Unincorporated Area Community News - King County Local Services


*September 2024*




It's "Salmon Seeson" again [ [link removed] ]

The Lake Washington/Cedar/Sammamish Watershed Salmon SEEson program kicked off in August, highlighting opportunities to see salmon in local streams and rivers as the fish return this summer and fall.

As of mid-August, this year's sockeye count through the Ballard Locks was only 23,113—on pace to be significantly below the 10-year average return. Chinook began their return in early July, and 5,308 had been counted going through the locks as of August 11. This is higher than the 5- and 10-year average return, but it's too early to tell how the total run will compare to previous years.

It's also important to note that in recent years, far more salmon have been seen at the Ballard Locks than at their hatcheries and spawning grounds. So, although the locks counts show a strong number of Chinook, the fish return at the spawning grounds is likely to still be below the numbers needed to meet population recovery goals.

Coho are expected to begin their return in early September.

Learn more about the program [ [link removed] ]

Salmon SEEson receives additional support from the Saving Water Partnership, Duwamish Alive Coalition, the Green/Duwamish and Central Puget Sound Watershed, the Snoqualmie Watershed Forum, and King County.




*Local Services*

Executive Constantine, Councilmember Perry help community celebrate start of transformative Fall City septic project
Fall City septic project kickoff celebration

"Photo: King County Executive Dow Constantine speaks at the celebration."

On Friday, August 23, King County Executive Dow Constantine and Councilmember Sarah Perry joined community members and leaders to celebrate the start of construction on the Fall City on-site septic system project. The project will support the Fall City Business District and the community’s economic future by replacing broken wastewater systems in the district with a large on-site septic system.

“We have been working toward this day for decades,” said Angela Donaldson with the Fall City Community Association. “It took a village to get us here – our entire community, King County, and our state representatives made this long overdue project a reality.”

A 2016 survey showed that only 14 of 62 properties in the Fall City business district had updated septic systems. Failing older systems posed a public health risk to the surrounding community and an environmental threat to nearby rivers. Local businesses have been unable to expand or keep up with changing demands from customers.

When the project is done in 2026, local business will be able to grow in a way that protects both human health and local waterways.

To learn more, visit the project website [ [link removed] ] or read the post on the King County Local blog [ [link removed] ].

Join King County in planning the future of the Greater Maple Valley/Cedar River area

Area map

King County Local Services is working on a 20-year plan for the Greater Maple Valley/Cedar River area (highlighted on the map at right), and is asking community members for input to shape that plan.

The goal is to make equitable improvements in quality of life for everyone who lives, works, and plays in this area.

There are several ways to share ideas on the plan. One is to come to an *open house in Hobart on Thursday, September 26.
**When:* 5:30 – 8 p.m.
*Where:* Hobart Community Church, 27524 SE 200th Street, Maple Valley

Learn more [ [link removed] ] | Questions? Send email <[email protected]> or call 206-477-3800 | Find out if you're in this area [ [link removed] ]



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*Road Services*

*Short-term traffic pain allows long-term safety gains*

King County Road Services had a busy summer closing roads and lanes to tackle key road and bridge projects. Here's a look at some of these key projects:  


* *244th Avenue NE **Slide Repair* [ [link removed] ] near Sammamish: Built a new retaining wall and replaced the road after a February 2020 slide.
* *Duvall Slough Bridge Re-Deck* [ [link removed] ] on NE Woodinville Duvall Road near Duvall: Water-blasted off the potholed and cracked top layer of the bridge and replaced it with a new deck. Crews also replaced the rusted metal expansion joints on the bridge.
* *Bridge deck repairs* [ [link removed] ]*: *Each one of the county's 185 bridges is regularly inspected and monitored to ensure it's in good shape. This summer, several bridges got extra TLC, including washing them down and repairing potholes on their decks.
* *Paving* [ [link removed] ]*:* Road Services made good progress on its list of 20 planned paving projects. If the weather cooperates, they hope to finish what’s left by Halloween.

Visit the MyCommute Map [ [link removed] ] to see current and upcoming lane restrictions and road closures.

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*Metro Transit*

ORCA announces limited-time promotional day pass fare

ORCA card

A special promotional offer from ORCA will help riders save more on their daily rides for the next six months.

During that time, the Adult ORCA Day Pass will be reduced from $8 to $6, while the reduced fare day pass (for seniors, ORCA LIFT customers with lower incomes, and customers with disabilities) will drop from $4 to $2.

To purchase an ORCA Day Pass, you will need a plastic ORCA card or digital ORCA card for Android users in Google Wallet.

