ECOLOGY-NEWS List

Ecology News Release: Plan sets steps for Liberty Bay bacterial pollution cleanup

Partridge, Sandra (ECY) — 2013-03-12T21:59:16+00:00

Washington State Department of Ecology
News Release
For Immediate Release 13-072
March 12, 2013
www.ecy.wa.gov

Media Contacts:
Larry Altose, Ecology media relations, 206-920-2600, larry.altose@ecy.wa.gov
Sally Lawrence, Ecology water quality specialist, 425-649-7036, sally.lawrence@ecy.wa.gov

Plan sets steps for Liberty Bay bacterial pollution cleanup

BELLEVUE - Existing programs, if made stronger and more focused, can control bacterial pollution in Kitsap County's Liberty Bay and its tributary creeks, according to a Department of Ecology (Ecology) study and plan now available for public comment. [...]

Ecology News Release: Cleanup report for SemMaterials site in Spokane available for review

Partridge, Sandra (ECY) — 2013-03-11T18:30:28+00:00

Washington State Department of Ecology
News Release
For Immediate Release 13-071
March 11, 2013
www.ecy.wa.gov

Media Contact: Brook Beeler, 509-329-3478; cell, 509-290-0855; brook.beeler@ecy.wa.gov.

Cleanup report for SemMaterials site in Spokane available for review

SPOKANE -The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) is accepting comments on a report that describes contamination and evaluates four cleanup options at the SemMaterials site located in the historic Hillyard neighborhood in northeast Spokane. [...]

Ecology News Release: Lubricant removed from Maury Island beaches

Partridge, Sandra (ECY) — 2013-03-08T23:31:19+00:00

Washington State Department of Ecology
News Release
For Immediate Release 13-070
March 8, 2013
www.ecy.wa.gov

Media Contacts:
Larry Altose, Ecology media relations, 206-920-2600, larry.altose@ecy.wa.gov
PA3 Jordan Akiyama, Coast Guard Public Affairs, 206-220-7237
Jonathan Platt, Vice President, J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., 253-572-4005

Lubricant removed from Maury Island beaches

MAURY ISLAND - Cleanup crews hired by a Tacoma shipbuilder removed small orange balls of lubricant from Maury Island beaches today, under the oversight of the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) and the U.S. Coast Guard. [...]

Joint Ecology - Commerce - Puget Sound Partnership News Release: Federal grants aim to protect Puget Sound watersheds

Partridge, Sandra (ECY) — 2013-03-08T00:12:11+00:00

Washington State Departments of Commerce, Ecology and Puget Sound Partnership
Joint News Release
For Immediate Release 13-069
March 7, 2013
www.ecy.wa.gov

Media Contacts:
Curt Hart, Ecology media relations, 360-407-6990; cell, 360-480-7908 (curt.hart@ecy.wa.gov)
Penny Thomas, Commerce media relations, 360-725-2805 (penny.thomas@commerce.wa.gov)

Federal grants aim to protect Puget Sound watersheds

OLYMPIA - For decades, transforming Puget Sound's forest lands, fields and shorelines into places for new homes and businesses often has come at the expense of the environment. [...]

Ecology News Release: Oil spill readiness plan covering 1,600 vessels approved

Partridge, Sandra (ECY) — 2013-03-07T23:40:50+00:00

Washington State Department of Ecology
News Release
For Immediate Release 13-068
March 7, 2013
www.ecy.wa.gov

Media Contact: Curt Hart, 360-407-6990; cell, 360-480-7908 (curt.hart@ecy.wa.gov)

Oil spill readiness plan covering 1,600 vessels approved

OLYMPIA - The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) has given its final approval of the Washington State Maritime Cooperative's (WSMC) umbrella oil spill readiness plan that covers more than 1,600 commercial vessels that transit Puget Sound and Grays Harbor. [...]

