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

The JOLT invites both letters and readers' comments about topics of specific interest to people in Thurston County communities.

Another deal with Weyerhaeuser? Residents here need answers first.

Dear JOLT Readers: According to an article in The Olympian, the Port of Olympia is dragging its feet on getting substantial public input for its next contract with Weyerhaeuser when it expires … more

9/29/22 | 5 comments

The 60% design of the new culvert under Sapp Road triggers additional requirements for stormwater management.

Design for culvert calls for additional $80,000 in project cost

The design developed for a new culvert along Percival Creek under Sapp Road calls for an additional $80,753 in the project’s design cost, raising it from $143,000 to … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/23/22 | 2 comments

Lacey Joint Animal Services Commission wants amendments on the city's animal ordinances.

Animal Services pushes for Lacey Community Cat Program

Lacey Joint Animal Services Commission (JASCOM) is lobbying for the new Community Cat Program (CCP) and recommending updates to the Lacey municipal code (LMC). During the council work session on … more

By JC Medina | 9/23/22 | 3 comments

A Laysan albatross in the foreground (Phoebastria immutabilis) flying with sooty shearwater (Ardenna grisea).

Pelagic Birds – Part 1

Pelagic Birds – Part 1 September and October are fairly boring months for local bird watching. So, as a change of pace, we are writing over the next few weeks about, and providing … more

By George Walter | 9/22/22

Dr. Pamela Braff, Olympia Climate Program manager, presented the SolSmart Gold designation plaque to the city council on Tuesday, September 21, 2022. Olympia received the gold designation from the Department of Energy-sponsored SolSmart program for its solar energy campaign.

Olympia receives award for solar campaign

Olympia received a "SolSmart Gold" designation from the national SolSmart program for making it faster, more accessible, and affordable for homes and businesses to go solar. Climate Program … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/21/22 | 3 comments

Olympia Councilmember Lisa Parshley, on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, made a referral request to city and finance committee staff and legal team to look for options to find a revenue stream to fund climate work.

Olympia councilmember wants revenue source for climate work

Olympia Councilmember Lisa Parshley made a referral request to the Finance Committee staff and the legal team to look for viable options in finding a specific revenue stream dedicated to climate work … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/21/22 | 6 comments

The cleanup involves the dredging of several portions of Budd Inlet such as along the navigation channel, Swantown Habor, and the south of East and West Bay.

Budd Inlet cleanup will be the Port’s biggest project in decades

A $100 million project to clean up Budd Inlet is set to be the Port of Olympia’s biggest project in decades. The Port held a work session on September 20, to discuss their potential approach to … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/20/22 | 2 comments

At Olympia's Land Use and Environment Committee meeting Thursday, September 15, 2022, Climate Program intern Louisa Sevier updated the committee members on the city's emissions inventory.

Olympia’s emissions decreasing

Olympia's day-to-day operations in 2021 have generated 8,262 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e), 11% less than it did in 2014, city Climate Program intern Louisa Sevier reported at the … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/16/22 | 1 comment

Tumwater city administrator John Doan proposed several increases in stormwater utility fees to cover the city’s contribution to the Deschutes Estuary project.

Tumwater proposes increases in stormwater utility fees to fund Deschutes Estuary project

Tumwater is proposing several increases in stormwater utility fees to fund the city’s contribution toward the Capitol Lake-Deschutes Estuary project. During a city council work session … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/14/22 | 3 comments

Lacey launched its Volunteer Litter Pickup Program yesterday, September 6, at the regular meeting of the city’s Transportation Committee.

Want to help the city and the environment? Join Lacey’s Volunteer Litter Pickup Program

Lacey kicked off its Volunteer Litter Pickup Program yesterday, September 6, at the regular meeting of the city’s Transportation Committee. Transportation Maintenance Supervisor Scott … more

By JC Medina | 9/7/22

Oregon Spotted frogs (Rana pretiosa) are vulnerable to climate change and are listed as endangered. The eyes of these frogs are oriented upward at roughly a 45-degree angle.

