department of ecology

The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) has issued a drought declaration for twelve counties in the state, including Kittitas and Okanogan. Ecology spokesperson Jimmy Norris says the declaration is due to environmental conditions which have changed rapidly since the spring...

The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) has issued a $10,000 fine to a Grant County farm for water-use violations. Ecology imposed the fine against Stevens Land Holdings, LLC of Soap Lake for continuing to irrigate 100 acres of alfalfa without a permit...

Grant County's seasonal burn ban went into effect today (Thursday, June 1). The restrictions were implemented by the county's board of commissioners in 2017 and apply to all unincorporated areas in the county. Spokesperson Kyle Foreman of the Grant County Sheriff's Office says that means burning rules in other places within the county might vary...

It's only mid-May but the skies over North Central Washington are already taking on an ominous murk that usually isn't seen until wildfire season is well underway. The hazy conditions are being caused by smoke emanating from fires over 500 miles to the northeast in Alberta, Canada...

The Eightmile Dam is a 90-year-old dam located in the Alpine Lake Wilderness Area west of Leavenworth.

Visitors to Rufus Woods Lake east of Bridgeport will want to avoid the water, particularly with their pets. The Washington State Department of Ecology says the lake is among a handful that have extensive amounts of toxic algae that's been detected ...

The State Department of Ecology is holding one final hearing on the environmental impact statement, or EIS, for the rebuild and restoration of Eightmile Dam Thursday night. As a result of flood damage and erosion caused by impacts of the Jack Creek Fire in 2017, a state of emergency was declared, and the 90 year old dam was designated a high hazard and a threat to downstream residents and propert

Air quality over the past couple of weeks has ranged from unhealthy to hazardous for much of the area. State Department of Ecology Communications Manager Andrew Wineke says there are two different measuring indexes that measure dangerous PM2 ...

The Department of Ecology is accepting applications for its summer teen litter crews as well as their adult fall litter crews. Teens ages 14 to 17 will make $13.50 an hour for up to 32 hours a week. Adults earn $16.50 an hour up to 40 hours per week...

Washington Department of Ecology is accepting applications for its streamflow restoration competitive grant program with up to $22 million in grant funding available. Projects applicable correlate with water storage projects, fish habitat improvements, water rights acquisitions or water management and infrastructure improvements...