Monthly Archives: July 2015
Alcoa Wenatchee fined for water quality violations
Pollution levels in wastewater discharged to Columbia River above limits The smelter operates under a Clean Water Act permit that regulates the treatment and discharge of wastewater. The water quality permit sets limits on the amount of aluminum, fluoride and suspended solids that may be discharged from the plant.
Two projects prompt temporary road closures beginning next week
The start of separate bridge and road projects next week will require temporary road closures in different parts of the county. A short section of Northwest 41st Avenue, about a 100 feet south of Northwest 179th Street in the Sara area south of Ridgefield, will close so Keystone Contracting Inc. of Ridgefield can stabilize the embankment along the road’s east side
Seattle releases strategy to reduce stormwater pollution with green approaches
Polluted stormwater runoff is the leading water quality threat to Puget Sound, and today Mayor Murray released a draft citywide Green Stormwater Infrastructure Strategy, outlining plans to accelerate green approaches for preventing this type of water pollution
Murray to focus on housing affordability in denser neighborhoods
Mayor Ed Murray issued the following statement announcing he will not recommend pursuing a Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda (HALA) committee recommendation that could have changed 94 percent of single-family zones in Seattle. Instead, he is calling for renewed public dialogue on how best to increase affordable housing in denser neighborhoods
IBHS Advises Residents to Stay Alert for Evacuation Orders and Prepare Homes Now as...
At least 24 structures were reduced to ashes when the so-called Sleepy Hollow Fire started as a brush fire in central Washington on Sunday afternoon and quickly spread due to hot and dry conditions, underscoring the harsh realities of how quickly a fire can spread and threaten properties this time of the year. The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) urges nearby residents to stay alert, heed evacuation orders, and prepare your home and business now.
City of Seattle awards $467,000 for neighborhood projects
The City of Seattle is awarding $467,562 in matching funds to support neighborhood-initiated projects across Seattle. Twenty-eight community groups received awards from the Neighborhood Matching Fund for a variety of events, cultural festivals and projects.
Pre-statehood water rights curtailed in the Yakima Basin
Water rights that were among the earliest in the Territory of Washington to be used for irrigation have been shut off in tributaries of the Yakima River due to extreme drought conditions. Flows in Cowiche Creek and the Teanaway River are so dire that 129 irrigators with rights conferred as far back as 1873 must stop watering their orchards, hay and alfalfa crops on some 2,153 acres.
Rep. Denny Heck adds name to legislation to ensure full LGBT equality
U.S. Congressman Denny Heck (WA-10) has signed on as an original co-sponsor of the Equality Act, legislation to ban discrimination against LGBT individuals in public accommodations, housing, employment, and other core areas of daily life
Everett, Seattle, Tacoma activate water shortage response plans
Historic low river levels — combined with record-setting hot and dry weather that have significantly increased the demand for water — have led Everett, Seattle and Tacoma to implement the first stage of their water shortage response plans
Permanent Reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund in Bipartisan Energy Bill
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, recently unveiled bipartisan legislation with U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) that includes permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).
Fee changes proposed for stormwater, wastewater discharge permits
Changes are proposed to increase annual fees that industries, local governments and others pay to be covered by stormwater and wastewater discharge permits, as required by state law. Permits help protect clean water by setting limits on how much pollution may be discharged into the environment.
Researchers to test Sammamish River water with dye
Scientists from the Department of Ecology will place a pinkish dye in the Sammamish River as part of a study to help solve the stream’s water quality problems. The river fails to meet state clean water standards for temperature and oxygen content
Local impacts of ConnectHome pilot announced
This morning representatives from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), City of Seattle, and Seattle Housing Authority announced the local impacts of the ConnectHome initiative pilot, a 28 jurisdiction pilot that was announced yesterday.
Clean Water Is Critical to Our Forests and Public Lands; Strong Administrative Process for...
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, applauded the efforts of the Department of the Interior’s stream protection rule.
Cantwell Backs Tri-Cities Airport’s Request for Development Program Grant
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation in support of the Tri-Cities Airport’s Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP) grant application. The grant amount of $750,000 will be supplemented by $300,000 in matching funds from surrounding counties and local businesses, to support important economic development.
Drought Fallout: Washington Residents – Are Your Finances Ready for A Wildfire?
As Washington residents remember the state’s largest wildfire in history - the Carlton Complex Fire that began a year ago today burning 350,000 acres and destroying 300 homes - the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) is urging residents throughout Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Kittitas and Okanogan counties to take a wildfire reality check and be sure their homes and finances are prepared for wildfire threats in 2015.
Rainier Beach Branch of The Seattle Public Library Expected to Temporarily Close Aug. 24...
The Rainier Beach Branch, 9125 Rainier Ave. S., is tentatively set to close effective Monday, Aug. 24, 2015, for the rest of the year while the building is partially reroofed, other maintenance is performed and the interior is reconfigured to better meet the needs of the community.
City acquires Greenwood property for Community Park
Property will offer park space adjacent to the new Greenwood Library. Today Mayor Ed Murray announced the acquisition of property at 8118 Greenwood Ave. N. for a new park in the Greenwood-Phinney neighborhood. The deal closed on July 1, 2015.
Agreement will bring affordable housing to neighborhoods across Seattle
Mayor Ed Murray and Councilmember Mike O’Brien today hailed an unprecedented agreement that will lead to at least 50,000 new homes in Seattle, including 20,000 affordable homes, over the next 10 years. Affordable housing will be included in nearly every residential development across Seattle as the rate of construction of new affordable homes triples.
Water supply changes from good to fair
After the hottest June here in recorded history, higher-than-usual water consumption and record-low stream flows into storage reservoirs, the outlook on Bellevues water supply has dropped from "good" to "fair."
