AGP Executive Report

Drinking Water: Kennewick found PFOS and PFHxS in one water source above Washington’s action levels. The city plans quarterly notices and is designing treatment, backed by $15 million in state funding, ahead of a 2029 compliance deadline. Farm Health: Bird flu was confirmed at a Benton County dairy. No local human cases have been reported; health officials are monitoring potentially exposed workers and urging people to avoid sick or dead animals. Climate and Snowpack: A Gonzaga climate expert says warming is shifting the Northwest toward rain rather than snow, threatening the snowpack that supports ski seasons and regional watersheds. Weather: Seattle’s October has been exceptionally dry, but rain is returning, with mountain snow and winter driving conditions expected at the passes. Wildlife: A black bear attacked a woman near Index, leaving her with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Wildlife officials searched for the bear and a younger animal, and set a trap nearby.

Farm and Wildlife: WSDA confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza in a Benton County dairy herd. The herd is quarantined, and officials say pasteurized milk remains safe. Snake River Dams: A pro-dam advocate says preliminary figures in WSDOT’s freight study suggest dam removal could raise costs and emissions; the final report is due in December. Weather: Seattle’s unusually dry October is giving way to a week of rain, after the city received less precipitation than Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Hanford Cleanup: A report details how the Energy Department has challenged compensation claims from Hanford cleanup workers who say toxic exposures made them sick. Water Quality: Moses Lake’s wastewater system faces state scrutiny after millions of gallons of sewage discharges and repeated violations. Drought Response: Tri-Cities officials are considering cloud seeding to help drought-stricken farmers. Wildlife: A new male calf has been born to Southern Resident orca J35.

Low-Carbon Shipping: A study finds green-methanol cruise ships on the Washington–Alaska route are feasible but face a $1.4 billion funding gap over 25 years, potentially raising fares by hundreds of dollars. Fossil Fuel Expansion: Williams is pursuing permits for an 88-mile pipeline that could send more gas to the Northwest; conservation groups warn the added demand may be driven by data centers. Water Quality: Washington is scrutinizing Moses Lake’s wastewater system after millions of gallons of sewage and repeated violations. Drought Response: Cloud seeding is being proposed to help Tri-Cities farmers cope with drought. Wildlife: A new male calf has been spotted with Southern Resident orcas in J pod, offering a hopeful update for the endangered population. Clean Transportation: Seattle plans 200 curbside EV chargers, with residents able to suggest locations. Worker Protections: Washington’s new cooling law aims to protect farmworkers from heat, but awareness of the rules remains a concern.

Clean Energy: Kitsap residents are weighing a public takeover of their electricity service, a move that could shrink Puget Sound Energy’s customer base and complicate its state-mandated clean-energy buildout. Wastewater Watch: Washington’s Ecology Department issued a formal enforcement order over Moses Lake’s sewage system. State records show repeated permit violations, including bacterial contamination concerns, equipment failures and excess nitrogen. Drought Response: Cloud seeding is proposed to help drought-stricken Tri-Cities farmers. Wildlife & Rivers: A new male calf has been spotted with Southern Resident orca J35; meanwhile, low water and weak coho returns have prompted fishing closures on the Naselle and Willapa rivers. Hanford: Workers who say toxic exposures at the nuclear site made them sick are still facing DOE challenges to their compensation claims.

Wastewater Oversight: Washington Ecology issued a formal enforcement order over Moses Lake’s wastewater system, citing repeated permit violations, equipment failures, bacterial concerns and excess nitrogen. Drought Response: A company is proposing cloud seeding across 1,100 square miles of Benton County, saying it could raise seasonal precipitation by 10% to 15% and help drought-stricken farmers. The project could seek a federal grant. Orca Watch: Researchers spotted endangered Southern Resident J35 with a newborn male calf, J65. The calf was seen nursing and moving well. Salmon Conditions: Fishing closures on the Naselle and Willapa rivers reflect low water and coho returns below expectations.

Research & Pollution: UW’s Institute for Protein Design received nearly 7 million GPU hours to develop AI tools for designing proteins. Researchers say the technology could support pollution cleanup and other sustainability work. Climate & Energy: Washington’s winter outlook is mixed. Utilities have spent $15 million studying Snake River dam breaching, while owners of the Northwest’s largest gas pipeline are seeking an expansion. State officials are split over easing energy codes for wildfire rebuilds, and a recent opinion piece argues climate policies should better account for household costs. Land & Wildlife: The first razor-clam digs of the season are set for Oct. 26–29 at two beaches. Washington is seeking public comment on changes to at-risk species listing and recovery planning. Infrastructure & Health: SR 706 near Mount Rainier is closing for culvert repairs, and Yakima’s East-West Corridor faces environmental and funding hurdles. Questions also remain about chemical safety at Washington pulp mills following a deadly implosion.

