News > 2007 News Archive

2007 News Archive

December 2007

December 31, 2007

• Way is cleared for Ecology to amend air permit at Port Townsend Paper mill
• Ecology’s Water Resources 2006-07 annual report now available

December 27, 2007

• Settlement reached for City Parcel PCB cleanup

December 21, 2007

• Public comments sought on draft climate change documents
• Governor seeks funding for Kittitas groundwater study
• Storms, floods and recent incidents highlight oil spill threats

December 20, 2007

• Contractor chosen to build a Spokane River information center
• Ecology to amend Port Townsend Paper's air permit in 2008
• State modifies boatyard permit to protect Washington waters
• Congress Approves $39 Million for Vital Watershed Restoration on National Forest Lands

December 18, 2007

• State cites owner of Winlock wetland for unpermitted land clearing

December 17, 2007

• Agreements deliver water for farms, cities and salmon in Eastern Washington

December 14, 2007

• Electronics manufacturers must register with state to sell their brands in Washington

December 12, 2007

• Spill response near completion in Tacoma
• Neah Bay emergency response tug assists vessel towing 2.5 million gallons of fuel
• Ecology director signs off on new Wenatchee water regulations
• Southeast Washington watershed plans adopted and moving forward
• Status update for spill at Tacoma's Trident Seafoods

December 11, 2007

• State funds will combat non-native, freshwater weeds and toxic algae blooms

December 10, 2007

• Karcher Creek, Ecology settle biosolids penalty
• Ecology WCC crews helping storm victims, cleaning up flood damage

December 7, 2007

• Ecology offers assistance in flood aftermath, cleanup work
• Burning rules clarified during emergency

December 6, 2007

• Agreement reached on river cleanup strategy for Vancouver's Alcoa site
• Washington continues to recycle, but garbage grows

December 4, 2007

• 2 million tires cleaned up at Goldendale
• Ecology issues $500,000 fine for Hanford Tank Waste Spill

December 3, 2007

• Rescue tug called to aid container ship off coast

November 2007

November 30, 2007

• Comments sought on proposed order for cleanup of old mill site
• New state report sheds light on toxic chemicals in Puget Sound

November 27, 2007

• Ecology field office marks 10 years in Vancouver

November 26, 2007

• Shipyard fined for repeat sandblasting violations in Willapa River

November 22, 2007

• Ecology issues air quality advisory, urges limits on wood burning

November 21, 2007

• Shellfish Aquaculture Regulatory Committee to meet Nov. 26
• Water settlement between Washington, Lummi Nation and U.S. approved
• State seeks comments on proposed industrial stormwater permit

November 20, 2007

• Ecology Penalties Total $256,940 in Third Quarter 2007
• Public invited to learn about proposed water management rules

November 19, 2007

• Ecology offers guide to preventing wood-smoke pollution

November 16, 2007

• Water supply issues in Dungeness River Basin subject of forum
• Island, King counties get $500,000 to help protect watersheds
• Ecology challenges high school students to ultimate "Trash Talking" competition

November 15, 2007

• Ecology conducts unannounced spill readiness drill at U.S. Oil & Refining Co.

November 14, 2007

• Toxics Cleanup Program provides tool to search for sites

November 9, 2007

• Ecology, Kittitas County sign groundwater well agreement
• Ecology, Alcoa announce accelerated cleanup of Vancouver site

November 8, 2007

• Forks Sand & Gravel fined $13,000 in water quality case

November 7, 2007

• State seeks public comments on revised pesticide permit for irrigator
• Ecology repeals old spill rules, amends other rules to match state law

November 5, 2007

• KCCD to be honored for environmental stewardship

November 2, 2007

• Spill Update: Sunset Drive storm drain gasoline leak

October 2007

October 31, 2007

• Cleanup of 10 yards near former Everett smelter site nearly finished
• Advisory: Ecology asks Washington residents to limit wood burning

October 29, 2007

• Kittitas water petition comments due by Friday, Nov. 2
• Wind moves low dissolved oxygen problem around in South Sound
• Ecology now handling Chelan County land-clearing burn permits

