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

Salmon recovery funding available for Nisqually Watershed

Grant proposals for salmon habitat restoration and protection projects in the Nisqually River Watershed are being sought by the Nisqually ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 10/14/26 | 3 comments

A presentation by Tumwater Water Resources and Sustainability Department Director Dan Smith showed the future progression of the Deschutes Estuary restoration project. He made his remarks at a Public Works Committee meeting on Oct. 8, 2026.

Tumwater committee advances Deschutes Estuary resolution

The Tumwater Public Works Committee backed a resolution reinforcing the city's support for the Deschutes Estuary Restoration ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/12/26 | 7 comments

Woodland Creek at Woodland Creek Community Park, which is located at 6729 Pacific Ave. SE in Lacey.

Lacey City Council approves partnership for Woodland Creek riparian restoration

State conservation workers will be hired to speed up a restoration effort at a park in Lacey following struggles to control invasive ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 10/8/26 | 2 comments

The Olympia Planning Commission endorsed proposed changes to the city’s Critical Area Ordinance at a meeting on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026.

Olympia Planning Commission backs critical areas ordinance updates

The Olympia Planning Commission backed updates to the Critical Area Ordinance (CAO), which covers wetlands, streams, fish and ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/6/26 | 1 comment

The Cascade Pole site is located at the northern end of the Port of Olympia peninsula. The area is listed under the state’s Model Toxic Control Act due to contamination from past industrial wood treating operations.

Port of Olympia Commission authorizes contract amendments for Cascade Pole site cleanup, new headquarters

Contract amendments with firms involved with the cleanup of the Cascade Pole site, design of a new headquarters and auditing work passed muster ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/2/26 | 4 comments

A conceptual rendering of the 5th Avenue Bridge, looking toward Budd Inlet.

Port of Olympia Commission raises concerns over Deschutes Estuary communication

Port of Olympia Commission members criticized the lack of communication with the Washington State Department of Ecology ahead of a vote on ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/1/26 | 12 comments

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee held a pre-submission conference on Wednesday Sept. 30, 2026, for the Port of Olympia’s proposed 32,500-square-foot expansion of its Swantown Boatworks yard.

Committee reviews Swantown expansion project from Port of Olympia

The Port of Olympia is proposing a 32,500-square-foot expansion of its Swantown Marina & Boatworks yard to increase capacity and improve ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/1/26 | 5 comments

The entrance to the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission offices in Lacey.

PSE new rate hike proposal draws public ire at hearing in Lacey

The room was packed with a line out the door during the public comment hearing for a Puget Sound Energy rate proposal ... more

By Aspen Ford | Washington State Standard | 10/1/26 | 15 comments

LOTT Finance and Administration Director Justin Long presented the proposed 2027-28 Budget and Capital Improvements Plan during the LOTT Board of Directors meeting on Sept. 9, 2026.

LOTT proposes $146.1 million budget with higher wastewater rates

The LOTT Clean Water Alliance is proposing two consecutive annual wastewater rate increases, as part of a $146.1 million budget weighted ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 9/15/26

The Sea Level Rise Response Collaborative Executive Committee approved a work plan and budget for 2027-28 to advance efforts to prepare for rising sea levels, flooding and related climate risks around Olympia.

Sea Level Rise committee approves 2027-28 work plan

The Sea Level Rise Response Collaborative Executive Committee approved a work plan and budget for 2027-28 to advance efforts ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/9/26 | 11 comments

A view from the west of the proposed West Bay Yards development at 1210 West Bay Drive in Olympia.

Department of Ecology approves permit for West Bay waterfront development

A proposed mixed-use development on the West Bay of Olympia cleared another regulatory hurdle after the Washington State Department ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/4/26 | 19 comments

Crews are currently working to build the walls around a new larger culvert in Percival Creek at Sapp Road in Tumwater.

Committee recommends additional spending for Sapp Road culvert in Tumwater

The Tumwater Public Works Committee has recommended increasing the budget for a culvert currently being built in Percival Creek at ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/26/26

Carrie Gillum, the lead for the City of Tumwater's Drinking Water Program, showed a map of the city’s production and monitoring wells to the city council on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.

Tumwater Water Resources & Sustainability Department shares its efforts to conserve water

Representatives from the Tumwater Water Resources & Sustainability Department recently shared water conservation efforts in the ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/24/26 | 1 comment

The City of Olympia launched a new grant program that will award up to $5,000 for youth-led environmental projects.

Application period opens for youth-led climate action grants in Olympia

The City of Olympia launched a new grant program that will award up to $5,000 for youth-led environmental ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/4/26

Renderings of the proposed West Bay Yards development at 1210 West Bay Drive in Olympia.

West Bay waterfront project approved with conditions

A proposed mixed-use development on the West Bay waterfront in Olympia cleared a regulatory hurdle when a hearing examiner approved ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/30/26 | 30 comments

Lacey City Council members and staff discussed the proposed 2026-35 Stormwater Strategic Plan at a work session on Tuesday, July 28, 2026.

Lacey City Council reviews proposed stormwater strategic plan

An update to the City of Lacey's stormwater plan recommends the expansion of programs, additional staffing and long-term capital ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 7/30/26

Eight level 2 electric vehicle charging stations are being sought for multifamily properties in Tumwater.

Tumwater seeks to subsidize installation of EV chargers on multifamily properties

The City of Tumwater is calling on multifamily property owners to apply for grant funding to support installation of level 2 electric ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 7/29/26 | 4 comments

One of the trails located at the Inspiring Kids Preserve on the eastern shore of Henderson Inlet in Thurston County.

Capitol Land Trust campaign aims to make it easier to explore local land preserves

Capitol Land Trust is raising funds to help support its new "Connecting to the Land ... more

By Keyan Gregoire-James | 7/21/26 | 2 comments

Lacey City Council members listened to a presentation from Thurston Conservation District officials during a work session on July 14, 2026.

Thurston Conservation District proposes joint environmental initiatives with Lacey

The Thurston Conservation District (TCD) aims to partner more closely with the City of Lacey through conservation projects that include ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 7/20/26 | 2 comments

The Washington State Department of Ecology presented an updated 5th Avenue Bridge design that features protected bicycle lanes and a separated pedestrian trail. The bridge replacement project is part of the Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project.

Updated 5th Avenue Bridge plan adds protected bike lanes, shared-use trail

An updated design for the replacement of the 5th Avenue Bridge in Olympia was unveiled by a state ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/17/26 | 14 comments