Washington State Department of Ecology

Sampling the seafloor with van Veen

The van Veen grab sampler, also called "the grab," is an important tool for researching marine health through sediment ...
Washington State Department of Ecology

Washington's ambitious new mobile air monitoring study

This vehicle is one of several which will be fitted with air monitoring equipment and Ecology branding. (Image credit: ...
Washington State Department of Ecology

2026 wildfire season: air quality in review

Most parts of the state saw unhealthy air quality this wildfire season. It was an especially smoky year for Chelan and ...
Washington State Department of Ecology

Let's talk about elk: the Hanford herd

We are dedicating this special edition of Let's Talk About Hanford to a community favorite: the Hanford elk, aka the "Rattlesnake Hills Elk." ...
agr.wa.gov

Thirty years of contamination cleanup help breathe new life into Bellingham’s waterfront

Newer residents might think of Bellingham’s central waterfront only as a beloved gathering space, with popular parks at the heart of a growing commercial and residential neighborhood. But not too long ...
agr.wa.gov

$734,000 fine issued to Port Townsend paper mill

The Washington Department of Ecology fined Port Townsend Paper Corporation $734,000 for improperly operating its onsite wastewater treatment system since the fall of 2025 and violating other water ...
agr.wa.gov

Water Resources Program guidance and policy

Ecology’s Water Resources Program is updating its irrigation efficiency guidance and related documents to reflect best available science. Program policy: Evaluation of Changes to Enable Irrigation of ...
agr.wa.gov

Proposed update to shoreline management rules

The Washington Department of Ecology is seeking public comment on several proposed rule changes designed to help local governments more effectively manage shorelines. Under the 1972 state Shoreline ...
agr.wa.gov

Crystal Clean, Inc. penalized $1 million for hazardous waste management violations

The Washington Department of Ecology has issued $1.04 million in penalties to Crystal Clean, Inc., a national waste management service with a Lakewood location. An April 2025 inspection and follow-up ...
agr.wa.gov

Lakewood VA hospital penalized $130,000 for unregistered fuel storage tank, compliance violations

The Washington Department of Ecology issued the American Lake Veteran Affairs (VA) Medical Center a $130,000 penalty for numerous violations of state and federal laws regulating underground storage ...
agr.wa.gov

Ecology issues initial determinations of environmental violations following Nippon Dynawave tank failure

Today, the Washington Department of Ecology issued an administrative notice to Nippon Dynawave Packaging documenting environmental violations stemming from the May 26 storage tank failure at the pulp ...
agr.wa.gov

State’s only coal power plant shifting to natural gas, will serve as backup power for region

Washington’s only coal power plant will transition to natural gas by 2028. As part of the transition, the Washington Department of Ecology reviewed the environmental impacts involved with the switch, ...