The Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council met Aug. 5 for its monthly meeting where the top issues discussed were growth concerns and county transportation funding issues.

The discussion on growth concerns centered around the city of Covington’s draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Hawk Subarea property and the impacts that the development will have on the area, namely increased traffic.

The Area Council is concerned about impacts to state Route 516, state Route 18, and state Route 169. The Area Council voted to pursue a review of the Environmental Impact Statement and prepare and submit comments.

The Area Council’s transportation committee has initiated a project to review King County roads funding and usage to propose a better model to ensure unincorporated area road infrastructure is sustainable in the long run.

With the addition of several new members the Area Council decided to review and expand its committee rosters. The following includes changes made:

Outreach/Survey/Election  — Prepare and execute bi-annual Area Council Elections and Citizens’ Advisory Survey. Public outreach was added to the Committee’s responsibilities. Lorraine Blacklock and Anne Meis joined the committee.

By-Laws — Reviews current by-laws and in conjunction with the entire Area Council, identify any item/issue needing update, or change, and drafting proposed language. Reviews and revises voting precincts that define Council Districts every four years. Susan Harvey left to attend to other committee duties and Rhys Sterling joined the committee.

Train Show — Defines Council support requirements and recruits and implements activities necessary to conduct train show. Craig Duckering and Susan Harvey joined the committee.

Flood Control/Surface Water Management  — Study King County flood control and surface water management issues, assess current status of policies and fees. Tara Larson left to attend to other committee duties and Todd Mitchell and Sue Neuner joined the committee.

Growth Management — Monitor County land-use decisions, zoning, and we and enacted ordinances. Susan Harvey left to attend to other committee duties and Lorraine Blacklock, Craig Duckering, and Rhys Sterling joined the committee.

Natural Resources/Parks — Study regional parks, historic landmarks, natural habitats, water quality, wastewater, and solid waste. Tara Larson and Bev Tonda left to attend to other committee duties and Carl Buchholz, Chuck Meis, and Rhys Sterling joined the committee.

Transportation  — Investigate the area’s transportation problems and offer potential path towards mitigation. Rob Morris left to attend to other committee duties and Carl Buchholz and Lorraine Blacklock joined the committee.

The Area Council’s next meeting will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. on Sept. 9 at the Fire Station located at the intersection of 231st. Street and state Route 169.

For more information about the area council visit www.greatermaplevalleyareacouncil.org.