Search Results - Washington State Department of Ecology

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

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

Summer jobs now open for Southwest Washington teens ages 14-17

March 15, 2023 News release: Ecology is hiring up to 18 teenagers in Lewis, Grays Harbor, and Thurston counties this summer as part of the Ecology Youth Corps.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/march-15-summer-litter-crew-jobs-for-teens

125 wastewater treatment plants earn outstanding performance honors

August 25, 2020 News release: 125 wastewater treatment plants earn outstanding performance awards for 2019.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/125-wastewater-treatment-plants-awards

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

Fertilizer maker fined $25,500 for air quality violations

June 21, 2021 News release: Fertilizer maker Pacific Northwest Solutions Of Pasco was fined $25,500 for air quality violations.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/jun-21-fertilizer-maker-fined-25-500-for-air-qual

Summer jobs now open for Central Washington teens

February 21, 2023 News release: Teens ages 14-17 can apply to Ecology Youth Corps to pick up litter and keep our state clean. Applications are due by April 3.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/feb-21-ecology-youth-corps-central-wa-2023

Changes proposed to strengthen oil spill requirements for facilities, vessels and pipelines

August 7, 2019 News release: Proposed amendments to bring requirements in line with the increased movement of oil across Washington and the changing nature of spills. Changes include sinking oils, wildlife response service providers and spill management teams.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/contingency-plan-updates-for-vessels-facilities-an

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

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

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

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

Portland contractor fined $135,000 for repeated water quality violations at Ridgefield construction site

June 13, 2022 News release: Ecology has fined 1108 South Hillhurst Subdivision LLC $135,000 for repeated water quality violations, and failing to meet the requirements of the Construction Stormwater General Permit.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/june-13-vista-ridge-pud-penalty

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

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

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

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

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

Ecology names new Office of Chehalis Basin director

October 28, 2023 News release: Ecology Director Laura Watson has tapped Jeff Zenk to lead the Office of Chehalis Basin.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/ecology-selects-jeff-zenk-to-lead-office-of-chehalis-basin

PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center penalized $21,000 for dangerous waste violations

October 31, 2023 News release: Ecology is penalizing PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center $21,000 for repeated violations of the state’s dangerous waste laws.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/oct-31-peacehealth-st-joseph-dangerous-waste-penalty

Washington restricts refrigerants linked to global warming

November 30, 2023 News release: Washington ban sales of new air conditioners and commercial refrigeration units that contain hydrofluorocarbons

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/nov-30-washington-restricts-refrigerants-linked-to-global-warming

New report and dashboard show Climate Commitment Act investments

November 27, 2024 News release: See exactly how Climate Commitment Act funds have been spent on transit, wildfire preparedness, clean energy and more.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/nov-27-cca-investments

Ecology receives $8.95 million settlement to help reduce air quality impacts from South Tacoma warehouse project

November 21, 2024 News release: As part of a settlement agreement, $8.95 million will be invested in South Tacoma to help reduce air quality impacts from a proposed warehouse project.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/nov-21-bridge-agreement

Ecology invests $53.5 million to help rivers and streams

October 8, 2024 News release: Ecology is investing up to $53.5 million in streamflow restoration grants for 25 high-priority projects in watersheds across the state.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/oct-8-streamflow-restoration-grants

Ecology proposes rulemaking on electricity markets

June 28, 2024 News release: The Department of Ecology has proposed rule changes to ensure that greenhouse gas emissions from centralized electricity market imports are accounted for under the Climate Commitment Act.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/june-28-electricity-markets-rule-proposal

Washington Department of Ecology and Coast Guard respond to sunken vessel in Lake Union

April 1, 2024 News release: The Coast Guard and Washington Department of Ecology continue their response Monday to a sunken tugboat in Lake Union in Seattle, Washington.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/apr-1-sunken-vessel-in-lake-union

Summer jobs now open for central Washington teens

February 29, 2024 News release: Teens ages 14-17 can apply to Ecology Youth Corps by April 1 to pick up litter and keep our state clean.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/ecology-youth-corps-applications-open

Waste disposal company penalized $25,000 for improperly managing dangerous waste

January 9, 2024 News release: Ecology issued a $25,000 penalty to Burlington Environmental-Washougal for failure to comply with Washington's dangerous waste regulations.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/jan-9-clark-county-dangerous-waste-penalty

September Cap-and-Invest auction results announced

September 10, 2025 News release: Ecology released the results of the 11th quarterly Cap-and-Invest auction, which showed high confidence in the program.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/sept-10-september-cap-and-invest-auction-results-announced

Port Townsend Paper fined $20,000 for water quality violations

September 18, 2025 News release: Ecology has fined the mill a total of $20,000 for the two water quality violations.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/sept-18-port-townsend-paper-penalty

Environmental penalties issued for first half of 2025

October 15, 2025 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology issued $794,804.89 in penalties of $1,000 or more from Jan. 1, 2025 – June 30, 2025.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/oct-15-penalties-for-first-half-of-2025

Tackling flood and habitat challenges in the Chehalis Basin

April 30, 2025 News release: Join free May 7 public webinar to help shape long-term Chehalis Basin Strategy.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/april-30-tackling-flood-and-habitat-challenges-in-the-chehalis-basin

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

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

Seattle and King County fined for sewer overflow violations

January 11, 2023 News release: Ecology and EPA are jointly issuing fines to Seattle and King County for violations of their federal consent decrees and state permits regulating combined sewer overflows from Seattle sewer systems.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/jan-11-seattle-and-king-co-fine-for-sewer-overflow

Summary of environmental penalties issued for 1st quarter of 2021

April 26, 2021 News release: We issued $82,300 in penalties of $1,000 or more from January through March of 2021.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/april-29-1st-quarter-penalties

Environmental penalties for fourth quarter 2019

February 24, 2020 News release: Environmental penalties for fourth quarter 2019

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/feb-24-4th-quarter-penalites

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 adopts three updated watershed plans

January 28, 2021 News release: Updated plans for the Chehalis, Okanogan and Little Spokane watersheds will help to protect water levels and habitat around those rivers, while also ensuring water remains available for rural development.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/jan-28-ecology-adopts-3-streamflow-restoration-pla

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

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

Seattle and King County penalized for sewer overflow violations

December 12, 2024 News release: Ecology and EPA are issuing joint penalties to Seattle and King County for sewer overflow violations

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/dec-12-seattle-and-king-county-penalized-for-sewer-overflow-violations

Proposed plan would guide Washington’s efforts to better prepare for and deal with climate impacts

June 11, 2024 News release: Working with other state agencies to update Washington’s Climate Resilience Strategy, Ecology has released a draft of that strategy and is seeking public comment on the plan.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/draft-climate-resilience-strategy

Washington campaign reminds motorists that securing their load leads to safer travels for everyone

June 3, 2024 News release: A new campaign kicking off today affirms Washington's commitment to reducing litter and making its roads safer for travelers by reminding everyone to secure their vehicles' cargo.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/june-3-washington-campaign-reminds-motorists-to-secure-their-loads

On the path to cleaner water in the Spokane River watershed

May 13, 2025 News release: A new Ecology report shows that years of local efforts to reduce pollution in the Spokane River are producing a healthier river.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/may-13-spokane-watershed-nutrient-update

Ecology debunks federal climate report, reaffirms commitment to real science

September 5, 2025 News release: Ecology issued an official rebuke of a federal report being used to justify the rollback of climate regulations and released a new scientific analysis of local climate impacts.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/sept-4-ecology-debunks-federal-climate-report-reaffirms-commitment-to-real-science