washington department of ecology

A 2021 aerial photo of Hanford’s 200 Area, which houses the tanks and under-construction Waste Treatment Plant, in southeast Washington.

After years of negotiations, new government Hanford plan stirs up plans to treat radioactive waste

Anna King

Three government agencies made a plan public for how to move forward and clean up radioactive waste from large, underground tanks at the Hanford site in southeast Washington.

The Northport Bridge over the Columbia River in Washington state near the border with Canada. Portions of the upper Columbia River and its upland areas may be designated a Superfund site by the EPA.

EPA Proposes adding portions of 150 mile stretch of upper Columbia River to the Superfund list

Anna King

Lead contamination is the main concern along popular rivershore and recreational sites

The last in-person public meeting about Hanford cleanup was in Richland in 2019.

Hanford managers and watchdogs hold first in-person cleanup dialogue meeting since before pandemic

Anna King

Hanford managers and watchdogs hold public meeting to discuss current cleanup and future plans at the site

The historic Marcus Whitman in Walla Walla is taped off and shut down until officials can learn more about the plume of gasoline underneath some of downtown.

Major Walla Walla gas station leak fouling the ground beneath historic Marcus Whitman Hotel, federal post office

Anna King

The spill’s source isn’t yet known, and more buildings are becoming involved downtown

A woman in a gray jacket holds binoculars. She's looking at a landfill.

Environment and Planning

Landfill fire in Yakima is one step closer to being put out

Courtney Flatt

A potentially dangerous landfill fire is on its way to being extinguished. Regulators announced plans to help slow the smoldering underground debris – and their aims to keep neighbors safe.

Environment and Planning

Underground fire, harmful fumes prompt cleanup plan for Yakima landfill

Courtney Flatt

For years, people have been dealing with foul smells, loud noises, and blowing debris from two landfills in Yakima County. Now, the Washington Department of Ecology is helping with a new cleanup plan for one of those facilities.

A woman in a blue shirt holds a toddler in a pink shirt.

Environment and Planning

Does your soil have lead, arsenic contamination? Washington officials will help test soil.

Courtney Flatt

People in Central Washington have a chance to learn more about potentially contaminated soil at their homes. The Washington State Department of Ecology is hosting information sessions about pesticides from former orchards.

Erik Steimle, vice president of Rye Development, stands near where his company would like to build an upper reservoir for a pumped storage project near Goldendale, Washington.

Environment and Planning

Comments sought on ‘one of best pumped storage sites’ in Washington

Courtney Flatt

Storing renewable energy is critical in the Northwest. A draft review for the region’s largest proposed energy storage project is available for public comment.

Two men, one with bamboo spray pole, and one small boy sitting on top of sprayer pulled by one horse in a fruit orchard in Wenatchee.

Environment and Planning

Pilot project aims to clean up some Central Washington soil contamination

Courtney Flatt

A new project will help protect some Washington home builders from historic pesticides.

Environment and Planning

One Person's Trash Is Another's Mess. So Please Stop Dumping It During Pandemic

A gravel road just south of Kennewick has a trash problem. At first you see a tire in the middle of the field. Then, just down the road, there’s what…