Search Results - Washington State Department of Ecology

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

Port plans environmental studies at Terminal 90-91

October 24, 2019 News release: We're taking comment on a legal agreement where the Port of Seattle will study contamination in sediments at Terminal 90/91, leading to cleanup.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/oct-24-terminal-90-91

Cleanup proposed at former oil terminal on Salmon Bay

July 20, 2020 News release: We’re taking public comments on plans to complete cleanup work where re-development is planned at the former Time Oil bulk terminal near Salmon Bay in Seattle.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/july-20-time-oil-salmon-bay

Rainier Valley site’s redevelopment will include environmental cleanup

April 8, 2021 News release: Under a proposed cleanup plan, redevelopment in Seattle’s Rainier Valley work will include affordable housing and will incorporate environmental cleanup into construction.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/april-8-grand-street-commons-cleanup

Burn ban lifted for Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Kittitas, Okanogan, Pend Oreille and Stevens counties

January 15, 2019 News release: Burn ban lifted for Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Kittitas, Okanogan, Pend Oreille and Stevens counties at noon Jan. 15.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/burn-ban-lifted-for-chelan-douglas-ferry-kittit

Clean water permit for large livestock operations, manure lagoons available for review

June 21, 2022 News release: Ecology is proposing updates to the Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) water quality permit, which is how the agency oversees manure management at certain facilities.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/june-22-clean-water-permit-for-large-livestock-ope

New business competition puts environment-focused entrepreneurs in front of like-minded investors

October 10, 2022 News release: NextCycle Environment-focused business competition shines light on primarily women- and minority-owned ventures that expand Washington's circular economy

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/nextcycle-business-pitch-competition

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

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

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

Proposal to apply biosolids at five Lewis County sites approved

April 19, 2021 News release: Ecology finalized an agreed order with Fire Mountain Farms, Inc., to apply biosolids at five sites in Lewis County.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/fire-mountain-farms-agreed-order

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

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

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

Wetlands remain protected in Washington state despite recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling

June 5, 2023 News release: Wetlands retain state protections in Washington following a Supreme Court decision on federal protections.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/june-5-wetlands-permitting

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

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

State and EPA ready grants to restore salmon habitat, improve water quality near Puget Sound

November 14, 2023 News release: EPA has awarded Ecology up to $30 million to boost the health of Puget Sound rivers and streams.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/nov-14-state-and-epa-ready-grants-to-restore-salmon-habitat-improve-water-quality-near-puget-sou

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

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

Washington proposes new rule to decrease methane emissions from landfills

October 30, 2023 News release: Ecology is proposing a rule to reduce more emissions of methane from municipal solid waste landfills.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/oct-30-decrease-methane-emissions-from-landfills

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

Drought spurs aid for farms, fish & public health

July 29, 2021 News release: $750,000 in grant funding was made available July 28 when Ecology adopted an emergency drought funding rule.

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

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

Ecology releases final environmental review of proposal to rebuild Eightmile Lake Dam

June 21, 2024 News release: Ecology has issued the final environmental impact statement (EIS) for the rebuild and restoration of Eightmile Dam, a 95-year-old dam located in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area west of Leavenworth.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/june-21-eightmile-lake-dam-feis

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

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

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

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

Ecology announces action plan for addressing PFAS

November 3, 2021 News release: Ecology is rolling out its new PFAS Chemical Action Plan, a thoroughly researched set of recommendations intended to reduce uses and releases of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/nov-2-ecology-announces-action-plan-for-addressing

Oil spill equipment exercise in Grays Harbor

June 22, 2022 News release: The Washington Dept. of Ecology, Port of Grays Harbor, Washington State Maritime Cooperative, and the National Response Corporation will hold an oil spill equipment exercise in Hoquiam on June 23.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/june-22-oil-spill-equipment-exercise-in-grays-harb

Ecology seeks public comment on disposal of PFAS firefighting foam

December 20, 2023 News release: Ecology seeks public comment on a draft environmental impact statement outlining five disposal options for municipal firefighting foams with PFAS.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/afff-draft-eis-public-comment

Settlement reached to ensure access to critical Hanford Site data

September 14, 2023 News release: The Washington state Department of Ecology will regain direct access to critical federal data about the Hanford Site following a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/sept-14-settlement-reached-to-ensure-access-to-critical-hanford-site-data

New biosolids permit boosts environmental protections and operational efficiencies

June 15, 2022 News release: New statewide biosolids permit boosts environmental protections and operational efficiencies; reduces time to approve or deny proposals

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/june-15-new-biosolids-permit-boosts-environmental

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

Ecology completes environmental review for proposed Goldendale Energy Storage Project

December 21, 2022 News release: Ecology's analysis examines the project's potential adverse environmental impacts. Permitting agencies will use the environmental review in project-related decision making over the next two years.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/ecology-completes-environmental-review-for-propose

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

Tukwila property owner penalized for oil spill to the Duwamish River

February 2, 2023 News release: Tukwila property owner penalized for oil spill to the Duwamish River

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/feb-2-john-roach-penalty

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

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

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

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