October 25, 2007

• Chemical plants in Pasco fined for not having proper permits

October 24, 2007

• Tire piles on Yakama Nation Reservation to be removed
• Sound Transit to fund Duwamish restoration projects to settle penalties

October 23, 2007

• Auburn project fined $85,318 for discharging without a permit
• Washington's 18 largest oil handling operations must 'pre-boom' oil transfers starting Oct. 26

October 19, 2007

• Public invited to share input on "footprint" project at Port Angeles mill

October 18, 2007

• Tacoma company ignores permit, receives fine

October 17, 2007

• Colville residents can 'trade up' to prevent air pollution
• Ecology ready to publish rule changes for cleanups

October 16, 2007

• Sea-Tac airport, contractors fined $20,000 for water quality violations

October 15, 2007

• Settlement results in hazardous response upgrades for counties
• Public invited to share input on "footprint" project at Boise Wallula mill

October 11, 2007

• Shellfish Aquaculture Regulatory Committee to meet Oct. 15

October 10, 2007

• Tolt Bridge project fined for water quality violations
• Ecology investigating source of oil at Port Angeles landfill site
• Local organic garden store earns state environmental award
• Ecology hosts listening sessions on Kittitas water petition

October 9, 2007

• Ecology issues '401' water quality certification for gold mine
• New state rules outline how electronics recycling program will work

October 8, 2007

• Ecology Department approves three and denies one Whitman County water-right change
• Winter storms can sink unprepared boats & pollute our waters
• Public invited to share input on "footprint" project at Hoquiam mill

October 5, 2007

• Four environmental innovators earn top state honors
• Three Vancouver businesses earn state's top environmental honor
• Eleven businesses earn state's top environmental honor
• Lummi Island company earns state environmental honors

October 4, 2007

• Ecology Department Issues $120,000 fine to Energy Northwest

October 3, 2007

• Public invited to share input on “footprint” project at Tacoma mill

October 2, 2007

• Meeting set for Western Climate Initiative stakeholders

October 1, 2007

• Emergency response tug coverage starts today at Neah Bay
• Two penalties levied against Vancouver subdivision project
• State’s Climate Advisory Team meets in Tri-Cities

September 2007

September 28, 2007

• Open houses provide updates on Columbia River water program

September 27, 2007

• Ecology issues water-quality discharge permit for Buckhorn gold mine
• Project to clean up Washington waters gets underway
• Ecology provides money to improve air quality
• Ecology Names Water Policy Special Assistant

September 26, 2007

• Settlement reached in fish processing wastewater penalty

September 25, 2007

• Ecology Department penalties total $728,105 in 2nd quarter of 2007

September 24, 2007

• Weekend oil spills: Spill at Shell Puget Sound Refinery under investigation; Tulalip Tribe contains marina spill
• Ecology funds Samish Tribe’s study of Fidalgo Bay project

September 20, 2007

• Shellfish Aquaculture Regulatory Committee to meet Sept. 24
• Ecology Department plans hearings for comments on plan for Spokane River

September 19, 2007

• Public invited to help set process for disposal of dredged materials
• State earns national award for public-private partnership with Yelm company that reduces pollution
• State earns national award for public-private partnership with Monroe company that reduces pollution
• State earns national award for public-private partnership with Spokane company that reduces pollution
• Department of Ecology repealing old spill rules, amending two existing rules

September 18, 2007

• Ecology poised to issue final cleanup plan for the Whatcom Waterway Site

September 17, 2007

• Small-scale miners help remove mercury from the environments

September 13, 2007

• Metal finisher fined for violating dangerous waste regulations
• Ecology to unveil first oil spill-response plan for Snohomish River basin
• Feds must live up to commitment to maintain failing logging roads - Jay Manning's guest editorial in the Seattle Times

September 12, 2007

• Governors urge automakers to work toward clean cars
• Manke Lumber receives $16,000 penalty for water quality issues
• Walla Walla Basin water management rule subject of open house

