Search Results - Washington State Department of Ecology

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

Property owner fined $71,800 penalty for damage to wetlands, failure to abide by restoration agreement

January 7, 2025 News release: Ecology issued a $71,800 penalty to Chad Williams for damaging wetlands on property he owns near Camas, and failing to comply with an agreement he signed.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/jan-7-williams-wetland-penalty

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

State penalizes Kent recycling company $33,000 for dangerous waste violations

January 16, 2025 News release: Ecology is issuing a $33,000 penalty to Total Reclaim, Inc. (TRI) in Kent for violations of the state’s dangerous waste regulations

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/jan-16-state-penalizes-kent-recycling-company-33-000-for-dangerous-waste-violations

State moves to ban known carcinogen in cosmetics

February 6, 2025 News release: Proposed rule to restrict 28 formaldehyde-releasing chemicals in cosmetics made, sold or distributed in Washington.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/feb-6-tfca-formaldehyde-releasers-rulemaking-proposal

$30,000 penalty to plastics producer for failing to register products under 2021 law

March 13, 2025 News release: Penalties collected under the 2021 law provide financial support to local governments for solid waste programs.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/march-13-30-000-penalty-to-plastics-producer-for-failing-to-register-products-under-2021-law

Colville Tribes and Ecology announce partnership to improve air quality

March 26, 2025 News release: Ecology and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation sign an agreement to improve air quality.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/march-26-ecology-and-colville-mou

Updated clean water permit for Simplot Feeders, a large livestock operation, available for review

April 10, 2025 News release: We are seeking feedback on updates to the water quality permit for Simplot Feeders, the largest cattle feedlot in Washington.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/april-10-simplot-feeders-permit-updates

Listo para revisión: Permiso de agua limpia actualizado para el corral de engorde a gran escala Simplot Feeders

April 10, 2025 News release: El Departamento de Ecología desea escuchar los comentarios del público acerca de un permiso de agua limpia actualizado para Simplot Feeders.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/abril-10-listo-para-revision-simplot-feeders

Ecology awards $9.6 million for landfill methane reduction

May 6, 2025 News release: Ecology awards nearly $10 million to landfill operators to comply with new methane emissions law.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/may-6-landfill-methane-emissions-reduction-grants

New rule would expand tug escort requirements, reduce risk of oil spills in Puget Sound

June 11, 2025 News release: The new rule expands tug escort requirements for small to medium-sized oil-carrying tank vessels to reduce the risk of oil spills in Puget Sound.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/june-11-tug-escort-rulemaking-cr-102

Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller responds to federal attempts to roll back vehicle pollution standards

June 6, 2025 News release: Washington Department of Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller issued a statement regarding the decision to pause implementation for portions of the state’s clean vehicle standards.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/ecology-director-casey-sixkiller-responds-to-federal-attempts-to-roll-back-vehicle-pollution-standar

Washington’s recent climate auction results show continued stability

June 11, 2025 News release: New Cap-and-Invest auction results show market stability and Washington's continued climate leadership.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/june-11-washington-s-recent-climate-auction-results-show-continued-stability

Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller on federal threats to Washington’s clean vehicle transition

June 12, 2025 News release: Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller responds to the Trump administration's attempt to roll back stronger state standards on vehicle pollution.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/june-12-ecology-director-casey-sixkiller-on-federal-threats-to-washington-s-clean-vehicle-transition

Climate Care Innovations penalized $425,000 for violating Cap-and-Invest rules that preserve market integrity 

July 16, 2025 News release: Ecology penalized Climate Care Innovations $425,000 for violating rules designed to ensure the state’s emissions market is both fair and secure.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/climate-care-innovations-penalized-425-000-for-violating-cap-and-invest-rules-that-preserve-market

Closed pulp mill fined $2.3 million for environmental violations

July 22, 2025 News release: Storage tanks, treatment systems, and environmental equipment at the Cosmo Specialty Fibers pulp mill steadily deteriorate.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/july-22-cosmo-2-3-million-penalty

State issues million-dollar penalties to two refineries for dangerous waste violations

August 5, 2025 News release: We issued million-dollar penalties for dangerous waste violations at two Anacortes refineries, Tesoro and HF Sinclair.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/aug-5-state-issues-million-dollar-penalties-to-two-refineries-for-dangerous-waste-violations

State issues $33,000 penalty to U.S. Postal Service for dangerous waste violations

August 19, 2025 News release: USPS has been improperly managing and storing dangerous waste at its Seattle Bulk Mail Center in Federal Way. Ecology issued a $33,000 penalty for violations found during a 2024 inspection.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/aug-19-state-issues-33-000-penalty-to-u-s-postal-service-for-dangerous-waste-violations

Washington moves to restrict cancer-causing chemicals in cosmetics

August 28, 2025 News release: This week, Washington became the first state in the nation to adopt broad restrictions on more than two dozen chemicals used in cosmetic products that can release formaldehyde.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/formaldehyde-releasers-rule

