Search Results - Washington State Department of Ecology

Statement from Ecology director on EPA rolling back water quality standards

April 17, 2020 News release: A statement from Ecology Director Laura Watson on the EPA rolling back water quality standards in Washington

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/statement-on-epa-rolling-back-water-quality-standa

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

Port Townsend mill fined $27,000 for water quality violations

May 17, 2022 News release: Repeated water quality violations at the Port Townsend Paper Corporation (PTPC) mill in Port Townsend led to a $27,000 penalty from the Washington Department of Ecology.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/may-17-ptpc-fined-for-water-quality-violations

Public invited to June 3rd meeting about East Fork Lewis River water quality

May 27, 2019 News release: Ecology is inviting the public to participate in a town hall meeting about East Fork Lewis River water quality. The event will take place June 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the La Center Grange.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/may-28-east-fork-lewis-river-public-meeting

Statement from Ecology director on federal vehicle emissions rollback

March 31, 2020 News release: A statement from Ecology director Laura Watson on the federal Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient Vehicles Rule.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/march-31-director-watson-statement-on-federal-vehi

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

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

New agreement provides water for Skagit well owners

May 14, 2019 News release: We've reached an agreement with Seattle City Light to provide water to more than 400 homes in Skagit and Snohomish counties.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/may-15-new-agreement-provides-water-for-skagit-wel

Ecology Youth Corps suspends summer litter crews for teens

March 23, 2020 News release: Ecology has canceled its 2020 Ecology Youth Corps summer litter crews for teens 14-17. Roadside litter removal will shift to adult crews for 2020 season

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/ecology-youth-corps-suspends-summer-litter-crews-f

Diesel spill from grounded vessel at Silverdale Waterfront Park leads to fine

May 11, 2022 News release: In December 2020, a grounded vessel caused a diesel spill.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/may-11-diesel-spill-from-grounded-vessel-at-silver

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 input sought on environmental review for new Duwamish–Green river watershed plan

March 8, 2021 News release: A new plan for the Duwamish-Green watershed lays out priorities to protect fish habitat and ensuring sufficient water for rural residents. We're seeking public comments through April 8.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/mar-8-duwamish-green-watershed-sepa-comment-period

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

Grays Harbor seafood processor fined for multiple water quality violations

April 14, 2022 News release: Pacific Seafood fined for water quality violations

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/pacific-seafood-fined-for-water-quality-violations

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

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

Wood stove turn-in event announced for Kettle Falls

April 11, 2022 News release: To help reduce air pollution in the Colville River Valley, the Department of Ecology is offering $300 for old wood stoves at a turn-in event.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/april-11-kettle-falls-wood-stove-turn-in

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

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

Skagit Valley Farm receives $267,000 penalty for irrigating 348 acres without a water right

April 5, 2022 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology has issued a $267,000 penalty to Skagit Valley Farm for irrigating 348 acres of vegetable crops in the lower Skagit and Samish watersheds without water rights.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/april-5-skagit-valley-farm-receives-267-000-penalt

Clark County contractor penalized for discharging sediment into creek, wetlands

March 22, 2022 News release: Rotschy Inc. penalized for discharging sediment into creek, wetlands

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/march-22-rotschy-penalty

Environmental review halted after applicant cancels renewable fuels project in Ferndale

January 21, 2020 News release: We and Whatcom County are halting our joint environmental review of the proposed Green Apple renewable fuel facility near Ferndale. The company has announced it no longer plans to proceed with the project.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/jan-21-21-green-apple-cancellation

Stage 1 burn ban called for Omak area

January 19, 2021 News release: Stage 1 burn ban for Omak begins Jan. 19

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/jan-21-outdoor-and-indoor-burning-limited-to-impro

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

Osoyoos water levels to rise earlier than normal

March 21, 2019 News release: Osoyoos Lake levels will rise earlier than normal this year at Zosel Dam near Oroville, Wash.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/march-21-zosel-2019

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

Weyerhaeuser mill fined $40,000 for water quality violations

February 17, 2022 News release: The Weyerhaeuser Company is being fined $40,000 for repeated water quality violations at its Longview mill.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/feb-17-weyerhaeuser-penalty

Olympia pays $15,000 fine for sewage spill into Percival Creek

January 4, 2021 News release: We fined the city of Olympia $15,000 for allowing a sewer to leak undetected into Percival Creek over the 2020 Memorial Day weekend. The city has paid.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/jan-4-olympia-pays-penalty