Learn more on the Metro Matters blog [ [link removed] ]



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*Natural Resources and Parks*

Cedar Hills Regional Landfill community meeting September 18

Cedar Hills regional landfill

Join representatives of the King County Solid Waste Division to ask questions and learn about the latest activities at the county’s regional landfill.

*When:* Wednesday, September 18
6:30 to 8:30 pm

*Where:* Maywood Middle School
14490 168th Avenue SE in Renton

Visit the website [ [link removed] ]

 



*Businesses remain open during work on new South County Recycling and Transfer Station; upcoming weekend closure on West Valley Highway South*
South County Recycling and Transfer Station construction

"Photo: Crews install reinforcement bars for a site building upper deck."

Work continues on the new recycling and transfer station just north of the existing Algona Transfer Station. The new station is scheduled to open to the public as soon as summer 2026, and nearby businesses continue to remain open throughout construction.

Travelers should expect to see continued road construction, including 24/7 single lane closures and full night closures on West Valley Highway South through September. *West Valley Highway will be fully closed from 7 pm on September 20 to 5 am on September 22 as crews install a new culvert.* In July, King County also began to upgrade the sewer line under 11th Avenue N in Algona to accommodate the new transfer station. The construction work on 11th Avenue will be completed in September 2024.

The existing Algona Transfer Station is one of the oldest and busiest transfer stations in the King County solid waste system and currently offers limited recycling services. The new station will offer recycling and household hazardous waste services and community benefits beyond what is currently available at the Algona Station.

Sign up to receive email updates on the project website [ [link removed] ] | Watch construction in real time [ [link removed] ]

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*Animal services*

Pet adoption fees are reduced through September 10

Pets

Now is a great time to adopt a pet from Regional Animal Services of King County! Through September 10, you can adopt a cat or dog of any age, for just $30—the cost of a pet license—as part of the nationwide “Clear The Shelters” initiative [ [link removed] ].

Visit the RASKC Pet Adoption Center on weekdays from noon to 5 pm or weekends from noon to 4 pm to meet your new best friend! Search adoptable pets [ [link removed] ].



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*Emergency preparedness*

Hazard mitigation
Take a short survey to help King County plan for sudden emergencies

There are 14 potential hazards identified in King County: avalanches, civil disturbances, cyber incidents, dam failures, earthquakes, floods, hazardous materials, health incidents, landslides, severe weather, terrorism, tsunamis, volcanoes, and wildfires.

The King County Office of Emergency Management is updating its Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan. To make sure the hazards most concerning to you are properly addressed, please take a five-question survey [ [link removed] ].

The five-year regional plan is designed to identify potential hazards, assess their impacts, and develop strategies to reduce their effects on our communities. The county needs a plan like this in order to receive grants for addressing emergencies. 

Your input will help Emergency Management understand community concerns and create more effective plans. By sharing your insights, you play a crucial role in helping prioritize resources and manage the risks that matter most to our community.



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*King County Airport*

County to hold airport noise study open house on Sept. 4

King County International Airport

King County International Airport-Boeing Field is doing a noise and land use study. This study will identify the levels of aircraft noise around the airport and ways to reduce the effects of that noise on surrounding neighborhoods.

Learn more and talk to the project team at an open house.

*When:* Wednesday, September 4, from 6 to 7:30 pm
*Where:* KCIA Flight Service Station, 6526 Ellis Avenue S, Seattle

No registration is required, and there will be no formal presentation. Language interpretation will be available in Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Khmer, Vietnamese, and Tagalog.

Find more information about the noise study and other projects happening at King County Airport at KCIAPlanning.com [ [link removed] ].



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*Environment*

County Executive asks renters about utility affordability

Looking at utility costs

As King County seeks to reduce the energy and utility burden on front-line communities, the County Executive's Climate Office wants to know about the unique challenges faced by families who are renters.

To better understand and address renters' utility and housing affordability challenges, the Climate Office is asking renters to fill out a short survey about their homes, utilities, and households.

The results of this survey will help King County and its partners develop programs to improve utility affordability and help build an equitable 2025 Strategic Climate Action Plan.

The survey is available in English [ [link removed] ] and eight other languages: Español (Spanish) [ [link removed] ], 繁體中文 (Chinese Traditional) [ [link removed] ], Af Somaali (Somali) [ [link removed] ], Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese) [ [link removed] ], ភាសាខ្មែរ (Khmer) [ [link removed] ], 
አማርኛ āmariññā (Amharic) [ [link removed] ], دری (Dari) [ [link removed] ], and اَلْعَرَبِيَّةُ (Arabic) [ [link removed] ]. Please share it widely with your network!