September 10, 2007

• Air quality monitoring set up in Cle Elum
• Program earmarks funds for Columbia River projects

September 6, 2007

• Cleanup planned for contaminated area on Elliott Bay

September 5, 2007

• Who's saving the Sound?
• Settlement reached in $82,000 penalty decision
• Local governments can tap Ecology funds to help protect Puget Sound

September 4, 2007

• Ecology Department looks for comments on plan for Spokane River

August 2007

August 30, 2007

• Columbia River water measuring program a success

August 29, 2007

• Greek shipping company fined $8,500 for failure to have oil spill readiness plan

August 24, 2007

• Boise Paper's Wallula mill signs on to measure environmental footprint
• '401' water quality issues considered

August 23, 2007

• State identifies more toxic sites needing cleanup
• Shellfish Aquaculture Regulatory Committee to meet Aug. 27
• Simpson Tacoma Kraft joins partnership project to measure environmental footprint
• Turning waste into useful products is goal of research money

August 22, 2007

• WCI Establishes Regional Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Goal
• Local governments receive money to combat litter

August 21, 2007

• Sediment sampling begins in Fidalgo Bay
• Tire piles in Eastern Washington to be removed

August 20, 2007

• Ecology awards Puget Sound watershed restoration and protection grants

August 16, 2007

• State offers grants to "reclaim" water discharges and help Puget Sound
• Investigation continues into Budd Inlet dioxin contamination

August 15, 2007

• Efforts expand to clean up toxic chemicals in Yakima River
• Ecology fines Whatcom County Fire District 18
• Rising to the challenge: Ecology's Washington Conservation Corps members fight fires, rebuild flood-ravaged parks and restore salmon habitat
• Oil refinery fined $10,000 for leaky pipes on property located within the Port of Tacoma
• Washington's electronics recycling management program progressing

August 14, 2007

• Colville River irrigators may need to turn off outdoor taps

August 13, 2007

• Cleanup plan for Pend Oreille River ready for public review

August 9, 2007

• Funding, workshops, educational brochure help fight stormwater pollution

August 8, 2007

• Ecology awards litter cleanup grants to local governments
• Cleanup at Goldendale tire pile enters final phase

August 6, 2007

• Construction project lacks necessary site controls, earns fine
• Grays Harbor Paper signs on to partnership project that will measure environmental footprint

August 3, 2007

• Water management changes approved for Walla Walla Basin
• Nippon Paper Industries USA signs on to partnership project that will measure environmental footprint
• Peninsula residents learn about water supply problems, solutions

August 2, 2007

• Coalition of Pacific Northwest stakeholders fund regional climate change study

July 2007

July 31, 2007

• Seattle fined for sewage discharge

July 30, 2007

• Truckers can save money, cut air pollution at 2 truck stops

July 27, 2007

• Spill Update: Joint Information Center for Whitley Fuel Fire and Petroleum Spill Standing Down
• State fines company for dumping concrete over river bank
• Clean soils improve children's safety at local schools

July 26, 2007

• Spill Update: Whitley Fuel Fire and Petroleum Spill
• State passes along $113 million for clean waters, including Puget Sound
• Spill Update: Whitley Fuel Fire and Petroleum Spill

July 25, 2007

• Spill Update: Whitley Fuel Fire and Petroleum Spill
• Spill Update: Web site launched for Whitley Fire and Petroleum Spill
• Spill Update: Whitley Fire and Petroleum Spill
• Researchers will use dye to test water in Soos creek
• Duwamish Valley firm fined for putting waste water into storm drain
• State dollars help Puget Sound residents improve, replace failing septic systems

July 23, 2007

• Residents on Little Spokane River to turn off their outdoor taps

July 17, 2007

• Liberty Lake survey respondents say they are making changes to protect water

July 16, 2007

• Forum invites community comments on water management

July 13, 2007

• State invites public review of Whatcom Waterway site cleanup plan

July 12, 2007

• Crowley Maritime Corp. agrees to extend winter rescue tug coverage
• Comments sought on Wenatchee River water regulation changes

