Search Results - Washington State Department of Ecology

State adopts new watershed plans for Puyallup River and Chambers-Clover basin

June 17, 2021 News release: New plans for the Puyallup-White and Chambers-Clover watersheds lay out priorities to protect fish habitat, while also ensuring sufficient water for rural residents.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/june-17-puyallup-chambers-clover

Governor Inslee declares drought for three Washington regions

March 12, 2015 News release: With snowpack at near record lows, Gov. Inslee declared a drought on the Olympic Peninsula, on the east side of the central Cascade Mountains including Yakima and Wenatchee, and the Walla Walla region.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2015/governor-inslee-declares-drought-for-three-washing

Ecology to host webinar, answer questions about Nooksack adjudication

January 26, 2023 News release: Ecology is hosting a webinar Jan. 30 to discuss the upcoming Nooksack water rights adjudication and answer questions.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/jan-26-nooksack-adjudication-webinar

Lake Osoyoos water levels on the rise

May 14, 2020 News release: Water levels in Osoyoos Lake are rising as melting snow brings annual spring runoff. The lake serves as a source of water for irrigation and summer recreation in both British Columbia and Okanogan County.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/spring-runoff-at-lake-osoyoos

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 orders Walla Walla station owner to continue work to protect community from gas spill

June 18, 2024 News release: Enforcement order order requires Walla Walla gas station owner to continue work to reduce harmful vapors from gasoline spill and remove contaminated water from nearby buildings.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/june-18-ecology-issues-enforcement-order-to-walla-walla-gas-station-owner

$22 million in grants available for streamflow restoration projects

January 30, 2020 News release: Up to $22 million in grants is now available for projects that will protect rivers and streams while providing water for rural homes in Washington. Ecology is accepting applications as part of its streamflow restoration competitive grant program.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/2020-streamflow-restoration-grants

Ecology declares drought emergency

July 14, 2021 News release: Extreme heat and prolonged dryness result in emergency drought declaration for most of Washington state.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/2021-drought-declaration

Ecology names new central Washington region director

January 23, 2024 News release: David Bowen to oversee regional environmental work spanning water, air quality, cleanup, environmental justice and more.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/jan-23-ecology-names-new-central-washington-region-director

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

Fall drawdown at Lake Osoyoos commences

September 16, 2019 News release: Lake Osoyoos is being drawn down for the winter. Which means increased flows to the Okanogan River this week

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/fall-drawdown-at-lake-osoyoos-commences

Ecology proposes adopting federal human health criteria for water quality

September 17, 2024 News release: We are proposing to adopt the federal human health criteria for water quality in Washington.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/sept-17-proposal-on-federal-human-health-criteria

Environmental penalties issued for the third quarter of 2023

January 26, 2024 News release: Ecology issued $138,800 in penalties of $1,000 or more from July 1 – Sept. 30, 2023.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/jan-25-third-quarter-2023-penalties

Statewide drought declared due to low snowpack and dry forecast

April 16, 2024 News release: The Department of Ecology has declared a drought emergency for most of Washington.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/april-16-drought-declaration

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

Ecology names new director for Office of Columbia River

January 8, 2025 News release: Larry Mattson to oversee regional work protecting water supplies in the Columbia Basin

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/jan-8-ecology-names-new-ocr-director

Cleanup process moving forward at South Park site near Duwamish River

November 4, 2020 News release: We’re seeking public comment on a legal agreement with current and former owners of an industrial property in Seattle’s South Park to address contaminated soil and groundwater.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/nov-5-precision-engineering-site

Cleanup proposed for site on Duwamish Waterway

October 25, 2019 News release: A developer will do cleanup work and prepare for the final cleanup of 63 acres just south of Boeing Field in Seattle and Tukwila, under an agreement with us.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/oct-25-emerald-gateway

Soil cleanup planned for Duwamish shoreline site

June 14, 2019 News release: The owner of an industrial site along Seattle's Duwamish Waterway has agreed to clean a portion the site and prepare for a future final cleanup of the rest.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/june-14-snopack-site-cleanup

Boeing Everett cleanup advancing to final stages

March 1, 2021 News release: We're taking comments on plans and earlier studies to guide the Boeing Everett Plant site's final cleanup of contaminated soil and groundwater.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/march-1-boeing-everett-cleanup

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

New law will reduce the use of single-use utensils, condiments, straws beginning Jan. 1

December 6, 2021 News release: On Jan. 1, a new law will require restaurants to stop automatically adding single-use food service items like utensils and condiments to food orders and let customers decide which items they want.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/dec-6-new-law-will-reduce-the-use-of-single-use-ut

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

Dangerous fire on Tacoma tideflats leads to $1.9 million fine

October 7, 2019 News release: We have issued a $1.9 million penalty to Stericycle for mishandling hazardous waste.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/dangerous-fire-on-tacoma-tideflats-leads-to-1-9-m

New approach to determine the natural conditions of Washington’s waters

May 10, 2024 News release: New approach to determine the natural conditions. Proposed standards would help state identify pollution and set discharge limits

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/may-10-new-approach-to-natural-conditions

Ecology invests $22 million to help rivers and streams

October 7, 2020 News release: Communities around the state will soon receive grant funds to support projects that protect rivers and improve streamflows. The Washington Department of Ecology is investing up to $22 million in 21 high priority projects located in 16 watersheds.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/oct-7-streamflow-restoration-grants

