department of ecology

As of February 13th, the Washington Department of Ecology said it was too early to tell if enough snowpack had accumulated to lift the 2024 drought declaration.  Experts are concerned that at this point, it will take more snow than Washington will likely see before the spring to offset the dry conditions the state experienced last year.   ...

The Columbia-Snake River Irrigators Association is running an attached full-page "open memo" ad in several regional papers and magazines to address three key areas.  The CSRIA’s Darryll Olsen said the first item deals with the Lower Snake River biological opinion litigation that is ongoing.   “And t...

A nonprofit group representing the irrigation needs of farmers in Nooksack River Basin in Northwest Washington has come out in opposition of the state’s plan for managing the area.  An example of challenges the county faces is encapsulated in a two-month period in the fall of 2021, when severe drought conditions followed by flooding.  The sequ...

The Washington state Department of Agriculture is looking at what can be done to reduce food waste in the United States.  According to the WSDA 30% of all food produced goes to the landfill, and the average American household wastes 20% of all food purchased, accounting for roughly $200 per month.  Ka...

The Washington state Department of Agriculture is looking at what can be done to reduce food waste in the United States.  According to the WSDA 30% of all food produced goes to the landfill, and the average American household wastes 20% of all food purchased, accounting for roughly $200 per month.  Ka...

Thanks to support from various organizations, the North I-90 Odessa Aquifer Groundwater Replacement Project has formed the EL 22.1 Landowner Association to coordinate and manage the project.   The Association, which will coordinate and manage the project, has already selected leadership and has been working with the state Department of Ecology, the East Columbia Basin Irrigation District and the B

Monday was July 1st, which translated into several new law on the books in Washington.  The new Winery General Permit, the paperwork for discharges coming from Wineries, is now effective.  The Department of Ecology issues the Permit on May 17th 2018, but delayed the effective day applying permittees extra time to prepare for the changes.   ...

Many in the Washington Ag community are frustrated with the Department of Ecology.  The state Department of Ecology recently announced it has appointed public employees to represent agriculture on committees that will chart the future allocation of water in seven river basins.  Th...

Last week, the Washington House Committee on Environment and Energy held a public hearing on legislation proposed by Representative Jacquelin Maycumber, focused on providing regulatory relief for the state’s Ag community.  The Republic Republican said House Bill 1985 would modify the emission rules implemented on the Ag industry.   S...

The Washington Department of Ecology issued a proposal Tuesday allowing more water to spill over eight federal dams along the lower Columbia and Snake rivers.  Ecology says the move could help improve the survival of juvenile salmon migrating to the ocean, increasing the availability of food for the struggling Southern Resident orcas.  ...