Unincorporated Area Community News
Welcome to Community News, King County government's monthly newsletter for unincorporated area residents. You can find the newsletter online with links to program details, at www.kingcounty.gov/UnincorporatedAreaNews. To see previous versions of the Unincorporated Area Community eNewsletter visit the archives.
News
Green River flood safety information
A depression in the right abutment of Howard Hanson Dam on the Green River means the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is limited in the amount of water it can store behind the flood-control facility.
King County, the King County Flood Control District, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the cities of Auburn, Kent, Renton, Tukwila and Seattle are working together to make sure residents get the information they need to protect themselves and their property. Updates on flood planning efforts, information about the Howard Hanson Dam, and links to resources can be found on a new Web page dedicated to public safety and flood plan information for the Green River Basin.
Rural economic strategies public involvement
In response to changing economic needs and the rural policy changes in the 2008 comprehensive plan update King County is continuing its update to its rural economic strategies. The next meeting is with the Vashon Unincorporated Area Council on April 20. For more information contact Julia Larson, Rural Economic Strategies Coordinator at julia.larson@kingcounty.gov or 206-296-1062.
Forestry grants
King County's Forestry Program is accepting applications for forest opportunity grants. Grants are awarded to projects that help conserve forestry in King County by strengthening infrastructure, promoting forest products, expanding markets, and promoting forest management. For more information, contact Linda Vane at 206-296-8042 or linda.vane@kingcounty.gov.
Agricultural Drainage Assistance Program — streamlining project
King County's Department of Natural Resources and Parks is working with the King County Agriculture Commission, agricultural property owners and other government agencies to streamline its Agricultural Drainage Assistance Program. The goal is to ease the regulatory burden on property owners who need to perform regular ditch maintenance. For more information, contact Kathy Creahan at kathy.creahan@kingcounty.gov or 206-205-5621.
DDES extends Permit Fee Amnesty Program through June 30
King County's Department of Development and Environmental Services is extending the Permit Fee Amnesty program through June 30, 2009. The program helps property owners with illegal construction or clearing and grading activity bring their project into compliance while paying only standard permit fees (double fees are authorized for building, clearing or grading without permits). To be eligible for this temporary program, the unpermitted activity must have occurred prior to October 1, 2008, and a complete permit application must be filed with DDES by June 30.
Pay property taxes quickly and easily online
Taxpayers must pay their first half 2009 tax payments by April 30 to avoid interest and penalty charges. There are several payment options, including mailing a check, paying online or visiting a Community Service Center. For more information on property tax payment options, see the property tax home page.
Civil Rights Commission seeks applicants
The Martin Luther King, Jr. County Civil Rights Commission is seeking new members. Residents who live in County Council District 9, represented by Council Member Reagan Dunn, and including the cities of Maple Valley, Newcastle, Covington, Black Diamond, Enumclaw and portions of Kent, Renton and Bellevue are eligible to submit applications. The Civil Rights Commission advises the County Executive and County Council on matters related to the County's civil rights programs and on human and civil rights issues. For more information, please contact Paula Harris-White at 206-296-8610 or Paula.Harris-White@kingcounty.gov, or visit the Web site.
Roadside weed control begins in May
The King County Road Services Division is scheduled to begin its roadside weed control program May 4. Residents who do not want crews to spray county right-of-way that abuts their property may post “owner will maintain” signs, but must sign an agreement with the county to maintain the right-of-way themselves. Maintenance agreements, which are available on the Web site, must be completed and returned to the Roads Services Division by April 30, before the signs can be issued. For more information, please call 206-296-8100 or toll-free 1-800-KC-ROADS.
King County iMap brings GIS data to thousands every day
iMap is a free online application from King County's Geographic Information System (GIS) that allows the public to view a wide variety of county information in a map display that they control. iMap provides access to 11 separate map themes, including property research, parks, habitat, districts, and local levy rates.
Early Intervention Program is here to help
You know your baby better than anyone. If you have noticed that your infant or toddler seems to have trouble sitting, hearing, moving, following or understanding directions, playing with other children, talking, seeing, walking, eating or feeding it is possible that your child may have a developmental delay. If you feel that something isn't quite right, trust that feeling and call the King County Early Intervention Program for an evaluation. Evaluations are offered at no cost, and no family will be turned away due to an inability to pay. Call 1-800-756-5437 or visit Web site for more information.
Mosquito season is on the way
Rainy springs followed by warm summers create the right conditions for mosquito populations to explode. Start planning now to protect yourself from mosquitoes and the West Nile Virus that they can carry. Get rid of containers that hold standing water, repair window and door screens to make sure they are bug-tight, and clean out leaf-filled gutters.
Adult and Juvenile Detention Resource Guide
The Adult and Juvenile Detention Department of King County provides information to assist families. Visit our Resource Guide for links and contact information for service ranging from assistance with domestic violence to juvenile truancy.
Sign up for the Elections eNewsletter
King County Elections distributes an electronic newsletter periodically to keep our constituents informed of important news, deadlines and the ongoing transition to all-mail voting. To receive the Elections eNewsletter, e-mail your request to vbm@kingcounty.gov.
