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

A view of the public swimming area at Long Lake in Lacey, in happier days when the water quality was better and lifeguards were on duty.

Long Lake closed as water quality unsafe for humans and pets

Thurston County Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) warned residents to stay away from Long Lake, which lies at the eastern edge of Lacey, as the water quality remains unsafe for humans and … more

By Kristine Javier | 8/30/21

The larger red circle shows the loation of the LOTT Budd Inlet Treatment plant in downtown Olympia; the smaller circle shows where processed and treated wastewater is discharged.

LOTT Board stands in favor of Estuary option for Capitol Lake

A representative from the LOTT Clean Water Alliance shared the agency’s concerns regarding the possible impacts on water quality in Budd Inlet as a result of different alternatives provided in … more

By Kristine Javier | 8/27/21

The red line shows the plan to divide the 30.97-acre Wellington Woods Preliminary Plat into two clusters, with the western cluster facing Brenda Lane SE, the eastern portion accessed from Rainier View Drive SE.

County hearing examiner hears proposal for 30.97 acres south of Yelm

A Thurston County hearing examiner heard a proposal to subdivide a 30.97-acre known as Wellington Woods Preliminary Plat into five single-residential lots, and a wetland conservation area on Tue., … more

By Kristine Javier | 8/26/21

The Port of Olympia staff and commissioners discussed on Aug. 23, 2021 their decision not to issue a preferred alternative in an open letter addressed to the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services (DES) on the future of Capitol Lake.

Capitol Lake-Deschutes Estuary: Port commissioners decline to declare a preference

Port of Olympia commissioners did not specify a preferred alternative in their open letter addressed to the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services (DES) for the future of Capitol Lake … more

By Kristine Javier | 8/24/21 | 2 comments

The city of Lacey encourages residents to participate in its TREEsearch BINGO game in celebration of Arbor Month.

City of Lacey declares Arbor Month

Lacey, which has received the Arbor Day Foundation’s “City of Trees” designation for the past 30 years, renewed its commitment to the environment as it declared August as Arbor … more

By Kristine Javier | 8/20/21

Port Comm. E.J Zita (below) claimed that Comm. Chair Joe Downing (above) muted her in the call during the Port of Olympia’s Special Commission Meeting on Thu., Aug. 19.

Port of Olympia commissioners hold special meeting on New Market Industrial Campus

After 11 months of discussions, the Port of Olympia is close to issuing an action regarding the proposed Panattoni development. With this, the port held a special commission meeting to evaluate the … more

By Kristine Javier | 8/20/21 | 1 comment

The Lacey City Council on Thu., Aug. 12. discussed with a representative from Puget Sound Energy rate changes brought by the pending rate case settlement in its Green Direct Program.

Green energy soon to cost more green

In 2017, Lacey enrolled in the Green Direct Program with a promise of having cost-effective ways of purchasing renewable energy. However, four years later, a pending rate case settlement means that … more

By Kristine Javier | 8/20/21

Repairs were completed in June 2021 for the 85-year old Nisqually Cutoff Bridge, an arterial roadway that carries as many as 5,000 vehicles a day.

Emergency repairs for Nisqually Cutoff Bridge completed

Thurston County Public Works reported that they had completed the necessary repairs for the 85-year old Nisqually Cutoff Rd SE Bridge (N-1). During the Thurston County Board of County Commissioner … more

By Kristine Javier | 8/19/21

The Olympia City Council agreed that adopting the Department of Enterprise Services Estuary Alternative will be the most beneficial to the future of Capitol Lake. The council discussed their comments during the regular city council meeting on Tuesday, August 10.

Olympia City Council to State: Bring back the Estuary

The Olympia City Council shared their support for the Estuary Alternative which suggests the removal of the 5th Avenue Dam during the regular city council meeting on Tuesday, August 10. In a draft … more

8/12/21 | 2 comments

This Tumwater Heritage Tree is the Davis-Meeker Garry Oak. It's located along Old Highway 99 on the east side of Olympia Regional Airport. It's estimated to be 330-400 years old and has been called "the finest tree in the county."

