Search Results - Washington State Department of Ecology

Inslee declares drought emergency for Okanogan, Methow and Upper Yakima

April 4, 2019 News release: Water supply shortages are projected in the Methow, Okanogan, Upper Yakima basins, prompting Gov. Jay Inslee to declare a drought emergency in those watersheds.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/drought-emergency-for-okanogan-and-methow

Ecology revises Puget Sound net pen permits for steelhead

January 6, 2021 News release: Water quality permits updated to allow steelhead in four Puget Sound net pens.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/ecology-revises-puget-sound-net-pen-permits-for-st

Comments sought on a program to reduce nitrate levels in Lower Yakima Valley wells

February 25, 2019 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology is opening a comment period, and jointly hosting a public hearing with Yakima County, on a proposed program to address nitrates in drinking water in the Lower Yakima Valley.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/lower-yakima-valley-groundwater-management-area

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

$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

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

Lewis County landowner penalized $168,000 for stormwater pollution

November 16, 2023 News release: Ecology is penalizing a landowner in Lewis County $168,000 for repeated water quality violations.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/nov-16-lewis-county-landowner-penalty

Hanford Advisory Board to meet in Spokane Sept. 10-11, 2024

August 27, 2024 News release: The Hanford Advisory Board is holding its next regional meeting in Spokane, WA, Sept. 10. The Board will hear updates on Hanford cleanup and consider advice to issue to the Tri-Party Agencies.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/aug-27-hanford-advisory-board-to-meet-in-spokane-sept-10-11-2024

State sets new limits for toxic chemicals in water

August 14, 2024 News release: New protections for set for toxics in water.

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

Washington adopts rule to decrease methane emissions from landfills

May 13, 2024 News release: Ecology is adopting a new regulation to reduce emissions of methane – a potent greenhouse gas – from municipal solid waste landfills.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/new-rule-to-decrease-landfill-methane-emissions

State penalizes Kent recycling company $33,000 for dangerous waste violations

January 16, 2025 News release: Ecology is issuing a $33,000 penalty to Total Reclaim, Inc. (TRI) in Kent for violations of the state’s dangerous waste regulations

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/jan-16-state-penalizes-kent-recycling-company-33-000-for-dangerous-waste-violations

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

$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

Environmental penalties issued for the first quarter of 2022

May 11, 2022 News release: Summary of penalties issued from January through March 2022.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/first-quarter-penalties-2022

Securing your load leads to safer travels for everyone

June 5, 2023 News release: A photo of a Washington State Patrol Trooper explaining how to properly secure a vehicles load.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/2023-secure-your-load

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

Chehalis Basin projects receive $4.7 million to create jobs, restore habitat

June 10, 2020 News release: We provided funds to a team of experts who have awarded $4.7 million in grants for 20 aquatic habitat restoration projects in the Chehalis Basin.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/chehalis-basin-aquatic-habitat-grants

Washington Conservation Corps opens 300 environmental positions statewide

July 3, 2019 News release: Washington Conservation Corps opens 300 environmental positions statewide

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/july-2-wcc-opens-300-positions

Environmental penalties for first quarter 2020

May 12, 2020 News release: We issued $1,035,200 in penalties of $1,000 or more from January through March 2020.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/may-12-1st-quarter-penalties

Sewage treatment violations lead to order and fine for King County

February 3, 2021 News release: Ecology is taking enforcement action at two King County wastewater treatment plants

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/feb-3-king-county-wastewater-treatment-plant-enfor

Ecology denies permit for Kalama methanol facility

January 19, 2021 News release: Ecology denies permit for Kalama methanol

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/jan-19-ecology-denies-permit-for-kalama-methanol

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

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

New report: Washington met 2020 greenhouse gas emissions limit

January 6, 2025 News release: This new report contains official estimates of Washington's greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 through 2021.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/jan-6-2024-greenhouse-gas-inventory

Environmental penalties issued for the 2nd quarter of 2022

August 4, 2022 News release: Summary of environmental penalties issued in the second quarter of 2022.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/aug-4-second-quarter-penalties-2022

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

Environmental penalties issued for first half of 2024

October 14, 2024 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology issued $1,951,369 in penalties of $1,000 or more from Jan. 1, 2024 – June 30, 2024.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/oct-14-environmental-penalties-issued-for-first-half-of-2024

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

Updates proposed to lab accreditation process

April 19, 2023 News release: Seeking public input on proposed changes to the Accreditation of Environmental Laboratories rule. Changes include improved guidelines and updated fees.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/april-19-updates-to-lab-accreditation-process

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

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

Spokane Galvanizing penalized $32,000 for mismanaging dangerous waste

July 31, 2024 News release: Spokane Galvanizing received a $32,000 penalty for violating state dangerous waste laws.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/july-31-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

Listo para revisión: Permiso de agua limpia actualizado para el corral de engorde a gran escala Simplot Feeders

April 10, 2025 News release: El Departamento de Ecología desea escuchar los comentarios del público acerca de un permiso de agua limpia actualizado para Simplot Feeders.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/abril-10-listo-para-revision-simplot-feeders

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

Plan to cut statewide fuel emissions 20% starts Jan. 1

November 28, 2022 News release: New Clean Fuel Standard will tackle Washington’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/nov-28-clean-fuel-standard-adoption

New analysis offers clearer picture of greenhouse gas emissions from Kalama methanol facility

September 2, 2020 News release: Ecology is releasing a second Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement on the proposed Kalama methanol facility.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/sept-2-new-analysis-offers-clearer-picture-of-gree

Washington sets path to phase out gas vehicles by 2035

September 7, 2022 News release: Ecology is seeking public comment on a proposed rule for the Clean Vehicles Program, including zero-emission vehicles standards, through Oct. 19.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/sept-7-clean-vehicles-public-comment

Summary of environmental penalties issued in the second quarter of 2019

August 26, 2019 News release: Summary of environmental penalties issued in the second quarter of 2019

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/environmental-penalties-2nd-quarter-2019

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

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

Ecology completes environmental review for proposed Kalama methanol facility

December 21, 2020 News release: Ecology releases the final Second Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Kalama methanol facility

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/dec-21-kalama-sseis

2019 data shows greenhouse gas emissions increased

December 28, 2022 News release: The latest data available in Washington’s inventory of greenhouse gas emissions shows statewide emissions rose in 2019, reaching their highest mark since 2007.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/dec-28-2019-state-ghg-inventory

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

Préstamos para reparar o reemplazar su sistema séptico ahora están disponibles en todo el estado

September 21, 2021 News release: Dueños de hogar en más de 17 condados ahora tienen acceso a un programa que ha ayudado a 1,200 dueños.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/sept-21-septico-prestamos

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

Nisqually watershed plan earns state’s first approval under new water law

February 1, 2019 News release: A locally-developed plan to protect natural resources in the Nisqually River watershed is the first to gain approval under Washington’s streamflow restoration law, adopted last year in response to the State Supreme Court’s “Hirst” decision.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/feb-1-nisqually-watershed-plan

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

California, Québec and Washington agree to explore linkage

March 20, 2024 News release: California, Québec and Washington officially express interest in the potential formation of a shared carbon market between the three jurisdictions.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/mar-20-shared-carbon-market