Ecology News Release: Tacoma radiator shop fined $40,000 dangerous waste violations

Partridge, Sandra (ECY) — 2013-03-07T21:56:44+00:00

Washington State Department of Ecology
News Release
For Immediate Release 13-067
March 7, 2013
www.ecy.wa.gov

Media Contacts:
Linda Kent, Ecology media relations, 360-407-6239, 360-791-9830 (cell); linda.kent@ecy.wa.gov
Tim Pavolka, Performance Radiator, 253-606-7610

Tacoma radiator shop fined $40,000 dangerous waste violations

OLYMPIA -- The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) has fined Performance Radiator of Tacoma $40,000 for ongoing state dangerous waste violations. [...]

Ecology News Release: Director Bellon statement on EPA settlements with Lower Yakima Valley dairies

Partridge, Sandra (ECY) — 2013-03-06T21:02:25+00:00

Washington State Department of Ecology
News Release
For Immediate Release 13-065
March 6, 2013
www.ecy.wa.gov

Media Contact: Joye Redfield-Wilder; 509-575-2610; 509-961-6277; jred461@ecy.wa.gov

Director Bellon statement on EPA settlements with Lower Yakima Valley dairies

OLYMPIA- Ecology Director Maia Bellon offered the following statement today in response to an announcement that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has reached legal agreements with four Yakima Valley dairies that will help reduce nitrate in area groundwater and nearby drinking water wells: [...]

Ecology News Release: Public comment sought on Granite Falls shoreline program update

Partridge, Sandra (ECY) — 2013-03-06T17:07:22+00:00

Washington State Department of Ecology
News Release
For Immediate Release 13-064
March 6, 2013
www.ecy.wa.gov

Media Contacts:
Larry Altose, Ecology media relations, 425-649-7009, larry.altose@ecy.wa.gov
Anthony Boscolo, Ecology shoreline planner, 425-649-7049, anthony.boscolo@ecy.wa.gov
Ray Sturtz, Granite Falls City Planner, 360-691-6441 planning@ci.granite-falls.wa.us

Public comment sought on Granite Falls shoreline program update

BELLEVUE - The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) seeks public comment on Granite Fall's recently updated shoreline master program. [...]

Ecology News Release: Agreement jump starts investigation of contamination in Blaine Harbor

Partridge, Sandra (ECY) — 2013-03-05T21:40:39+00:00

Washington State Department of Ecology
News Release
For Immediate Release 13-063
March 5, 2013
www.ecy.wa.gov

Media Contact: Seth Preston, Ecology media relations, 360-407-6848; 360-584-5744 cell; seth.preston@ecy.wa.gov

Agreement jump starts investigation of contamination in Blaine Harbor

BELLINGHAM - Plans to investigate the extent of contamination in Blaine Harbor from past industrial work are moving forward with a legal agreement between the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) and the Port of Bellingham. [...]

Ecology News Release: Now hiring: Teens sought for summer litter crew in San Juan County

Partridge, Sandra (ECY) — 2013-03-05T16:56:59+00:00

Washington State Department of Ecology
News Release
For Immediate Release 13-062
March 5, 2013
www.ecy.wa.gov

Media Contacts:
Larry Altose, Ecology media relations, 425-649-7009, larry.altose@ecy.wa.gov
Steven Williams, Ecology regional litter administrator, 425-649-7048, steven.williams@ecy.wa.gov

Now hiring: Teens sought for summer litter crew in San Juan County

BELLEVUE - The Department of Ecology's (Ecology) Northwest Regional Office in Bellevue plans to hire three teens in San Juan County this summer to help clean up area roadsides, beaches and other public access areas. [...]

Ecology News Release: Ecology starts review of the Oak Harbor shoreline program update, seeks public comment

Partridge, Sandra (ECY) — 2013-03-04T19:54:03+00:00

Washington State Department of Ecology
News Release
For Immediate Release 13-061
March 4, 2013
www.ecy.wa.gov

Media Contacts:
Larry Altose, Regional Communications Manager, 425-649-7009, larry.altose@ecy.wa.gov
David Pater, Ecology Shoreline Planner, 425-649-4253, david.pater@ecy.wa.gov
Ethan Spoo, Senior Planner City of Oak Harbor, 360-279-4513, espoo@oakharbor.org

Ecology starts review of the Oak Harbor shoreline program update, seeks public comment

BELLEVUE - The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) seeks public comment on Oak Harbor's recently updated shoreline master program. [...]