July 11, 2007

• Ecology to re-issue industrial stormwater permit

July 10, 2007

• Ecology survey gauges public's views on toxic substances in household products

July 9, 2007

• Ecology revises two water quality funding programs

July 5, 2007

• State invites public review of cleanup plan for UNOCAL Edmonds
• Public invited to comment on ocean, coastal issues July 11 in Ilwaco
• State will pay for lab tests to identify toxic algae in freshwater

July 3, 2007

• Ecology Youth Corps set to pickup litter in Central Washington

June 2007

June 29, 2007

• Protecting Washington's waters: marinas encourage environmental stewardship
• Teens take summer jobs to tackle highway trash
• Ecology finishes delivering oil spill response equipment local responders now have tools, training to help tackle oil spills

June 28, 2007

• Kent dangerous waste facility fined $76,000

June 27, 2007

• Ecology offers grants for burning alternatives
• S.S. Catala removal at Ocean Shores close to completion
• Ecology Youth Corps takes to the streets for 2007 pick-up

June 26, 2007

• Ecology's Bellingham field office moving to Fairhaven

June 25, 2007

• Public invited to comment on ocean and coastal issues June 26
• Othello company fined for petroleum storage tank violations

June 22, 2007

• Ecology begins cleanup at Goldendale tire pile

June 21, 2007

• State studies turn up toxic pollution in freshwater fish and sediment

June 18, 2007

• Ecology Youth Corps gears up for summer litter pick-up

June 11, 2007

• Tacoma company fined for water quality issues
• Circle C Rock Products receives $160,000 fine for polluting water
• Oil response training planned at upper Columbia sites

June 9, 2007

• Tanker truck spills fuel on Highway 8 near McCleary

June 8, 2007

• Study suggests Grant County as possible site for new water storage
• Ecology Department proposes final cleanup plan for Skykomish oil

June 7, 2007

• Public invited to meeting June 12 about renewing and expanding Emerald Services dangerous waste handling permit

June 6, 2007

• Ecology and Fort Lewis forge new agreement
• Spokane River cleanup documents ready for public review

June 5, 2007

• Everett pulp mill fined for strong odors

June 1, 2007

• Ecology delivers oil response equipment, training

May 2007

May 30, 2007

• Holbrook Inc. penalized for water quality violations

May 29, 2007

• Public to review interim cleanup plans at Kaiser Aluminum

May 24, 2007

• Ecology Department penalties total $758,567 in first quarter of 2007

May 23, 2007

• Sound Transit fined for water-quality violations in Tukwila
• Public may review proposed list of projects to receive water quality loans, grants

May 22, 2007

• Yard cleanups resume near former Everett smelter site
• State fines Clark County sand and gravel mine

May 21, 2007

• More of state's wastewater treatment plants achieve perfection
• Complaint about water quality leads to fine for Dulin Construction
• Plan for Palouse River toxic chemicals ready for review
• Ecology fines food processor for late reports

May 16, 2007

• Ecology contracts to cleanup tire piles in four western counties

May 14, 2007

• Owner of M/V Satisfaction receives fine for role in Harborview Marina fire
• Manufacturer of plastic bags fined $10,000 for unsafe storage of hazardous waste near Columbia River

May 11, 2007

• North Puget Sound area schools earn cash awards for environmental stewardship and seed funds for new programs
• Southwest Washington schools earn cash awards for environmental stewardship and to fund new programs
• Eastern Washington schools earn cash awards for environmental stewardship and seed funds for new programs
• Concrete company fined for stormwater violation

May 10, 2007

• Public asked to help select most popular saltwater beaches for monitoring

May 9, 2007

• Ecology and Coast Guard respond to diesel spill at La Conner marina
• Keep up to date on climate change efforts online
• Alcoa Wenatchee works fined for air violations

May 8, 2007

• Ecology fines Darigold Inc. $95,000
• Washington joins Climate Registry to track, report greenhouse gases