Longview paper mill fined $68,000 for water quality violations

February 16, 2022 News release: Repeated water quality violations at the North Pacific Paper Company LLC (NORPAC) mill in Longview led to a $68,000 penalty from the Washington Department of Ecology.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/feb-16-norpac-penalty

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

Pair of sinkings, spill on Steamboat Slough lead to $70,000 fine for vessels’ owner

February 10, 2022 News release: In February 2020, a pair of sinkings led to a spill on Steamboat Slough.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/feb-10-sinkings-and-spill-on-steamboat-slough-lead

Ecology begins planning for future water use in Nooksack watershed

February 5, 2019 News release: Ecology begins rulemaking process for future water use in Nooksack watershed

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/planning-future-nooksack-water-use

Ilwaco seafood processor fined for repeated water quality violations

February 1, 2022 News release: Ecology has fined Safe Coast Seafoods $69,348 for ongoing water quality violations.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/feb-1-safe-coast-seafoods-penalty

Summer jobs open for Central WA teens

February 4, 2022 News release: Our Central Region is recruiting youth to help pick up litter on our roadways this summer.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/feb-4-central-wa-eyc-recruitment

Intalco fined for multiple air quality violations

February 1, 2019 News release: Intalco fined for multiple air quality violations of fluoride and particulate matter

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/feb-1-intalco-fined-for-air-quality-violations

Ecology invests first $20 million to help protect rivers and streams

January 28, 2019 News release: A new grant program through the Washington Department of Ecology will invest up to $20 million across the state to support local projects to protect rivers and improve streamflows.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/jan-28-investing-20-million-to-protect-streamflow

Pipeline company fined for spill near Woodinville

January 27, 2022 News release: In Feb. 2020, BP was performing construction that caused to two spills at the Olympic Pipeline near Woodinville.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/jan-27-pipeline-company-fined-for-spill-near-woodi

Battle Ground contractor fined $136,000 for repeated water quality violations

January 26, 2022 News release: Ecology has fined Hamilton Excavating LLC $136,000 for repeated water quality violations during construction activities at the Highland Terrace Subdivision in La Center.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/jan-26-highland-terrace-penalty

Cleanup of former Reynolds Metals site moving forward

January 24, 2019 News release: A $28 million cleanup of contamination left over from smelting operations at the former Reynolds Metals site will move forward after the Washington Department of Ecology finalized the plan and legal agreements to perform the work.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/reynolds-cleanup-moving-forward

New testing methods better protect against waterborne disease

January 24, 2019 News release: New methods to test for waterborne disease in state waters will better protect people during recreational activities.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/updates-to-recreational-use-water-quality-testing

Lacey contractor fined $72,000 for multiple water quality violations

January 25, 2022 News release: Ecology is penalizing Milestone Companies $72,000 for multiple water quality violations during yearlong construction activities at the Woodbrook Townhomes project in Lacey.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/jan-25-woodbrook-townhomes-penalty

Public invited to comment on Ecology plan to clean up contaminated Georgetown site

January 13, 2022 News release: The property east of 4th Ave. is contaminated with chemicals suspected of causing cancer.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/jan-13-georgetown-cleanup-public-comment-period

Stage 1 burn ban for Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Kittitas, Okanogan, Pend Oreille and Stevens counties

January 11, 2019 News release: A ban on outdoor burning and the use of uncertified stoves and fireplaces begins at 10 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 13, in Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Okanogan, Ferry, Pend Oreille and Stevens counties due to poor air quality predicted for the region.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/jan-11-stage-1-burn-ban-begins-sunday-for-north-ce

Moses Lake company fined $36,000 for air pollution

January 5, 2022 News release: Granite Construction has been fined $36,000 by the Washington Department of Ecology for air pollution released from their asphalt plant near Moses Lake.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/granite-construction-fined

Pierce County contractor fined $56,000 for multiple water quality violations

June 28, 2023 News release: Ecology has issued a $56,000 fine to Puyallup-based RM Homes LLC for multiple water quality violations at an Edwards Drive construction site in Gig Harbor.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/june-28-rm-homes-penalty

Grant County farm fined for unpermitted water use

June 30, 2023 News release: Ecology has issued a $10,000 penalty to Stevens Land Holdings, LLC, for continuing to irrigate 100 acres of alfalfa in Grant County without a permit.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/june-30-grant-county-farm-fined-for-unpermitted-water-use

Grant County farm fined for unpermitted water use

June 30, 2023 News release: Ecology has issued a $10,000 penalty to Stevens Land Holdings, LLC, for continuing to irrigate 100 acres of alfalfa in Grant County without a permit.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/june-30-grant-county-farm-fined-for-unpermitted-water-use-c85df6316fff04157083430df795ec83

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