** Everett Water Pollution Facility’s New Permit Aims to Protect Salmon

The Washington state Department of Ecology has granted a new permit to the Everett Water Pollution Control Facility, allowing for enhanced monitoring of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Starting in 2027, the facility will track these harmful pollutants in wastewater as part of a five-year water quality permit effective January 1. This decision follows concerns about high PBDE levels in the Snohomish River, which pose health risks to Chinook salmon, a crucial species for local ecosystems and Indigenous communities. Advocacy from local environmental groups led to the inclusion of enhanced monitoring and control measures in the permit. Chinook salmon populations have been declining due to pollution and overfishing, leading to federal protection under the Endangered Species Act since 1999.

The facility will also identify businesses contributing to PBDE discharges and evaluate best practices for pollution management. Ecology officials note that while the permit addresses wastewater sources, PBDEs remain present in river sediments and other environmental matrices. This initiative reflects ongoing efforts to balance industrial activity with environmental preservation, aiming to restore salmon populations in the region.