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 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

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

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

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

Ecology declares drought emergency in 12 counties

July 24, 2023 News release: An emergency drought declaration has been issued for watersheds in Benton, Clallam, Columbia, Jefferson, Kittitas, Klickitat, Okanogan, Skagit, Snohomish, Walla Walla, Whatcom, and Yakima counties.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/july-24-ecology-declares-drought-emergency-in-12-counties

Seattle and King County penalized for sewer overflow violations

November 30, 2023 News release: Ecology and EPA issue penalties to Seattle and King County for violations related to combined sewer overflows from Seattle’s sewer system

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/nov-30-seattle-and-king-county-penalized-for-sewer-overflow-violations

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

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

Drought declared for Yakima region for third year in a row

April 8, 2025 News release: Ecology is extending a drought emergency for a third consecutive year in central Washington. It is also issuing a drought advisory for north-central Washington and parts of the Puget Sound region.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/april-8-drought

Drought expanded to 19 more watersheds

June 5, 2025 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology is expanding the drought emergency declared in April to include areas in the North and Central Cascade Mountains and parts of the Puget Sound area.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/june-5-drought

Property owners fined $204,000 for damaging Deschutes River shoreline

July 16, 2025 News release: Thurston County property owners fined $204,000 for unlawful shoreline development

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/july-16-property-owners-fined-204-000-for-damaging-deschutes-river-shoreline

109 wastewater treatment plants across Washington awarded for top performance

May 17, 2023 News release: 2023 winners of the outstanding wastewater treatment plant awards

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/may-17-outstanding-wastewater-treatment-plant-awar

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

Industrial sites have new requirements to protect water quality

December 2, 2024 News release: Ecology has issued the updated Industrial Stormwater General permit for nearly 1,200 facilities.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/dec-2-industrial-stormwater-permit

118 wastewater treatment plants across Washington receive Ecology award

August 1, 2024 News release: Wastewater Treatment Plant Awards 2023

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/aug1-awards-for-wastewater-treatment-plants

State of Washington, federal agencies agree on future of tank waste cleanup at Hanford Site

April 29, 2024 News release: The Hanford Site agencies have announced a landmark agreement for cleaning up millions of gallons of radioactive and chemical waste from large, underground tanks at the Hanford Site.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/holistic-negotiations-agreement

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

Rules for statewide battery recycling program proposed

July 23, 2025 News release: Statewide battery recycling program will provide Washington residents with consistent, convenient, and safe battery recycling services

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/july-23-rules-for-statewide-battery-recycling-program-proposed

2019 data shows greenhouse gas emissions increased

December 28, 2022 News release: The latest data available in Washington’s inventory of greenhouse gas emissions shows statewide emissions rose in 2019, reaching their highest mark since 2007.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/dec-28-2019-state-ghg-inventory

Securing your load leads to safer travels for everyone

June 5, 2023 News release: A photo of a Washington State Patrol Trooper explaining how to properly secure a vehicles load.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/2023-secure-your-load

Asegurar su carga conduce a viajes más seguros para todos

June 5, 2023 News release: El 6 de junio, para conmemorar el Día Nacional Asegure su Carga.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/june-5-asegure-su-carga

New climate research shows need for deep cuts in Washington’s greenhouse gas emissions

December 19, 2019 News release: New research predicts that climate change will damage Washington’s environment, so we recommend eliminating nearly all sources of carbon pollution by 2050.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/dec-19-new-climate-research-shows-need-for-deep-cu

Puget Sound wastewater treatment plants to tackle nutrient pollution with new permit

November 30, 2021 News release: Wastewater treatment plants to start controlling nutrient pollution with new permit.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/dec-1-puget-sound-nutrient-permit

Ecología actualiza el permiso de agua limpia para las operaciones ganaderas y lagunas de estiércol

December 6, 2022 News release: Ecología actualiza el permiso de agua limpia para las operaciones ganaderas y lagunas de estiércol.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/dec-7-operaciones-de-alimentacion-de-animales-conf

Plan to cut statewide fuel emissions 20% starts Jan. 1

November 28, 2022 News release: New Clean Fuel Standard will tackle Washington’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/nov-28-clean-fuel-standard-adoption

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

La campaña 'Así de simple', ayuda a tener un Washington libre de basura

April 17, 2023 News release: La iniciativa estatal de prevención de basura alienta a los residentes a tomar medidas para prevenir que la gente bote basura en las carreteras

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/april-17-la-campana-asi-de-simple

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

Préstamos para reparar o reemplazar su sistema séptico ahora están disponibles en todo el estado

September 21, 2021 News release: Dueños de hogar en más de 17 condados ahora tienen acceso a un programa que ha ayudado a 1,200 dueños.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/sept-21-septico-prestamos