Unincorporated Area Community News - King County Local Services


*September 2023*




Road projects wrap up as construction season ends
Clough Creek Bridge construction

"Photo: crews lower concrete deck slabs into place on the new Clough Creek Bridge south of North Bend in mid-August. Replacing the bridge allowed the county to lift a longstanding weight restriction for crossing vehicles."

This year's summer construction projects included work to improve water management and reduce flooding; replacing narrow, rusted culverts with larger, modern ones made of concrete; and replacing a 73-year-old bridge over Clough Creek [ [link removed] ] near North Bend (see photo). Meanwhile, road maintenance crews were trimming overgrown vegetation, repairing and replacing guardrail, filling potholes, and repainting faded stripes and other road markings.

One construction project that's still to come is installation of a traffic-calming roundabout at the intersection of Redmond Ridge Drive NE and NE Alder Crest Drive. Work is scheduled to begin in early September and last through late fall (learn more on the project website [ [link removed] ]).

You can get construction notices sent straight to your inbox by subscribing to Road Alerts [ [link removed] ]. And if you need to report something, you can always call the 24/7 Road Helpline, 206‑477‑8100, and speak with the Road Services customer care team.




*Public Health*

*South King County students **can still get free COVID shots and school-required vaccinations *

Free vaccinations

COVID-19 vaccines and vaccinations required for school entry are still available to children through age 18 at no-cost vaccination events. Check Public Health – Seattle & King County’s Find a Clinic web page [ [link removed] ] for a current list of places and times. 

Each event will provide COVID-19 vaccines and boosters as well as [ [link removed] ]all vaccines required for K-12 school entry—including Tdap, DTaP, MMR, hepatitis B, varicella, and polio. And every child who gets vaccinated at these clinics will receive two free tickets to a Seattle Storm home game, while supplies last!

These events are intended for children through age 18 living in south King County, as well as children who are uninsured, are experiencing homelessness, or who recently moved to the U.S. and do not have a health care provider. No one will be turned away for lack of insurance. 

Please wear short sleeves and bring any vaccination records you may have from other states or countries. Language interpretation is available upon request. 



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*Animal services*

Collar ID
*Does your pet have “Collar ID”?*

We all know how valuable Caller ID is on our mobile phones. The same holds true for having “Collar ID” on your pet. 

A pet license from Regional Animal Services of King County not only provides identification that protects pets 24/7 if they get lost, but also helps fund King County's animal services program. 

Last year, your RASKC (Regional Animal Services of King County) Shelter took in 3,763 lost pets. They were able to return 895 to their owners. Just think how many more might have been reunited with their families if they had been licensed.

Cats and dogs are legally required to be licensed in King County, and non-compliance could result in fines of up to $250.

Learn more or license online [ [link removed] ], or call 206-296-2712



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*Natural Resources and Parks*

There's still time for property owners with low incomes to apply for a Surface Water Management Fee discount

If you qualify as a low-income household and live on your own property in unincorporated King County, you may be eligible for a 50% discount on the annual surface water management fee on your land parcel(s).

Residents approved for the King County Senior Citizen and People with Disabilities Reduction in Property Taxes are already approved for this discount and do not need to apply.

The application period is *August 1 through September 15* of each year. Learn more about the fee discount on the King County website [ [link removed] ], call 206-477-4800, or send email <[email protected]>. Information about the discount is available online in English, Español [ [link removed] ] | 한국어 [ [link removed] ] | Af-Soomaali [ [link removed] ] | русский [ [link removed] ] | 中文 [ [link removed] ] | Tiếng Việt [ [link removed] ] (Spanish, Korean, Somali, Russian, Chinese, and Vietnamese).

Got Hazardous Waste? The Wastemobile can help!

Hazardous waste disposal

King County's Wastemobile offers free, easy, convenient, and safe hazardous waste disposal. Residents and small businesses can drop off household hazardous waste such as oil-based paint, batteries, antifreeze, or pesticides to the Wastemobile at no cost.

The Wastemobile website [ [link removed] ] offers a full schedule and instructions as well as complete lists of accepted items and quantity limits for households [ [link removed] ] and eligible businesses [ [link removed] ].



