Environment | The JOLT News Organization, A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization

The area encircled in red shows one of two burn sites proposed by Kaufman Entities and Puget Western, located at 3111 93rd Avenue SW in Tumwater.

Prescribed burning in Tumwater to be permissible after amendments to municipal code

Prescribed burning in Tumwater will soon be permissible after the city's public health and safety committee agreed on August 9 to recommend an ordinance amending the city’s municipal … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/10/22 | 1 comment

The Maritime Washing National Heritage Area will be the first national heritage area dedicated to maritime history.

Thurston County to be part of the site of first maritime heritage area designation

The country’s first national heritage area focused on maritime history is set to open by 2023, according to maritime historian Chuck Fowler from the South Sound Maritime Heritage Association … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/9/22

The walnut tree is estimated to be about 100 years old, located at 420 W D Street SW.

Tumwater deliberates nomination of century-old walnut tree

The Tumwater Tree Board met yesterday, August 8, to consider nominating a century-old walnut tree growing in the city for designation as a Heritage Tree. The board discussed a nomination … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 8/9/22 | 5 comments

At the Sea Level Rise Response Collaborative-Executive committee meeting held on August 5, 2022, Olympia Water Resources Director Eric Christensen discussed different strategies for the SLR plan to address flooding within downtown Olympia.

Protection from sea-level rise suggested to cost Olympia $350 million

Olympia’s Water Resources Director Eric Christensen said it would cost up to $350 million to adapt long-term strategies against flooding in downtown Olympia. Christensen was at the Sea Level … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 8/8/22 | 4 comments

LOTT's study on its reclaimed water shows no harm to humans and minimal risk to the environment.

What has LOTT learned about the safety of reclaimed water?

Having recently completed its ten-year study on reclaimed the safety of reclaimed water, the LOTT Clean Water Alliance is hosting two kinds of events to involve the public. These include: A … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 8/8/22 | 2 comments

The City of Lacey is mulling updating its Municipal Code 16.36 related to the Neighborhood Commercial Zone following concerns against the decision to approve the controversial Meridian Gas Station.

Lacey considering updates to its neighborhood Zone rules following Meridian gas station decision

Lacey is mulling updating its Municipal Code 16.36 related to the Neighborhood Commercial Zone following in the wake of the controversial Meridian Gas Station’s approval. During the … more

By JC Medina | 8/4/22

Scratching isn't the best way for humans to deal with Swimmer's Itch, but it works for this swimmer.

Lacey cautions Long Lake goers

Lacey is warning community members to take care when swimming in the waters of Long Lake. In a Facebook post earlier today, Lacey authorities revealed that it has received two reports of … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 8/2/22

During the Lacey City Council work session yesterday, LOTT Clean Water Alliance presented its decade-long study on the safety of reclaimed water as a long-term measure in addressing the region's growing needs.

Reclaimed water safe to use—LOTT study

A decade-long LOTT Clean Water Alliance study assured reclaimed water has "very low risk" to human health and "no risk" to ecological health. During the Lacey City Council work session yesterday, … more

By JC Medina | 7/29/22

The Funding and Governance Work Group of the Capitol Lake - Deschutes Estuary project presented their recommendations at the Tumwater City council work session on July 26, 2022.

Deschutes Estuary: Who will own and maintain its parts?

The Funding and Governance Work Group of the Capitol Lake-Deschutes Estuary project presented yesterday their recommendations for a memorandum of understanding (MOU) as an interlocal agreement that … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 7/28/22 | 5 comments

This is the mysterious pulpy material that has been flowing into LOTT's Budd Inlet Treatment Plant since approximately May 23, 2022.

What is the new and mysterious pulpy mass clogging up the works at LOTT’s treatment plant?

Something strange is floating into LOTT’s sewage treatment plant in downtown Olympia. It’s a nuisance, they say, and they’re willing to pay $1,000 to someone who tells them the … more

By Danny Stusser | 7/27/22 | 2 comments

At the BOCC public hearing formation of Pattison Lake Management District (PLMD) on July 16, 2022, Rob Peters recounted the tragic death of a man who drowned because of reeds in the lake.