Questions? Send email to Neil Larsen <[email protected]>.



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**Washington State University Extension**

WSU Forestry
*
Upcoming learning opportunities for King County forest and woodland owners*

1. *Forests and Forestry in the Puget Sound Region – A continuing education course for K‑12 educators [ [link removed] ]*. This course is designed to give you a fundamental understanding of forests and forestry so that you, as the expert of your own classroom, can develop your own lesson plans that are based on objective and accurate information, dispel common misconceptions, relate to Next Generation Science Standards and other learning standards, and are customized for student needs. Approved for 11 clock hours. *Includes four online class sessions starting September 26 and one in-person field trip on October 12.* Cost: $40 to cover materials and clock-hour processing. "Pre-registration is required."

2. *Thinning your forest – A symposium for landowners [ [link removed] ]* – *October 5 in Preston.* Managing forest density is critical for healthy, resilient forests and habitat. Learn the details of when to thin, how to thin, regulations, logistics, and working with foresters and loggers. Cost: $20 per individual or $30 per household. "Pre-registration is required."

3. *Puget Sound Forests and Climate Change - A Symposium for Landowners [ [link removed] ]* – *November 2 in Renton.* Learn from a panel of experts about what's happening with forests and climate, what to expect in the future in the Puget Sound region, and practical steps you can take to improve the health and resilience of your forest. Cost: $20 per individual or $30 per household. "Pre-registration is required."

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*Health and Human Services*

Opportunities for funding from the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy

1. Senior health promotion

Senior health promotion

The King County Department of Community and Human Services has funds available for programs that promote the health and well-being of seniors. The county will also fund one program or organization to provide technical support and consultation.

The investment period is from January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2027 (subject to change). *Applications are due by 2 pm on Monday, September 9.*

To learn more, watch a recorded information session [ [link removed] ],  see this blog post [ [link removed] ], or contact Virginia Weihs at [email protected] or 206-263-3468.



Caregiver connections and support
2. Caregiver connections and support

Funding is also available for programs that support and connect caregivers by increasing their access to services, improving their skills and understanding, and promoting their community connections and well-being.

The investment period is from January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2029 (subject to change). *Applications are due by 2 pm on Tuesday, September 24.*

To learn more, watch a recorded information session [ [link removed] ], see this blog post [ [link removed] ], or contact Wendosen Gebremichael at [email protected] or 206-477-5160. 



Join a community planning session on mental health counseling

Mental health counseling

You are invited to an online community planning session to share plans and provide feedback on an upcoming funding opportunity to support mental health counseling services for veterans, military servicemembers, and their family members as well as seniors and their caregivers.

*When: Wednesday, September 4*
10 – 11:30 am

Register to participate [ [link removed] ]



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Reminder
Reminder

**► *Catch the Wastemobile* at a location near you! Bring your old batteries, oil‑based paint, antifreeze, pesticides, and more to the Wastemobile for safe, no‑cost disposal. Check the website for accepted items, quantity limits, and the complete 2024 schedule [ [link removed] ] — which continues through mid-October.



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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 – Hybrid meeting (virtual and in-person, 7-8:30 pm)
Fall City Fire Department meeting room
4301 334th Place SE, Fall City

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 9, 7-9 pm – in person or via Zoom
Maple Valley Fire Station
22225 SE 231st Street (across from King County Sheriff’s Precinct #3)

Topics will include the upcoming Greater Maple Valley/Cedar River Community Service Area Subarea Plan and the ongoing 2024 King County Comprehensive Plan Major Ten-Year Update.

Visit the website [ [link removed] ] for meeting agendas and Zoom information, which are posted several days before each 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]>.

:: Skyway Business Collective

The Skyway Business Collective aims to drive economic growth for entrepreneurs and small business owners living or working in Skyway, and to create a supportive and inclusive space for  small businesses to grow, connect, and thrive through *free professional services* tailored to the business's needs. Learn more at www.skywaybusinesscollective.org [ [link removed] ]

:: Skyway Coalition

See the coalition's website [ [link removed] ].

:: 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 about the council, call Nancy Stafford at 425-788-5841 or visit the Facebook page [ [link removed] ] and/or website [ [link removed] ]. (Note: both the Facebook page and the website are currently being updated.)

*:: Vashon Chamber of Commerce*

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

:: Vashon-Maury Community Council

Meetings are open to all and are held on the third Thursday of each month, both online and in-person. Topics include affordable housing, ferries, election candidates, transportation, aviation noise, and more. The council sets up committees and passes resolutions to King County and other organizations as needed. Voting membership is free and open to residents 18 and older. To learn more, 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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