Flooded wastewater plant relying on sewage-eating bugs
Managers at a flooded wastewater-treatment plant in Seattle that is dumping raw sewage into Puget Sound are counting on bugs to get the plant back up and running normally.
Managers at a flooded wastewater-treatment plant in Seattle that is dumping raw sewage into Puget Sound are counting on bugs to get the plant back up and running normally.
Heavy rains spark rare 'super bloom' of wildflowers in California
After a brief period of drought-busting rain in January, Southern California is experiencing an early wildflower season that has enthusiasts very excited.
After a brief period of drought-busting rain in January, Southern California is experiencing an early wildflower season that has enthusiasts very excited.
Hanford ill worker compensation bill passes House
RICHLAND, Wash. (AP) — Legislation that could allow ill Hanford workers to more easily get worker compensation claims approved has been passed by the state House.Substitute House Bill 1723, which still must be considered by the Senate, is modeled after similar protections given to firefighters in Washington who develop serious illnesses.
RICHLAND, Wash. (AP) — Legislation that could allow ill Hanford workers to more easily get worker compensation claims approved has been passed by the state House.Substitute House Bill 1723, which still must be considered by the Senate, is modeled after similar protections given to firefighters in Washington who develop serious illnesses.
Climate, other programs get deep cuts in EPA budget proposal
The Trump administration would slash programs aimed at slowing climate change and improving water safety and air quality, while eliminating thousands of jobs, according to a draft of the Environmental Protection Agency budget proposal obtained by The Associated Press.
The Trump administration would slash programs aimed at slowing climate change and improving water safety and air quality, while eliminating thousands of jobs, according to a draft of the Environmental Protection Agency budget proposal obtained by The Associated Press.
Efforts expand to stop uranium from entering Columbia River
RICHLAND, Wash. -- Efforts to prevent uranium from leaching into the Columbia River along the Hanford Nuclear Reservation are being expanded after a test showed good results.Wells are being drilled to inject a solution into the ground to bind the uranium to the soil and prevent it from migrating into the groundwater and then into the river.The Tri-City Herald says much of the soil contaminated with uranium at the Hanford 300 Area has been dug up down to 15 feet, removing the majority of the contamination.The uranium is left over from decades of work making plutonium for nuclear weapons during World War II and the Cold War.
RICHLAND, Wash. -- Efforts to prevent uranium from leaching into the Columbia River along the Hanford Nuclear Reservation are being expanded after a test showed good results.Wells are being drilled to inject a solution into the ground to bind the uranium to the soil and prevent it from migrating into the groundwater and then into the river.The Tri-City Herald says much of the soil contaminated with uranium at the Hanford 300 Area has been dug up down to 15 feet, removing the majority of the contamination.The uranium is left over from decades of work making plutonium for nuclear weapons during World War II and the Cold War.
Should feds restore grizzly bear population to North Cascades?
Federal officials want residents to weigh in on their proposals to restore the population of grizzly bears to the rugged landscape of the North Cascades in Washington state.
Federal officials want residents to weigh in on their proposals to restore the population of grizzly bears to the rugged landscape of the North Cascades in Washington state.
Hanford pumps out contents of leaking nuclear waste tank
RICHLAND, Wash. -- A leaking radioactive waste storage tank on the Hanford Nuclear Reservation has been pumped of its contents.The Department of Energy says Tank AY-102 was pumped ``to the limits'' of current technologies.The wastes are left over from the production of plutonium for nuclear weapons.Tank AY-102 was taken out of service in 2012 after it was discovered that nuclear waste from the inner tank had leaked into the space between the inner and outer walls of the double-shelled tank.
RICHLAND, Wash. -- A leaking radioactive waste storage tank on the Hanford Nuclear Reservation has been pumped of its contents.The Department of Energy says Tank AY-102 was pumped ``to the limits'' of current technologies.The wastes are left over from the production of plutonium for nuclear weapons.Tank AY-102 was taken out of service in 2012 after it was discovered that nuclear waste from the inner tank had leaked into the space between the inner and outer walls of the double-shelled tank.
Badgers threaten Oregon dam's safety
An Oregon dam is at risk from badger tunnels and other passages created by burrowing animals.
An Oregon dam is at risk from badger tunnels and other passages created by burrowing animals.
Scientists protest threats to science in Boston
Hundreds of scientists, environmental advocates and their supporters are rallying in Boston to protest what they see as increasing threats to science and research in the U.S.
