Puget Sound > Accomplishments

Puget Sound: What we've accomplished so far, in 2008

February 2008

Feb. 28 – 2007-08 winter deployment season for Neah Bay response tug ends March 7; Legislature considers funding for year-round service
Washington’s state-funded emergency response tug stationed at Neah Bay goes out of service for the 2007-08 winter season on Friday, March 7. Since 1999, the state has contracted to have an emergency response tug stationed at Neah Bay during the stormy winter season. The 2007-08 winter season has been busy for the Gladiator, the emergency response tug owned and operated by the Crowley Maritime Corp. The Department of Ecology has worked with the U.S. Coast Guard to deploy the tug to assist six ships so far this season. These ships were significantly disabled, having either reduced steering or limited propulsion power. (More)

Feb. 12 – EPA Approves Washington State's Water Laws
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved recent revisions to the Washington Water Quality Standards (WQS) regulations. EPA believes these new standards will significantly aid in the protection and recovery of salmon, trout and other aquatic life in the state. EPA is approving the main elements of Washington's WQS package, which includes standards specifically identifying where salmon are spawning and rearing. It also identifies the new temperature criteria to protect salmon and other aquatic life. (More)

Feb. 8 – Ecology invites public comments on 2008 water quality assessment
The Washington Department of Ecology invites the public to comment on its updated assessment of water quality in the state, which includes the most-current list of polluted waters. The online 2008 Water Quality Assessment is the latest picture of the state’s water quality. It helps the state and local partners prioritize which polluted waters to clean up (More)

Feb. 4 – West Bay Marina cleanup information out for public review
The Washington Department of Ecology and West Bay Marina Associates are entering into an agreement that will guide the investigation of potential contamination at the company's site in Olympia. Before the agreement is formalized, the public will have the opportunity to review the agreement and offer comments. The Marina entered Ecology's Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP) in 1999 and subsequently removed leaking petroleum tanks, excavated contaminated soil and treated contaminated groundwater. However, the site remained on the suspected and confirmed contaminated sites list. (More)

Feb. 4 – State awards $25 million to fight polluted runoff, support water reuse in Puget Sound and across state
The Washington Department of Ecology is providing grants worth more than $25 million to help local communities restore Puget Sound and improve water quality across the state. "Momentum continues to build around our efforts to protect and restore Puget Sound," said David Dicks, executive director of the Puget Sound Partnership. "These grants represent just one example of the state's major commitment to the Puget Sound Initiative, which aims to ensure we leave a clean and healthy Sound for future generations." (More)

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January 2008

Jan. 24 – Ecology workshops to give latest picture of state’s water quality
The Washington Department of Ecology proposes to send approximately $72 million in loans and grants to 32 projects to protect the state’s water quality, including Puget Sound. Ecology seeks public comments on the draft list of grants and loans it proposes to offer to the highest quality, most needed and most ready-to-go projects to improve and protect water quality across the state. (More)

Jan. 15 – State proposes $72 million in grants, loans to protect water quality
The Washington Department of Ecology proposes to send approximately $72 million in loans and grants to 32 projects to protect the state’s water quality, including Puget Sound. Ecology seeks public comments on the draft list of grants and loans it proposes to offer to the highest quality, most needed and most ready-to-go projects to improve and protect water quality across the state. (More)

Jan. 15 – 'Puget Sound Initiative' helps small businesses reduce, eliminate pollution
As part of a greater "Puget Sound Initiative" to clean up the Sound, small businesses from across the region will get onsite technical assistance to control and prevent toxic pollution sources. The Puget Sound Initiative is a collaborative effort – by local, tribal, state and federal governments, business, agricultural and environmental interests, and the public – to restore and protect the Sound. (More)

Jan. 11 – Penalties for reckless and negligent oil spills increase fivefold
In October 2006, Polar Tankers, Inc. paid the Department of Ecology $540,000 after one of its oil tankers, the Polar Texas, spilled at least 7,200 gallons of crude oil in Puget Sound’s Dalco Passage in October 2004 without ever reporting or taking responsibility for the spill. The $540,000 remains the largest fine Ecology has ever issued for an oil spill to marine waters. At the time, the fine was also the maximum possible penalty under state law. (More)