Ecology News Release: Cleanup work planned for Old Cashmere Mill site

Danzer, Erin (ECY) — 2013-03-01T22:00:16+00:00

Washington State Department of Ecology
News Release
For Immediate Release 13-060
March 1, 2013
www.ecy.wa.gov

Media Contacts:
Valerie Bound, Toxics Cleanup Program, 509-454-7886; 509-901-7107 cell
Seth Preston, media relations, 360-407-6848; 360-584-5744 cell; seth.preston@ecy.wa.gov

Cleanup work planned for Old Cashmere Mill site

YAKIMA - The Port of Chelan County is working with the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) to prepare the old Cashmere Mill site for redevelopment. [...]

Ecology News Release: Medical Lake’s proposed shoreline master program under review

Danzer, Erin (ECY) — 2013-03-01T17:12:57+00:00

Washington State Department of Ecology
News Release
For Immediate Release 13-059
March 1, 2013
www.ecy.wa.gov

Media Contact: Brook Beeler, communications manager, 509-329-3478; cell, 509-290-0855 (brook.beeler@ecy.wa.gov)

Medical Lake’s proposed shoreline master program under review

SPOKANE – The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) is seeking public comment on Medical Lake’s proposed comprehensive update of its shoreline master program.

Medical Lake’s locally tailored shoreline program is designed to help minimize environmental damage to shoreline areas, reserve appropriate areas for water-oriented uses, and protect the public’s right to public lands and waters. [...]

Ecology News Release: Issaquah’s shoreline master program update approved

Partridge, Sandra (ECY) — 2013-02-28T21:44:13+00:00

Washington State Department of Ecology
News Release
For Immediate Release 13-058
Feb. 28, 2013
www.ecy.wa.gov

Media Contacts:
* Larry Altose, Ecology media relations; 425-649-7009, larry.altose@ecy.wa.gov
* David Pater, Ecology shoreline planner, 425-649-4253, david.pater@ecy.wa.gov
* Peter Rosen, Issaquah Development Services, 425-837-3094, peterr@ci.issaquah.wa.us

Ecology approves Issaquah’s shoreline master program update

BELLEVUE - The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) has approved Issaquah’s recently updated shoreline master program (SMP). [...]

Correction to Ecology News Release: Changes adopted to standards for sediment cleanup

Partridge, Sandra (ECY) — 2013-02-27T23:20:58+00:00

NOTE: This corrects Ecology news release 13-057 issued moments ago. We discovered a missing word in the seventh paragraph. The sentence should have read, "After reviewing public comments, Ecology decided to clarify that site-specific cleanups use a 'reasonable maximum exposure' standard."

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Washington State Department of Ecology
News Release
For Immediate Release 13-057-R
Feb. 27, 2013
www.ecy.wa.gov [...]

Ecology News Release: Changes adopted to standards for sediment cleanup

Partridge, Sandra (ECY) — 2013-02-27T22:38:19+00:00

Washington State Department of Ecology
News Release
For Immediate Release 13-057
Feb. 27, 2013
www.ecy.wa.gov

Media Contact: Seth Preston, Toxics Cleanup Program media relations, 360-407-6848; 360-584-5744 cell; seth.preston@ecy.wa.gov

Ecology adopts changes to standards for sediment cleanup

OLYMPIA - The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) has adopted changes to the state's standards for cleaning up contaminated in-water sediments. The changes take effect Sept. 1, 2013. [...]

Ecology News Release: Poulsbo’s shoreline program update approved as submitted

Partridge, Sandra (ECY) — 2013-02-27T20:01:15+00:00

Washington State Department of Ecology
News Release
For Immediate Release 13-056
Feb. 27, 2013
www.ecy.wa.gov

Media Contacts:
* Larry Altose, Ecology media relations, 425-649-7009, larry.altose@ecy.wa.gov
* Geoff Tallent, Ecology regional shorelines program supervisor, 425-649-7096
* Keri Weaver, Associate Planner, Poulsbo Planning Dept., 360-394-9882

Ecology approves Poulsbo’s shoreline program update as submitted

BELLEVUE – The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) has approved the city of Poulsbo’s updated shoreline master program. [...]