Find a new pet
Mothers Day is May 10, and King County Animal Care and Control is extending the hours at the Kent Shelter on Mother's Day eve to help you find the perfect pet for Mom. You can visit the shelter from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday May 9. Plenty of cats and dogs are waiting at King County animal shelters for a permanent home. For more information, including hours and directions, visit the Web site or call 206-296-PETS.
Fewer lost pets, more happy reunions
In hopes of reuniting more lost pets with their owners and increasing the number of licensed pets, King County's Animal Care and Control has introduced a $75 penalty for not licensing cats and dogs in King County. Effective April 1, owners of unlicensed pets that are found roaming will first be offered the opportunity to purchase a license before being assessed the $75 penalty. Licenses can be purchased on-line, by mail, and at more than 100 convenient sales outlets in King County's service area. For more information visit Web site or call 206-296-PETS (7387).
Celebrate Earth Day!
Celebrate Earth Day by digging in the dirt. Help King County Parks plant, weed, protect, mulch plantings or pull up weed fabric. For more information and additional events visit the King County Parks Events Calendar. To sign up for any of these events, contact Tina Miller, 206-296-2990, or tina.miller@kingcounty.gov.
Plant native trees and shrubs
April 18 and 25, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. — Help pot native trees and shrubs at the King County Greenhouse and Nursery.
Restoration projects
April 18, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. — Cavanaugh Pond, Cedar River Valley
This project is focused on restoring stream and wetland buffer habitat for fish and wildlife, and for improving water quality.
April 25, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. — Chinook Bend, Snoqualmie River near Carnation
This project is focused on restoring stream and wetland buffer habitats for fish and wildlife and improving water quality.
April 25, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. — Red-Town Meadow Restoration at Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, near Newcastle
This project is focused on restoring Cougar Mountain's unique meadow habitat.
May 2, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. — Ricardo/Cedar Rapids along the Cedar River near Renton
This project is focused on restoring stream and wetland buffer habitats for fish and wildlife and improving water quality along the Cedar River, an important salmon-bearing stream.
May 2, 9 a.m. - noon — Join Eastside Audubon at their monthly volunteer work party for construction and maintenance of the BirdLoop trail at Marymoor Park. For more information or to sign up, contact Laurie Clinton, King County Volunteer Program Manager, at 206-296-4452 or laurie.clinton@kingcounty.gov.
Duwamish Alive!
One thousand volunteers are needed at a dozen restoration worksites along the Duwamish River on Saturday, April 18. Restore habitat for fish and wildlife — pull weeds, mulch planting areas, plant native vegetation and pick up debris and trash in the restoration areas. Bring yourself and your work clothes; we will provide the tools, gloves, instructions, plus snacks and coffee/tea. For more information visit the Web site.
Northwest Natural Yard Days April 15 - May 15
During Northwest Natural Yard Days, you can receive discounts of 25 percent or more on natural yard care products. Featured products include electric mulching mowers, push mowers, weed pullers, compost, organic fertilizer, soaker hoses, bagged bark mulch and more. For more information contact the garden hotline at 206-633-0224 or help@gardenhotline.org.
King County's annual Earth Day Expo
It's easy being green. Let King County show you how! Join us on Earth Day, April 22 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Westlake Plaza in downtown Seattle, to learn easy ways to recycle, green up your ride, volunteer, reduce your carbon footprint and make your home and garden more earth friendly.
Community news
Four Creeks/May Valley
Watch bridge rebuild and traffic with online camera
Use the new Bandaret Bridge traffic camera to view traffic and progress of the May Valley Road bridge project. Traffic on the bridge will alternate using a single lane of the road through November.
Greater Maple Valley
Maple Valley Farmer's Market
A Maple Valley Farmer's Market opens for the year on June 20, at Rock Creek Elementary School, 25700 Maple Valley Highway. A 12-member, locally-formed steering committee will help direct the opening and operation of the market. The Greater Maple Valley Area Council endorses the market and its support of our local economy and growers. The public can help shape the Farmer's Market to meet local needs by completing a survey.
Vashon
Vashon Island parks map promotes recreation
The King County GIS Center's Vashon-Maury Island recreation map and guide promotes the islands' unique outdoor opportunities. The map includes topographic detail, including bluffs and stream systems in the area, while the guide includes a recreation chart for parks and facilities, photographs of several sites, plus ideas of things to see and do.
Vashon Treatment Plant open house
Saturday, May 9 - 10 a.m. — noon
9615 SW 151st St., Vashon
For more information call 206-296-8361 or visit the Web site.
Vashon-Maury Island Sludgefest
Learn about septic system replacement alternatives available to Island residents, with an emphasis on solutions that may be suitable for use in the Marine Recovery Area. Meet the vendors and talk to Public Health staff at the Septic System Alternative Vendor Fair, April 18 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Chautauqua Elementary School. For more information, call 206-296-9733.
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If you have comments or suggestions about future content, please contact Lauren Smith at 206-263-7146 or lauren.smith@kingcounty.gov.