Search Results - Washington State Department of Ecology

Groundwater study begins in Walla Walla Basin

March 26, 2021 News release: Well owners needed to participate in groundwater study in the Walla Walla basin

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/mar-26-walla-walla-groundwater-study

State emissions rise in new greenhouse gas data

January 14, 2021 News release: New greenhouse gas data shows that emissions rose 1.3% from 2017 to 2018.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/jan-14-state-emissions-rise-in-new-greenhouse-gas

Ecology launches environmental review of proposed pumped storage energy project near Goldendale

January 13, 2021 News release: Environmental review of Goldendale Energy Project near John Day Dam

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/goldendale-energy-project

West Plains residents to receive no-cost drinking water sampling for PFAS

February 21, 2024 News release: Drinking water testing for PFAS will soon be available to about 300 private and shared wells in the northeast West Plains area at no cost to residents.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/feb-21-west-plains-sampling-for-pfas

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

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

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

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 fines 35 plastic producers $416,000 for not using enough recycled plastic

October 3, 2024 News release: $416,000 in penalties handed to plastic producers that did not comply with recycled content law

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2024/oct-3-ecology-fines-35-plastic-producers-416-000-for-not-using-enough-recycled-plastic

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

Ecology penalizing barge owner $38,500 for fuel spill into Salish Sea

December 14, 2022 News release: Olympia Tug & Barge, Centerline Logistics is being penalized $38,500 for a spill to the Salish Sea.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/olympia-tug-barge-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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Public input sought on environmental review for new Duwamish–Green river watershed plan

March 8, 2021 News release: A new plan for the Duwamish-Green watershed lays out priorities to protect fish habitat and ensuring sufficient water for rural residents. We're seeking public comments through April 8.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/mar-8-duwamish-green-watershed-sepa-comment-period

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

First comment period opens on future water use in Nooksack watershed

April 8, 2019 News release: First comment period opens on future water use in WRIA 1 Nooksack watershed

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2019/first-comment-period-opens-on-future-water-use-in

Weyerhaeuser mill fined $40,000 for water quality violations

February 17, 2022 News release: The Weyerhaeuser Company is being fined $40,000 for repeated water quality violations at its Longview mill.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/feb-17-weyerhaeuser-penalty

Olympia pays $15,000 fine for sewage spill into Percival Creek

January 4, 2021 News release: We fined the city of Olympia $15,000 for allowing a sewer to leak undetected into Percival Creek over the 2020 Memorial Day weekend. The city has paid.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/jan-4-olympia-pays-penalty

Environmental penalties issued for first half of 2023

September 28, 2023 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology issued $562,540 in penalties of $1,000 or more from Jan. 1, 2023 – June 30, 2023.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/sept-28-environmental-penalties-for-first-half-of-2023

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

Ecology completes environmental review for proposed Kalama methanol facility

December 21, 2020 News release: Ecology releases the final Second Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Kalama methanol facility

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/dec-21-kalama-sseis

State begins work to implement Climate Commitment Act

August 6, 2021 News release: Ecology begins rulemaking to implement Climate Commitment Act.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/aug-6-state-begins-work-to-implement-climate-commi

Washington’s new litter prevention campaign asks drivers to secure their vehicle loads

May 24, 2021 News release: The We Keep Washington Litter Free litter campaign launches May 24 and initially focuses on promoting secured vehicle loads to reduce road litter and increase safety.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/we-keep-wa-litter-free

State reviews record amount of water quality data in effort to prioritize improvements

April 8, 2021 News release: Ecology uses the water quality assessment to categorize state waters as clean or polluted. The new draft assessment is now available for review.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/draft-water-quality-assessment

Twenty-three plastic producers fined a combined $277,000 for failing to use enough recycled content

June 5, 2025 News release: The penalties ranged from $194 to $54,868 and were based on the amount of plastic and recycled content each plastic producer sold in Washington in 2024.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2025/june-5-twenty-three-plastic-producers-fined-a-combined-277-000-for-failing-to-use-enough-recycled

Public invited to comment on regulatory actions addressing chemicals in consumer products

November 18, 2021 News release: Consumers use hundreds of items every day, and many contain hazardous chemicals. Ecology is seeking input to determine which potentially hazardous chemicals it should regulate in consumer products.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/nov-18-public-invited-to-comment-on-regulatory-act

Ecology seeks feedback on rules to make products safer in Washington

December 8, 2022 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology is looking for input on a proposal that will help protect consumers by regulating some chemicals used in everyday products.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/dec-8-spwa-public-comment-period

Pilchuck River watershed needs cool pools and more shade

October 15, 2020 News release: Comment on a plan to cool the Pilchuck River and its tributaries and protect their dissolved oxygen levels

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2020/oct-15-pilchuck-watershed

Ecology invests nearly $35 million to help rivers and streams

October 5, 2022 News release: The Washington Department of Ecology is slated to distribute about $35 million for 26 streamflow restoration projects in 22 watersheds.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/oct-5-streamflow-grants

Ecology and Energy reach agreement to address Hanford’s leaking underground tanks

August 25, 2022 News release: The Washington State Department of Ecology and the U.S. Department of Energy have agreed on a plan for how to respond to two underground tanks that are leaking radioactive waste as well as any future tank leaks at the Hanford Site.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/hanford-leaking-tanks-agreed-order

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

Ecology invites comment on updates to toxic cleanup regulations

February 16, 2023 News release: We invite the public to comment on proposed updates to toxic cleanup regulations. Proposed changes would improve the process for prioritizing, investigating, and cleaning up contaminated sites.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/mtca-rule-comment

Damage to wetlands in Grant County results in $267,540 fine

February 10, 2023 News release: Ecology has fined the owners of King Ranch for damaging at least 23 alkali wetlands located in Grant County.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2023/feb-10-wetlands-in-grant-county

Comment period extended for Goldendale Energy Storage Project draft EIS

June 6, 2022 News release: We're extending the comment period on a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for the proposed Goldendale Energy Storage Project adjacent to the Columbia River in Klickitat County.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/june-6-goldendale-energy-storage-draft-eis

Ecology adopts new watershed plan for Duwamish-Green river basin

May 13, 2021 News release: A new plan for the Duwamish-Green watershed lays 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/may-13-duwamish-green-watershed-plan-approved

Public input sought on environmental reviews for two new watershed plans in Pierce and King counties

April 29, 2021 News release: Ecology completed its environmental review of new watershed plans for the Puyallup-White and Chambers-Clover river drainage basins, and is seeking public comments through May 23.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/seeking-comment-on-environmental-reviews-for-water

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

Ecology, Achilles reach settlement on spills that impacted wildlife

March 31, 2021 News release: Ecology and Achilles reach settlement on two 2018 spills that impacted wildlife

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/march-24-achilles-penalty-settlement

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

Olympia Brewery owner billed for State expenses for spill into Capitol Lake

February 11, 2021 News release: Olympia Brewery owner penalized and will pay response costs for spill into Capitol Lake

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/feb-11-olympia-brewery-spill-to-capitol-lake

Ecology revises Puget Sound net pen permits for steelhead

January 6, 2021 News release: Water quality permits updated to allow steelhead in four Puget Sound net pens.

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2021/ecology-revises-puget-sound-net-pen-permits-for-st

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

Plastic bottle and trash bag makers must register with state by April 1

February 3, 2022 News release: New law requires some plastics include a minimum amount of recycled content beginning in 2023

https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2022/feb-3-plastic-producer-registration