Latest news with #WashingtonStateDepartmentofEcology
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Chevron offers to pay Pullman for contaminated soil cleanup
Jun. 7—Chevron oil and gas company has offered to reimburse the city of Pullman for cleaning up contaminated soil during its downtown revitalization project. The Pullman City Council is set to accept the energy giant's offer at its regular meeting Tuesday night at the Pullman City Hall. Officials will also hear an update on Project Downtown Pullman's progress. Construction crews encountered contaminated soil last summer while installing underground utilities on Main and Paradise streets in the vicinity where a Chevron gas station once sat, according to documents attached to the meeting's agenda. The city had incurred additional costs of $112,877 to properly remove, haul and dispose of more than 526 tons of contaminated soil, the documents said. Of that figure, the documents indicated the city also financed disposal fees, testing and engineering, as well as ductile iron pipe for waterline construction as required by the Washington State Department of Ecology and the Department of Health. If the offer made by Chevron Environmental Management Co. is accepted by the city, the company will be released from liabilities resulting from the Pullman Downtown Improvements Project.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Chevron offers to pay Pullman for contaminated soil cleanup
Jun. 7—Chevron oil and gas company has offered to reimburse the city of Pullman for cleaning up contaminated soil during its downtown revitalization project. The Pullman City Council is set to accept the energy giant's offer at its regular meeting Tuesday night at the Pullman City Hall. Officials will also hear an update on Project Downtown Pullman's progress. Construction crews encountered contaminated soil last summer while installing underground utilities on Main and Paradise streets in the vicinity where a Chevron gas station once sat, according to documents attached to the meeting's agenda. The city had incurred additional costs of $112,877 to properly remove, haul and dispose of more than 526 tons of contaminated soil, the documents said. Of that figure, the documents indicated the city also financed disposal fees, testing and engineering, as well as ductile iron pipe for waterline construction as required by the Washington State Department of Ecology and the Department of Health. If the offer made by Chevron Environmental Management Co. is accepted by the city, the company will be released from liabilities resulting from the Pullman Downtown Improvements Project.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Drought emergency hits Pierce County, much of Western Washington
The Washington State Department of Ecology declared a large portion of Pierce County under drought emergency at a press conference Thursday, although Tacoma was spared. The emergency declaration includes a large part of the Puget Sound area and central Cascade mountains, impacting 22 watersheds, said Casey Sixkiller, director of the DOE. The declaration allows the state to use relief tools, such as expediting emergency water right transfers and providing emergency drought grants to public entities — there is $4.5 million available this year to support those actions, he said. 'For most of the people who live in the major metro areas of the Puget Sound region and get their water from Seattle, Tacoma, or Everett, those reservoirs and water supplies are in good shape,' Sixkiller said. 'The utility companies do not expect hardship for their customers.' However, some rural and agricultural areas in the Puget Sound will see impacts, including to the habitats of salmon and other fish, Sixkiller added. Karin Bumbaco, Washington's deputy state climatologist, said above-normal April temperatures and below-normal April and May precipitation have been the main drivers of the drought. April's statewide average temperature was about two degrees Fahrenheit above normal, she said, and snowpack peaked in March, almost two weeks earlier than usual. Bumbaco added that total April and May precipitation was less than 60% of the normal rainfall for most of the state, creating below-normal stream flows in rain-dominated basins. Seasonal forecasts are predicting a likelihood of above-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation for the summer, she said, and officials expect those trends to continue in the years to come. 'It is important to remember that we expect droughts to be more severe and more frequent in the future,' Bumbaco said. DOE statewide drought lead Caroline Mellor said a drought means water supply conditions are much worse than normally expected in a watershed. She added the drought declaration does not affect many Eastern Washington counties, which tend to be drier areas of the state, because they may not be drier than normally expected. 'That snowpack is so important as it serves as a natural storage for our water supply,' Mellor said. '.... Now with these earlier melt-offs, and lower-than-normal precipitation, that is a major concern for impacts to fish, and agriculture, and potentially drinking water in smaller systems later in the summer.' Bumbaco also said the likelihood of wildfire spread is higher with the ongoing drought conditions. According to the National Interagency Fire Center's June outlook, the Eastern half of Washington is considered above normal for significant wildland fire potential — current estimates broaden that designation to cover most of Washington in July, and to completely encompass the state in August and September. In April, a drought advisory was initially declared for a large portion of Pierce County, but not the Tacoma area. Previously, in April 2024, an emergency drought declaration was also in place for most of the state, except for the Seattle, Tacoma and Everett areas. In 2023, Pierce County was involved in a statewide drought advisory, but did not see a drought emergency declared. This is the third consecutive year in which snowpack deficits or early melt have impacted the water supply in Washington, Sixkiller said. 'We've declared drought in six of the past ten years. Low water supplies are becoming routine in Washington, and that includes on the wetter West side of our state,' Sixkiller added. 'Washington's water supply infrastructure is simply designed for precipitation and temperature patterns that are changing and are no longer reliable.'