Ecology offers $1.7 million in drought planning and preparedness grants

June 25, 2024 News release: To help Tribes, farmers and communities better plan and prepare for the impacts of drought, the Washington Department of Ecology is offering $1.7 million through a new grant program.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/june-25-drought-planning-and-preparedness-grants

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

Seattle metal recycler fined $98,000 for pollution discharges to Duwamish River

February 13, 2019 News release: We fined a Seattle metal recycler on the Duwamish River for discharging excessive pollutant levels into the waterway over the past two years.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/feb-13-seattle-iron-penalty

New agreement broadens cleanup process at Boeing site on Duwamish

May 22, 2019 News release: The Boeing Company will continue cleanup work - begun under Ecology's Voluntary Cleanup Program - and expand studies of contaminated areas at its Developmental Center on the Duwamish Waterway under a proposed cleanup agreement with Ecology.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/may-22-boeing-developmental-center

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

Comments sought on proposed amendments to instream flow rule in Nooksack watershed

November 19, 2019 News release: We are seeking public input on a proposed rule amendment that would establish a water use conservation standard for some new homes in parts of Whatcom County and small areas in Skagit County.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/nov-19-comments-sought-on-proposed-amendments-to-i

Department of Ecology issues drought advisory for most of the state

May 27, 2021 News release: Ecology has issued a drought advisory for most of Washington state, including all areas east of the Cascade Mountains, portions of Southwest Washington and the Washington coast.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/may-27-2021-drought-advisory

State fines Community Transit and its contractor $10,000 each for water quality permit violations

August 15, 2023 News release: Ecology fines Community Transit and its contractor $10,000 each for water quality permit violations.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/community-transit-ca-carey-penalty

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

Ecology director pushes for Hanford funding in D.C. visit

March 21, 2022 News release: Ecology Director Laura Watson visited Washington, D.C., in March to push for Hanford cleanup funding.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/march-21-ecology-director-pushes-for-hanford-fundi

Environmental penalties issued for the fourth quarter of 2023

August 19, 2024 News release: Ecology issued $1,109,200 in penalties of $1,000 or more from Oct. 1 – Dec. 31, 2023.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/aug-19-penalty-summary-for-quarter-4-2023

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

Seattle and King County fined for sewer overflow violations

December 18, 2020 News release: We and EPA are fining King County $14,000 and Seattle $32,500 for violations of their combined sewer overflow consent decrees

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/dec-18-king-county-and-seattle-cso

Washington state issues enforcement order against US Army over Yakima Training Center contamination

February 1, 2023 News release: With contamination threatening drinking water near the training center, Ecology's order requires the Army to address the environmental threat in line with state and federal standards.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/yakima-training-center-enforcement-order

Ecology, Olympia Brewery owner reach settlement over 2019 spill

November 8, 2023 News release: Ecology and Olympia Brewery reach settlement over 2019 spill

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/nov-8-ecology-olympia-brewery-owner-reach-settlement-over-2019-spill

Illegal draining of wetlands on Whidbey Island leads to $120,000 penalty

September 12, 2024 News release: We have issued a $120,000 penalty to Island County landowners for illegally draining wetland on Whidbey Island.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/sept-12-whiteman-coury-penalty

Public invited to comment on PFAS Chemical Action Plan

October 8, 2020 News release: Ecology is asking the public to provide input on a draft Chemical Action Plan that addresses PFAS, a class of highly persistent chemicals that do not break down in the environment.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/oct-8-public-invited-to-comment-on-pfas-chemical-a

New grants will help Washington landfills reduce methane emissions

August 6, 2024 News release: Ecology is award $15 million in grants from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act to help cut climate-warming methane escaping from municipal solid waste landfills.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/ecology-opens-landfill-methane-grants

Water quality penalties fund environmental restoration

April 3, 2019 News release: Ecology to provide $331,000 for 12 local environmental enhancement projects

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/april-3-water-quality-penalties-fund-restoration

Burn ban expires for Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Klickitat and Okanogan counties

December 9, 2019 News release: A Stage 1 burn ban in Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Klickitat counties and the Methow Valley in Okanogan County will expire at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, according to the Washington Department of Ecology.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/dec-9-burn-ban-expires-8-a-m-dec-10-for-chelan-do

Burn ban expires 5 p.m. Tuesday for Okanogan Valley

December 8, 2020 News release: Burn ban expires Dec. 8 in Okanogan Valley.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/dec-8-burn-ban-expires-5-p-m-tuesday-for-okanogan

Cleanup process moving forward at North Seattle site

December 3, 2020 News release: We're seeking public comment on a legal agreement to study pollution and cleanup options at a Seattle former gas station that's now part of an apartment building.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/dec-4-stone-way-apartments

Burn ban expires 10 a.m. Tuesday in Asotin, Columbia, Garfield and Walla Walla counties

November 12, 2019 News release: A Stage 1 burn ban in Asotin, Columbia, Garfield and Walla Walla counties will expire at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/nov-12-burn-ban-ends

Burn ban expires 10 a.m. Sunday in Ferry, Okanogan, Pend Oreille and Stevens counties

November 8, 2019 News release: Burn ban expires 10 a.m. Sunday in Ferry, Okanogan, Pend Oreille and Stevens counties

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/nov-8-burn-ban-expires-10-a-m-sunday-in-ferry-oka