May 7, 2007

• Public hearings focus on changes to dioxin cleanup standards

May 4, 2007

• Clarkston company fined for air quality violations
• Fire at illegal dumpsite sends smoke into Adams County air

May 3, 2007

• Forums to highlight watershed challenges, tap residents for opinions
• Neah Bay rescue tug finishes busy season

May 2, 2007

• New season of work begins for removing the shipwrecked Catala

May 1, 2007

• Site study would prepare for Duwamish cleanup project

April 2007

April 27, 2007

• Rescue tug assists container ship inbound for Tacoma
• Plan sets course for improving Stillaguamish water quality
• Water rights sought to support Yakima basin stream flows

April 25, 2007

• Response equipment to aid in case of oil spills in Spokane County

April 24, 2007

• Ecology adopts local government grant/loan program to clean up hazardous waste sites
• Settlement reached in Skagit Highlands stormwater case
• Green building advocates map future goals at Seattle summit

April 23, 2007

• Metering grants available for Columbia River water users

April 20, 2007

• Ecology's Earth Day 2007 website is a convenient shortcut to events and earth news around Washington
• Ecology seeks nominations for sustainable practices awards
• Earth Week 2007: Expanded online Washington Coastal Atlas provides interactive mapping, photos, satellite information

April 19, 2007

• Ecology, Capitol Land Trust team together to protect Black River habitat
• Earth Week 2007: New website features real-time stream flows

April 18, 2007

• Earth Week 2007: What boaters can do to go 'clean and green'
• Plans to improve water quality in Walla Walla ready for public review
• Adequate funding can fix state's deteriorating national forest roads

April 17, 2007

• Earth Week 2007: Turn in mercury thermometers and light bulbs at Earth Week collection events

April 16, 2007

• Mercury spill cleanup continues
• Earth Week 2007: Ecology launches "Tools for Teachers" website
• Palouse River pollution subject of April 25 public meeting

April 15, 2007

• Ecology assisting Yakima Fire Department in response to discovery of mercury in residential neighborhood

April 12, 2007

• Statewide litter campaign focuses on dangerous litter behavior
  Litterers beware: Law enforcement and citizens are watching
• Pacific oil spill task force to host roundtable meeting on pipeline spill prevention Tuesday, April 24 in Portland

April 11, 2007

• Washington state expands mercury thermostat collection program for homeowners
• "Issue Up Close" education brochure on climate change in Washington is available online
• Response equipment to aid in case of truck and train spills at Moses Lake

April 10, 2007

• Statewide litter campaign focuses on dangerous litter behavior
  Litterers beware: Law enforcement and citizens are watchings
• Penalty settlement reached in PM Testing case
• Comments sought on Cap Sante cleanup work in Anacortes
• Join new ListServ for information on climate change efforts

April 9, 2007

• Fertilizer distributor fined $30,000 for violating hazardous waste rules

April 5, 2007

• Ecology to begin investigation of Budd Inlet sediment dioxin contamination
• Statewide litter campaign focuses on dangerous litter behavior Litterers beware: Law enforcement and citizens are watching
• Liberty Lake residents pledging to improve water quality

April 4, 2007

• Comments sought on changes to dioxin cleanup standards
• Priest Rapids water-quality certification issued
• Wenatchee River water regulations subject to change
• Response equipment to aid in case of oil spills in Pend Oreille County
• City of Snohomish, Ecology agree on lagoon cleanup plan

March 2007

March 29, 2007

• Media Advisory: Climate team named, meets Friday

March 28, 2007

• Gov. Gregoire Announces Members of the Washington Climate Change Challenge Advisory Team
• Communities and media can access 2005 toxic pollution data in environmental report
• Response equipment to aid in case of oil spills at Chelan PUD dams

March 27, 2007

• Building local readiness: North Kitsap responders to deploy spill response equipment at Port of Kingston

March 23, 2007

• Ecology field visits help operators understand new oil transfer requirements
• $53,000 Ecology grant promotes a life that protects the environment
• Final environmental report issued on proposed Condit Dam removal

