washington department of ecology

The Washington State Dairy Federation is challenging rules meant to protect groundwater, saying it will delay fertilizing crops with manure.  The Washington Department of Ecology rules prohibit spreading manure until temperatures are above freezing for a prolonged period.  Th...

Forecasters are warning of unhealthy air in much of the Northwest as winds push smoke from surrounding wildfires into the region.  The National Weather Service has issued air quality alerts for much of Washington.  Air quality numbers started to increase Sunday, and aren’t expected to drop considerably until mid-week.  The service s...

On Tuesday, the Benton/Franklin County Superior Court reversed a decision by the Washington Department of Ecology denying a water right transfer proposed by Loyal Pig LLC.  This week’s reversal order not only reinstates the water right transfer previously approved by the Franklin County Water Conservancy Board, but it also prevents Ecology from usurping water law provisions protecting the water ri

From a water and snow perspective, 2018 started off with so much promise, but much of that promise has disappeared.  Jeff Marti with the Washington Department of Ecology says thanks to a warm May, much of the area snowpack was tapped earlier than expected.  Ad...

Washington wineries and the Department of Ecology have collaborated to develop the first statewide water quality permit.  And Ecology said this new permit will help the industry prevent pollution and protect water quality.  Ecology says the New Winery General Permit adopted last week established practices that will help wineries manage their waste water.  They sa...

The Washington State Department of Ecology is holding workshops on the new Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation permits in Yakima on Tuesday the 18th and Wednesday the 26th.   The Yakima Convention Center will host the workshop on the 18th with the Whatcom Community College taking the 26th. Tha...

The Washington State Department of Ecology has agreed to a settlement with Warren Orchards after originally fining them nearly $74,000 for illegally watering their trees after being ordered to stop.   The settlement will include a $30,000 fine, and Warren Orchards will take 20 acres out of production and place it in a conservation easement to be run by Blue Mountain Land Trust.  ...

The Washington State Department of Ecology released the list of their fines for the 2nd Quarter of 2016.   Included are fines for burning apple boxes, and one farm that allowed water contaminated with manure to discharge into local waterways in Whatcom County.  ...