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
Under a new WA law, littering fines to double this summer
The Brief Washington has passed House Bill 1293, increasing the base fine for littering from $50 to $125 for amounts up to one cubic foot. An extra $93 penalty applies for littering on state highways, bringing the total potential fine to $218. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Mark Klicker, awaits Governor Bob Ferguson's signature. If signed, it will take effect on July 27. OLYMPIA, Wash. - Litterbugs in Washington may soon face steeper penalties as House Bill 1293, which increases fines for littering, awaits Governor Bob Ferguson's signature. The bill raises the base penalty for littering from $50 to $125 for amounts up to one cubic foot, classifying it as a Class 2 civil infraction. An additional $93 fine applies if the littering occurs on state highways. Keep reading to learn more about the bill and the new fines that could go into effect in July. Big picture view This marks the first adjustment to the state's littering penalties since 1993. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Mark Klicker (R-Walla Walla), aims to address the escalating litter problem in Washington. According to the Washington State Department of Ecology, the state experiences 42% more litter than the national average, with approximately 73,000 pieces of litter per mile on interstates, equating to nearly 1,600 pounds per mile. Click to open this PDF in a new window. By the numbers House Bill 1293 passed the House with a 98-0 vote on April 27, and the Senate with a 27-20 vote on April 26. If signed by Ferguson, the new penalties will take effect on July 27, 2025. Beyond increasing fines, the bill initially included the formation of a task force to develop further strategies for reducing litter. However, this provision was removed during the legislative process. For more information on House Bill 1293 and its implications, visit the Washington State Legislature's official page. The Source Information in this story came from House Bill 1293 and FOX 13 Seattle original reporting. Underwater volcano poised to erupt off OR coast, Seattle scientists say Teen in custody for stabbing mother's boyfriend, Pierce County deputies say Rumors claim Seattle ports are 'dead'. Here's the truth Thousands expected at Seattle's May Day protests. Here's what to know Houdini Fly Hunt launched in WA, OR. Here's what to do if you spot one To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news. WeatherWeather Foreca
The Hill
01-05-2025
- Climate
- The Hill
Rapid snowmelt threatens US West water supply outlook
Rapid melts across the U.S. West have caused snowpack to disappear up to four weeks early in some areas — wreaking potential havoc on the region's water supply, federal meteorologists warned on Thursday. These conditions have particularly affected parts of Utah, Colorado and New Mexico, causing some basins to shift from above-average snowpack to 'snow drought,' according to an update from the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS). That transition occurred in under a month, with snow disappearing one to four weeks earlier than usual, the NIDIS updated stated. Tracking snow drought — a period characterized by abnormally little snow for a given time of year — is critical to assessing potential impacts to water supply, soil moisture and wildfire potential, the meteorologists noted. Washington and Utah have already declared drought emergencies due to low snowpack, as well as below-average streamflow forecasts and long-term impacts of dryness, according to NIDIS. The Washington State Department of Ecology recently declared an emergency in the Yakima Basin, while issuing advisories for several watershed in the central and northern Cascades. Meanwhile, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) last week published a drought executive order that announced a state of emergency in 17 counties. 'I urge all Utahns to be extremely mindful of their water use and find every possible way to conserve,' Cox stated at the time. 'Water conservation is critical for Utah's future.' As for the Colorado River Basin, the NIDIS update said that supply forecasts for this region declined in comparison to April 1 projections, presumably due to dry conditions and early, rapid snowmelt. Peak snow-water equivalent — the amount of water contained in snow — in the Southwest was also much below the median, according to the report.
