File a Comment with King County
Step 1.
Please CLICK HERE to read instructions to write a comment letter
Step 2.
Copy and Paste the Letter Provided Below, or Write Your Own.
Please be Sure to Include Your Name
Hello King County Permitting,
I am submittng this letter as a formal comment for the Determination of Significance for project number: GRDE 23-0083 and would like it to be part of your formal record. Please respond to let me know you have received this.
My name is _____________and I live at/in (address, neighborhood, or general area).
(OPTIONAL: say something about you like how long you have lived here, professional and personal experience with topics related to this letter, credentials, etc.)
Many aspects of this proposed project are concerning to me. The Determination of Significance and EIS Scope do not adequately address the individual, cumulative, and mitigatable impacts and impacts that cannot be mitigated with regards to the community and the environment. I support a complete and accurate Environmental Impact Statement. It must address all the impacts the proposed project would have on the health and safety of the people and environment of Cumberland and surrounding communities, and environmental quality of the Green River Gorge/Middle Green River corridor.
Key impacts that must be evaluated fully are:
- Air pollution from operating the mine and asphalt plant, dust and air pollution from the projected vehicle traffic and the influences of the microclimate changes in the Gorge. The study should include collecting air quality and weather data at the proposed project site to understand the microclimate for at least two years to capture the variability of winds and precipitation. This microclimate is well known and observed year-round by local residents.
- Existing and projected traffic with updated traffic counts for current and future conditions including year-round traffic counts with traffic to and from the two state parks on each side of the project site (Kanaskat Palmer and Nolte State Parks), school buses and recreational use of the roadways (bike races). Impacts of haul route traffic through Enumclaw, Buckley, Maple Valley and Black Diamond, including the incorporated and unincorporated parts of these areas.
- Emergency services for asphalt plant and other fires, onsite and roadway chemical spills, roadway accidents. The EIS should evaluate availability, equipment, and training of regional emergency services as mutual aid calls and limited department capacity are common under current conditions.
- Impacts to the Green River including groundwater quality and reduced quantity, surface water runoff quality and quantity, stormwater, habitat and endangered fish impacts, and landslides on riverbanks. A full hydrogeological and hydrology study to evaluate fate and transport of pollutants to the springs, river and groundwater. The City of Black Diamond and the Green River Resort Springs need to be included in the study since their water supply may be degraded.
- Ground water quality, quantity and risks to surrounding watershed including private wells and the City of Black Diamond’s springs for municipal water supply.
- Hydrology and groundwater connections including impacts to critical aquifer recharge areas.
- Mining and asphalt plant operation impacts and details including description of operations, on/off-site equipment and vehicle circulation patterns, noise, odors, accident risks, water usage and supply for operations, chemical delivery and onsite wells.
- Flooding, landslide risk, and hazardous runoff on-site and nearby properties.
- Public health and safety including air and water pollu[on effects on health, emergency response limita[ons, and increased poten[al for road accidents.
- Historical mine hazards on-site from arsenic and mercury mines
- Loss of recreation access, scenic quality, and compatibility with adjacent land uses and state parks.
- Impacts to fish habitat, cultural resources, and wildlife migration corridors.
- Effects on local residents in Cumberland and Green River Gorge Resort.
Thank you for considering these concerns and for ensuring a thorough and transparent EIS process. Please add me to the party of record and notify me when the Draft EIS is released and any public meetings occur.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]