Thursday, 31 May 2012

Divers complete milestone in preparing for Deep Sea lift, expected June 3

by Larry Altose, communications manager, Northwest Regional Office

Divers reached a significant milestone today in preparing to raise the sunken fishing vessel Deep Sea from the bottom of Penn Cove, near Coupeville on Whidbey Island. They were able to insert the lifting chain under the stern section of the boat and secure it in place.

A multi-agency unified command is coordinating the recovery

Wednesday, 30 May 2012

Preparations continue for Deep Sea lift, expected June 3

By Larry Altose, Communications Manager, Northwest Regional Office

COUPEVILLE, Wash. – Divers made progress as they worked in very soft silt to prepare to raise the sunken fishing vessel Deep Sea from the bottom of Penn Cove, near Coupeville on Whidbey Island. The vessel continued to release small amounts of oil, which formed thin coatings on waters nearby.

A multi-agency unified command is

Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Check out the 2012 Seattle Science Festival

By Sandy Howard, communication manager, Environmental Assessment Program



As Seattle marks the 50th anniversary of the 1962 Seattle World's Fair, the Department of Ecology is joining along with our region's schools, universities, cultural institutions, research centers and businesses to celebrate the importance of science and technology in the 2012 Seattle Science Festival, which kicks off this

Tuesday, 29 May 2012

Deep Sea lift to begin no sooner than Sunday

By Larry Altose, news media relations, Northwest Regional Office



Contractors plan to begin raising the sunken fishing vessel Deep Sea off the bottom of Penn Cove, near Coupeville on Whidbey Island no sooner than Sunday, June 3. Divers have been preparing the vessel since Friday and will continue to do so through this week.

A multi-agency unified command is coordinating the recovery effort.

Monday, 28 May 2012

First crane barge to arrive in Penn Cove later today

By Curt Hart, Communications Manager, Spills Program


DB Oakland crane (stock photo from General Construction)

The D.B. Oakland, a 140-foot crane barge owned by General Construction Co., left Seattle early this morning and is on its way to Penn Cove to support efforts to lift the sunken fishing vessel Deep Sea.

The crane barge should arrive in Penn Cove around 5 p.m. today.

Global Diving &

Sunday, 27 May 2012

Penn Cove salvage work continues, removal operations no sooner than May 30

By Curt Hart, Communications Manager, Spills Program

Federal, state, local agencies and private contractors are continuing to work through the Memorial Day weekend to raise and remove the sunken 140-foot fishing vessel, Deep Sea that continues to slowly leak oil into Penn Cove in Island County.

A multi-agency unified command has been created to plan and carry out emergency response operations.

Saturday, 26 May 2012

Environmental protection key objective for removing sunken vessel in Penn Cove

By Curt Hart, Communications Manager, Spills Program



The 62-foot diving vessel Prudhoe Bay, moored over the Deep Sea on Friday, May 25, 2010. From this vessel, divers with Ecology’s contractor are making underwater preparations to raise the sunken craft.


Ecology and state Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), with help from other agencies and organizations, have prepared an assessment of environmental

Thursday, 24 May 2012

Direct seeding may be answer to soil loss and muddy water

by Jani Gilbert, communication manager, Eastern Regional Office

Photo showing a field using direct seeding.

Photo showing a field using conventional tillage practices.
“Direct seeding” is a major part of the solution for farmers who want to hold on to their soil and for protecting streams and rivers from polluting mud. An evaluation of farm practices in Spokane and Whitman counties this spring

Wednesday, 23 May 2012

Boots on the Ground: State Legislature Expands Puget SoundCorps

by Bridget Mason, Washington Conservation Corps



WCC members removing creosote-treated logs on Lopez Island.
Photo courtesy of Kevin Farrell, WCC Coordinator
The special session of the 2012 Washington State Legislature adjourned April 11 with excellent news for the WCC’s Puget SoundCorps. The Legislature dedicated $13 million to Puget SoundCorps projects, resulting in up to 20 new crews

Friday, 18 May 2012

Ecology removing toxic metals at more area beaches

by Jani Gilbert, communication manager, Eastern Regional Office


Beach at Harvard Road being capped in 2008.



Sometime later in the summer, you may encounter a closed portion of the Centennial Trail — or construction in progress on a favorite little beach of yours. While the day’s plans may need to change, the good news is that when the work is done, that little beach area will be cleaner and

Thursday, 17 May 2012

Fecal Matters: All Beaches Around Penn Cove in Island County are Open for Swimming!


