The Landsburg Mine cleanup project along with updates on the proposed Tahoma and Enumclaw school district land transfer, and upcoming model train show were the main topics at the Greater Maple Valley Area Council monthly meeting Oct. 7.
During public comment former Area Councilman Bill Beck spoke of the update to the King County Solid Waste Plan. Beck serves on the Solid Waste Advisory Committee. The County is looking at eight different scenarios for Transfer Stations. In all cases the Renton Transfer Station would be closed. Some options look at some a small facility, such as a drop box or small transfer station in our area.
Landsburg Mine Cleanup Plan
Jerome Cruz of the Northwest Regional Office of the Toxics Cleanup Program announced that the State Department of Ecology is planning for the cleanup of the Landsburg Mine site in Ravensdale.
A Public Meeting will be held from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24 at Tahoma Junior High School in Ravensdale. Public Comments will be taken between Oct. 11 and Nov. 11. Comments can be sent directly sending an email to jerome.cruz@ecy.wa.gov or by mail to 3190 160th Ave Southeast, Bellevue, WA 98008.
More information is available at: https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/gsp/Sitepage.aspx?csid=60.
School District Boundary Dispute
The Area Council submitted written comments and presented oral testimony to the Puget Sound Educational Service District in support of the Tahoma School District in its efforts to retain a piece of its territory in Black Diamond. The Enumclaw School District petitioned to shift its boundary north into TSD to capture potential future revenues.
On October 3 the PSESD Board voted unanimously in TSD’s favor and, thus, TSD’s boundaries will stay intact.
Train Show
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 19 and 20 the Area Council will hold its 16th Annual Model Train Show at Gracie Hanson Community Center at 27132 SE Ravensdale Way in Ravensdale.
The Train Show provides a wonderful opportunity for local train enthusiasts of all ages. All gauges of model trains are available for viewing. There are many different train layouts, both large and small, displayed throughout both floors of the facility. There is also a train that children can ride on.
This is the largest operating-only model train show in King County. The show is designed to demonstrate that model trains are a viable and enjoyable hobby for people of all ages. Model trains encourage children especially to be more curious about the world around them and to learn more about math, physics, history, electricity, and art.
Next Area Council Meeting
The Area Council’s next monthly meeting will held from 7 to 9 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 4 at the fire station at the southeast corner of 231st street and state Route 169. Meetings are held the first non-holiday Monday of each month. A Public Comment period at the beginning of each meeting provides citizens an opportunity to voice issues of concern to Area Council members and government officials in attendance.
The Area Council “works to keep the Rural Area rural” by serving as an all-volunteer, locally elected advisory body to King County on behalf of all rural unincorporated area residents living in the Tahoma School District.
For more information on the Area Council visit www.greatermaplevalleyareacouncil.org.
