New strategies proposed to reduce toxics
March 7, 2013
The public is invited to weigh in on new strategies being proposed to reduce the use of toxic substances in Washington.
Last fall, the Washington Department of Ecology convened a group of business, government, academic and nongovernmental leaders to come up with new approaches for reducing toxic chemical pollution in Washington. The department asked them to think outside their typical legal and political silos to find creative new approaches to toxics that would offer better human health, environmental and economic outcomes.
After several months of thoughtful discussion and hard work, the group delivered the results of its discussion to Gov. Jay Inslee and the leadership of the Legislature.
State OKs King County rules for creek, lake
January 29, 2013
The state Department of Ecology approved King County rules for development near shorelines, including Issaquah Creek and Lake Sammamish, county and state officials announced Jan. 17.
The plan, or shoreline master program, is designed to guide construction and development on almost 2,000 miles of marine, stream and lake shorelines countywide.
State approves plan for Issaquah Creek, Lake Sammamish
January 17, 2013
NEW — 10 a.m. Jan. 17, 2013
The state Department of Ecology approved King County rules for development near shorelines, including Issaquah Creek and Lake Sammamish, county and state officials announced Thursday.
The plan, or shoreline master program, is designed to guide construction and development on almost 2,000 miles of marine, stream and lake shorelines countywide. The rules combine local plans for future development and preservation, plus recent development ordinances and related permitting requirements.
The county Shoreline Master Program includes stretches of Issaquah Creek — from the headwaters on Tiger Mountain to the Issaquah city limits — and the mouth of the creek in Lake Sammamish State Park.
Gov. Chris Gregoire unveils official portrait by local artist
January 15, 2013
NEW — 8 a.m. Jan. 15, 2013
Outgoing Gov. Chris Gregoire unveiled her official portrait — a 44-inch by 30-inch piece by a local artist — Jan. 11, days before she hands the reigns to Gov.-elect Jay Inslee.
Joined by family and friends at the state Capitol in Olympia, Gregoire unveiled the portrait by Michele Rushworth, a Sammamish artist known for creating portraits of leaders in government, academia, business and sports.
“To have my portrait displayed among our state’s past governors is a tremendous honor,” Gregoire said in a statement. “If only my Mom could have been here to see this today. Here I am, the daughter of a short order cook from Auburn, and the first in my family to go to college. And now my portrait will be hanging in the office of the governor of Washington, alongside those who came before. I am truly humbled.”
State loosens restrictions for small developments
January 8, 2013
The state Department of Ecology recently changed development rules to give local governments, including Issaquah and King County, more flexibility for small construction projects.
The rule change to the State Environmental Policy Act allows local governments more leeway to exempt minor construction projects from review under the law, such as small-scale residential housing developments, as well as certain agricultural, commercial office and school buildings.
Department of Ecology fines King County for trail work violation
December 18, 2012
State regulators fined King County $1,500 after workers failed to follow rules to stop sediment discharges into a municipal storm drain during construction on the East Lake Sammamish Trail.
The state Department of Ecology said crews from the county Facilities Management Division repeatedly did not install the proper controls outlined under the storm water permit to prevent sediment discharges.
The agency issued the fine July 20, but did not announce the penalty until Nov. 27, as the Department of Ecology detailed all fines issued statewide between July and September. Officials typically do not issue individual media releases unless a penalty reaches $10,000 or more.
State’s recycling rate sets record, surpasses 50 percent
December 18, 2012
NEW — 12:30 p.m. Dec. 18, 2012
The statewide recycling rate reached the highest level ever recorded and surpassed 50 percent last year, according data released Tuesday by the state Department of Ecology.
The announcement marked the first time the statewide recycling rate topped the 50 percent goal set in a 1989 state law. The national average recycling rate reached 34 percent in 2010, according to the latest available data.
State officials said Washington residents continue to recycle more and throw away less. The statewide recycling rate for 2011 reached 50.7 percent.
The amount of municipal waste recycled by state residents increased by more than 186,000 tons in 2011 — up 4 percent from 2010 — or 3.64 pounds per person per day collected for recycling. The figure is the highest ever measured in Washington since the Department of Ecology started measuring recycling in 1986.
Department of Ecology seeks input on environmental rule change
December 4, 2012
The state Department of Ecology is collecting public input on a proposed rule to give local governments, including Issaquah and King County, more flexibility for small construction projects.
The draft rule change to the State Environmental Policy Act aims to allow local governments more leeway to exempt minor construction projects from review under the law, such as small-scale residential housing developments, as well as certain agricultural, commercial office and school buildings.
The proposal also aims to simplify the checklist required under the law.
State seeks input on proposed environmental rule change
December 2, 2012
NEW — 2 p.m. Dec. 2, 2012
The state Department of Ecology is collecting public input on a proposed rule to give local governments, including Issaquah and King County, more flexibility for small construction projects.
The draft rule change to the State Environmental Policy Act aims to allow local governments more leeway to exempt minor construction projects from review under the law, such as small-scale residential housing developments, as well as certain agricultural, commercial office and school buildings.
The proposal also aims to simplify the checklist required under the law.
Enacted in 1971, SEPA helps agencies identify possible environmental impacts related to government decisions, such as issuing permits for projects, constructing public facilities, or adopting regulations, policies or plans.
Department of Ecology seeks comments on emission rules
November 13, 2012
The public can review and comment on proposed routine updates to the state rule for low-emission vehicle standards before Nov. 14.
In 2005, Gov. Chris Gregoire and state legislators adopted California’s vehicle emissions standards. The controls limit emissions of greenhouse gases and common air pollutants, such as carbon monoxide and fine particulate matter.
