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Washington State Department of Ecology @ecology.wa.gov · 1d

Heavy rain over the weekend likely helped the mineral oil disperse. Spokane International Airport has also reopened the stretch of the river bordering Felts Field that is used by float planes and was temporarily closed for this response. Ecology will continue to monitor and assess the spill.

Washington State Department of Ecology @ecology.wa.gov · 1d

Update Oct. 13: Response to the spill continued over the weekend, with cleanup contractors collecting impacted debris from river boom points. Ecology responders did not observe sheening on the river between Argonne Rd and Upriver Dam over the past two days.

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Washington State Department of Ecology @ecology.wa.gov · 4d

Cleanup contractors are on site and actively working to contain, assess the amount of the release and recover the spilled oil. No impacts to wildlife have been observed at this time.

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Washington State Department of Ecology @ecology.wa.gov · 4d

We're responding to a mineral oil spill on the Spokane River between Argonne and Felts Field. Preliminary information suggests 35 gallons of non-PCB mineral oil entered the river following a failure of an oil/water heat exchanger at Inland Empire Paper.

Oil sheen and debris on the surface of the water, with absorbent boom surrounding it.

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Washington State Department of Ecology @ecology.wa.gov · 5d

Here’s some good news: Washington law limits or bans harmful chemicals – like cadmium, lead, phthalates, and flame retardants – in products kids wear and use every day. Get more tips for reducing your exposure to toxics: ecology.wa.gov/toxicfreetips
#CEHday #ProtectKidsHealth

Grade school-aged child washes hands at a sink. Text overlay says, teach kids to wash their hands, especially before eating.

Several pairs of shoes on the floor at a door. Text overlay says, leave shoes at the door. Don’t bring outside chemicals inside.

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Washington State Department of Ecology @ecology.wa.gov · 5d

Healthy living starts at home 🏠 Children's environmental health is about making sure that the places where kids live, play, and learn are safe and healthy.

Infant places mouth on toy. Text overlay says, make your home safer for children, and everyone else.

Dusty shelf with two vases. Text overlay says, dust isn’t just dirt. It can carry toxic chemicals.

Happy infant crawls on wood floor. Text overlay says, kids spend more time on the floor. Keep high-traffic areas clean.

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Washington State Department of Ecology @ecology.wa.gov · 5d

This collaborative process shows how a government-to-government relationship is key to an effective response and cleanup. We’re grateful to all the responders, workers, and representatives who acted quickly on this incident.

People from Ecology, Unified Command, and the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe stand near Indian Creek and wear orange emergency vests.

Workers in orange vests and hard hats stand in Indian Creek with tools to clean up the oil.

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Washington State Department of Ecology @ecology.wa.gov · 5d

Cleaning up an oil spill requires an immense amount of organized work and resources. To take a deeper look into that process, we wrote about the response & cleanup for the oil and diesel spill in Indian Creek in August – one of the biggest oil spill incidents of 2025. ecology.wa.gov/blog/october...

Inside the effort to save Indian Creek

<p>On the morning of July 18, a dual-tanker truck carrying thousands of gallons of gasoline and diesel left the roadway on U.S. Highway 101 and overturned into Indian Creek. </p>

ecology.wa.gov

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Reposted by Washington State Department of Ecology

Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller @caseysixkiller.bsky.social · 6d

Thank you TVW for the opportunity to discuss the work we're doing at @ecology.wa.gov to protect Washington's environment on “Inside Olympia.” Washington continues to lead the way on climate, environment and science – and state leadership has never been more important.
substack.com/home/post/p-...

Trump Policies Undermine Washington’s Climate Goals, Ecology Chief Says

Air Date: October 2, 2025 Paul W. Taylor, TVW

substack.com

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Washington State Department of Ecology @ecology.wa.gov · 7d

Happy October & Flood Awareness Month! Join us with @emd.wa.gov @oicwa.bsky.social & @wadnr.bsky.social this month to learn what flood tricks to look out for and some treats to help you be prepared. Check out our blog about flooding in WA & how to get flood risk maps: ecology.wa.gov/blog/october...

A flooded road with “road closed” sign at point where water is crossing the street.

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Washington State Department of Ecology @ecology.wa.gov · 13d

If you believe you have been adversely affected by the spill and would like to submit a claim, email the US Coast Guard at [email protected].

For more updates, visit ecology.wa.gov/dominion-tug-sinking

Dominion tug sinking - Washington State Department of Ecology

ecology.wa.gov

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Washington State Department of Ecology @ecology.wa.gov · 13d

The vessel continues to leak fuel. To date, we’ve recovered 92 tons of oil-soaked sorbents and 14,000 gallons of oily water. Call 800-22BIRDS to report oiled wildlife.

These barrels contain sorbents with recovered oil.

Several dozen black barrels sit at the side of a marina, with a hand truck parked in front of them.

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Washington State Department of Ecology @ecology.wa.gov · 13d

10/1 update: you may see some new activity around the Dominion on Thu and Fri. We’re bringing in a crane to lift the tug up to its waterline for dewatering and assessment. The plan is to repair and stabilize the vessel for towing to a shipyard.