March 20, 2007

• Ecology fines Karcher Creek Sewer District $10,500

March 19, 2007

• Ecology response to The Olympian editorial: Water rights are a complex issue

March 15, 2007

• Ecology and Coast Guard continue response to fuel spill at Fisherman's Bay

March 14, 2007

• Dept. of Ecology responds to diesel fuel leak near Toandos

March 13, 2007

• Pacific Topsoils fined $88,000 for wetland fill near Everett
• Ecology's Water Resources Program Releases Several Reports

March 12, 2007

• Quality Rock Products receives penalty for stormwater runoff violations

March 8, 2007

• Renton project fined for discharging without permit
• Ecology invites public comments on proposed changes to funding rules

March 7, 2007

• Ecology Department issues improved mosquito-control permit
• Ecology issues major decision in Elwha dam removal project
• Ground-breaking Spokane River clean-up agreement signed

March 6, 2007

• Settlement will help fund woodstove exchange program

March 3, 2007

• State-funded rescue tug dispatched to aid refrigerated cargo ship

February 2007

February 28, 2007

• Songa Hua Elliott Bay Oil Spill media advisory

February 27, 2007

• Gov. Gregoire Announces $1.45 Million for Oil Spill Response Allocated to Washington Communities
• Cruise line cited for Richland oil spill

February 24, 2007

• Ecology, U.S. Navy and Coast Guard respond to oil spill at Manchester fueling depot

February 23, 2007

• More toxic sites needing cleanup added to state's list
• Agencies seeking public help to revise coastal oil spill response plans

February 22, 2007

• Cruise-ship agreement funding accord reached

February 21, 2007

• State invites comments on proposed industrial stormwater permit
• TV and computer manufacturers must register with state to keep selling products under electronics recycling law

February 16, 2007

• Videoconference to help hospital staff reduce pollution and improve safety

February 15, 2007

• Ecology honors Tacoma architect for environmental excellence
• Ecology Department says "Thanks a million" for livestock improvements
• Water program offers balance to meet environmental, economic needs

February 14, 2007

• Ecology projects will preserve critical wetland habitat in Puget Sound

February 9, 2007

• State will continue to use permits to control aquatic pesticides

February 8, 2007

• Public to weigh in about proposed water management changes in Walla Walla

February 5, 2007

• Ecology responding to oil spill in Gig Harbor

February 5, 2007

• Ecology calls for burn ban in Walla Walla County; issues statewide air-quality advisory
• Cleanup paves way for new Yakima development
• Septic company settles with Ecology Department on disposal violations

February 2, 2007

• Outgoing Hanford Advisory Board chair honored for environmental stewardship

February 1, 2007

• Ecology orders Shell refinery to tackle leaking transfer pipelines
• Public invited to discuss cleanup work at Ephrata Landfill

January 2007

January 31, 2007

• Bacteria cleanup plan topic of open house, available for review

January 30, 2007

• Ecology Department penalties total $719,000 in fourth quarter of 2006

January 29, 2007

• Goodrich settlement reached on violations at Spokane plant

January 28, 2007

• Ecology urges voluntary ban on burning in Methow, other valleys

January 25, 2007

• Ponderay Newsprint settles with Ecology over permit violations

January 22, 2007

• Comments sought on Camp Bonneville cleanup documents

January 16, 2007

• State takes aim at #1 urban water quality problem - stormwater (for Eastern Washington)
• State takes aim at #1 urban water quality problem - stormwater (for Western Washington)

January 12, 2007

• Businesses with fuel tanks need spill prevention, cleanup plans
• Grants will help Walla Walla manage solid waste and mercury

January 11, 2007

• Ecology makes correction to Lake Chelan water quality report

January 10, 2007

• State study shows economic challenges, opportunities from climate change

January 8, 2007

• Ecology provided $62 million to Washington communities in 2006

January 7, 2007

• Ecology responding to oil spill affecting the Puyallup River

January 1, 2007

• State-funded tug aids drifting fishing boat off Neah Bay