Environment

Tulalip fish buyer Hazen Shopbell talks about what he calls his unlawful arrest on Monday, May 3, 2021 in Tulalip Reservation, Washington.  (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Shellfish war: Judge dismisses Tulalip clam-trafficking case

“A massive waste of taxpayer dollars,” said an attorney. Two tribal defendants say the dismissal is a victory for treaty rights.

Tulalip fish buyer Hazen Shopbell talks about what he calls his unlawful arrest on Monday, May 3, 2021 in Tulalip Reservation, Washington.  (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
The massive mudslide that killed at least eight people and left dozens missing is shown in this aerial photo, Monday, March 24, 2014, near Arlington, Wash. The search for survivors grew Monday, raising fears that the death toll could climb far beyond the eight confirmed fatalities. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

After Oso disaster, landslide prediction remains vexing, necessary

Slides will become more prevalent with climate change. Scientists are scrambling to prepare.

The massive mudslide that killed at least eight people and left dozens missing is shown in this aerial photo, Monday, March 24, 2014, near Arlington, Wash. The search for survivors grew Monday, raising fears that the death toll could climb far beyond the eight confirmed fatalities. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee uses a red pen to veto sections of the state capital budget, Tuesday, May 21, 2019, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. Inslee signed the state's capital, operating, and transportation budgets Tuesday, officially designating funds — and new taxes — to pay for state programs for the next two years. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Inslee, lawmakers set for another court battle on veto powers

In a new suit, the Legislature contends two of the governor’s vetoes were unconstitutional.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee uses a red pen to veto sections of the state capital budget, Tuesday, May 21, 2019, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. Inslee signed the state's capital, operating, and transportation budgets Tuesday, officially designating funds — and new taxes — to pay for state programs for the next two years. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
A car drives along a section of Ben Howard road that Snohomish County will raise due to flooding on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021 in Monroe, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Not so high and dry: Climate change adds to flooding risks

Road improvements are planned with future river flows in mind, starting with an area between Monroe and Sultan.

A car drives along a section of Ben Howard road that Snohomish County will raise due to flooding on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021 in Monroe, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Nicole Vandeputte and Emma Atkinson with Adopt A Stream look for spawning salmon in a newly redirected section of the Olaf Strad tributary on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021 in Arlington, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

At this newly-built Arlington stream, the coho have arrived

It offers some brief respite, but the journey through civilization’s waterways is still difficult.

Nicole Vandeputte and Emma Atkinson with Adopt A Stream look for spawning salmon in a newly redirected section of the Olaf Strad tributary on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021 in Arlington, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee sits in front of a solar panel after speaking, Monday, Dec. 13, 2021, at a news conference in Olympia, Wash. Inslee announced several climate-related proposals for the 2022 legislative session, including a plan to offer rebates on the purchase of new and used electric vehicles for qualified buyers. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Electric-auto rebates: Governor unveils climate proposals

Rebates of up to $7,500 would be available for certain new and used electric vehicles.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee sits in front of a solar panel after speaking, Monday, Dec. 13, 2021, at a news conference in Olympia, Wash. Inslee announced several climate-related proposals for the 2022 legislative session, including a plan to offer rebates on the purchase of new and used electric vehicles for qualified buyers. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
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The Lenz composting facility borders. (Google Earth)

Stanwood composter questioned on whether tonnage went over the cap

Lenz Enterprises was accused by a competitor, Cedar Grove, of accepting 30,000 tons more than allowed last year.

The Lenz composting facility borders. (Google Earth)
After a pesticide exposure, piles of dead honey bees were found at Getchell Ranch in June. (Charles Coslor)

What killed millions of honey bees at this Everett farm?

In the summer, a beekeeper lost 240 hives on Ebey Island. An investigation found they died from pesticides, but whose?

After a pesticide exposure, piles of dead honey bees were found at Getchell Ranch in June. (Charles Coslor)
Brian Loomis and Michelle Moch browse for a live Christmas tree from Adopt A Stream on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

These holiday trees can liven a salmon’s home as well as your own

Adopt A Stream Foundation is selling native trees. Return them after the holidays, and they’ll become critical fish habitat.