Winter Outlook: NOAA’s forecast for Washington and Oregon is mixed, leaving the region facing uncertainty as winter approaches. Energy and Climate: Washington officials are divided over easing energy codes for homes rebuilt after wildfires, while owners of the Northwest’s largest gas pipeline are pursuing an expansion. Snake River: A utility has spent $15 million studying the effects of breaching Snake River dams, keeping a major regional water and salmon debate in focus. Drought Response: Cloud seeding is being proposed to help drought-stricken farmers in the Tri-Cities. Wildlife: A new calf has been spotted with Washington’s Southern Resident killer whale J pod. Clean Transportation: Seattle plans 200 curbside EV chargers and will let residents suggest locations.

Winter Outlook: NOAA expects warmer-than-average conditions across Washington this winter, though cold snaps remain possible. Gas Expansion: Williams is seeking permits for an 88-mile pipeline that could bring more gas to the Northwest as Washington pursues climate and pollution goals. Snake River Dams: A utility estimates public agencies have spent about $15.1 million studying possible breaches of the lower Snake River dams, keeping power supply and dam removal in focus. Wildfire Rebuilding: Gov. Bob Ferguson wants fire survivors to rebuild under older, less stringent energy codes; state officials warn that lower upfront costs could mean higher utility bills. Coastal Resources: Washington’s first razor-clam dig of the season runs Oct. 26–29 at Copalis and Mocrocks, with Long Beach and Twin Harbors remaining closed as clam numbers decline.

Drought & Water: A company is proposing a cloud-seeding pilot over the Horse Heaven Hills to boost rainfall for dryland farmers, estimating a 10% to 15% seasonal increase. The plan comes amid four years of drought and growing concern over Columbia Basin water supplies. Federal Forests: Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins says the Forest Service reorganization will move ahead despite a court order blocking it. The plan would close 23 research stations and regional offices; Washington officials and environmental groups oppose it. Salmon: Fishing is closing on the Naselle and Willapa rivers amid low water and weaker-than-expected coho returns. Orcas: A new calf has been spotted with J pod, part of Washington’s endangered Southern Resident killer whale population.

Stehekin River: Conservation advocates are urging the National Park Service to reject plans to channelize part of the river after last year’s flooding, warning that a road-access fix could damage a protected valley. Fossil Fuel Expansion: Williams is seeking permits for an 88-mile pipeline to send more gas to the Northwest; environmental groups say rising demand is largely driven by data centers. Hanford: A new investigation says the Department of Energy has filed more than 500 appeals against workers’ compensation claims tied to toxic exposure, spending nearly $12 million on lawyers and experts. Salmon and Steelhead: WDFW is seeking public comment on making the Columbia River fishing endorsement permanent, while low water and weak coho returns have prompted fishing closures on the Naselle and Willapa rivers. Marine Life: A new Southern Resident killer whale calf has been spotted with J pod. Cleaner Buildings: Seattle’s decarbonization conference focused on practical upgrades, including heat recovery, energy storage and geothermal systems.

Southern Resident Orcas: Researchers spotted a new male calf, J65, traveling with J pod and say he showed no immediate signs of health problems. The young whale’s first year is critical: about half of calves survive it. Drought Response: Benton County commissioners heard a proposal to use drones for cloud seeding in the drought-stricken Horse Heaven Hills, where dry conditions have persisted for more than four years. The company says the drones could help operators adjust seeding in real time. Salmon Conservation: Washington is closing fishing on several coastal rivers and tributaries starting Oct. 24 as drought-driven low flows and weaker-than-expected coho returns threaten salmon migration and spawning. WDFW says rivers across much of Western Washington are near historic lows. Dry October: Washington’s unusually dry fall is also keeping wildfire season active, with the state on track for one of its driest Octobers on record.