Drone photo of a sunken tugboat beneath the water of a marina. Multiple layers of boom float on the surface above the vessel. Other boats are moored in the background. Foreground is a dock.

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Washington State Department of Ecology @ecology.wa.gov · 14d

9/30 UPDATE: Vessel is secured away from marine traffic areas. Sources of pollution have been removed. No additional sheening observed since Sunday's initial release, which occurred when the vessel refloated with incoming tide. Local authorities are evaluating options for removal.

Partially submerged vessel secured near shoreline. Photo courtesy of City of Port Townsend.

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Reposted by Washington State Department of Ecology

Washington State Department of Commerce @wastatecommerce.bsky.social · 14d

A year ago, ten state agencies, including Commerce, joined together to launch the Climate Resilience Strategy, a unified plan led by @ecology.wa.gov to strengthen communities across the state.

Today, Ecology released the first progress report.

Read the report:
apps.ecology.wa.gov/publications...

A view looking up through a dense canopy of vibrant green leaves, with sunlight filtering through the branches. The tall trees create a radial pattern against a clear blue sky.

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Washington State Department of Ecology @ecology.wa.gov · 14d

A year ago, ten state agencies led by Ecology formed a cohesive strategy to build resilience and strengthen adaptation to climate change. Now, they’re reporting progress. Read how we’re responding to build resilience and adapt: ecology.wa.gov/blog/septemb...

Strategy in action

<p>Ecology releases the first progress report for Washington's Climate Resilience Strategy, which highlights achievements and next steps for facing the impacts of climate change.</p>

ecology.wa.gov

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Washington State Department of Ecology @ecology.wa.gov · 16d

We're responding to a 30-foot sunken vessel near the Port Townsend ferry terminal. A person who was on the vessel is receiving medical attention for an injury. We're working with the port and fire dept. to anchor the vessel and place absorbent materials around the vessel and along the shoreline.

Map with vessel location just off the shoreline southwest of the Port Townsend ferry terminal where East Sims Way meets Water Street.

Partially sunken vessel with absorbent boom placed around it.

View of sunken vessel from Port Townsend shoreline.

Response partners placing sorbent boom around partially submerged vessel.

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Reposted by Washington State Department of Ecology

Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller @caseysixkiller.bsky.social · 20d

Proud to stand with @usclimate.bsky.social at #ClimateWeekNYC and deliver on a powerful promise: when states lead, the nation moves.

Director Sixkiller stands with national leaders at Climate Week in New York City.

Director Sixkiller speaks with a national leader at Climate Week in New York City.

Director Sixkiller stands with three national leaders at Climate Week in New York City.

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Washington State Department of Ecology @ecology.wa.gov · 20d

Hear the conversation from the @usclimate.bsky.social at #ClimateWeekNYC:

Governors Pressing Forward: The U.S. Climate Alliance @ Climate Week NYC 2025

YouTube video by U.S. Climate Alliance

www.youtube.com

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Washington State Department of Ecology @ecology.wa.gov · 20d

#ClimateWeekNYC may be ending, but @usclimate.bsky.social isn't slowing down. We're showing that state leadership works. Alliance members, including Washington, are outpacing the national average in clean energy jobs, air quality, and disaster preparedness.

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Washington State Department of Ecology @ecology.wa.gov · 21d

Join us for an application party to get answers to your questions and learn about the application process: www.nextcyclewashington.com/apply
#NextCycleWashington

Apply for Circular Accelerator — NextCycle Washington

Application period: Sep 22 - Oct 31, 2025. Learn how you can get support for your reuse, recycling, or recycled-content project!

www.nextcyclewashington.com

Washington State Department of Ecology @ecology.wa.gov · 21d

Applications for the NextCycle Washington Circular Project Accelerator are open through Oct. 31! Selected teams will receive six months of business and technical support for projects focused on reuse, repair, recycling, composting, and the use of recycled content.

A group of NextCycle participants stand smiling excitedly in front of a screen showing text that reads “NextCycle Pitch Showcase”

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Reposted by Washington State Department of Ecology

Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller @caseysixkiller.bsky.social · 22d

Thank you @governorferguson.bsky.social for your commitment to climate actions that makes daily life more affordable for Washingtonians. We’re excited to break down barriers to zero-emission vehicles and unlock their cost savings.

Governor Ferguson, Ecology launch ‘ZEVergreen’ to expand access to zero-emission vehicles | Governor Bob Ferguson

governor.wa.gov

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Washington State Department of Ecology @ecology.wa.gov · 22d

ZEVergreen is charged up and ready to go! While the federal government may be idling, Washington is accelerating toward cleaner, more affordable transportation by exploring ways to lower barriers and expand zero-emission vehicle access.

governor.wa.gov/news/2025/go...

Governor Ferguson, Ecology launch ‘ZEVergreen’ to expand access to zero-emission vehicles | Governor Bob Ferguson

governor.wa.gov

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Washington State Department of Ecology @ecology.wa.gov · 22d

There’s still time to register for tomorrow’s public hearing on a general order for data centers. This general order is specific to projects near East Wenatchee, Malaga, and Quincy that use diesel-powered emergency generators. Learn more at ecology.wa.gov/dcgo

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