2008 News

July 2008

July 24, 2008

• Recycling should be available at sports facilities, public events

July 23, 2008

• State’s Climate Action Team continues work in Spokane
• States, provinces taking action to curb climate change
• Ecology grants will help improve air quality in several communities
• Columbia River watermaster will meet public at open houses

July 18, 2008

• Gov. Gregoire announces major water supply projects for Tri-Cities area
• Agencies join to clean up old contamination at state prison

July 17, 2008

• Ecology Youth Corps take to roads to tackle highway litter

July 16, 2008

• Ecology, Coast Guard responding to spill at Seattle's Terminal 5

July 14, 2008

• Study shows "just enough" manure application on crops protects environment
• Ecology department opens Wenatchee field office 

July 11, 2008

• Whatcom Waterway site sampling starts Monday in Bellingham Study results will guide cleanup design

July 10, 2008

• Rainwater collection rule to be discussed at Aberdeen open house 
• New program pinpoints sources of Spokane River pollution 
• State to look at water supply alternatives in the Yakima basin

July 9, 2008

• Cleanup finished for oil spill along Columbia River near Kalama
• Ecology fines King County for Ravenna Creek sewage spill
• Emergency rule addresses exempt wells while study under way

July 8, 2008

• Ecology Youth Corps set to pickup litter in Central Washington

July 7, 2008

• New online tool tells if lakes have toxic algae

July 2, 2008

• Skykomish cleanup continues
• Fire at Grandview potato processing facility results in total loss

July 1, 2008

• Ecology proposes testing for dioxins outside Rayonier Mill property
• Auto shop fined for dangerous waste violations

June 2008

June 30, 2008

• Neah Bay response tug starts first full year of service July 1
• Adopting new rules, Washington continues leadership in limiting climate change

June 25, 2008

• Ecology moves to formal public process on gravel mine soil
• Parties get more time to negotiate Columbia River dredging mitigation work

June 20, 2008

• Ecology Youth Corps to start summer litter cleanup

June 19, 2008

• Area teens to fight litter on state highways
• SIMCO fined $8,000 for water pollution on SR539 project

June 18, 2008

• State Ecology scientists sleuthing out toxic threats in environment 
• Ruling upholds Ecology wetland protection efforts 
• Regional water conservation group offers hands-on workshop for “Smart Outdoor Watering”
• “Clean cars” now required in Washington to keep our air and people healthier

June 17, 2008

• Statement on Swinomish suit over Skagit River management rule

June 16, 2008

• Ecology, fire district settle in Lake Whatcom pollution case Fire district pays $11,000 fine
• More tire piles across the state to be removed

June 11, 2008

• Ecology, Fish & Wildlife put public safety first, lower level of Okanogan County reservoir for dam repairs
• Cascade camps and cabins still need water

June 10, 2008

• Ecology awards $5.6 million in grants to Olympic Peninsula and Southwest Washington local governments
• Grant money to fund waste reduction in Eastern Washington
• Grants support Central Washington waste and recycling programs
• Grants fund responsible waste management in northwest Washington
• Ecology submits final water-quality permit for Avista dams
• Ecology to study Oakland Bay harbor sediment contamination
• Ecology begins statewide rulemaking for rainwater collection

June 6, 2008

• Ecology denies petition to close withdrawals from Mason County's Johns creek basin

June 5, 2008

• Prep work for river sediment cleanup at Alcoa subject of meeting
• Shellfish Aquaculture Regulatory Committee to meet June 9

June 4, 2008

• Public invited to weigh in on permit fee changes
• Upper Columbia River water measuring program launched

June 3, 2008

• Ecology taking comments on Coupeville Shoreline Master Program

May 2008

May 29, 2008

• Keyport oil spill response continues
• Teck Cominco facility spills lead and acid into Columbia River
• Spill results in $12,000 penalty against Trident Seafood
• Port of Everett, Ecology working together on Puget Sound cleanup
• State fines Winlock-area landowner for ignoring water quality order

May 23, 2008

• Shellfish bed protection added to cruise ship agreement
• Local teacher earns Ecology’s highest environmental award

May 22, 2008

• Outer coast oil spill drill tests Washington’s response readiness

May 21, 2008

• Cleanup planned at three Oeser sites not under Superfund Public can comment through June 13
• State invites comments on new stormwater permit for WSDOT

May 20, 2008

• Central Washington area schools earn cash awards for environmental stewardship and new green programs
• Eastern Washington area schools earn cash awards for environmental stewardship and new green programs
• Southwest Washington area schools earn cash awards for environmental stewardship and new green programs
• King, Snohomish and Kitsap area schools earn cash awards for environmental stewardship and new green programs
• Whatcom and Skagit area schools earn cash awards for environmental stewardship and new green programs
• Public gets another look at Spokane River water quality plan
• Ecology penalties total $292,080 in first quarter of 2008