Clean Transportation: Seattle plans up to 200 public EV chargers by 2030, with residents invited to suggest locations and priority given to neighborhoods with limited access. Climate & Buildings: Seattle awarded $4.6 million in grants to cut pollution from affordable housing and community buildings, while the Port launched a climate vulnerability study. Coastal Resources: WDFW scheduled four days of razor clam digging at Copalis and Mocrocks, where clam numbers are down; Long Beach and Twin Harbors remain closed. Pollution Watch: Port Townsend Paper faces a new water violation as a second worker speaks out, adding to scrutiny of the mill. Wildlife: USDA approved release of a weevil to control invasive flowering rush, with Washington and Montana labs rearing the insects; WDFW also opened public comment on changes to at-risk species listing and recovery planning. Energy Dispute: Decatur Island residents urged OPALCO to halt a solar expansion, citing fire safety, costs and impacts to protected open space. Dry Conditions: A dry October is keeping wildfire concerns alive in Washington.

Wildlife Protection: Washington is taking public comment on proposed changes to how the state lists at-risk species and plans their recovery, including allowing state officials to use existing federal recovery plans. Urban Environment: A Seattle initiative is working with communities to expand the Chinatown–International District’s tree canopy, while five local repair and reuse programs received city waste-reduction grants. Pipeline Debate: Opposition is mounting in Washington to a proposed Canadian pipeline and oil-tanker terminal near the border. Water and Drought: Seattle completed the Ship Canal Water Quality Project tunnel as Kittitas County weighs cloud seeding amid drought. Dry October conditions are also keeping wildfire concerns alive. Wildfire Recovery: State officials are considering easing energy-code requirements for homes destroyed in summer fires, weighing rebuilding costs and delays against efficiency standards. Clean Air: Washington is launching a mobile air-monitoring study, and Seattle awarded grants to cut climate pollution from affordable housing and community buildings.

Dry Spell: Seattle is on track for its second-driest October on record, while Washington’s lingering wildfire season and drought concerns put pressure on water supplies. Water Quality: The Ship Canal Water Quality Project tunnel in Seattle is complete, a major step for a project aimed at improving local water quality. Clean Energy: Seattle awarded grants to cut climate pollution in affordable housing and community buildings; a Kittitas County proposal to cloud-seed in response to drought is also under consideration. Air Monitoring: Washington is launching a mobile study to measure air pollution, with a scientific monitoring van set to hit Spokane’s streets. Ports and Pollution: Seattle’s record cruise season saw 66% of ships use shore power at berth, but a proposed Canadian oil terminal near the Washington border has tribes, environmentalists and state leaders concerned about tanker traffic and spill risks in the Salish Sea. Wildlife and Parks: Fishing is closed in the Hoh and Quillayute watersheds, and advocates are pressing for continued public oversight of Washington seabird refuges.

Climate Litigation: A Washington judge set a February 2028 trial in tribes’ climate suits against Exxon, Chevron and other oil companies, rejecting their bid to delay the cases until 2029. Drought and Salmon: Benton County is weighing a cloud-seeding pilot as the Yakima Valley endures years of drought. On the Olympic Peninsula, low flows and weaker-than-expected coho returns have prompted fishing closures across the Hoh and Quillayute watersheds. Air Quality: State Ecology plans a year-long mobile monitoring study in more than 20 overburdened communities and participating Tribal Nations to identify pollution hotspots. Wildfire Recovery: Washington’s Building Code Council is considering easing energy-code requirements for homes rebuilt after this summer’s fires, amid concerns about recovery costs and delays. Cleaner Buildings: Seattle awarded $4.6 million in grants for projects to cut climate pollution in affordable housing and community-serving buildings.

Air Quality: Washington Ecology plans to send monitoring vans into Spokane, Spokane Valley and tribal communities this winter to measure about 36 pollutants, filling gaps in the state’s fixed monitoring network. Public Health: A Yakima County resident has the year’s first reported U.S. H5N1 bird-flu infection, after exposure to infected dairy cattle; the person is recovering at home, and officials say public risk remains low. Airport Expansion: Burien, Des Moines, SeaTac and Tukwila have objected to Sea-Tac’s proposed expansion, citing environmental and health impacts; Ecology and Highline schools also raised concerns. Wildfire: Washington’s unusually dry October is keeping fire season alive, while hazards remain at the Little Giant Fire site. Coastal Protection: A proposed golf course at Westport Light State Park has divided recreationists, with opponents raising concerns about wetlands and habitat. Pollution Enforcement: A Bremerton boat owner was fined $279,000 after covering up a diesel spill, and Port Townsend Paper faces a new water violation. Wildlife Oversight: A call to keep Washington seabird refuges under public oversight highlights concerns about protecting sensitive habitat.