2020 vision to clean up Puget Sound unveiled

A Puget Sound draft cleanup plan wrapped in a sense of urgency and filled with costly projects to save habitat and halt pollution was released for public review Thursday by the Puget Sound Partnership.

Big money, big goal: $220 million infusion to aid in cleanup

Compared with 2007, the Puget Sound agenda for this year's state Legislature is small potatoes.

A conversation with David Dicks

David Dicks, a Seattle attorney and son of Congressman Norm Dicks, D-Wash., was appointed executive director of the Puget Sound Partnership by Gov. Chris Gregoire in August 2007.

‘Our last, best chance' to save Puget Sound

All eyes are on the Puget Sound Partnership, the new state agency viewed by many as the last chance for saving Puget Sound.

• Part 1: Toxic runoff silent killer

About this series

Today's fifth installment in The Olympian's Saving Puget Sound series examines the pollution problems caused by stormwater runoff, and ways to curb them.

Puget Sound's future depends on drastic change

OLYMPIA — Measures to tame stormwater runoff into Puget Sound will require new ways of developing land and major lifestyle changes for the residents of the region — not to mention the 1.4 million headed this way in the next 15 years.

Air pollutants also have effect on area's water quality

Everything from cars motoring along Interstate 5 to coal plants in China contributes to air pollution that settles into Puget Sound.

What you can do now to help Puget Sound

Individuals, families and businesses can play a role in reducing stormwater runoff.

Toxic runoff - silent killer

Every time it rains, pollution pours into Puget Sound.

• About this series
• Puget Sound's future depends on drastic change
• Air pollutants also have effect on area's water quality
• What you can do now to help Puget Sound
• Graphic: Stormwater runoff and Puget Sound
• Previous coverage

Eelgrass (South Sound marine life)

Eelgrass (Zostera marina)

Sound's health shows decline

The health of Puget Sound continues to show serious signs of decline, according to a State of the Sound report released today by the Puget Sound Action Team.

Puget Sound panel details daunting cleanup endeavor

A blue-ribbon panel charged with restoring the health of Puget Sound by 2020 outlined ambitious priorities Thursday, including reducing toxic chemicals and sewage, improving shorelines, reducing stormwater runoff, restoring and preserving habitat and getting people involved.

Shoreline barriers hurt Sound's web of life

BELFAIR STATE PARK - Environmental engineer Pat McCullough grinned as a bulldozer chewed away at a boulder-studded dike he can't wait to tear down.

Nisqually project helps reverse decades of decline

The Nisqually River Delta is where the action is when it comes to estuary restoration work in Puget Sound.

Puget Sound's future in peril

From a distance, Puget Sound shimmers pristine blue in the sunlight, framed by beaches that look clean and inviting.

Partnership hopes to jump-start recovery efforts

For the past 20 years, efforts to clean up and protect Puget Sound have been directed by the state, resulting in a mixed bag filled with as much failure as success.

'People need to get passionate about Puget Sound's cleanup,' Gregoire says

The state spent nearly $572 million on projects during the past two years to clean up and protect Puget Sound.

Five questions about Puget Sound's health, future

The questions

A healthy Sound also keeps the area's economic engine alive

Puget Sound is an outdoors economic powerhouse. According to state and federal studies:

History of Puget Sound cleanup efforts

1920s: Puget Sound shellfish growers sound the alarm over pollution from pulp mills.