology is hiring up to 18 teenagers in Lewis, Grays Harbor, and Thurston counties this summer as part of the Ecology Youth Corps.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/march-15-summer-litter-crew-jobs-for-teens

Ecology invites public comment on changes to some air quality permit fees

September 7, 2022 News release: Ecology is seeking public comment on a proposed rule for some air quality permit fees.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/sept-7-aq-permit-fees-public-comment

Fertilizer maker fined $25,500 for air quality violations

June 21, 2021 News release: Fertilizer maker Pacific Northwest Solutions Of Pasco was fined $25,500 for air quality violations.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/jun-21-fertilizer-maker-fined-25-500-for-air-qual

Water restrictions coming for Touchet River irrigators

July 31, 2020 News release: Many irrigators in the Touchet River basin will have to curb consumption this summer to save water for fish and other uses.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/touchet-river-water-restrictions

11 consumer products to be studied for toxic chemicals

July 14, 2020 News release: Following a 2019 state law aimed at keeping toxic chemicals out of consumer products, the Washington Department of Ecology last week submitted its report to the Legislature that outlines 11 products that need further study and potential regulation.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/11-consumer-products-to-be-studied-for-toxic-chemi

Ecology sees increase in illegal dumping amid COVID-19

April 27, 2020 News release: Ecology sees increase in illegal dumping amid COVID-19

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/ecology-sees-increase-in-illegal-dumping-amid-covi

Updated regulations for toxic air pollutants proposed

June 7, 2019 News release: Ecology is proposing updates to a list of about 400 toxic air pollutants.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/june-7-updated-regulations-for-toxic-air-pollutant

Red dye diesel spills to south fork of Palouse River

April 26, 2022 News release: About 1,200 gallons of red-dye diesel spilled when an above ground storage tank failed in Pullman, Wash.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/diesel-spill-to-south-fork-palouse-river

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

Oil spill equipment exercise near Seattle waterfront

April 11, 2022 News release: The Washington Dept. of Ecology, Kinder Morgan, and NRC will hold an oil spill equipment exercise near the Seattle waterfront on Tuesday, April 12.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/april-11-oil-spill-equipment-exercise-near-seattle

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

Puyallup construction material company fined for waste violations

July 13, 2023 News release: Carlisle Construction Materials was fined $40,000 by Ecology for failing to properly designate its hazardous waste for several years

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/july-13-ccm-penalty

PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center penalized $21,000 for dangerous waste violations

October 31, 2023 News release: Ecology is penalizing PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center $21,000 for repeated violations of the state’s dangerous waste laws.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/oct-31-peacehealth-st-joseph-dangerous-waste-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 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

Public invited to comment on regulatory actions addressing chemicals in consumer products

November 18, 2021 News release: Consumers use hundreds of items every day, and many contain hazardous chemicals. Ecology is seeking input to determine which potentially hazardous chemicals it should regulate in consumer products.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/nov-18-public-invited-to-comment-on-regulatory-act

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

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

Public invited to comment on state draft commercial fish net pen guidance

June 1, 2021 News release: State agencies are releasing a draft marine net pen guidance for public review.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/june-1-net-pen-guidance

Construction company fined $202,500 and ordered to restore damaged wetlands

July 8, 2019 News release: We've fined Stetson Heights LLC $202,500 and ordered the company to take corrective action for causing significant damage to wetlands.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/july-8-stetson-heights-penalty

Groundwater study begins in Walla Walla Basin

March 26, 2021 News release: Well owners needed to participate in groundwater study in the Walla Walla basin

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/mar-26-walla-walla-groundwater-study

EPA adds Bradford Island cleanup to “Superfund” list

March 17, 2022 News release: EPA adds Bradford Island to Superfund list.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/march-17-bradford-island

$11.3 million available for water banking grants

August 2, 2023 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology is now accepting applications for $11.3 million in water banking grants to help rural communities preserve water supplies for local use.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/august-2-water-banking-grants

Settlement reached to ensure access to critical Hanford Site data

September 14, 2023 News release: The Washington state Department of Ecology will regain direct access to critical federal data about the Hanford Site following a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/sept-14-settlement-reached-to-ensure-access-to-critical-hanford-site-data

Electric school buses to earn extra credit in 2025

December 11, 2024 News release: By early 2026, more than 200 electric school buses will be at Washington schools.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/dec-11-electric-school-buses-to-earn-extra-credit-in-2025

Lewis County Commissioner Scott Brummer takes seat on Chehalis Basin Board

August 5, 2024 News release: Lewis County Commissioner Scott Brummer takes seat on Chehalis Basin Board

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/aug-5-scott-brummer-named-to-chehalis-basin-board

Public invited to comment on environmental review for Washington’s draft permit for biosolids management

September 27, 2024 News release: Ecology opens 14-day public comment period on SEPA Determination of Nonsignificance for draft statewide general permit for biosolids management

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/sept-27-public-invited-to-comment-on-environmental-review-for-washington-s-draft-permit-for-bioso

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

Forecast looks at Columbia Basin water availability

June 2, 2021 News release: Every five years, Ecology’s Office of Columbia River looks forward 20 years to examine water supply & demands for communities, farms and fish.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/june-2-2021-supply-demand-forecast

More than 35,000 drums of industrial waste removed from the Pasco Landfill

June 28, 2022 News release: More than 35,000 drums of industrial waste has been removed from the Pasco Landfill Superfund site.

