OLYMPIA – Every year, almost 38 million pounds of litter is dropped on Washington’s highways, roads and public areas. That’s about five pounds of trash for every person in the state. Beyond simply being unsightly, litter can harm water quality and pose …
OAK HARBOR – The Washington Department of Ecology issued a $120,000 penalty to Christopher Whiteman and Victoria Coury for failing to repair damage to wetlands in unincorporated Island County, about eight miles northeast of Oak Harbor. In September 2022, …
For the past few summers, neighbors along French Creek in Snohomish County have been noticing an intriguing change — an unusual orange hue in the stream, particularly where it flows into the Snohomish River. This peculiar color shift has sparked curiosity …
A former bulk fuel terminal site near downtown Edmonds has moved steadily through several cleanup phases since the 1990s. While petroleum and arsenic contamination have been treated and removed throughout most of the site, there are still a few areas that …
In this edition of Behind the Scenes at the Nuclear Waste Program, we sat down with Jeffery Lyon, our Nuclear Waste Program Specialist. The unique world of cleanup Environmental cleanup is often complex, and nuclear waste is no exception. The Nuclear Waste …
OLYMPIA – Local organizations that serve overburdened communities experiencing some of the worst air pollution in Washington can apply for new grants from the Department of Ecology. The state’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA) is funding the grants, totaling …
SPOKANE – The Washington Department of Ecology has issued a $15,000 penalty to a Spokane County farmer for continued unpermitted irrigation of 69 acres of crops at Wild Rose Prairie near Deer Park, despite warnings, a cease-and-desist order, and an …
SPOKANE – The Hanford Advisory Board (HAB) is on the road again, holding its September meeting in Spokane. The HAB is a nonpartisan and broadly representative body with a balanced mix of the diverse interests affected by Hanford Site cleanup. Its primary …
To date, the Washington Department of Ecology has allocated approximately $129 million of $141 million in Volkswagen enforcement action grants to support the state’s transition from diesel-powered cars, trucks, ferries, ships, and buses to zero-emission …
It’s been an eventful wildfire season in Washington, and it’s not over. The town of Stehekin, pinned between Lake Chelan and the ongoing Pioneer Fire, faced days of advancing flames before recently emerging from level 3 (“get out now”) evacuation orders. …
A new grant program will open next week to fund locally led projects in overburdened communities to reduce sources of “criteria” air pollution. Funding new air quality projects for communities by communities is an innovative approach for us. It’s part of …
As the back-to-school buzz ramps up, it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of picking out the trendiest new supplies. However, there’s more to consider than what looks cool—some popular school supplies might harbor harmful chemicals. Earlier this …
KELSO – The Washington Department of Ecology issued two penalties totaling $49,000 to Steel Painters, Inc. for hazardous waste violations at two facilities in Kelso and Longview that the industrial painting company owns. The company’s Kelso facility …
In July, we joined our partners in the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan to celebrate completion of the plan’s biggest undertaking so far, the Cle Elum juvenile fish passage facility. This milestone is one part of a larger project at Cle Elum Dam that will …
Clallam Port Angeles 07/26/2023 Orca Enterprises On Sept. 24, 2022, Port Angeles Boat Haven Marina staff discovered the Orca, a fishing vessel owned by Orca Enterprises, sunk at berth. An estimated 109 gallons of diesel spilled to Port Angeles Harbor. $1, …
OLYMPIA – Washington’s waters have new protections, thanks to a major update to state water quality rules. The updates protect aquatic life, such as fish and invertebrates, from the effects of toxic chemicals in the water. The Washington Department of …
Since 2021, our product replacement program has helped more than 150 automotive repair shops switch out solvent-based degreasers for safer alternatives. What's even better? The program is still accepting applications. Qualifying auto shops could …
WALLA WALLA – In recent days, community members along Yellowhawk Creek near Walla Walla have noticed lower-than-normal flows in the creek. The reduced flows are part of a larger effort to protect water supplies in the greater Walla Walla River Basin and …
LACEY – The Washington Department of Ecology seeks public input on changes to the Thurston County Shoreline Master Program (SMP) to help the county bring the plan up-to-date with state and local laws. The SMP is a set of policies and regulations that …
Welcome to part two of clean water highlights from our 2021-2023 Biennium Outcomes Report. In part one we talked about how our clean water funding supports wastewater and stormwater investments. Our funding covers many different methods to improve water …
