“To protect and restore ecological integrity and native biodiversity: explore, identify threats to, and protect our environment; establish long-term ecological sustainability; restore ecological integrity and natural diversity; and educate and empower people to act.”

Over several sessions last year, the South King County Group developed our new Vision (above) to guide goal identification and activity development: We believe this vision fits our challenges in South King County, as well as complements the over-all Sierra Club mission.

Third Runway Gravel Trucks

Between June and November, over 70,000 truckloads of gravel were dumped on the western edge of Sea-Tac International Airport to help build the controversial Third Runway. Large gravel trucks run 20 hr/day, 6 days/wk. Now the Kangley Pit, east of Maple Valley, has asked the King County Department of Development and  Environmental Services (DDES) to modify its permit to increase the number of truck trips a day from 350 to 940 and to move to a 24/7 operation! The trucks travel on Kent Kangley Rd. (SR-516), the Maple Valley Hwy. (SR-169), I-405, and SR-518. Groups monitoring these convoys from Ravensdale to SeaTac have identified over 30,000 violations of the existing permits (these represent only those caught)! Add to this unacceptable risk to public safety, trucks tailgating each other and other motorists, freeboard violations (losing load material), running arterial lights, unsafe equipment, lane travel violations, and aggressive drivers. The City of Maple Valley has formally protested the permit request, as it would add an even more tremendous burden to area traffic, as well as continue to ruin area roadways.

Critical Areas Ordinances Public Rules

King County recently approved a Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) Package for unincorporated areas, most of which are rural. Each city in the county also is preparing their own CAO Package to comply with the state Growth Management Act. Late last year, King County released draft Public Rules related to implementing the newly enacted Critical Areas Ordinances (CAO): Rural Stewardship Public Rule, Rural Stewardship Handbook, and Farm Management Plan Public Rule. These draft rules represent worthy efforts, but are far too long for the average resident to plow through to make the process work. The Group wants to ensure the CAO Package is successful in contributing to our public health and safety by maintaining quality of ground water, lakes, and streams; providing habitat and protection for wildlife and fish; and maintaining recreation areas and aesthetic landscapes. To ensure the CAO Package is successful in meeting these strong goals, we must all work cooperatively to provide a practical set of rules with which all of us and our neighbors can live.

Black River Channel Restoration Project

On Saturday, January 22, Group members joined over 60 volunteers to plant 570 trees, shrubs, and ground cover to help restore the Black River channel adjacent to the prized Renton Great Blue Heron Colony. A wide variety of small and larger native trees and shrubs were planted and mulched. The Black River Channel is an important link to the Green and Duwamish Rivers. A King County Waterworks grant funded the restoration work to create a buffer for the wildlife from the street noise and pollution and enhance the salmon habitat by providing shade and food sources for the salmon traveling upstream and downstream, through the fish passage at the Pumping Station. The restoration area was just under an acre in size includes a long length of riverbank.

Get Involved

Check the Crest calendar and our website at http://cascade.sierraclub.org/southkingcounty for Group events, meetings, and outings. To receive email alerts, contact Cathea Stanley at AdvancedI@aol.com.