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

The City of Lacey held a public hearing on April 12 to gather opinions on the controversial Meridian Market and Gas Station.

Lacey residents push back against planned Meridian Gas Station; city staff, developer defend

Some 45 Lacey residents showed up at a public hearing on Tuesday about the proposed construction of a gas station in the northeast corner of the city, with some staying online for more than four … more

By JC Medina | 4/14/22 | 1 comment

The Barnes Lake district is generally bounded by the roads that surround the area outlined in blue.

Barnes Lake rate hearing rescheduled to May 5

Tumwater’s Public Works Committee has rescheduled a public hearing for the Barnes Lake Management District (BLMD) regarding a proposed 5% annual increase to the district's rates and … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/13/22

Water Resources specialist Carrie Gillum, of Tumwater Water Resources and Sustainability department, presents to Public Works Committee the programs they are undertaking to encourage the consumers to conserve water.

Tumwater offers incentives to residents joining water conservation programs

Tumwater Water Resources and Sustainability (TWRS) will give incentives to its water customers who participate in conservation programs. Tumwater Water Resources Specialist Carrie Gillum said it … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/11/22

Screenshot of the livestream of the canceled public hearing on April 4

Lacey public hearing for Meridian Market and Gas set for tomorrow morning

A public hearing for the controversial Meridian Market and Gas Station was moved from on April 4 moved to Tuesday, April 12, 10:00 a.m. Lacey Senior Planner Samra Seymour said they postponed the … more

By JC Medina | 4/11/22

Critter Control franchise owner Josh Anderson.

New animal-control company opens in Tumwater

The newest Critter Control service company recently opened in Tumwater offering humane ways of capturing and removing animals from residential and office spaces. Critter Control is a wildlife and … more

By Danny Stusser | 4/8/22

"'Stellar Sea Lion'" is one of the many stunning images of life in and on the Puget Sound that can be seen as part of the We Are Puget Sound exhibit.

"We Are Puget Sound" coming to Lacey and Olympia Timberland libraries

Beginning in April, Lacey and Olympia Timberland libraries will host the photography exhibit, “We Are Puget Sound” in support of the campaign to protect and restore Puget … more

By Taniah Najih | Timberland Regional Library | 4/6/22

County okays decade-long contract for solid waste services

The Thurston County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) on Tuesday approved a new contract for county solid waste operations, maintenance, transport, and disposal services with Republic Services. The … more

By JC Medina | 4/6/22

There's a prize for this year's winner of Lacey's Challenge for Water Conservation.

Lacey invites residents to join water conservation challenge

The City of Lacey is challenging its community members to conserve water this month -- and there’s a prize for the winner! At stake is a Toyota Highlander Hybrid for a local charity chosen … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 4/5/22

The Capital Mall area, highlighted in yellow.

Olympia wants public feedback for Capital Mall area plans

Olympia wants public feedback for Capital Mall area plans By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. The City of Olympia is asking community members who live, work or own property in the Capital Mall area … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 4/1/22 | 3 comments

Location of Pattison Plat on 604 Pattison St. NE.

Planned development at Pattison raises concerns about traffic, nearby wetland

A proposed subdivision at Pattison Street NE raised concerns from neighboring residents about increased traffic and the project’s effects on nearby wetlands. Olympia’s Hearing Examiner … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 3/29/22

The City of Lacey will conduct a comprehensive gap analysis to the existing energy efficiency programs offered to private, public, and non-profit sectors.

Lacey looks into existing energy efficiency programs

The City of Lacey will conduct a comprehensive gap analysis of the existing energy efficiency programs offered to private, public, and non-profit sectors. City staff aims to identify areas of … more

By JC Medina | 3/28/22

Bill to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in buildings waiting on the governor's desk

During the 2022 Washington State Legislative Session, lawmakers debated the issue of how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in buildings with Substitute Senate Bill 5722. The Senate heard the bill on … more

By Troy Kirby | 3/22/22

Local Native Americans have known of the value of kelp for centuries.

WA kelp decline bad news culturally, environmentally for Northwest

Kelp forests in Puget Sound play an integral role environmentally and culturally, but they're in steep decline. There are more than 20 species of kelp in the region that are a vital source of food and … more

Eric Tegethoff | Washington News Service | 3/21/22

All three proposed alternatives for the future of Capitol Lake are shown above at various tide levels.

Estuary option most likely choice for Capitol Lake

Capitol Lake and the related Deschutes Estuary will most likely be reverted into its original brackish water state, according to a Washington State Department of Enterprise Services press release … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 3/18/22 | 4 comments

Olympia Climate Program Manager Dr. Pamela Braff presented the city's push to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a city council meeting yesterday, March 8.

Olympia aims to halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2030

Olympia is setting its sights on reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 59% by 2030. During their meeting yesterday, Olympia City Council discussed ways the city can adopt to contribute to the … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 3/9/22

Day 42: House hears bill giving tax deferrals to solar-powered commercial lots

The House Finance committee held a public hearing on ESSB 5714, which would create a sales and use tax deferral program for solar canopies placed on large-scale commercial lots. The bill passed … more

By Troy Kirby | 3/8/22

Ridwell members can deposit their recyclables in the company-issued box collected door-to-door every two weeks for reuse and recycling by local partner organizations.

New waste collection company seeks to collect recyclables in OLT area

A new waste disposal company is servicing the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater area, collecting hard-to-recycle products. Seattle-based Ridwell, in a press release, announced its opening in the OLT area … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 3/1/22

Day 33: Senate passes bill protecting grey wolves and gov't employees who protect them

The House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee heard public testimony on Senate Bill 5972, which would extend the expiration date of a statute regarding wildlife conflict resolution, … more

By Troy Kirby | 2/23/22

Some nonprofits just want to save the world

For most of my life, I have lived at least six hours from the “ocean” (yes, Texans refer to the Gulf of Mexico as “the ocean”). I am greatly enamored of whales and other … more

By Mary Beth Harrington, CVA | 2/22/22 | 1 comment

Sewage spills over Percival Creek: Avoid Percival Creek from Somerset Hill Drive to Capitol Lake

Thurston County health officials are warning residents to avoid Percival Creek to avoid exposure to sewage. Around 26,000 gallons of sewage spilled into the creek because of a blockage in … more

2/19/22