Spill Log: All spills matter

By Dave Byers, Ecology Response Manager, Spill Prevention, Preparedness and Response Program A fishing vessel owner has published his first-person view of Ecology’s response this past November to an oil spill from his fishing vessel at Shilshole Bay Marina in Seattle. Here is our file about the incident.We have evaluated our regulatory responsibilities regarding this spill. We believe a warning

Air Time: Burn bans in Chelan, Douglas counties

By Seth Preston, Communications Manager, Air Quality ProgramBurn bans start at 4 p.m. today (Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012) in Chelan and Douglas counties, where air quality is expected to worsen this week, according to the Washington Department of Ecology.Ecology’s Stage 1 burn bans for Chelan and Douglas counties will continue until at least 10 a.m. Monday (Feb. 6), when they could be called off or

Ecology for Educators: upcoming workshops!

By Brook Beeler, Environmental Educator, Office of Communication and EducationDid you know? Ecology provides science-based, interdisciplinary environmental education curricula and award-winning materials. These quality environmental education resources teach problem solving and critical thinking for students. Ecology also has exceptional databases and research links. You can find links to

Conversations on Washington's future quality of life

By Ted Sturdevant, Ecology DirectorToday, I am launching a new Web page, "Conversations on Washington's Future". I am hoping it will help stimulate a statewide conversation about what quality of life means to the people of Washington in the 21st century.Most of us would agree that quality of life includes an economy in which we can all prosper, strong communities and a healthy environment. The

Water's Edge: New blog helps promote Green Shorelines

By Annette Frahm, Green Shorelines Outreach Coordinator for WRIA 8

To promote more salmon-friendly shorelines around Lakes Washington and Sammamish, an interagency team in the Lake Washington/Cedar/Sammamish Watershed (WRIA 8) has started a Green Shorelines Blog.

The blog is aimed at local people but may be useful for other lake settings. It provides a platform for sharing case studies about

Cleaning Up: Thursday meeting focuses on Spokane-area site

By Seth Preston, Communications Manager, Toxics Cleanup ProgramWe’re inviting the public to come to a public meeting Thursday (Jan. 26, 2012) to learn about plans to clean up contamination at the Kaiser Trentwood Works site near Spokane.The site covers 512 acres along the north bank of the Spokane River over the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer.Historic aluminum production operations and

Our Changing Climate: More about WA's shrinking glaciers

By Seth Preston, Communications Manager, Air Quality ProgramThe Peninsula Daily News recently published this article on melting glaciers in Olympic National Park.(Coincidentally, it was published right before last week’s big snow and ice storm.)You can find more here about the study and see some striking photos that show how much specific glaciers have melted off over the decades. The web page