BEACH Program Update
The beach at Mukilteo Lighthouse Park located in the City of Mukilteo is now open for swimming. Additional samples collected this week show bacteria concentrations have dropped to background levels. A swimming advisory was previously issued for this beach on Friday, July 20, 2012.
Visit the BEACH web site to find the latest results for these and other saltwater beaches:
Thursday, 26 July 2012
Cleaning Up: Final cleanup starting at B&L Woodwaste site
By Michael Bergman, Public Involvement Coordinator, Toxics Cleanup Program
Now that dry summer weather is here, construction is beginning again at the B&L Woodwaste cleanup site in Pierce County near the border of Milton and Fife.
The B&L Woodwaste landfill received wood waste that was contaminated with soil and Asarco slag (a byproduct of smelting operations). The Asarco slag leached arsenic
Now that dry summer weather is here, construction is beginning again at the B&L Woodwaste cleanup site in Pierce County near the border of Milton and Fife.
The B&L Woodwaste landfill received wood waste that was contaminated with soil and Asarco slag (a byproduct of smelting operations). The Asarco slag leached arsenic
Wednesday, 25 July 2012
Let’s Talk Science: Breaking down decomposers
By Brook Beeler, environmental educator, Office of Communication and Education
Nitrogen and phosphorus are essential building blocks for living organisms. These elements and others, like carbon, allow organisms to create cells, tissue, and provide energy to complete their life processes. Nitrogen and phosphorus, also known as “nutrients”, are an integral part of living organisms. These nutrients
Nitrogen and phosphorus are essential building blocks for living organisms. These elements and others, like carbon, allow organisms to create cells, tissue, and provide energy to complete their life processes. Nitrogen and phosphorus, also known as “nutrients”, are an integral part of living organisms. These nutrients
Friday, 20 July 2012
Fecal Matters: Swimming Advisory at Mukilteo Lighthouse Park Snohomish County
BEACH Program Update
Today, July 20, 2012, the BEACH Program issued a swimming advisory at Mukilteo Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, WA. The advisory is issued because of elevated bacteria levels in the marine water and in a nearby stormwater discharge outfall.
Contact with fecal contaminated waters can result in gastroenteritis, skin rashes, upper respiratory infections and other illnesses.
Today, July 20, 2012, the BEACH Program issued a swimming advisory at Mukilteo Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, WA. The advisory is issued because of elevated bacteria levels in the marine water and in a nearby stormwater discharge outfall.
Contact with fecal contaminated waters can result in gastroenteritis, skin rashes, upper respiratory infections and other illnesses.
Thursday, 19 July 2012
Pacific Steel and Recycling takes the downside out of recycling - sometimes a visit is all it takes
By Elaine Snouwaert and Jani Gilbert, Water Quality Program, Eastern Regional Office
Pacific Steel and Recycling, with Washington Department of Ecology’s help, has recently undergone some big changes in Spokane so their recycling operation is part of the solution instead of part of the problem.
Surface water, like lakes, rivers and streams, is especially vulnerable to pollution in urban areas
Pacific Steel and Recycling, with Washington Department of Ecology’s help, has recently undergone some big changes in Spokane so their recycling operation is part of the solution instead of part of the problem.
Surface water, like lakes, rivers and streams, is especially vulnerable to pollution in urban areas
Department of Ecology responds to EarthFix post: “Clean Water Act’s Anti-Pollution Goals Prove Elusive”
By Sandy Howard and Larry Altose, Department of Ecology communications
Recent online reporting published in EarthFix takes a critical look at efforts by Washington to enforce the industrial point source requirements of the Clean Water Act. The article focuses in particular on the Washington Department of Ecology’s work to control pollution discharges from a particular firm.
We believe this
Recent online reporting published in EarthFix takes a critical look at efforts by Washington to enforce the industrial point source requirements of the Clean Water Act. The article focuses in particular on the Washington Department of Ecology’s work to control pollution discharges from a particular firm.
We believe this
Tuesday, 17 July 2012
E-Cycle Washington reduces waste and helps manage clutter
Elisa Sparkman, Hazardous Waste & Toxics Reduction Program
I suppose I could find a tiny bit of silver lining to the huge winter storm that affected Western Washington in January. The storage shed in my back yard caved in from snow weight and broken branches. And though the repair has been a pain, the past few months have forced me to finally purge some major clutter.
If I am honest, I would
I suppose I could find a tiny bit of silver lining to the huge winter storm that affected Western Washington in January. The storage shed in my back yard caved in from snow weight and broken branches. And though the repair has been a pain, the past few months have forced me to finally purge some major clutter.
If I am honest, I would
Friday, 13 July 2012
Fecal Matters: Swimming Advisory at Little Squalicum Park in Bellingham, WA
BEACH Program Update
On July 12, 2012, the Whatcom County Health Department issued a swimming advisory at Little Squalicum Park in Bellingham, WA. The advisory was issued due to elevated bacteria results in water samples collected at the beach.
