washington department of ecology

Washington Department of Ecology Director Laura Watson has named Larry Mattson as director of the agency’s Office of Columbia River.  Mattson currently oversees renewable energy grants at the Washington State Department of Commerce.  He has also worked...

In late August, the Washington Farm Bureau Legal Foundation and the Washington Trucking Association filed an appeal to the state Supreme Court for the recent dismissal of their litigation against the state Department of Ecology.  The appeal follows Thurston County Superior Court Judge Lanese’s dismissal of the case which sought to reopen rulemaking for the recently implemented Climate Commitment A

The Washington Department of Ecology has issued a $15,000 penalty to a Spokane County farmer for reported continued unpermitted irrigation of 69 acres near Deer Park, despite warnings, a cease-and-desist order, and an earlier penalty.  Ecology water resources staff said they tried repeatedly to inform the farmer, Robert H. Greiff, ...

The Smoke Management Plan regulates prescribed burning on forest land aimed at reducing fuel loading, restoring forest ecosystems, and potentially reducing the risk to communities from catastrophic wildfires, while minimizing air quality impacts from smoke.

The County is proposing to purchase three water rights as well as expand the types of uses the bank will serve and expand the geographic area of the bank.

Despite assurances it would not happen when proposed by Governor Jay Inslee and cleared by the Washington legislature in 2021, cap-and-trade is impacting farmers across the Evergreen State.  While farmers and those that transport food are to be exempt from the 40 cent per gallon tax, many have been paying it since implementation January 1st.  In resp...

Farmers and producers across Washington could be paying higher fuel prices than they should.  The state’s Climate Commitment Act, or cap-and-trade, went into effect January 1st, establishing a cap on emissions and creating a carbon tax of around 40 cents per gallon.  While farmers...

The Department of Ecology says a cool and wet spring brought relief to much of Washington following the drought of 2021, but in a few parts of eastern Washington, the drought lingers. Because of that , the Washington Department of Ecology has issued an amended drought declaration for watersheds in eight eastern Washington counties that will go into effect June 1st ...

Farmers in Northern Whatcom County, in the NW corner of Washington, are calling for comprehensive changes to the Nooksack River Basin's water management system after November's floods. Local farmers say all water storage options need to be on the table, including removing river sediment, protecting farmland and fixes to waterway improvements like dykes, backchannels and floodgates ...

A July op-ed by the Washington Policy Center’s Pam Lewison is very critical of the Governor Jay Inslee’s Office and the Washington state Department of Ecology for failing to protect wheat farmers and other grain growers during this summer’s record heat. In her piece ti ...