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

Ecology issues $1 million fine to U.S. Department of Energy for not providing access to crucial data

January 6, 2020 News release: Ecology issued a $1 million penalty to the U.S. Department of Energy for restricting the state’s access to critical data. The restricted data is vital to Ecology’s regulatory and oversight role at the Hanford Site in Eastern Washington.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/jan-6-ecology-fines-u-s-department-of-energy-1-mi

Environmental penalties issued for first half of 2023

September 28, 2023 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology issued $562,540 in penalties of $1,000 or more from Jan. 1, 2023 – June 30, 2023.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/sept-28-environmental-penalties-for-first-half-of-2023

Seattle and King County penalized for sewer overflow violations

November 30, 2023 News release: Ecology and EPA issue penalties to Seattle and King County for violations related to combined sewer overflows from Seattle’s sewer system

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/nov-30-seattle-and-king-county-penalized-for-sewer-overflow-violations

118 wastewater treatment plants across Washington receive Ecology award

August 1, 2024 News release: Wastewater Treatment Plant Awards 2023

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/aug1-awards-for-wastewater-treatment-plants

State of Washington, federal agencies agree on future of tank waste cleanup at Hanford Site

April 29, 2024 News release: The Hanford Site agencies have announced a landmark agreement for cleaning up millions of gallons of radioactive and chemical waste from large, underground tanks at the Hanford Site.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/holistic-negotiations-agreement

'Use Food Well': New campaign seeks to reduce food waste in Washington

March 28, 2024 News release: On April 1, the Washington Department of Ecology will launch the Use Food Well campaign in conjunction with the start of National Food Waste Prevention Week, April 1 to 7.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/mar-28-use-food-well

Permiso de agua limpia para grandes operaciones ganaderas lagunas de estiércol disponible para revisión

June 21, 2022 News release: El Departamento de Ecología propone actualizaciones al permiso de calidad del agua de la Operación de Alimentación de Animales Confinados (CAFO, por sus siglas en ingles), que es la forma en que la agencia supervisa el manejo del estiércol en ciertas instalaciones.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/june-22-permiso-de-agua-limpia-para-grandes-operac

Campaña en Washington recuerda a los conductores que sujetar sus cargas resulta en viajes más seguros para todos

June 3, 2024 News release: Agencias del estado aumenta las patrullas y el alcance en un esfuerzo para reducir la basura y mejorar las medidas de seguridad

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/june-3-campana-en-washington-recuerda-a-los-conductores-que-sujetar-sus-cargas-resulta-en-viajes-m

Environmental penalties issued for the fourth quarter of 2024

May 1, 2025 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology issued $535,125 in penalties of $1,000 or more from Oct. 1 – Dec. 31, 2024.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/may-1-fourth-quarter-penalties

Ecology to improve hazardous waste planning fee rule

September 15, 2022 News release: Washington state’s Department of Ecology wants to make its hazardous waste planning fee more equitable by clarifying how it will be calculated.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/sept-15-ecology-to-improve-hazardous-waste-plannin

New permit for Puget Sound wastewater treatment plants will reduce nutrient pollution

July 14, 2021 News release: Wastewater treatment plant upgrades will improve the health of Puget Sound under new Ecology permit.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/june-16-nutrient-permit

After restoration success, Ecology proposes site-specific rulemaking for Chelan River

March 24, 2021 News release: Following a decade of restoration work, we are considering site-specific water quality standards that reflect the unique nature of the river.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/march-25-chelan-river-rulemaking

Industrial site in Whatcom County penalized $900,000 for dangerous waste violations

December 5, 2023 News release: Ecology is issuing a $900,000 penalty to Treoil for failure to comply with Washington’s dangerous waste laws.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/dec-5-treoil-dangerous-waste-penalty

Washington’s sustainable business accelerator seeks next round of projects

December 6, 2023 News release: NextCycle is seeking entrepreneurs and small businesses for the 2024 Circular Accelerator Program.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/dec-6-nextcycle-seeks-business-accelerator-projects

State and federal agencies respond to public comments, move forward on plans for cleaning up tank waste at Hanford Site

December 19, 2024 News release: State and federal agencies responded today to public comments received on plans for treating and disposing of millions of gallons of tank waste stored in underground tanks at the Hanford Site.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/dec-19-holistic-agreement-responsiveness-summary

Sujete su carga, salve una vida: Vuelve la campaña de Washington para prevenir choques y proteger a las comunidades

June 3, 2025 News release: La campaña Cargas bien sujetadas es en honor a las personas que perdieron la vida o vieron sus vidas transformadas por la caída de escombros de los vehículos.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/june-3-sujete-su-carga-salve-una-vida-vuelve-la-campana-de-washington-para-prevenir-choques-y-pr