Brian Loomis and Michelle Moch browse for a live Christmas tree from Adopt A Stream on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Carpenters from America and Switzerland build the first "modular home" made from cross-laminated timber, inside a warehouse on Marine View Drive on Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021 in Everett, Washington.  (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Affordable housing’s future? Innovative home built in Everett

Swiss and American carpenters built the nation’s first “modular home” made of cross-laminated timber.

Carpenters from America and Switzerland build the first "modular home" made from cross-laminated timber, inside a warehouse on Marine View Drive on Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021 in Everett, Washington.  (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Lake Stevens resident Rick Trout shows a Feb. 2020 photo of the rising lake level in front of his home after a storm. (Isabella Breda / The Herald)

Some Lake Stevens homeowners now must buy flood insurance

Updated FEMA maps show some lakeside homes now sit in a designated flood hazard area, due to a warming climate.

Lake Stevens resident Rick Trout shows a Feb. 2020 photo of the rising lake level in front of his home after a storm. (Isabella Breda / The Herald)
People walk through Grand Avenue Park with umbrellas on Friday, Nov. 12, 2021 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Congratulations, you survived Everett’s second-wettest fall

Since 1948, only one other September-October-November period has brought more rain to Paine Field.

People walk through Grand Avenue Park with umbrellas on Friday, Nov. 12, 2021 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Two brother bear cubs, burned in a fire last summer, were recently reunited at PAWS in Lynnwood. (PAWS) 20211129

Bear cubs, burned in wildfires, reunited in viral video in Lynnwood

The brother cubs are being treated at PAWS Wildlife Center. They were injured in a wildfire near Lake Chelan.

Two brother bear cubs, burned in a fire last summer, were recently reunited at PAWS in Lynnwood. (PAWS) 20211129
Homes in The Point subdivision border the construction of the Go East Corp. landfill on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Mudslide briefly stalls housing project at former Everett landfill

The slide buried two excavators in September. Work has resumed to make room for nearly 100 new houses.

Homes in The Point subdivision border the construction of the Go East Corp. landfill on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Gov. Jay Inslee joined other governors Monday at the Climate Registry & Climate Action Reserve press conference in Glasgow, Scotland, to talk about climate achievements and goals. From left, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, Hawaii Gov. David Ige, Gov. Jay Inslee and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker. (Photo courtesy of Gov. Jay Inslee)

Inslee: State agency vehicles must be all-electric by 2035

The governor, who is in Scotland for an international climate conference, set an aggressive timeline.

Gov. Jay Inslee joined other governors Monday at the Climate Registry & Climate Action Reserve press conference in Glasgow, Scotland, to talk about climate achievements and goals. From left, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, Hawaii Gov. David Ige, Gov. Jay Inslee and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker. (Photo courtesy of Gov. Jay Inslee)
Members of the Livable Lake Stevens, Charles Allen, left to right, David Clay and Doug Turner at the construction of Costco in Lake Stevens on October 31, 2021. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Costco has broken ground, but Lake Stevens group sues again

This time, Livable Lake Stevens is taking Costco to federal court, alleging violations of the Clean Water Act.

Members of the Livable Lake Stevens, Charles Allen, left to right, David Clay and Doug Turner at the construction of Costco in Lake Stevens on October 31, 2021. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Roei Ganzarski, CEO of magniX, poses with a production electric engine, the magni500, at the  company's new office on Seaway Boulevard on Monday, Jan. 18, 2020 in Everett, Washington.  (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Maker of electric airplane engines gets $74M NASA grant

MagniX of Everett is one of two companies tapped to advance electric propulsion systems to power aircraft.

Roei Ganzarski, CEO of magniX, poses with a production electric engine, the magni500, at the  company's new office on Seaway Boulevard on Monday, Jan. 18, 2020 in Everett, Washington.  (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Harbor seal (PAWS)

Jetty Island, a seal paradise, becomes new home for 2 pups

The harbor seals were emaciated when they arrived at PAWS Wildlife Center in Lynnwood. They’re ready for the wild now.

Harbor seal (PAWS)
Buses charge before their next route Friday afternoon at the Everett Transit Center in Everett on October 22, 2021.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Everett to get wireless electric bus chargers via grants

The city is set to benefit from over $2 million in state investments for electric vehicle charging.

Buses charge before their next route Friday afternoon at the Everett Transit Center in Everett on October 22, 2021.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)