By Rod Tinnemore, Wood Stove Coordinator, Air Quality Program
Heating homes
Some of the folks who burn wood to heat their homes are barely able to survive financially. I’ve known years in my life like that, so I can relate. For them, burning the wood they can acquire at little or no cost is a necessity, not a luxury. No one wants to have to choose between putting food on their table and
Thursday, 28 February 2013
Fecal Matters: Richey Viewpoint and Cormorant Cove Park Beaches Reopened in West Seattle
BEACH Program Update
Seattle, WA - Richey Viewpoint Park and Cormorant Cove Park beaches in West Seattle are open for water recreation. Beach closure signs were previously posted on February 16, 2013 due to nearby sewer line damage.
The Seattle-King County Public Health District removed the closure signs February 27, 2013, after the line was repaired and follow-up sampling indicated low
Seattle, WA - Richey Viewpoint Park and Cormorant Cove Park beaches in West Seattle are open for water recreation. Beach closure signs were previously posted on February 16, 2013 due to nearby sewer line damage.
The Seattle-King County Public Health District removed the closure signs February 27, 2013, after the line was repaired and follow-up sampling indicated low
Tuesday, 26 February 2013
Ocean acidification seminar scheduled for Friday Harbor Labs
By Sandy Howard, Acting Ecology Communication Director
San Juan County residents wanting to learn more about ocean acidification are invited to a free seminar at the University of Washington’s Friday Harbor Labs on February 27.
Ocean acidification results from carbon dioxide emissions being absorbed from the atmosphere into seawater, forming carbonic acid. This radically alters ocean
Monday, 25 February 2013
Fecal Matters: Lowman Beach Reopened in West Seattle
BEACH Program Update
Seattle, WA - Lowman Beach in West Seattle is open for water recreation. The Seattle-King County Public Health District removed the closure signs February 22, 2013, after follow-up water quality sampling indicated low bacteria levels. Beach closure signs were previously posted on February 20, 2013 due to a nearby sewage pump station failure.
Visit the BEACH web site to find
Seattle, WA - Lowman Beach in West Seattle is open for water recreation. The Seattle-King County Public Health District removed the closure signs February 22, 2013, after follow-up water quality sampling indicated low bacteria levels. Beach closure signs were previously posted on February 20, 2013 due to a nearby sewage pump station failure.
Visit the BEACH web site to find
Friday, 22 February 2013
Governor Inslee's statement on leaking tanks at Hanford
Hanford's B Tank Farm under construction during World War II. Two of the tanks reported to be leaking today are in this farm.
Gov. Inslee released the following statement:
U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu told Washington Gov. Jay Inslee today that the U.S. Department of Energy has determined there are six, single-shell tanks leaking radioactive waste at Hanford. Last week, the governor
Fecal Matters: Beach Closure at Lowman Beach in West Seattle
BEACH Program Update
On February 20, 2013, the Seattle-King County Public Health District issued a beach closure at Lowman Beach near West Seattle. The closure was issued due to a power outage at a nearby sewer pump station. The outage lasted for only five minutes, but an estimated 18,000 gallons of sewage was discharged to nearby waters during that time. The public is advised to avoid contact
On February 20, 2013, the Seattle-King County Public Health District issued a beach closure at Lowman Beach near West Seattle. The closure was issued due to a power outage at a nearby sewer pump station. The outage lasted for only five minutes, but an estimated 18,000 gallons of sewage was discharged to nearby waters during that time. The public is advised to avoid contact
Wednesday, 20 February 2013
Fecal Matters: Beach Closures at Richey Viewpoint and Cormorant Cove Park in West Seattle
BEACH Program Update
On February 16, 2013, the Seattle-King County Public Health District issued beach closures at Richey Viewpoint Park and Cormorant Cove Park in West Seattle. The closure was issued because of a nearby sewer line break. The public is advised to avoid contact with the water.
Contact with fecal contaminated waters can result in gastroenteritis, skin rashes, upper respiratory
On February 16, 2013, the Seattle-King County Public Health District issued beach closures at Richey Viewpoint Park and Cormorant Cove Park in West Seattle. The closure was issued because of a nearby sewer line break. The public is advised to avoid contact with the water.