BEACH Program Update

All recreational swimming beaches around Penn Cove in Island County including Long Point Beach, W. Penn Cove Beach, Monroe Landing, Coupeville (Waterfront) Beach, Coupeville Wharf and Coupeville Town Boat Launch are open for swimming! New reports indicated that the discharge from the derelict fishing vessel has stopped and the fuel sheen has dissipated.

Visit the BEACH web

Wednesday, 16 May 2012

Eyes Over Puget Sound aerial images for May 14, 2012

By Sandy Howard, communication manager, Environmental Assessment Program

We’ve just posted our aerial photos from our May 14 Puget Sound flight (pdf).

Eyes Over Puget Sound combines high-resolution photo observations with satellite images, en route ferry data between Seattle and Victoria BC, and measurements from our moored instruments.

Sign up to receive email notifications about the latest “

Tuesday, 15 May 2012

Fecal Matters: Proposed Beach Monitoring List Availabile for Public Comment

BEACH Program Update

As this Washington heat wave cruises through the state, people everywhere are hitting the beach! Water testing at high risk saltwater swimming beaches is about to begin.

Check out our proposed beach list for water testing during the upcoming 2012 season!
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/eap/beach/beachlist.html

Send your comments to the Beach Program Manager, Julie Lowe at

Friday, 11 May 2012

Fecal Matters: No Contact Advisory for Port Washington Narrows Near Bremerton, WA

BEACH Program Update

Today, Kitsap County Public Health re-opened three recreational beaches near Bremerton. Lions Park, Bachmann Park and Lent Landing are now open to swimming and water contact.  The swimming advisory signs were removed today, May 11, previously posted on May 7, 2012.

Visit the BEACH web site to find the latest results for these and other saltwater beaches: http://

Fix that Leak! - Youth drive home clean water point

by Justine Asohmbom, Shorelines & Stormwater Education Manager for Puget Sound, Northwest Regional Office



** NEW 2013 Workshops! for more information about FREE workshops see Don't Drip and Drive - Fix That Leak workshops (http://www.ecy.wa.gov/washington_waters/fixcarleaks.html) **


There is nothing more captivating than when young people help inspire and educate their peers. The

Monday, 7 May 2012

Stakeholders working with state agencies on ocean and coastal issues

By Jennifer Hennessey, Ocean Policy Associate, Shorelands & Environmental Assistance Program

On May 11, 2012, a new coastal advisory group will meet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Grays Harbor College, Building 2000, Room 2101, 1620 Edward P. Smith Drive, in Aberdeen.

The advisory group was created in December 2011 to advise the State Ocean Caucus – an interagency team made up of state agencies with

Fecal Matters: Lions Park, Bachmann Park and Lent Landing in Bremerton Closed for Swimming

BEACH Program Update

Today, Kitsap County Public Health closed three recreational beaches near Bremerton due to a nearby sewage spill. Lions Park, Bachmann Park and Lent Landing are closed to swimming and water contact until further notice.

Contact with fecal contaminated waters can result in gastroenteritis, skin rashes, upper respiratory infections and other illnesses. Children and the

Friday, 4 May 2012

Our Changing Climate: Greenland ice still melting ... just a bit slower

By Seth Preston, Communications Manager, Air Quality Program



Researchers at the University of Washington’s Polar Science Center say Greenland’s ice continues to melt away at a brisk pace. It’s just melting a little slower than some feared it might.

These reports from the Seattle Times and KPLU Radio detail the researchers' findings.

How much and how fast Greenland’s ice melts is relevant to

Around the Sound: Sampling to start at Bellingham Bay site

By Seth Preston, Communications Manager, Toxics Cleanup Program

Next week, contractors will start taking samples at the R.G. Haley cleanup site on the shore of Bellingham Bay.

Sampling will continue for several months, and will yield information that will help shape the eventual cleanup of the site. Here’s a news release about the project.

You can learn more about the R.G. Haley site and the

Wednesday, 2 May 2012

Let’s Talk Science! Cycle through our Ecology for Scientists web portal

By Brook Beeler, Environmental Educator, Office of Communication and Education

Did you know that Ecology has a web portal for all you hard core science types? It is a one stop shop for links to our monitoring databases, mapping and spatial data, and the most recent scientific reports and articles. Good science provides the foundation for credible decision-making. And we want you to have access.