BOCC hears public comments for proposed Pattison Lake Management District

Pattison Lake residents are pushing for the creation of a county-supported lake management district, which they believe would help protect and oversee the improvement of water quality and safety in … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 7/27/22

Seniors are one demographic at risk during heat waves.

Cool off to stay safe - Lacey to open heat shelter for seniors this week

Lacey is opening a cooling center for seniors who are at risk from the expected heat wave predicted for this week. Where and when Virgil S. Clarkson Senior Center at 6757 Pacific Avenue SE will … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 7/25/22 | 1 comment

Sandjay Property, through Barghausen Consulting Engineers, submitted a proposal to build a 32-lot single-family detached residential subdivision at 2020 Lister Road NE in Olympia. The Site Plan Committee reviewed the plan on July 13, 2022.

New subdivision proposed for Lister Road

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee yesterday held a proposal for a 32-lot single-family detached residential subdivision on a 4.7-acre parcel area at 2020 Lister Road NE. Ivana Halvorsen, of … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 7/22/22

At the Olympia city council meeting held July 19, 2022, LOTT Environmental Planning and Communications Director Lisa Dennis-Perez enumerated the research group activities they have done over the years for reclaimed water infiltration study.

LOTT study: Reclaimed water safe to use

LOTT Environmental Planning and Communications director Lisa Dennis-Perez said reclaimed water has a low risk to human health and no threat to ecological health. Dennis-Perez updated Olympia city … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 7/20/22 | 2 comments

At the July 19, 2022 Olympia city council meeting, council members made a standing ovation to honor the men and women of Downtown Ambassadors and Clean Team for their 10-year service to the community.

Olympia Downtown Ambassadors and Clean Team honored for 10 years of service to the community

The Olympia City Council honored the men and women in the Olympia Downtown Ambassador Program and Clean Team for their 10 years of service in extending business support and hospitality services to … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 7/20/22

Potholes along the trail will be repaired on July 11.

Yelm Rainier Tenino Trail to be closed next Monday, July 11

Yelm Rainier Tenino Trail between Manke Road SE and Tipsoo Drive SE will be closed on Monday, July 11 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for maintenance. According to Thurston County, crews will work on the … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 7/6/22

Preparedness, response and mitigation are shown as important concepts to planning the Hazards Mitigation Plan of Thurston Region.

Mitigating disaster: Thurston County is getting an update to our hazards mitigation plan

Thurston County’s hazard mitigation plan was brought to the Tumwater City Council work session yesterday. Planning Manager Brad Medrud laid out the details, explaining “this is our … more

By Sage Hamilton | 6/29/22

Visitors on June 27, 2022 arrived at the Cooper Crest Forest to see the these signs warning would-be hikers away from the property.

Surprise logging operation in west Olympia has galvanized neighbors

Olympia residents near 20th Avenue NW and Cooper Point Road were surprised this morning when they discovered that 20th Avenue was being shut down with no notice for a logging operation … more

By Sage Hamilton and Danny Stusser | 6/27/22 | 10 comments

Governor Jay Inslee shoots a selfie with his wife, Trudi, at the formal opening of the Capitol Campus Pollinator Garden on June 22, 2022.

Olympia’s newest park is for the bees

Olympia’s newest park offers something for toddlers, seniors, skaters, lunch-packers, grade-schoolers, gardeners and beekeepers. Not only that, Olympia didn’t have to pay a penny for … more

By Danny Stusser | 6/24/22

Olympia Climate Program manager Dr. Pamela Braff discussed Washington State Commercial Energy Code that requires non-residential commercial buildings to meet solar-ready requirements during the Land Use and Environment Committee meeting on Thursday, June 16.

Climate program manager recommends Olympia adopt Washington State commercial energy code

Olympia Climate Program manager Dr. Pamela Braff recommended amending Washington State's Commercial Energy Code to include large multifamily buildings to meet solar readiness requirements in the … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/21/22 | 1 comment