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*Public Health*

*Be smoke-ready in 4 steps*
Smoke

Is it smoky out? Stay safe indoors. Breathing wildfire smoke particles can damage your health. Limit exercise, keep children and pets inside, and help at-risk neighbors.


* *Check local air quality* daily at PSCleanAir.org [ [link removed] ]
* Find 5-day smoke forecasts at WAsmoke.blogspot.com [ [link removed] ]

* *Stay indoors* when air quality is:
* *Orange* (101–150 AQI): People with asthma or respiratory and heart conditions. Children and adults age 65+ may be at risk.
* *Red, purple, and maroon *(151 AQI and higher): *Everyone*

* *Watch for symptoms* of smoke exposure
* Move someone inside if they have a headache, sore throat or nose, cough, burning eyes, dizziness, or wheezing.
* Keep inhalers and medications ready.
* Call 911 if someone has shortness of breath or chest pain.

* *Improve indoor air quality* on smoky days
* Close windows and doors, unless it becomes too hot.
* Move to a mall, library, or other air-conditioned building.
* Set up a clean air room using a HEPA or DIY box fan filter [ [link removed] ].
* Check out Tips for clean air indoors on smoky days: A Public Health comic [ [link removed] ]

Learn more about wildfire smoke and your health at kingcounty.gov/wildfiresmoke [ [link removed] ]

*Get ready to renew your Medicaid or Apple Health insurance*

Don’t risk a gap in your health insurance! Apple Health is the name for Medicaid in Washington. Apple Health is free or low-cost health insurance for those who qualify.

For the past three years, more than 100,000 King County residents kept Apple Health coverage without needing to reconfirm their eligibility every year. Because of the pandemic, those requirements were suspended. Now many clients will need to verify that they’re still eligible for Apple Health and submit a renewal.

*Get ready to renew now! *Follow these steps to help determine if you still qualify:


* Make sure your contact information is up to date.
* Check your mail for a renewal letter.
* Or complete your renewal online at WAHealthPlanFinder.org [ [link removed] ]

**Have questions? Need help?**


* Call Public Health at 1-800-756-5437 [ tel:1-800-756-5437 ]. Interpretation is available – say language when connected.
* Email questions to [email protected]

Learn more: How to keep Medicaid Apple Health insurance as policies change – Public Health Insider [ [link removed] ]

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Community art murals installed at historic pet cemetery
Pet cemetery mural

"Photo by Julie Seitz"

Three murals painted by community members during Kent Cornucopia Days were dedicated on August 9 by Washington State Representative Tina Orwall at the Seattle-Tacoma Pet Cemetery on Kent's West Hill. The two-part community art project (painting and dedication) was funded by a King County Alan Painter grant, the City of Kent Arts Commission, the Kent Community Foundation, and several area businesses.

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*Greater Maple Valley News*

*Area council submits comments to King County on proposed RV Park in Ravensdale*

On August 6, the Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council submitted comments to King County's Permitting Division on a permit application to site a commercial facility in Ravensdale, in the Rural Area and in the Cedar River/Ravensdale Rural Forest Focus Area. The RV Park would have 49 campsites as well as parking, toilets and showers, a kitchen, an office, and an onsite store for campers.

The comments identified four key concerns: impacts to the Kent Wellhead Protection Area and Critical Aquifer Recharge Area; siting a high-density commercial enterprise in the Rural Area and the Rural Forest Focus Area; potential contamination from the on-site septic system; and traffic impacts on two-lane roads.

Read the comments on the Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council website [ [link removed] ].

—"Submitted by Peter Rimbos, Corresponding Secretary, Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council"

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*Rural Area news*

**Joint Team of unincorporated area councils, associations, and organizations submits comments on King County’s Comprehensive Plan update**

As part of its ongoing work on the King County Comprehensive Plan update*,* the joint team reviewed the public review draft released on June 1. On July 14, the team submitted 97 pages of comments [ [link removed] ] to Comprehensive Plan Manager Chris Jensen. Topics included the following.


