LEAVENWORTH – Today, the Washington Department of Ecology 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. Eightmile …
The Port Gamble Bay Natural Resource Trustee Council has reached a proposed settlement, now available for public comment, that would require building two habitat restoration projects worth nearly $10 million. The two projects will restore 20 acres of …
WALLA WALLA – To continue protecting people and nearby businesses from the aftermath of a gas spill that began last September, the Washington Department of Ecology has issued an enforcement order to the owner of a Walla Walla gas station. The order …
OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Ecology reached a settlement agreement with Coastal Transportation Inc. (Coastal) over a February 2023 spill of diesel into Seattle’s Lake Washington Ship Canal that occurred during a fuel transfer. The original …
OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Ecology issued a $222,000 penalty to the Pacific Seafood-Westport facility for repeatedly sending polluted wastewater into Half Moon Bay in Westport. Over the past two years, the facility violated its water quality …
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has awarded $122 million to coastal states and territories and National Estuarine Research Reserves using funding provided by the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Inflation Reduction Act and …
OLYMPIA – Climate change is already increasing the severity of wildfires, heatwaves, droughts, and floods in Washington. Slower, less visible impacts caused by climate change, like sea level rise and ocean acidification, are also putting added stress on …
This is a follow-up to our March blog post about drought conditions in the Yakima Basin. If you live in the Yakima Basin, you know things are looking hot and dry with the irrigation season well under way. Here’s what else you need to know about the drought …
Since wildfire season will be here soon, now is the perfect time to ensure you and those around you are prepared. Getting #SmokeReady – the focus of this week – means identifying personal health risks, learning how to protect your indoor air, and knowing …
In March 2024, the Washington State Legislature passed Organics Management Law 2.0 (OML 2.0), including changes to the compostable product labeling standards (“Plastic Product Degradability,” chapter 70A.455 RCW). Below is a summary of key updates that go …
In this end-of-spring edition of Let's Talk About Hanford, we're diving into the exciting world of Hanford's pollinators! For this conversation, we’re welcoming back George Peck, an environmental specialist from our Nuclear Waste Program. …
OLYMPIA – Your to-go box and other food service items will be changing starting this summer. Beginning June 1, restaurants, businesses, organizations, or other institutions will no longer be able to provide expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam coolers, cups, …
We’re approaching warmer and sunnier days. Many of us look forward to this weather so we can enjoy a day at our favorite beach. Meanwhile, our scientists look forward to wading into Puget Sound to collect water samples. What are they looking for? Fecal …
In 2004, the State of Washington listed the Spokane River as impaired for toxics because it was contaminated with chemicals called polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs. This listing made it clear that improving the water quality of the Spokane River was …
As we jump into warmer weather, it’s time to watch for harmful algal blooms in Washington lakes and rivers. While these blooms typically appear in late summer or fall, changing climate conditions and human-caused nutrient pollution make it hard to guess …
OLYMPIA – Makeup, cosmetics and other personal care products can sometimes contain toxic chemicals. Since these products are used on skin, hair or sometimes teeth, those toxics pose a special concern for protecting people’s health. In 2023, the …
UNION GAP – On May 29, state and local agencies are hosting an open house-style event to provide information about well water safety in the Lower Yakima Valley. The event is hosted by a group of agencies working to reduce nitrate contamination in the …
We regulate stormwater at nearly 1,200 industrial facilities across Washington through the Industrial Stormwater General Permit. This permit covers businesses like log yards, tank farms, rail yards, trucking facilities, auto recyclers, marine cargo …
En inglés Agua limpia para vivir, trabajar y divertirse El agua que sale de su grifo debe ser potable y apta para cocinar. Por desgracia, esto no es así para algunos usuarios de pozos privados del valle bajo de Yakima. El agua subterránea de este área …
En español Clean water for living, working, & playing When you turn on your faucet, the water that comes out should be safe to drink and cook with. Unfortunately, this isn't true for some private well users in the Lower Yakima Valley. Groundwater …