Endangered frogs no match for planned dynamite blast next Wednesday

There's a little-known creek that goes by at least two names in Thurston County, Hopkins Drainage Ditch and Salmon Creek. The little-known Hopkins Drainage Ditch District #2 (HDDD) is the government … more

By Danny Stusser | 9/2/22 | 8 comments

At the Utility Advisory Committee meeting September 1, 2022, Water Resources Director Eric Christensen presented a table reflecting a proposed 5% to 6% increase in utility rates for 2023.

Olympia water, wastewater and garbage rates likely to rise next year

Olympia Water Resources Director Eric Christensen and Waste Resources Director Gary Franks recommended increasing utility rates to meet projected costs for 2023. At the Utility Advisory Committee … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/2/22 | 2 comments

The Great Blue Heron, a protected species living in the George open space.

County approves open space application

The Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) held a public meeting on August 30 to discuss the open space application a 12.12-acre land parcel. The Open Space Taxation Act (RCW 84.34) was passed by … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 8/31/22 | 1 comment

The Lacey City Council discussed Neighborhood Commercial zoning in its work session August 25, 2022.

Controversial decisions spur Lacey to look closer at changing its land-use laws

Controversial decisions spur Lacey to look closer at changing its land-use laws By JC Medina Following two recent controversial decisions that allow the Meridian Gas Station and Hicks Lake … more

By JC Medina | 8/26/22 | 1 comment

Olympia: It's the water (level)

A history of flooding and our increasing vulnerability Olympia is blessed to be in such a beautiful location. Nestled at the very southern end of Budd Inlet in Puget Sound, Olympians have long … more

Rich Hoey | Olympia Interim Assistant City Manager | 8/26/22 | 1 comment

As part of the Puget Sound Starts Here campaign, Olympia environmental services team member Susan McCleary invites Thurston County residents to submit video describing actions they take to protect Puget Sound.

Olympia proclaims September as ‘Puget Sound Starts Here’ Month

Olympia has joined with other governing bodies, organizations, and community groups to strengthen stewardship of the watershed. They encourage community members to take action to improve the health … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 8/25/22

The ordinance seeks to assist the city with locating owners of abandoned/vacant properties, require registration of these properties annually, have a current local representative or contract of the owner, property manager, or agency who has a vested interest in the property and maintain the property per the city's codes, laws, and ordinances.

Vacant and abandoned properties in Olympia now subject to registration

The Olympia City Council approved an ordinance establishing a vacant property registration program, a move that will create a database to identify vacant properties and address squatting on these … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 8/24/22 | 3 comments

The Thurston County Board of Commissioners authorized the Public Works Department to solicit proposals for a comprehensive stormwater program study.

County seeks a stormwater management consultant

Thurston County is gathering proposals for a comprehensive stormwater program study for its storm and surface water utility. Thurston’s Senior Water Resources Engineer Nate Ensley said … more

By JC Medina | 8/24/22

Attending community members walk out as Lacey City Council adopted the hearings examiner’s recommendation on August 18, 2022, to approve the two proposed residential projects along Hicks Lake, which would provide more than 300 housing units.

Lacey okays plans for 300 residences at Hicks Lake

The Lacey City Council has adopted the hearings examiner’s recommendation to approve two proposed residential projects along Hicks Lake, which are planned to include more than 300 housing … more

By JC Medina | 8/19/22 | 3 comments

Olympia Climate Program manager Dr. Pamela Braff said Olympia's emissions reached 661,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2019. Braff was at the Finance Committee meeting on August 18, 2022, to talk about a sustainable fund for climate work.

Olympia needs to invest in climate mitigation and adaptation, says climate program manager

At the Finance Committee meeting yesterday, Olympia Climate Program manager Dr. Pamela Braff discussed information about sustainable funding to support climate work and how the city has been able to … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 8/19/22 | 9 comments