Search Results - Washington State Department of Ecology

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

Stage 1 burn ban for Methow Valley, Chelan and Douglas counties; extended in Kittitas and Klickitat

December 6, 2019 News release: Stage 1 burn ban called for Methow Valley, Chelan and Douglas; ban extended in Kittitas and Klickitat

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/dec-6-stage-1-burn-ban-called-for-methow-valley-c

Stage 1 burn ban called for Kittitas and Klickitat counties

December 4, 2019 News release: Stage 1 burn ban called for Kittitas and Klickitat counties

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/dec-4-stage-1-burn-ban-called-for-kittitas-and-kli

Stage 1 burn ban called for Okanogan Valley

December 3, 2020 News release: Stage 1 burn ban called beginning Dec. 3 for Okanogan Valley.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/dec-3-stage-1-burn-ban-called-for-okanogan-valley

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

October 26, 2020 News release: Stage 1 burn ban begins Monday, Oct. 26, for several counties in north-central and eastern Washington.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/oct-26-stage-1-burn-ban-called-for-ferry-okanogan

City of Bellingham and Strider Construction fined for Padden Creek sewage spill

July 8, 2016 News release:

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2016/jul-8-city-of-bellingham-and-strider-contruction-f

Stage 1 burn ban called for Asotin, Columbia, Garfield and Walla Walla counties

November 8, 2019 News release: Stage 1 burn ban called for Asotin, Columbia, Garfield and Walla Walla counties

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/nov-8-stage-1-burn-ban-called-for-asotin-columbia

Electron Hydro settles penalty for water quality violations in Puyallup River

November 8, 2022 News release: Electron Hydro LLC will pay a reduced penalty and contribute to a water quality and fish habitat improvement project under a settlement agreement with Ecology.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/nov-8-electron-dam-settlement

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

Report outlines plan to reduce bacteria levels in Yakima-area creeks

October 13, 2020 News release: Strategies to address fecal bacteria in Cowiche Creek, Wide Hollow Creek and the Moxee Drain watersheds are outlined in a draft technical report that’s now available for review and comment.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/oct-13-mid-yakima-bacteria-tmdl

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

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

Contractor settles penalty for Lacey water quality violations

October 6, 2022 News release: Milestone LLC will pay a reduced penalty, provide additional employee training, and contribute to a water quality improvement project under a settlement agreement with Ecology.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/oct-6-milestone-penalty-settlement

Statement from Ecology director about EPA’s proposed Clean Water Act rule

October 21, 2019 News release: Director Bellon's formal objections to EPA's proposed changes to Section 401 of the Clean Water Act.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/director-bellon-statement-on-epa-401-proposed-chan

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

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

Ace Hardware fined for diesel spill to Snoqualmie River

July 1, 2021 News release: Ace Hardware fined for diesel spill to Snoqualmie River

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/ace-hardware-fined-for-diesel-spill-to-snoqualmie

Cleanup proposed at Yakima Training Center

August 3, 2020 News release: Cleanup is proposed after years of military activity at the Yakima Training Center

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/yakima-training-center

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

Washington holds first auction under new cap-and-invest program

February 28, 2023 News release: Ecology hosted the first auction under the new cap-and-invest program on Feb. 28, 2023.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/feb-28-first-cap-and-invest-auction

Ecology and Clark County contractor settle penalty for water quality violations

July 20, 2022 News release: Rotschy Inc. will pay $101,000 to the Washington Department of Ecology under an agreement to settle an appeal of a larger penalty for nine water quality violations

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/july-20-rotschy-penalty-settlement

Ecology and Westport seafood processer settle penalty for water quality violations

July 12, 2022 News release: Pacific Seafood – Westport, LLC will pay $92,250 to the Washington Department of Ecology under an agreement to settle an appeal of a larger penalty for 49 water quality violations.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/july-11-pacific-seafood-settlement

Ecology investigating King County sewage discharge

July 19, 2019 News release: Ecology is investigating sewage treatment failures at King County’s two largest sewage treatment plants on July 18 and 19.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/july-19-ecology-investigating-king-county-sewage-d

Mukilteo company fined $70,500 for water quality violations

May 20, 2021 News release: We have fined Mukilteo aircraft parts maker Advanced Aero System $70,500 failing to ensure its industrial wastewater discharges met state pollution limits.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/may-20-advanced-aero-systems

Ecology penalizing seafood processor for fuel spill after vessel fire in Tacoma

January 19, 2023 News release: Trident Seafoods penalized $25,000 for spill from Aleutian Falcon.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/aleutian-falcon-penalty

Battle Ground contractor settles stormwater penalty

January 5, 2023 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology has settled a $136,000 penalty issued to Hamilton Excavating LLC for multiple construction stormwater violations.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/jan-5-hamilton-penalty-settlement

Coleman Oil settles fine for oil spill to Columbia River in Wenatchee

June 28, 2019 News release: Coleman Oil settles fine for oil spill to Columbia River in Wenatchee

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/coleman-oil-settles-fine-for-oil-spill-to-columbia

Cosmopolis mill fined $18,000 for water quality violations

June 14, 2022 News release: Water quality violations at the Cosmo Specialty Fibers mill in Cosmopolis led to an $18,000 penalty from the Ecology.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/june-14-cosmo-specialty-fiber-penalty

Lake Osoyoos water levels on the rise

June 10, 2019 News release: Water levels in Osoyoos Lake are rising as the Washington State Department of Ecology works to respond to declared drought across the region.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/june-10-lake-osoyoos

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

Changes proposed to strengthen railroads’ oil spill response efforts

June 6, 2019 News release: Public comment for rulemaking to update railroad companies' oil spill contingency plans

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/june-6-railroad-oil-spill-response-efforts

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

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

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

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

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

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

Incentives for innovation included in proposed updates to permit fees

March 8, 2019 News release: Proposed updates to the water quality permit fees include new incentives, winery permit, and inflation adjustments

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/march-8-incentives-for-innovation-proposed-permit

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

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

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

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

Tacoma mill settles air permit violation

July 12, 2023 News release: WestRock Tacoma reached a settlement agreement with Ecology for a penalty and compliance order issued in December 2022 for a violation of the company’s air quality permit.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/july-12-westrock-tacoma-penalty-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