Washington’s coastlines might be considered the canary in the coal mine for the impacts of climate change. Sea level rise, beach and bluff erosion, saltwater intrusion and coastal flooding are threatening roads, bridges and communities along the Pacific …
The drought declared April 16 is still in effect. While there was hope for some relief in the fall, it’s looking like the anticipated La Niña conditions will be later and weaker than initially hoped according to experts who met July 24 for Ecology’s …
SPOKANE – The Washington Department of Ecology issued a $32,000 penalty to Spokane Galvanizing Inc., a metal coating and engraving business in Airway Heights, for violating state dangerous waste laws by contaminating soils with corrosive waste spills. …
OLYMPIA – Washington has more than 300 wastewater treatment plants that play a critical role in protecting water quality in rivers, lakes and Puget Sound. These complex facilities deal with everything homes and businesses flush down the drain. While …
LONGVIEW – The Washington Department of Ecology issued two penalties totaling $145,000 to Weyerhaeuser for stormwater violations at the company’s Longview lumber mill. The penalties include 36 stormwater discharge violations, 15 monitoring requirements …
What is "greenwashing"? Today, buzzwords fly around us like mosquitoes on a sultry summer night. Terms like “sustainable,” “plant-based,” and “eco-friendly,” are growing in popularity. More and more businesses are describing themselves, their …
Last week, parts of Eastern Washington experienced a dust storm. While the impact on air quality was marginal, visibility on I-90 became dangerously poor Wednesday evening. These storms form rapidly and with little to no warning, so it’s important to be …
OLYMPIA – With the 2024 wildfire season underway, the Washington Department of Ecology is launching an enhanced air quality monitoring map to help Washingtonians track air pollution and take steps to protect their health and the health of their families …
Carbon pollution is the main driver behind the higher temperatures and severe weather that threatens our environment and economy. Much of the short-term focus of addressing the threat of climate change is on reducing emissions, but new technologies …
You can tell a lot about a stream by looking at its bugs. When you see a variety of them living in the muck of a streambed, foraging on leaf litter and even-smaller critters, that’s a strong indicator that a stream is healthy. Those stream bugs — called …
DES MOINES – The Lakehaven Water and Sewer District (District) has paid $40,000 to resolve violations of its water quality permit as part of a settlement agreement with the Washington Department of Ecology. The District owns and operates the Redondo …
With expansive farmland across the state, Washington is home to one of the most productive agricultural industries in America. The industry brings vital employment and economic benefit to communities - and serves as a key partner in protecting clean water …
Earlier this year, Washington, the state of California, and the Canadian province of Québec issued a joint statement declaring their intent to explore the formation of a shared carbon market — also known as “linkage.” Though a linkage decision isn’t final, …
An atmospheric river in early June raised the hopes for relief of dry conditions across the state. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to make much of a difference. Because of our low winter snowpack and our already disappointing soil moisture, instream flows …
I & J Waterway on Bellingham Waterfront, May 2019 Starting in July, you may see workers, vehicles, sampling equipment, dredging machinery, construction materials, cranes, boats and barges along the shoreline and in the water at the I & J Waterway …
The state’s most populated cities and counties now have updated municipal stormwater permits in place. The permits include new requirements to address specific pollutants and ensure that as communities develop, change, and grow, work is being done to …
OLYMPIA – The Department of Ecology has proposed rule changes to ensure that greenhouse gas emissions associated with electricity imported into Washington through centralized electricity markets are accounted for under the Climate Commitment Act (CCA). …
OLYMPIA – New clean water projects and ongoing infrastructure investments are at the heart of the Department of Ecology’s latest round of grants and loans. This year, $309 million will support 136 projects, including everything from stream restoration on …
OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Ecology issued a $1.6 million penalty to The Home Depot for selling prohibited hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) products, after roughly two years of attempts to bring the company into compliance. HFCs are powerful greenhouse …
SEATTLE – In August 2022, a 58-foot fishing boat sank off the western shore of San Juan Island, kicking off a complex, lengthy response to prevent additional diesel from spilling out of the sunken vessel, and to eventually raise the boat back to the …
