Search Results - Washington State Department of Ecology

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

State proposes restrictions on toxic “forever chemicals” in common consumer products

June 4, 2025 News release: Department of Ecology seeks public comment on restrictions and reporting requirements for PFAS in 12 product categories.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/june-4-cycle-1-5-cr-102-rulemaking

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

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

Environmental penalties issued for the 3rd quarter of 2021

November 16, 2021 News release: Environmental penalties issued for the 3rd quarter of 2021.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/nov-16-3rd-quarter-environmental-penalties

Summary of environmental penalties issued for the 3rd quarter of 2020

November 15, 2020 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology issued $7,000 in penalties of $1,000 or more from July through September of 2020.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/nov-16-3rd-quarter-penalty-summary

Statewide plastic bag ban begins Friday, Oct. 1

September 27, 2021 News release: Washington's statewide plastic bag ban begins Friday, Oct. 1. All Washington businesses providing single-use plastic bags to customers at checkout must comply with the new law.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/sept-27-statewide-bag-ban-begins-friday

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

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 helps Okanogan County fight smoke - with steam

July 18, 2019 News release: Ecology awarded Okanogan County’s solid waste department $85,000 to help purchase a new wood chipper and steam treatment equipment.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/july-18-ecology-helps-okanogan-county-fight-smoke

Midway Sewer District fined for September sewage spill

April 28, 2021 News release: We have fined the Midway Sewer District $21,000 for allowing raw sewage to flow into McSorley Creek in September 2020.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/april-28-midway-sewer-district-penalty

Cooke Aquaculture applies to modify water quality permits for steelhead farming in Puget Sound

April 13, 2020 News release: Cooke Aquaculture has submitted applications to modify its existing permits to raise steelhead.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/cooke-aquaculture-applies-to-modify-permits

Environmental penalties issued for the 4th quarter of 2021

February 28, 2022 News release: Environmental penalties issued for the 4th quarter of 2021

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/march-1-4th-quarter-penalty-summary

New status, protections proposed for Soap Lake and the Cascade, Green and Napeequa rivers

July 18, 2023 News release: Proposal to name Soap Lake and the Cascade, Green, and Napeequa rivers Outstanding Resource Waters.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/july-18-proposed-protection-for-outstanding-resource-waters

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

“Charge Where You Are”: Ecology offers grants for EV charging stations

September 26, 2023 News release: Ecology will offer $3.5 million in grants to increase access to EV charging infrastructure across Washington.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/sept-26-charge-where-you-are-grant-announcement

Closed pulp mill fined $2.3 million for environmental violations

July 22, 2025 News release: Storage tanks, treatment systems, and environmental equipment at the Cosmo Specialty Fibers pulp mill steadily deteriorate.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/july-22-cosmo-2-3-million-penalty

Deer Lake resident fined $10,000 for illegal burning

October 22, 2020 News release: Ecology's Air Quality program fined a Deer Lake resident $10,000 for illegal burning.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/oct-22-deer-lake-resident-fined-10-000-for-illega

Tukwila business settles dangerous waste penalty

October 31, 2019 News release: A Tukwila aircraft parts manufacturer has paid us $12,000 to settle an appeal of a larger penalty.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/oct-31-fatigue-technology-settlement

Leaking hazardous waste container leads to $37,000 fine for Clean Earth Specialty Waste Solutions

October 10, 2022 News release: Clean Earth Specialty Waste Solutions, a hazardous waste transportation company, received a $37,000 penalty from Washington’s Department of Ecology for allowing a storage container to leak corrosive waste.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/oct-10-clean-earth-penalty

Public invited to comment on firefighting foam collection and disposal plan

September 1, 2020 News release: Ecology is seeking public comment on its determination of non-significance and SEPA review of its AFFF collection proposal.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/sep-1-afff-public-comment

Environmental penalties for second quarter of 2020

August 11, 2020 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology issued $360,700 in penalties of $1,000 or more from April through June 2020.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/aug-13-second-quarter-penalties-2020

Comments sought on shoreline master program for Stevens County, Kettle Falls, Marcus and Northport

August 1, 2019 News release: Ecology is seeking public comment on a regional shoreline master program designed to protect and manage development along 330 miles of stream and lake shoreline in Stevens County and within Kettle Falls, Marcus and Newport.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/comments-sought-on-regional-shoreline-master-progr

Instream flow rule amendment adopted for Nooksack watershed

May 28, 2020 News release: Ecology has amended the instream flow rule that affects parts of Whatcom County and small areas in Skagit County. The amendment provides water for new rural homeowners and benefits streamflows in the Nooksack River watershed.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/may-28-nooksack-instream-flow-rule-amendment

Statement from Ecology director on lawsuit challenging federal emissions rollback

May 27, 2020 News release: A statement from Ecology Director Laura Watson on Washington joining a lawsuit challenging federal rollbacks of vehicle emissions standards.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/may-27-statement-from-ecology-director-on-lawsuit

Funding now available to public agencies for drought relief

June 4, 2019 News release: Public agencies experiencing hardships related to drought conditions may now be eligible for funds to ease drought-related effects.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/june-4-funding-for-drought-relief

Ecology to exercise regulatory flexibility during COVID-19 crisis

March 27, 2020 News release: All applicable state requirements remain in effect, but Ecology will exercise reasonable discretion within our authority when deciding whether to pursue potential violations that may be linked to the current COVID-19 pandemic.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/march-27-ecology-to-exercise-regulatory-flexibilit

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

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

Summer jobs now open for Central Washington teens

March 5, 2019 News release: We plan to hire 72 teenagers throughout Central Washington this summer as part of the Ecology Youth Corps.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/march-4-youth-corps-cro

Statement on federal No Discharge Zone decision

February 15, 2022 News release: The U.S. District Court in D.C. has upheld Washington's No Discharge Zone for Puget Sound.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/feb-15-laura-watson-statement-on-federal-no-discha

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

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

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

Plan sets steps for protecting Padilla Bay’s tributaries from bacterial pollution

October 22, 2020 News release: We're inviting public comment on a plan to reduce high bacteria levels in streams that flow into Padilla Bay.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/oct-22-padilla-bay-tributaries

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

Summary of environmental penalties issued for 4th quarter of 2020

February 4, 2021 News release: Ecology penalties over $1000 for the 4th quarter of 2020.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/feb-4-4th-quarter-penalties

Ecology proposes new updates to help industry transition to clean semi-trucks

May 15, 2025 News release: Ecology proposed regulatory updates plus over $130 million in state funding will get more zero-emission semi-trucks operating in Washington.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/ecology-proposes-new-updates-to-help-industry-transition-to-clean-semi-trucks

Property owners fined $204,000 for damaging Deschutes River shoreline

July 16, 2025 News release: Thurston County property owners fined $204,000 for unlawful shoreline development

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/july-16-property-owners-fined-204-000-for-damaging-deschutes-river-shoreline

Rules for statewide battery recycling program proposed

July 23, 2025 News release: Statewide battery recycling program will provide Washington residents with consistent, convenient, and safe battery recycling services

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/july-23-rules-for-statewide-battery-recycling-program-proposed