Hundreds of scientists, environmental advocates and their supporters are rallying in Boston to protest what they see as increasing threats to science and research in the U.S.
Water flowing over emergency spillway at Lake Oroville
Officials say water has begun flowing over the emergency spillway at Oroville Dam in Northern California for the first time since it opened in 1968.
Officials say water has begun flowing over the emergency spillway at Oroville Dam in Northern California for the first time since it opened in 1968.
Air stagnation advisory for parts of Washington, Oregon
Air quality has deteriorated in southeastern Washington and northeastern Oregon, prompting the National Weather Service to issue an air stagnation advisory through Monday afternoon.
Air quality has deteriorated in southeastern Washington and northeastern Oregon, prompting the National Weather Service to issue an air stagnation advisory through Monday afternoon.
Decision on grizzlies delayed; 100+ killed over 2 years
BILLINGS, Mont. -- Federal officials are delaying their decision on whether to lift protections for more than 700 grizzly bears in and around Yellowstone National Park and allow hunting.The delay comes amid opposition from dozens of American Indian tribes and conservation groups that say hunts could reverse the grizzly's four-decade recovery.Officials had planned to finalize the proposal to turn jurisdiction on grizzlies over to state wildlife agencies by the end of 2016.U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Assistant Regional Director Michael Thabault said it could take the agency another six months to finish reviewing 650,000 public comments.More than 100 Yellowstone-area grizzlies have been killed in the past two years, often by wildlife managers following attacks on livestock and occasionally during run-ins with hunters.Thabault says the death rate is sustainable given the size of the population.
BILLINGS, Mont. -- Federal officials are delaying their decision on whether to lift protections for more than 700 grizzly bears in and around Yellowstone National Park and allow hunting.The delay comes amid opposition from dozens of American Indian tribes and conservation groups that say hunts could reverse the grizzly's four-decade recovery.Officials had planned to finalize the proposal to turn jurisdiction on grizzlies over to state wildlife agencies by the end of 2016.U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Assistant Regional Director Michael Thabault said it could take the agency another six months to finish reviewing 650,000 public comments.More than 100 Yellowstone-area grizzlies have been killed in the past two years, often by wildlife managers following attacks on livestock and occasionally during run-ins with hunters.Thabault says the death rate is sustainable given the size of the population.
Rare ice circle forms in the Snoqualmie River (video)
NORTH BEND, Wash. -- Hikers near North Bend were treated to an unusual natural phenomenon this morning -- an ice circle spinning in the Snoqualmie River.The thin circular slab of ice is sometimes referred to as an ice disc and it forms on the outer bends in rivers where accelerating water creates a rotation.
NORTH BEND, Wash. -- Hikers near North Bend were treated to an unusual natural phenomenon this morning -- an ice circle spinning in the Snoqualmie River.The thin circular slab of ice is sometimes referred to as an ice disc and it forms on the outer bends in rivers where accelerating water creates a rotation.
Study documents tree species' decline due to climate warming
A study documenting mortality of yellow cedar trees in Alaska and British Columbia concludes the future is gloomy for the species valued for its commercial and cultural uses.
A study documenting mortality of yellow cedar trees in Alaska and British Columbia concludes the future is gloomy for the species valued for its commercial and cultural uses.
Beijing advises umbrellas to shield against its 'very dirty' snow
BEIJING – "The snow is very dirty!
BEIJING – "The snow is very dirty!
Inslee proposes carbon tax to raise money for schools
Gov. Jay Inslee will try to convince lawmakers to do something voters wouldn't last month — approve a new tax on carbon emissions from fossil fuels.
Gov. Jay Inslee will try to convince lawmakers to do something voters wouldn't last month — approve a new tax on carbon emissions from fossil fuels.
Navy to expand sonar, other training off Northwest coast
The U.S. Navy has finalized a plan to expand sonar testing and other warfare training off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and northern California.
The U.S. Navy has finalized a plan to expand sonar testing and other warfare training off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and northern California.
Crews to move Idaho's largest tree for construction
Crews are working to remove Idaho's largest sequoia tree from where it sits next to a hospital due to construction.
Crews are working to remove Idaho's largest sequoia tree from where it sits next to a hospital due to construction.
Washington voters to decide on nation's first carbon tax
Washington lawmakers have tried and failed in recent years to make big polluters pay for their carbon emissions to fight climate change. Now, voters will get to decide.
Washington lawmakers have tried and failed in recent years to make big polluters pay for their carbon emissions to fight climate change. Now, voters will get to decide.