May 15, 2008

• Ecology challenges FERC for bypassing environmental reviews of energy projects
• Record-breaking year for wastewater treatment plant perfection
• Draft EIS considers additional water allocations from Lake Roosevelt

May 13, 2008

• Sunken boat results in a $12,000 penalty
• State asks public which saltwater beaches to monitor this year

May 12, 2008

• New Ecology education guide promotes healthier watersheds; highlights local efforts statewide
• Shipping firm pays $27,500 fine for Elliott Bay spill

May 9, 2008

• Washington moves ahead with key climate change work
• Results of Budd Inlet dioxin study released May 12
• Public invited to meeting about plans to study harbor sediments

May 8, 2008

• Comments sought on possible cleanup efforts at Port Gamble

May 7, 2008

• Check out who’s who in the Clean Marina world
• Ecology offers grants to reduce harmful diesel pollution
• Sunken oyster vessel raised, 75 gallons of fuel spilled

May 5, 2008

• Ecology wants to clarify how climate change is considered in environmental reviews
• Nominations open for Governor’s sustainable practices awards

May 1, 2008

• Shellfish Aquaculture Regulatory Committee to meet May 5
• Phosphorus limit on dish soaps starts July 1 in Whatcom County - Law effective statewide in 2010
• Public to review documents for Spokane River toxic metals cleanup
• Lead contamination limited to small area of Tacoma neighborhood

April 2008

April 30, 2008

• Campaign focuses on kids, water and bacteria
• Ecology to engage interests to update industrial stormwater permit

April 29, 2008

• Comments sought on proposed order for site cleanup in Anacortes

April 24, 2008

• State, U.S. seek public help to update spill-response plans for north Puget Sound
• Sediments study will help guide cleanup work in Fidalgo Bay
• Fine for tank farm spill benefits workers & hazardous response team

April 22, 2008

• Ecology and partners divert 12,000 pounds of mercury from environment; Don’t toss that fluorescent bulb! Take it back!

April 18, 2008

• Ecology's Earth Day 2008 website is a portal to special events statewide

April 17, 2008

• Safe cargo: the right way to secure your load - Making Washington roads safer and cleaner (Kennewick)
• State assists health care industry in dealing with pharmaceuticals

April 16, 2008

• Spokane sustainability group to train lenders in “green” development

April 15, 2008

• Safe cargo: the right way to secure your load - Making Washington roads safer and cleaner (Spokane)
• Ecology fines Puget Sound Energy $366,000 for 2006 fuel spill

April 14, 2008

• Response tug to provide year-round protection against oil spills

April 11, 2008

• Safe cargo: the right way to secure your load - Making Washington roads safer and cleaner (Seattle)
• If your boat sinks, don’t blame the rain

April 10, 2008

• Shellfish Aquaculture Regulatory Committee to meet April 14

April 8, 2008

• Ecology, Kittitas County sign groundwater agreement
• Ecology responds to Port Townsend air quality health consultation

April 7, 2008

• Public can help state, U.S. update oil spill-response plans for San Juan Islands
• Hearings this week focus on limits on greenhouse gas emissions for power plants
• Ecology seeks public comment on water quality requirements for Avista dams

April 4, 2008

• Europe restores toxic flame retardant ban similar to Washington's
• Snohomish sand & gravel mine fined $16,000 for water quality violations

April 1, 2008

• Gov. Gregoire signs legislation improving toy safety

March 2008

March 28, 2008

• Kent chemical supplier fined $40,000 for dangerous waste safety violation

March 26, 2008

• Lynnwood construction project fined $12,000 for water-quality violations

March 21, 2008

• Public can comment on new groundwater agreement during two meetings in Kittitas County
• Ecology adds cleanup sites throughout state

March 20, 2008

• Governor signs historic legislation delivering water to farms, cities and salmon in Eastern Washington
• Canal capacity improved in time for early irrigation season

March 19, 2008

• Ecology Boosts Efforts to Convert Organic Wastes to Energy
• Hearings set for comments on limits on greenhouse gas emissions for power plants
• Ecology, health officials respond to lead contamination in Tacoma
• Teens can apply for Ecology Youth Corps summer jobs

March 17, 2008

• Leader of national green forestry certification coming to Olympia March 19
• Ecology looking for a few hard-working, young environmentalists

March 14, 2008

• Water supply issues in Dungeness River Basin subject of forum
• Ecology asks dam owners to bring unpermitted reservoirs into compliance with state regulations

March 13, 2008

• Gov. Gregoire signs bill to fight climate change and grow the state’s economy
• Air cleaner for children riding 300 school buses in ESD 171
• Workshop teaches manufacturing businesses to go lean and green