Ecology News Release: Cleanup report for Whatcom Waterway in Bellingham ready for review - Report available online and at March 6 community meeting

Partridge, Sandra (ECY) — 2013-02-26T23:00:55+00:00

Washington State Department of Ecology
News Release
For Immediate Release 13-055
Feb. 26, 2013
www.ecy.wa.gov

Media Contacts:
Dustin Terpening, Ecology media relations, 360-715-5205 or dustin.terpening@ecy.wa.gov
Mike Hogan, Port of Bellingham environmental analyst, 360-676-2500 or mikeh@portofbellingham.com

Cleanup report for Whatcom Waterway in Bellingham ready for review - Report available online and at March 6 community meeting

BELLINGHAM - In an effort to clean up low levels of historic contamination in the Whatcom Waterway on Bellingham's waterfront, the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) and Port of Bellingham are preparing for a $25 million cleanup this summer. [...]

Ecology News Release: Entiat shoreline plan approved

Partridge, Sandra (ECY) — 2013-02-26T21:15:45+00:00

Washington State Department of Ecology
News Release
For Immediate Release 13-054
Feb. 26, 2013
www.ecy.wa.gov

Media Contact: Joye Redfield-Wilder; 509-575-2610 (desk); 509-961-6277 (cell); jred461@ecy.wa.gov

Entiat shoreline plan approved by Ecology

YAKIMA - The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) has approved the city of Entiat's recently updated shoreline master program.

The locally-tailored updates will guide construction and development on about four miles of the city's shoreline along the Entiat and Columbia rivers. Entiat's shoreline program is designed to minimize environmental damage to shoreline areas, reserves appropriate areas for water-oriented uses, and protects access to public lands and waters. [...]

Ecology News Release: Lower levels of pollutants required to protect Lake Whatcom drinking water; State releases water cleanup plan for public review

Partridge, Sandra (ECY) — 2013-02-25T18:20:39+00:00

Washington State Department of Ecology
News Release
For Immediate Release 13-053
Feb. 25, 2013
www.ecy.wa.gov

Media Contacts:
Steve Hood, Ecology water quality engineer, 360-715-5211 or steve.hood@ecy.wa.gov
Dustin Terpening, Ecology media relations, 360-715-5205 or dustin.terpening@ecy.wa.gov

Lower levels of pollutants required to protect Lake Whatcom drinking water; state releases water cleanup plan for public review

BELLINGHAM - To protect Lake Whatcom and the drinking water for 100,000 people, the amount of pollutants entering the lake has to be substantially reduced according to recommendations from the Washington Department of Ecology in a new water cleanup plan (https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/summarypages/1310012.html.) [...]

Ecology News Release: Ecology starts review of Burlington’s shoreline program update

Partridge, Sandra (ECY) — 2013-02-22T19:43:17+00:00

Washington State Department of Ecology
News Release
For Immediate Release 13-052
Feb. 22, 2013
www.ecy.wa.gov

Media Contacts:
Larry Altose, Ecology media relations, 425-649-7009, larry.altose@ecy.wa.gov
Bob Fritzen, Ecology shorelines planner, (360) 715-5207, bob.fritzen@ecy.wa.gov

Ecology starts review of Burlington’s shoreline program update

BELLINGHAM – The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) seeks public comment on Burlington’s recently updated Shoreline Master Program, a landmark effort that will significantly increase protection and restoration of area shorelines and water quality. [...]

Ecology News Release: Ecology awarding $4.8 million in federal wetland conservation grants for Puget Sound

Partridge, Sandra (ECY) — 2013-02-22T19:06:42+00:00

Washington State Department of Ecology
News Release
For Immediate Release 13-051
Feb. 22, 2013
www.ecy.wa.gov

Media contact: Curt Hart, 360-407-6990 (desk); 360-480-7908 (cell); curt.hart@ecy.wa.gov

Ecology awarding $4.8 million in federal wetland conservation grants for Puget Sound

OLYMPIA - The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) has secured $4.8 million in federal grants to help acquire and restore 550 acres of tidal wetlands and associated freshwater and upland habitat areas in Island, Jefferson, Kitsap and Mason counties. [...]