Contact with fecal contaminated waters can result in gastroenteritis, skin rashes, upper respiratory
Friday, 15 February 2013
Ecology investigates contaminated groundwater at Boeing Auburn site
By Larry Altose, Ecology Northwest Region Communications Manager
Public water supply wells are outside the contaminated groundwater area. Groundwater flow moves the contamination away from these wells. (Click to enlarge image)
People in parts of Algona, Auburn and Pacific in southern King County who live near Boeing’s Auburn plant are receiving some new information from Ecology (PDF). It
Public water supply wells are outside the contaminated groundwater area. Groundwater flow moves the contamination away from these wells. (Click to enlarge image)
People in parts of Algona, Auburn and Pacific in southern King County who live near Boeing’s Auburn plant are receiving some new information from Ecology (PDF). It
Monday, 11 February 2013
Be safe: NOAA says uptick in coastal marine debris can include hazardous items
By Curt Hart, communications manager, Shorelands and Environmental Assistance Program
As hundreds of people head out to Washington’s coastal shores to dig razor clams, bird watch and just take pleasure being on the beach, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is sharing important information in a new blog entitled “Smart Handling of Marine Debris.”
NOAA’s blog contains an
As hundreds of people head out to Washington’s coastal shores to dig razor clams, bird watch and just take pleasure being on the beach, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is sharing important information in a new blog entitled “Smart Handling of Marine Debris.”
NOAA’s blog contains an
Friday, 8 February 2013
Air Time: Make heat, not smoke
By Rod Tinnemore, Wood Stove Coordinator, Air Quality Program
Operating a clean wood stove
Operating a wood stove properly takes practice and attention. Wood stove technology has not advanced enough to let someone simply throw in wood, light it, close the door and walk away. The term “clean” is relative because any gas, oil, or electric heater produces less direct pollution than a wood stove.
Operating a clean wood stove
Operating a wood stove properly takes practice and attention. Wood stove technology has not advanced enough to let someone simply throw in wood, light it, close the door and walk away. The term “clean” is relative because any gas, oil, or electric heater produces less direct pollution than a wood stove.
Thursday, 7 February 2013
Around the Sound: Toxic pilings removed from Budd Inlet
By Seth Preston, Communications Manager, Toxics Cleanup Program
If you happen to pass by the southern end of Olympia’s Budd Inlet these days, you probably will see crews removing old pilings from the bay.
The Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and several partners are coordinating the work, as detailed in this story by The Olympian and this DNR news release.
Also, here’s a map
If you happen to pass by the southern end of Olympia’s Budd Inlet these days, you probably will see crews removing old pilings from the bay.
The Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and several partners are coordinating the work, as detailed in this story by The Olympian and this DNR news release.
Also, here’s a map
Tuesday, 5 February 2013
Air Time: Okanogan County burn ban expires
Starting 10 a.m. today, the stage 1 burn ban called for Okanogan County expires. The ban had been in effect since Friday, Feb. 1, 2013.
Residents are encouraged to think twice about resuming outdoor burning or using uncertified wood-burning devices. Smoke can build up, and stagnant air conditions keep it close to the ground.
Keep tabs on the status of burn bans by checking these resources:
Monday, 4 February 2013
Air Time: Okanogan County stage 1 burn ban extended
The Stage 1 burn ban called by Ecology for Okanogan County has been extended at least until 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5. Air quality is unlikely to improve very much today, particularly in Omak and the Methow Valley, forecasters said.
The Stage 1 ban applies to the use of uncertified wood-burning devices (including wood stoves, inserts and fireplaces) and to all outdoor burning. Ecology’s burn
Friday, 1 February 2013
Air Time: Ecology calls stage 1 burn ban called in Okanogan County
A Stage 1 burn ban will go into effect at 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1, 2013, in Okanogan County and will continue at least until 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 4, 2013, when it could be called off or extended. Air quality is expected to deteriorate through much of the weekend
The Stage 1 ban applies to the use of uncertified wood-burning devices (including wood stoves, inserts and fireplaces) and to all