March 12, 2008

• Ecology, FEMA currently revising state flood hazard maps (Update)
• Settlement with Kimberly-Clark funds Everett clean air projects

March 11, 2008

• Ecology, FEMA currently revising state flood hazard maps

March 7, 2008

• Coastal Training Program announces spring, summer class series

March 6, 2008

• Ecology, Coast Guard tracking canisters found on ocean beaches
• Shellfish Aquaculture Regulatory Committee to meet March 10

March 5, 2008

• Mysterious canisters found on ocean beaches, sparking local interest as well as state and federal action
• Three Whidbey sand and gravel plants fined $48,000 for water quality violations
• Contaminated groundwater not migrating from Sea-Tac Airport
• Draft order to clean up contaminated Thor Street site in Spokane to be discussed March 11

March 4, 2008

• Upper Kittitas County groundwater management agreement under consideration

March 1, 2008

• Ecology responds to diesel spill into Hylebos Creek

February 2008

February 28, 2008

• 2007-08 winter deployment season for Neah Bay response tug ends March 7; Legislature considers funding for year-round service

February 27, 2008

• Lake Forest Park project fined $24,000 for water pollution
• Response tug assists cargo ship north of Neah Bay

February 26, 2008

• Auto recyclers help state collect toxic mercury from salvaged cars

February 25, 2008

• Washington & Oregon national forests receive funding for vital watershed restoration

February 22, 2008

• Ecology certifies wave power project won’t harm water quality

February 20, 2008

• State Department of Ecology updates pesticide permit for irrigators

February 19, 2008

• Ecology urges limits on burning wood in some areas
• Public invited to share input on “footprint” project at Port Townsend Paper mill

February 15, 2008

• Alcoa submits federal application for environmental dredging at Vancouver site

February 13, 2008

• Put your pipes on a fat-free diet
• Ponga sus tuberías en una dieta libre de grasa

February 12, 2008

• EPA Approves Washington State’s Water Laws

February 11, 2008

• Two penalties handed out in Columbia River spill case

February 8, 2008

• Opportunities in green building industry focus of Renton workshop
• Public gets chance to comment on ocean, coastal issues in Westport
• Ecology invites public comments on 2008 water quality assessment

February 7, 2008

• Emergency response tug helping escort container ship
• Ecology fines Everett pulp mill $235,000 for fuel pile smoke emissions
• Shellfish Aquaculture Regulatory Committee to meet Feb. 11

February 6, 2008

• Gov. Gregoire accepts report, calls for continued work to fight climate change

February 5, 2008

• Neah Bay response tug assisting bulk carrier in Strait
• Spokane Tribe joins State, Colville Tribes in partnership to boost water supplies in Columbia River Basin

February 4, 2008

• West Bay Marina cleanup information out for public review
• State awards $25 million to fight polluted runoff, support water reuse in Puget Sound and across state

February 1, 2008

• Ecology grants communities more than $2 million to use yard and land-debris waste

January 2008

January 28, 2008

• Spokane Ecology building to close Tuesday due to heating failure
• Ecology fines Darigold Lynden plant $60,000

January 26, 2008

• Vessel freed from beach at Copalis

January 25, 2008

• Crab vessel still aground on Copalis beach
• Options for future water supplies subject of Feb. 6 forum

January 24, 2008

• Agencies responding to multiple incidents
• Ecology workshops to give latest picture of state’s water quality

January 23, 2008

• Ecology urges voluntary limits on burning wood

January 22, 2008

• Idaho and Washington agree on water management protocols
• Paper mill signs on to partnership project that will measure environmental footprint

January 18, 2008

• Ecology seeks rehearing of federal decision made without considering state environmental reviews for renewable energy projects

January 17, 2008

• Columbia River water agreement puts saved water to use
• Ecology penalties total $859,020 in 4th quarter 2007

January 16, 2008

• State updates Aquatic Noxious Weed Control Permit

January 15, 2008

• State proposes $72 million in grants, loans to protect water quality
• Resources boosted to stop the flow of toxic pollution into Spokane River
• 'Puget Sound Initiative' helps small businesses reduce, eliminate pollution

January 14, 2008

• Public invited to learn about progress of Cadet and Swan cleanups

January 11, 2008

• Penalties for reckless and negligent oil spills increase fivefold

January 10, 2008

• Truck fire causes diesel spill to Tacoma’s Wapato Lake
• Shellfish Aquaculture Regulatory Committee to meet Jan. 14

January 8, 2008

• Effort to recover haz mat containers from Lewis County flood zone begins Jan. 22

January 7, 2008

• Underground water storage project moves forward

January 4, 2008

• Comment period extended for draft climate change documents
• Bellevue project fined for water quality violations

January 3, 2008

• Public invited to meeting about two Emerald Kalama proposals

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