Department of Ecology seeks input on landfill rule changes
June 12, 2012
The state Department of Ecology seeks citizen input as the agency prepares to amend rules affecting landfills, including the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill near Issaquah.
The amendments to the state administrative code aim to bring the criteria for landfills into alignment with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requirements.
The state agency is proposing changes to rules for landfill liner and cover design, standards and procedures for closing landfills, and other landfill practices and procedures.
Citizens can review the proposed rule language and related documents at www.ecy.wa.gov/laws-rules/activity/wac173351.html.
Mail comments to Wayne Krafft, Washington Department of Ecology, Eastern Regional Office, Waste 2 Resources Program, 4601 N. Monroe St., Spokane, WA 99205-1295. Email comments to rulecommentsw2r@ecy.wa.gov. The comment period ends July 6.
Issaquah School Board is unhappy about King County’s school site decisions
May 8, 2012
Members of the Issaquah School Board were unhappy to hear last week that a district-owned 80-acre property is most likely unusable.
“We own the land. If the county wants to condemn it then they can pay us and we’ll go find something else,” board member Brian Deagle said.
The board got the bad news at its April 26 meeting, when it received an update about the recent recommendations of the King County School Siting Task Force.
In his presentation to the board, Steve Crawford, director of capital projects for the Issaquah School District, explained that one of the recommendations is for Issaquah to basically give up the nearly 80 acres of land it owns on Southeast May Valley Road. The $1.4 million property, which sits between Squak Mountain to the north and the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill to the south, is outside of King County’s urban growth boundary.
King County calls for new schools in urban areas
April 24, 2012
A 30-member task force unanimously agreed to recommend that new school sitings in King County be done in urban areas and rural towns, not in areas designated as rural.
King County officials announced the decision April 11.
“These are thoughtful recommendations that will help deliver educational excellence for our children without sacrificing the environment of our rural areas,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine in a press release.
According to the county, the School Siting Task Force evaluated an inventory of 18 rural properties owned by eight school districts in King County.
The county lists one such property owned by the Issaquah School District at 21569 S.E. May Valley Road.
King County to answer landfill questions at Issaquah meeting
April 17, 2012
Residents from areas near the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill can offer feedback and receive updates at a public meeting soon.
The agency responsible for the landfill, the King County Solid Waste Division, is hosting a community meeting from 7-9 p.m. April 25 at the King County Library Service Center, 960 Newport Way N.W.
Meeting attendees can learn about landfill operations, plus construction and environmental projects at the 920-acre facility. Officials also plan to discuss the Bio Energy Washington landfill-gas-to-energy facility at the landfill site.
King County officials started meeting Cedar Hills Regional Landfill neighbors more than 25 years ago to offer information and collect feedback.
The landfill sprawls across unincorporated King County between Issaquah and Maple Valley.
The community meetings provide a forum for area residents and Solid Waste Division staff to discuss activities, conditions and problems related to the landfill.
Call 206-296-4490 or go to http://your.kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/facilities/cedar-hills-meetings.asp to learn more.
Solid Waste Division officials last hosted a meeting about the landfill in October 2011.
Press Editorial
April 17, 2012
Give a nod to planet Earth
Arbor Day is April 21, followed by Earth Day on April 22. Both are an equal opportunity to show appreciation for the third rock from the sun.
The city Parks & Recreation Department will plant 150 trees along Issaquah Creek on Saturday in honor of Arbor Day. Just last week, the city earned Tree City USA status for the 19th year.
Earth Day gets a jumpstart in Issaquah on Thursday when Lake Sammamish kokanee salmon fry are released into Laughing Jacobs Creek. Public tours are available this weekend to see what happens to unrecycled garbage at the Cedar Hills Landfill in south Issaquah. Also south of the city limits, volunteers will mulch and weed the Log Cabin Natural Area along Issaquah Creek. Volunteers will do back-country trail work on Cougar Mountain.
King County hosts events to celebrate Earth Day
April 15, 2012
NEW — 4 p.m. April 15, 2012
King County starts countywide Earth Day celebration in Issaquah on Thursday, as conservationists gather to release Lake Sammamish kokanee salmon fry into Laughing Jacobs Creek.
The county is also opening the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill near Issaquah to public tours.
Other Earth Day events entice residents to participate in environmental activities or adopt a “green” lifestyle habit.
“Small choices can add up to big changes,” County Executive Dow Constantine said. “The future is in our hands — please join me in keeping King County green. With these steps, it’s easy.”
City Council schedules hearing to gather input on proposed plastic bag ban
April 13, 2012
NEW — 6 a.m. April 13, 2012
In a push to collect more input on a proposal to outlaw plastic bags at Issaquah business, City Council scheduled another opportunity for the public to comment on the proposed ban.
Supporters said a plastic bag ban could reduce landfill waste and marine pollution. Opponents said the legislation could lead to lost plastics manufacturing jobs in the region.
Citizens can comment on the proposed plastic bag ban at a special meeting and public hearing April 30. The council is not expected to reach a decision on the legislation at the meeting.
The council meets at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall South, 135 E. Sunset Way.
King County task force says new schools should go in urban, not rural, areas
April 11, 2012
NEW — 5:15 p.m. April 11, 2012
A 30-member task force unanimously agreed to recommend that new school sitings in King County be done in urban areas and rural towns, not in areas designated as rural.
King County officials announced the decision Wednesday afternoon.
“These are thoughtful recommendations that will help deliver educational excellence for our children without sacrificing the environment of our rural areas,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine in a press release.
According to the county, the School Siting Task Force evaluated an inventory of 18 rural properties owned by eight school districts in King County. The county lists one such property owned by the Issaquah School District along Southeast May Valley Road. County information does not provide an exact address.
City Council delays decision on plastic bag ban
April 10, 2012
The decision to outlaw plastic bags at Issaquah businesses is on hold, City Council members decided April 2 after listening to appeals from environmentalists concerned about Puget Sound pollution and plastics manufacturers anxious about lost livelihoods.
The proposed plastic bag ban at local retailers is meant to limit garbage headed for the King County landfill and reduce marine pollution.
The measure stalled after speakers questioned the scope, timing and lack of input from the businesses affected by such a change. The council opted in a 6-1 decision to postpone further discussions on the plastic bag ban to a still-unscheduled meeting in May.
“It bothers me that in this last week that we were still turning over stones,” Councilwoman Stacy Goodman said before the meeting.
King County offers landfill tours for Earth Day celebration
April 10, 2012
See the destination for most King County garbage up close.
The county is opening the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill between Issaquah and Maple Valley for free tours April 21.
Cedar Hills, the last operating landfill in the county, encompasses 920 acres and accepts about 800,000 tons of garbage each year from across King County, excluding Seattle and Milton.
The tour is designed for adults. Call 206-296-4490 to organize tours for school-aged children and school groups.
The tours start at 9 and 11 a.m. and last about one hour. The tours require reservations. Reserve a spot by April 16 by calling 206-296-4490, TTY Relay: 711.
Parking is provided at the landfill, 16645 228th Ave S.E., and participants board a Metro Transit bus for the guided tour. The bus is wheelchair accessible.
For safety, tour participants must wear closed-toe footwear and adhere to all traffic signs at the landfill.
