Tacoma Smelter Plume: Why are some parks putting up “Dirt Alert” signs?

By Amy Hargrove, Soil Safety Program Coordinator

Earlier this month, Burien Parks & Recreation put up signs like this one at Dottie Harper Park. Signs will be posted at other parks in the coming months. We’ve heard some questions and concerns about the signs, so I’d like to provide a little bit more information…


Contamination has been in the soil for decades--why put signs up now?
In the

Boots on the Ground: House of Representatives lauds WCC efforts

by Bridget Mason, Washington Conservation Corps

We have an update to our Feb. 15th Boots on the Ground story!

On Feb. 23, 2012, the Washington State House of Representatives adopted a resolution honoring the 12 WCC members who, “served tirelessly to assist the tornado victims of Missouri and commend their display of leadership in tornado relief efforts...the House of Representatives express its

Our Changing Climate: Shifting zones and NASA's treasure trove

By Seth Preston, Communications Manager, Air Quality ProgramCatching up on some recent interesting climate change news...Shifting climate zonesFirst, here are a couple of articles on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s updated plant hardiness map – one from USA TODAY, the other from the Associated Press.The new map uses 30 years of weather data gathered from 1976 to 2005 and is more precise than

The House that Fermi Built

by Tim Hill, Office of the Columbia RiverHistory and place have always been a passion of mine. I’ve spent a good part of life trudging through brush and fields to find where Peo-peo-mox-mox was brutally killed or where Ranald MacDonald settled down after being freed from a Japanese prison.I search out these places to feel what I call an “historical moment.” It’s hard to describe what that is

Air Time: Fire districts project is a big winner

By Seth Preston, Communications Manager, Air Quality ProgramWe’re working with fire districts throughout Thurston County on a project that I call a “quadruple win.”That’s because it’s expected to save millions in taxpayer dollars, reduce harmful air pollution (including climate-changing greenhouse gases), protect people and the environment, and create and support jobs.And we’re getting these

A Safer Chemical Future

Elisa Sparkman, Hazardous Waste & Toxics Reduction Program

As administrative support staff, I am able to see the wide range of work that Ecology does through the many documents that cross my desk. I scour the documents for typos and formatting and wind up learning quite a bit!

Through my secretarial work, I have recently been learning about the agency’s role in federal legislation to reform the

As mop-up continues at BP Cherry Point refinery, Ecology, EPA responders see no pollution threat to water but air monitoring continues

By Curt Hart, Department of Ecology, Spills ProgramResponders from the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have determined that no oil or polluted runoff has reached Washington waters at the BP Cherry Point Refinery near Ferndale.Ecology and EPA officials were at the refinery to assess and monitor potential environmental problems after a large fire

Conversations on Washington's Future: Do we need state environmental regulations?

By Ted Sturdevant, Ecology DirectorThis week, my Conversations on Washington's Future message describes how environmental standards support jobs and economic vitality — and what is at stake should those protections be weakened or eliminated.Sometimes we need to step back and remind ourselves of the basics — how clean water, clean air and clean soil benefit our lives and our state as a whole.The

Cleaning Up: Everett Smelter Plume progress report

By Meg Bommarito, Everett Smelter Cleanup Project ManagerSince November 2011, we have been hard at work removing contaminated soil and restoring landscaping for our first group of properties. We’re right on schedule and should wrap up work on the 24 properties this spring. As cleanup for this group winds down, work on the next group of properties is already under way.With so much work to be done

Boots on the Ground: WCC recognized for Missouri response efforts

by Bridget Mason, Washington Conservation CorpsMembers and staff from Ecology’s Washington Conservation Corps — affiliated with the federal AmeriCorps program — aren’t accustomed to spending their workdays seated in a clean, comfortable building.They usually spend their days outside — rain or shine — planting trees or building trails.Jan. 31, 2012, however, was an altogether unique day for WCC

Ecology plays advisory role in local critical areas ordinances

By Gordon White, Manager, Shorelands and Environmental Assistance ProgramQuestions occasionally come up about what role Ecology plays in the administration of critical areas ordinances.The answer is simple: Ecology provides written legal and scientific guidance on wetlands protection, and we provide expert technical assistance and advice at the request of local government. This role is

Air Time: Okanogan County burn ban expires

By Seth Preston, Communications Manager, Air Quality ProgramA Stage 1 burn ban in Okanogan County expires at 10 a.m. today (Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012) as scheduled.During a Stage 1 ban, use of uncertified wood-burning devices (including wood stoves, inserts and fireplaces) and all outdoor burning are prohibited.These activities may resume after the burn ban expires. However, Ecology urges people to

NOAA has best information about Japanese tsunami debris

By Curt Hart, communications manager, Shorelands & Environmental Assistance Program

The tsunami that hit Japan on March 11, 2011 washed much of what was in the inundation zone into the Pacific Ocean as it receded from land.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, heavier materials sank closer to shore while buoyant materials went on to make up debris fields in the

Air Time: Burn ban starts in Okanogan County

By Seth Preston, Communications Manager, Air Quality ProgramA burn ban starts at 4 p.m. today (Friday, Feb. 10, 2012) in Okanogan County.Ecology’s Stage 1 burn ban for Okanogan County will continue until at least 10 a.m. Tuesday (Feb. 14), when it could be called off or extended. The Stage 1 ban applies to unnecessary use of uncertified wood-burning devices (including wood stoves, inserts and

Air Time: Burn bans expire in 5 Eastern WA counties

By Seth Preston, Communications Manager, Air Quality Programurn bans will expire at 10 a.m. today (Monday, Feb. 6, 2012) in five Eastern Washington counties because air quality has improved.The bans will be lifted in Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Okanogan, and Stevens counties.During a Stage 1 ban, use of uncertified wood-burning devices (including wood stoves, inserts and fireplaces) and all outdoor

Air Time: More burn bans start Friday

By Seth Preston, Communications Manager, Air Quality ProgramBurn bans start at 4 p.m. Friday (Feb. 3, 2012) in Ferry, Okanogan and Stevens counties, where air quality is expected to worsen this week.Ecology’s Stage 1 burn bans for Ferry, Okanogan and Stevens counties will continue until at least 10 a.m. Monday (Feb. 6), when they could be called off or extended. The Stage 1 bans apply to

Eyes Over Puget Sound - Aerial photos from Jan. 30, 2012

By Sandy Howard, communication manager, Environmental Assessment ProgramThe Department of Ecology's Marine Monitoring Unit conducts a variety of marine observations, including monthly sampling at 40 core monitoring stations. We use a floatplane to cover our widely distributed station network. We take photos of Puget Sound water conditions during a routine transit flight between the Kenmore base