You can nominate a “Heritage Tree” in Tumwater

Over the years there have been increasing concerns about the preservation of trees in the city, which is why the Tumwater Tree Board shared the process of designating heritage trees during its … more

By Kristine Javier | 8/10/21

Olympia City Council to meet online again Tue., Aug. 10

Following their previous decision to hold in-person meetings, the Olympia City Council announced that they are returning to remote sessions for their upcoming regular city council meeting tomorrow, … more

By Danny Stusser | 8/9/21

The area outlined in purple show the 199-acres optioned by Panattoni Development at the New Market Industrial Campus.

Port of Olympia holds public workshop for New Market Industrial Campus development

To address community concerns, the Port of Olympia in partnership with the city of Tumwater recently held an online community workshop regarding a proposed development agreement with Panattoni … more

8/6/21

This photo shows the proposal for the Hicks Lake Multi-Family apartment complex which will have 132 garden-style apartments in four buildings plus an amenities building (shown on the right side of the image, closest to the lake).

300 residential units might soon rise along Hicks Lake in Lacey

The City of Lacey is currently reviewing two proposed residential projects along Hicks Lake which would provide a total of 300 housing units. Lacey Senior Planner Samra Seymour discussed the … more

By Danny Stusser | 8/4/21 | 1 comment

Electric airplanes (top right) are being considered the future of the aviation industry. Left upper and lower images show how electric airplanes will be charged on-site (top and bottom left). Aside from electric airplanes, experts are looking into the potential of the biofuel industry (bottom right) as a better alternative to jet fuel.

Olympia Regional Airport looks into serving electric and biofuel aircraft

With increasing concern over climate change, the Olympia Regional Airport (Airport Code: OLM) is looking into more sustainable alternatives to aviation fuel as a part of its planning … more

By Danny Stusser | 8/2/21

Puget Sound Energy (PSE) declared its goal to achieve a net-zero carbon emissions by 2045 in a presentation to the Lacey City Council on July 22, 2021.

Puget Sound Energy plans net-zero carbon emissions by 2045

Puget Sound Energy (PSE) shared its goal to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2045 during the Lacey City Council work session on July 22. PSE is the natural gas and electricity utility provider … more

By Danny Stusser | 7/26/21

Hands off the rocks

being on the right side of history is not for sissies Hikers are flooding our public … more

By Marjorie “Slim” Woodruff | 7/26/21 | 1 comment

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

Capitol Lake’s future in limbo again

The Washington State Department of Enterprise Services (DES) proposed to remove the 5th Avenue Dam on the Capitol Lake Deschutes Estuary at the Port of Olympia commissioners’ work session … more

By Danny Stusser | 7/20/21 | 3 comments

Life vests save lives: The U.S. Coast Guard deployed a chopper to assist in the recovery of a man who had jumped off a boat near the port of Olympia. His body was eventually recovered on Sun., July 18, 2021.

Authorities recovers man's body near Swantown Marina

On Sunday, the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that they had recovered the body of the man who had reportedly gone missing near the Swantown Marina. According to … more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/19/21

The yellow line shows the proposed route of the new SR 510 Yelm Loop highway.

Yelm invites comments and questions about the new SR 510, Yelm Loop Project

The state invites locals to an online open house about the new State Route 510 Yelm Loop Phase 2 Project, a $58.6 million proposal to construct a two-lane highway. Headed by the Washington State … more

By The JOLT Staff | 6/3/21

This sequence shows the bald eagle being carried from the vehicle in which it was transported back to the property where it was found, on Sun., May 23, 2021, just prior to its release. L-r, Stephanie Estrella, Mark Fleming.

Bald eagle released after brief rehab following airturf battle

Two bald eagles who lived in or near a recently clear-cut urban forest in Olympia did battle in the air last week. One needed a brief stay at a local rehabilitation center and was released yesterday … more

By Danny Stusser | 5/24/21