Contact with fecal contaminated waters can result in gastroenteritis, skin rashes, upper respiratory infections and other illnesses. Children and the
On July 12, 2012, the Whatcom County Health Department issued a swimming advisory at Little Squalicum Park in Bellingham, WA. The advisory was issued due to elevated bacteria results in water samples collected at the beach.
Contact with fecal contaminated waters can result in gastroenteritis, skin rashes, upper respiratory infections and other illnesses. Children and the
Tuesday, 10 July 2012
Water's Edge: New video focuses on young salmon and shorelines
By Annette Frahm, Green Shorelines Outreach Coordinator, King County (WRIA 8)
Salmon are a Pacific Northwest icon.
As a keystone species, salmon help support wildlife – from birds to bears and otters to seals, sea lions and Puget Sound orcas.
Young salmon need healthy shorelines to help them survive. A new video explains the shoreline elements that are important to these endangered fish.
The
Salmon are a Pacific Northwest icon.
As a keystone species, salmon help support wildlife – from birds to bears and otters to seals, sea lions and Puget Sound orcas.
Young salmon need healthy shorelines to help them survive. A new video explains the shoreline elements that are important to these endangered fish.
The
Cleaning Up: Check out video of Everett Smelter cleanup
By Seth Preston, Communications Manager, Toxics Cleanup Program
We’ve just posted a video showing the cleanup work to dig up soil in Everett neighborhoods where historical contamination from the former Everett Smelter is present.
The video has no audio, but it uses text to describe each part of the work.
And be sure to look over our Everett Smelter homepage, where you can find information
We’ve just posted a video showing the cleanup work to dig up soil in Everett neighborhoods where historical contamination from the former Everett Smelter is present.
The video has no audio, but it uses text to describe each part of the work.
And be sure to look over our Everett Smelter homepage, where you can find information
Monday, 9 July 2012
Air Time: Summer weather sparks wildfire season
By Seth Preston, Communications Manager, Air Quality Program
Rising summertime temperatures and lightning storms mean Washington’s wildfire season is officially under way.
This news release from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) details the current conditions and provides a number of useful links to find more information on wildfires.
The photo (at right) of the
Rising summertime temperatures and lightning storms mean Washington’s wildfire season is officially under way.
This news release from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) details the current conditions and provides a number of useful links to find more information on wildfires.
The photo (at right) of the
Thursday, 5 July 2012
Cleaning Up: Another season of Everett Smelter cleanup work under way
By Meg Bommarito, Everett Smelter Cleanup Project Manager
The first phase of the Everett Smelter cleanup work, which removed contaminated soil from 24 properties, finished up this May. Work is already under way for the second phase.
In early June, Ecology contractors began work on 55 additional properties. Work will continue through the summer and fall and will wrap up in early November.
The first phase of the Everett Smelter cleanup work, which removed contaminated soil from 24 properties, finished up this May. Work is already under way for the second phase.
In early June, Ecology contractors began work on 55 additional properties. Work will continue through the summer and fall and will wrap up in early November.
Tacoma Smelter Plume: Soil cleanup and signs planned for Federal Way parks
By Hannah Aoyagi, Tacoma Smelter Plume Project, Toxics Cleanup Program
Three Federal Way parks have arsenic and lead soil contamination from the former Asarco smelter in north Tacoma. This fall, we are cleaning up the worst of the contamination and putting up signs in places we can't do cleanup.
Lake Grove Park
Part of the park (photo to right) has some very high lead levels. In this area,
Three Federal Way parks have arsenic and lead soil contamination from the former Asarco smelter in north Tacoma. This fall, we are cleaning up the worst of the contamination and putting up signs in places we can't do cleanup.
Lake Grove Park
Part of the park (photo to right) has some very high lead levels. In this area,
Tuesday, 3 July 2012
Air Time: Enjoy fireworks, but protect your lungs
By Seth Preston, Communications Manager, Air Quality Program
Fireworks will light up neighborhoods and the sky in communities throughout Washington this week in celebration of Independence Day.
And where there are fireworks, there’s smoke … and the potential to breathe in harmful fine particles made up of soot, dust and unburned fuel.
Fireworks displays – the large, professional kind and even
Fireworks will light up neighborhoods and the sky in communities throughout Washington this week in celebration of Independence Day.
And where there are fireworks, there’s smoke … and the potential to breathe in harmful fine particles made up of soot, dust and unburned fuel.
Fireworks displays – the large, professional kind and even
Monday, 2 July 2012
Three vacant positions on ocean policy advisory group
By Jennifer Hennessey, Shorelands and Environmental Assistance Program
Do you know someone who might be interested in helping direct and guide ocean policy and management issues along Washington’s Pacific Coast?
Ecology is seeking to fill current vacancies on an advisory group for ocean policy. We need experts to help represent three distinct interest groups:
Energy
Recreation
Tourism
Do you know someone who might be interested in helping direct and guide ocean policy and management issues along Washington’s Pacific Coast?
Ecology is seeking to fill current vacancies on an advisory group for ocean policy. We need experts to help represent three distinct interest groups:
Energy
Recreation
Tourism
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