* How well the county follows its Guiding Principles
* Follow-through on policies defining “rural character”
* Environmental policies
* Policies to protect and enhance parks and open space
* The financial system for county roads
* Siting urban or urban-serving facilities and businesses in the Rural Area
* Implementation of policies and codes regarding permitting, land use, code enforcement, and other issues that affect development on, and uses of, parcels in the Rural Area
* Enforcement of growth targets
* Special-use, temporary-use, and conditional-use permits
* Permit exceptions
* Multi-family housing in rural towns.
* Creation of affordable housing.

The King County Executive will submit his recommended plan to the King County Council in December.

—"Submitted by Peter Rimbos, Corresponding Secretary, Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council"

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Community organizations

:: Community Alliance to Reach Out and Engage

Lord of Life Lutheran Church
12819 160th Avenue SE, Renton

See blog [ [link removed] ] for the latest information and to confirm meetings.

:: Enumclaw Plateau Community Association

Third Tuesdays at 6 p.m.
 Muckleshoot Library (King County Library branch)
39917 Auburn Enumclaw Road SE, Auburn

Monthly board meetings are open to the public, and often feature guest speakers in addition to community reports and information from a variety of local organizations. For more information email Nancy Merrill <[email protected]>.

:: Fall City Community Association

First Tuesdays – Virtual meeting (7-8:30 pm)

The Fall City Community Association promotes building of community, proactively communicates on local issues, and takes action on selected issues that affect the Fall City community. Meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month, and are open to the public. For more information, visit fallcity.org [ [link removed] ] or email send email <[email protected]>. 

:: Four Creeks Unincorporated Area Council

Second Tuesdays – Virtual meeting via Zoom 

Visit the website [ [link removed] ] for the latest information and to confirm meeting dates and locations.

:: Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council

Monday, September 11, 7-9:30 pm – in person or via Zoom
Maple Valley Fire Station
22225 SE 231st St (across from the King County Sheriff’s Precinct #3)

Visit the website [ [link removed] ] for the agenda, guest speakers, and Zoom information, which will be posted several days before the meeting.

*:: Green Valley/Lake Holm Association*

The Green Valley/Lake Holm Association advocates for those who live in unincorporated southeast King County. Primary goals are to maintain the community’s unique historic, agricultural, and rural character; protect the environment; and sustain quality of life in the area. They engage regularly with local government agencies to address concerns and influence policies on topics of mutual interest, such as growth and development, transportation, public safety, and flood control. Stay connected by visiting their Facebook page [ [link removed] ].

:: North Highline Unincorporated Area Council

Monthly board meetings are open to the public and often feature guest speakers in addition to community reports and information from local organizations. For more information, email Liz Giba <[email protected]>.

:: Skywest Tool Library

Working to start a new tool library in Skyway. The purpose of the library will be to share ideas, teach, learn, and borrow tools and more. To learn more, email [email protected]. 

*:: Upper Bear Creek Community Council*

For information, call Nancy Stafford at 425-788-5841 or visit the Facebook page [ [link removed] ].

*:: Vashon Chamber of Commerce*

Send email <[email protected]> or [ [link removed] ]visit the website [ [link removed] ].

:: Vashon-Maury Community Council

Thursday, August 3, 7-8:30 pm – in person or via Zoom
Vashon Land Trust
10014 SW Bank Road, Vashon

Monthly board meetings are open to the public, and often feature guest speakers in addition to community reports and information from a variety of local organizations. For more information visit the website [ [link removed] ].

:: West Hill Community Association

Meetings are in person or via Zoom [ [link removed] ]
Skyway Fire District 20 Admin Building
12424 76th Avenue S, Seattle

Monthly board meetings are open to the public, and often feature guest speakers in addition to community reports and information from a variety of local organizations. For more information, send email <[email protected]> or visit the website [ [link removed] ] <[email protected]>.




"Unincorporated Area Community News" is published monthly by the King County Department of Local Services. To subscribe, visit our website [ [link removed] ]. Please direct questions or comments to Anna Clemenger, ([email protected] or 206-477-3839).

*Contact King County Local Services*

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 206-477-3800 (Relay 711)
Website: [link removed] [ [link removed] ]

"Para solicitar esta información en Español, sírvase llamar al 206-477-3800
""o envíe un mensaje de correo electrónico a [email protected]"

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