Garden Talk: Garden Celebration sparks new interest in Ecology’s garden

Staff volunteer musicians. From the left:
 Laurie Morgan, Josh Grice, Gary Koshi, Diana Olegre, Greg Pelletier
by Marisol Novak, Food Bank Garden coordinator

What started off as a grey morning, turned into the perfect sunny day for a Garden
Celebration at the Lacey headquarters Food Bank Garden. The sun perked up right
around noon, allowing guests to mingle underneath the large tents, enjoying

Fecal Matters: Howarth Park and Pigeon Creek beaches near Everett, WA open for water recreation.

BEACH Program Update

Everett, WA - Howarth Park and Pigeon Creek beaches are open for water recreation. Closure signs were previously posted on July 20, 2013 immediately following a sewage spill.

The City of Everett rescinded the swimming closure and removed signs July 24, 2013, after follow-up sampling indicated low bacteria levels at the park beaches.

Visit the BEACH web site to find the

Stories about Getting to Clean Water: Kittitas County Fairgrounds – Pollution Abated

By Diane Dent, Water Quality Stories Lead, Water Quality Program




The “before” photo: manure-laden wash-water draining into Wilson Creek. Photo credit: Terry Wittmeier


Introduction
Have you ever seen the cute 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA) kids at the annual county fair,proudly showing off their well-groomed livestock? Ever wonder what they do to keep their animals so clean while at

Fecal Matters: Howarth Park and Pigeon Creek beaches near Everett, WA closed due to sewage spill

BEACH Program Update

On July 20, 2013, a power failure at a lift station resulted in a sewage spill to Port Gardner Bay in Snohomish County, WA. As a result, signs were posted at Howarth Park and Pigeon Creek beaches warning the public to stay out of the water.

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

Stories about Getting to Clean Water: A Pullman Partnership: Not Wishy-Washy about Preventing Stormwater Pollution

By Diane Dent, Water Quality Stories Lead, Water Quality Program



Soapy water flowing into a catch basin where the pump transfers
it to the sanitary sewer. Photo credit: Pullman Stormwater Services.


Introduction
Each summer, charity car washes pop up at various locations around the cities and towns we live in. These car washes are set up with the best of intentions to raise money for many

Fecal Matters: Allyn Waterfront Park in Mason County is Open for Swimming

BEACH Program Update

Allyn, WA - Allyn Waterfront Park is open for water recreation. Beach caution signs were previously posted on June 28, 2013 due to high fecal bacteria in the water.

Mason County Public Health removed the swimming advisory July 19, 2013, after follow-up sampling indicated low bacteria levels.

Visit the BEACH web site to find the latest results for these and other

What did “Eyes Over Puget Sound” see July 15?

By Sandy Howard, Environmental Assessment program



Tacoma's Commencement Bay on July 15, 2013. (Department of Ecology photo)

What a visual! Our Eyes
Over Puget Sound cover shot for July 15 shows the Puyallup River’s milky
white discharge from Mt. Rainier flowing into Commencement Bay in Tacoma.

Ain't marine science a hoot?

On this flight, abundant sunshine gives rise to
large algal mats in

Stories about Getting to Clean Water: Shoreline’s Aurora Corridor Improvement

By Diane Dent, Water Quality Stories Lead, Water Quality Program



A raingarden swale along Shoreline’s Aurora Avenue improvement area.


Introduction
A three-mile stretch of Aurora Avenue (Highway 99) between North 145th Street and North 205th Street in
Shoreline, Washington, had problems. Before the city began making improvements here much of the area lacked sidewalks, and the wide roadway

Public asked to weigh in on scope of coastal marine spatial plan

By Jennifer Hennessey Coastal Planner, Shorelands & Environmental Assistance Program

From now through September 23, the state Ecology Department wants to
get public input about what should be covered in a marine spatial plan for Washington’s 375 miles
of ocean coastline.

Ecology also is seeking concurrent comment regarding the goals,
objectives, boundaries and other scoping issues that should

Stories about Getting to Clean Water: New Tidegate for Batt Slough - Collaboration builds trust in the valley

By Diane Dent, Water Quality Stories Lead, Water Quality Program


Batt Slough prior to new tidegate installation.

Introduction
After a 1960 flood inundated over 8000 acres of prime agricultural land in the Snohomish River Valley, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation built a series of levees and gates to reduce flooding and manage the return flow of the flood water.

Concerns and complaints led the

Air Time: Test your knowledge about summer ozone

by Ecology's Air Quality Program

Summer is the time of year many of us enjoy favorite outdoor activities like hiking, biking and gardening. Summer's warm temperatures and longer days can also lead to increased ground-level ozone in the air. How much do you know about ozone? Take the following short quiz to find out.


1. Is ozone good or bad?

A. Ozone is good! It protects us from the

Stories about Getting to Clean Water: Repairing Wave-Damaged Shoreline

Homeowner effort to save Newman Lake property has water quality and wildlife benefits

By Diane Dent, Water Quality Stories Lead, Water Quality Program

Introduction
Boat wakes may seem harmless to the boater and fun for the water skier. But they can be a nightmare for shoreline homeowners watching their property fall away into the water. A shoreline stabilization project on Newman Lake used

Around the Sound: Focus on Fidalgo Bay this weekend

by Seth Preston, Communications
Manager, Toxics Cleanup Program

Here’s your chance to learn more about Fidalgo Bay’s environment, history and people.

Members of the Friends of Skagit Beaches will be at Rotary Park next to the Custom Plywood cleanup site in Anacortes from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. this weekend (July 13-14). The park
is along the Tommy Thompson Trail off 35th Street and V Avenue.

Major

Fecal Matters: Potlatch State Park in Mason County is Open for Swimming.

BEACH Program Update

Skokomish, WA - Potlatch State Park is open for water recreation. Beach caution signs were previously posted on June 28, 2013 due to high fecal bacteria in the water.

Mason County Public Health removed the swimming advisory July 3, 2013, after follow-up sampling indicated low bacteria levels. There is no longer a
public health concern.

Visit the BEACH web site to find the

Garden Talk: Mid-summer crops are flourishing

by Marisol Novak, Food Bank Garden coordinator



Knee-high broccoli plantsThis week at
Department of Ecology’s Food Bank garden in Lacey, Washington, the vegetables are
maturing rapidly. Last week’s showers followed by warm and sunny weather have
allowed the crops to flourish. Broccoli plants are knee-high, while the beets and lettuce have already been harvested.

In case you’re
wondering where

Around the Sound: Major Anacortes cleanup set to start

By Seth Preston, Communications
Manager, Toxics Cleanup Program


Cleanup crews will:You can see some major makeover work
along Fidalgo Bay’s shoreline if you’re in the Anacortes area this summer and
fall.

Starting in mid-July, work will start at the former Custom Plywood site off 35th Street and V Avenue on the Anacortes
waterfront (shown at right in an Ecology file photo).

Remove about