Cleaning Up: Work in full swing for Everett Smelter cleanup

By Seth Preston, Communications Manager, Toxics Cleanup ProgramThe (Everett) Herald has a good rundown on the work under way to clean up arsenic and lead contamination from the Everett Smelter at properties in North Everett.This phase of work will wrap up in spring 2012. More properties will be cleaned up in 2012 and subsequent years.Check out our Everett Smelter web pages to learn more about the

Air Time: Ecology calls off burn bans in Eastern WA

By Seth Preston, Communications Manager, Air Quality ProgramBurn bans will expire today (Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011) in seven Eastern Washington counties because air quality has improved, according to the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology).Ecology’s Stage 1 burn bans for Chelan, Douglas, Okanogan, Ferry, Stevens, Kittitas, and Walla Walla counties will expire at 10 a.m. today.During the burn

Fecal Matters: Hollywood Beach in Port Angeles is Open

BEACH Program UpdatePort Angeles - Hollywood Beach in Clallam County is open for recreational water activity. After receiving notification of a nearby sewage discharge, the county collected bacteria samples at the beach. Results indicate bacteria concentrations have dropped to background levels. Clallam County Health District removed the swimming advisory signs today, previously posted on

Air Time: Some perspective on burn bans

By Seth Preston, Communications Manager, Air Quality ProgramEcology started calling burn bans in some Eastern Washington counties on Dec. 3.And here we are, nearly two weeks later, with the burn bans still in effect in Chelan, Douglas, Okanogan, Ferry, and Stevens counties. In addition, similar Stage 1 burn bans are in effect in Kittitas and Walla Walla counties.This morning, I mentioned to Clint

Burn bans still going in 7 Eastern WA counties

By Seth Preston, Communications Manager, Air Quality ProgramBurn bans will continue until at least Tuesday (Dec. 20, 2011) in seven Eastern Washington counties due to stagnant air conditions, according to the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology).Ecology’s Stage 1 burn bans for Chelan, Douglas, Okanogan, Ferry, Stevens, Kittitas, and Walla Walla counties will continue until at least 10 a.m.

Fecal Matters: Sewage Spill Near Hollywood Beach in Port Angeles

BEACH Program UpdateToday, the Clallam County Health Department issued a swimming advisory at Hollywood Beach in Port Angeles. The advisory was issued due to a sewage discharge near the beach.Contact with fecal contaminated waters can result in gastroenteritis, skin rashes, upper respiratory infections and other illnesses. Children and the elderly may be more vulnerable to waterborne

Capture the King and share with Ecology

By Suzanna Stoike and Johanna Ofner, Department of Ecology



Public invited to share photos of high tide
Did you know some of the year’s highest tides occur in the winter?

These tides — often called “King Tides” — occur naturally when the sun and the moon align, causing an increased gravitational pull on the Earth’s oceans.

This year Washington’s king tides occur in December and January.

The