Category: Press Releases

All press release posts.

The Soundkeeper patrol boat passes in front of the decommissioned aircraft carrier at the naval shipyard in Bremerton.

Puget Soundkeeper, Suquamish Tribe, and Washington Environmental Council announce plan to sue U.S. Navy

BREMERTON – Today the Washington Environmental Council, Suquamish Tribe, and Puget Soundkeeper issued a Notice of Intent to Sue the United States Navy for Clean Water Act violations. The Navy has been scraping the hull of a mothballed aircraft carrier in Sinclair Inlet just outside Bremerton, WA, disregarding pollution-control measures and without obtaining a discharge permit from the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Nicole Loeffler-Gladstone on January 25, 2017

An aerial view of manure lagoons used to hold excess waste.

Press Releases

Ecology’s CAFO water permit sacrifices public health, drinking water, shellfish beds

Faced with the opportunity to protect Washingtonians from industrial agriculture pollution, Ecology failed to address the four major sources of pollution from CAFOs: land application, lagoons, compost areas and animal pens. Instead, Ecology issued a problematic, two-tiered permit scheme that fails to protect our most fundamental natural resource–clean water.

Nicole Loeffler-Gladstone on January 19, 2017

Native plantings next to a sidewalk, an example of green stormwater infrastructure that helps to filter polluted stormwater runoff.

Press Releases

Washington Supreme Court: Developers can’t evade water pollution standards

In a major victory for clean water, the Washington State Supreme Court today unanimously rejected an effort by counties and developers to weaken a key permit designed to reduced toxic runoff and protect waterways including Puget Sound.

Nicole Loeffler-Gladstone on December 29, 2016

A coal train travels along the shoreline in Washington. Photo Paul K Anderson

Press Releases

BNSF Railway required to address coal train pollution

A coalition of environmental organizations and BNSF Railway (BNSF) have reached an agreement in principle that will ensure that BNSF starts to clean up and prevent pollution from their coal trains.

The agreement, which is expected to be finalized as a legally enforceable consent decree court order in the next 60 days, will put on hold the ongoing trial until a final agreement is reached, and includes several requirements that will protect the health of Washington’s waterways.

Nicole Loeffler-Gladstone on November 15, 2016

A pumpout station at the Port of Seattle where boaters can safely remove sewage from their holding tanks.

Press Releases

Environmental groups applaud EPA’s preliminary affirmative decision regarding Puget Sound No Discharge Zone

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released a proposal for a Puget Sound No Discharge Zone for public comment. Environmental groups have been advocating for many years for this important clean water protection.

Nicole Loeffler-Gladstone on November 7, 2016

Press Releases

Clean Marina Washington releases new handbook for reducing water pollution

Clean Marina Washington announces the publication of Pollution Prevention for Washington State Marinas. This 72-page, full-color, interactive handbook provides a comprehensive guide for marina managers and staff to reduce water pollution from their facilities.

Nicole Loeffler-Gladstone on October 26, 2016

A banner reading "Coal = Poison" is displayed against the Bellingham waterfront.

Press Releases

Court rules that coal dust case should go to trial

This is a win for those that work, live and recreate in the Columbia River, Puget Sound, Spokane River, and other Washington waterways that have been polluted by the dust of passing coal trains for decades.

Nicole Loeffler-Gladstone on October 26, 2016

Volunteers clean the shoreline during the International Coastal Cleanup in September.

Press Releases

Washington joins the world’s largest volunteer beach cleanup on September 17th

On September 17, hundreds of people in Puget Sound and along the Washington coast will participate in the 31st annual International Coastal Cleanup, the largest single day volunteer effort to clean up beaches, lakes and rivers worldwide.

Nicole Loeffler-Gladstone on September 15, 2016

Press Releases

4,500 Washingtonians Submit Comments to Gov. Inslee, Ecology Calling for Stronger CAFO Permit, Drinking Water Protections

Today 4,500 Washingtonians submitted comments to Gov. Inslee and the Department of Ecology (Ecology) calling for stronger state pollution controls for concentrated animal feeding operations, or CAFOs.

Nicole Loeffler-Gladstone on September 1, 2016

Volunteers walk the bank of the heavily polluted Duwamish River during an event.

Press Releases

Environmental groups win national victory for clean water

A coalition of environmental organizations reached an agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and two industry trade associations to simplify the job of controlling water pollution for regulators, businesses and citizens.

Nicole Loeffler-Gladstone on August 17, 2016