“Full road closures” apply to all—cyclists and pedestrians too!
 Please take note that travelers and "visitors" do not belong in construction zones. Closed roads and work sites can have deep pits, large equipment, and other serious hazards, and are off-limits to everyone except county crews.
King County Permits
Changes are coming to King County code enforcement
King County is developing changes to the way it enforces its rules and regulations. The proposed changes will streamline the process and prioritize enforcement for cases that have the greatest potential to harm human and/or environmental health and safety.
The public will have a chance to weigh in on the proposed changes starting in mid-June, when they will be posted on the Local Services website.
Natural Resources and Parks
2024 King County Flood Management Plan update
 Public comments received and next steps
King County is winding up a multi-year effort to develop a new flood plan that will guide management of flood risks along our rivers, creeks, and shorelines. The new plan was informed by extensive community input, and a draft was released for public review and comment earlier this year. A summary of the submitted comments is available on the Flood Plan engagement hub. County staff members considered all comments received when they developed the final plan, which is scheduled to go to the King County Council in June.
Learn more about the plan and see updates on the Flood Plan web page.
WSU Extension learning opportunities
Forest stewardship courses this summer and early fall
WSU Extension offers the following forest stewardship courses for King County property owners.
► Learn everything you need to know about caring for your wooded property. The course includes how to write your own personalized forest stewardship plan that could help qualifying landowners save money on property taxes through King County's Public Benefit Rating System (PBRS) program.
Participants will receive a site visit to their property by a professional forester. There are two upcoming offerings:
1. Summer online course starts July 8. Cost: $150. Pre-registration is required.
2. Fall in person course starts September 3 in Preston. Cost: $175. Pre-registration is required.
► Puget Sound Forest Owners’ Field Day – July 27 in Fall City. This out-in-the-woods education event (pictured) lets you attend a variety of workshops, all on the same day. It will help you address challenges on your property, foster healthy and resilient forest conditions, pursue fun new projects, and achieve your goals. Cost: $20 per individual or $30 per household. Pre-registration is required.
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Metro Transit
Metro restores bus trips on several DART routes
 Photo: DART buses bring service to areas where ridership doesn't support regular bus routes.
Last month, Metro Transit restored 79 trips across six routes, including routes that serve Federal Way (routes 901 and 903), Fairwood (route 906), and Auburn/Enumclaw (route 915).
These routes are part of Metro's DART (Dial-A-Ride Transit) service, which offers both a set schedule and a flexible service area when a rider reserves in advance. DART vehicles, provided by Metro partner Hopelink, feature bicycle racks and wheelchair lifts.
Learn more and see route maps on this Metro Matters blog post.
This year, bus-to-trail service takes hikers to Issaquah Alps as well as Mount Si on weekends and holidays
Trailhead Direct, King County's transit-to-trails service, began its seventh season on May 25. The service provides transportation between Seattle and popular hiking trails, minus the worry about finding a parking space at the trailhead.
This year the service—provided through a partnership between Metro, King County Parks, the Seattle Department of Transportation, and Amazon—will run through Sunday, September 15, and will include service on Independence Day and Labor Day.
Learn more on this Metro Matters blog post or visit the Trailhead Direct website.
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More weekday Water Taxi sailings to/from Vashon are coming this summer
Water Taxi passengers heading to and from Vashon Island will have new weekday sailings available starting July 1. There will also be more supporting bus service connecting to these trips.
The Vashon route of the King County Water Taxi will begin operating 10 round trips each weekday, which will include four new midday trips to connect riders between the north end ferry terminal and Pier 50 in downtown Seattle.
The new sailings will be reflected in Metro's online Water Taxi schedule by July 1.
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Metro begins safety project in White Center
Construction crews are launching work in White Center to make it safer to walk, bike, and access nearby King County Metro RapidRide H Line bus service.
Four blocks of new sidewalks, crosswalks and bike lanes will be built on SW 100th Street to fill in existing gaps between the Greenbridge community and RapidRide H Line service on 15th Avenue SW. New street lighting is also planned along the road.
Completing these connections between 10th Avenue SW and 14th Avenue SW will make it easier and safer for the 2,550 residents in the King County Housing Authority complex to travel to and from available bus service.
Learn more from this Metro Matters blog post
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Public Health
Coming June 7: six free gun lockbox giveaway events
This year on National Gun Violence Awareness Day, Public Health – Seattle & King County’s Regional Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Lock It Up Program are partnering with community organizations to host six gun lockbox giveaway events across King County on June 7.
Locking up firearms saves lives and protects communities. Using a gun lockbox can prevent unauthorized access, reduce the risk of accidental shootings, and prevent theft or misuse.
Each gun lockbox event on June 7 will feature remarks from community safety experts and local government leaders, gun safety education, and free handgun lockbox giveaways. These events are free and open to all, and lockboxes will be distributed while supplies last.
► Seattle (hosted with Community Passageways)
When: 10 – 11:30 am
Where: In the parking lot at 23rd Avenue S and S Jackson Street
► Kent (hosted with Community Passageways)
When: 11 am – 1 pm
Where: City Hall Square – 220 4th Avenue S
► White Center (hosted with the Boys and Girls Clubs of King County SE Safety Network)
When: 1 – 3 pm
Where: Greenbridge Plaza – 9800 8th Avenue SW, Seattle
► Burien (hosted with YMCA Alive and Free)
When: 1 – 3 pm
Where: Greenbridge Plaza – 9800 8th Avenue SW, Seattle
► Skyway (hosted with Urban Family)
When: 3 – 5 pm
Where: King County Fire District 20 – 12417 76th Avenue S, Seattle
► Rainier Beach (hosted with Rainer Vista Boys and Girls Clubs SE Safety Network)
When: 4 – 7 pm
Where: Safeway parking lot – 9262 Rainier Avenue S, Seattle
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Register for the 2024 King County substance use conference
Mark your calendar—A Vision for Hope, the fourth annual King County conference on substance use, will be on Thursday, June 6. Come together to share opportunities for those in their recovery journey.
Join in person or online to hear from inspiring keynote speakers and panelists who are changing our system of care. Register and learn more at www.kingcounty.gov/sudconference.
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Backyard critter guide: how to avoid diseases from animals
The days are getting warmer, which means more time for cleaning your garage or working in the garden. As you clean out that shed or mow the lawn, be prepared for wild animals you may find in your home or yard. Diseases like hantavirus, rabies, and tularemia can be spread between animals and humans.
Check out this Public Health Insider blog post for tips on how to protect yourself and your family. (Leer en español)
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Animal services
Love your pets? License them!
All cats and dogs living in unincorporated King County are required to be licensed with Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC). If your pet's license has expired, or if you've never licensed them at all, now's your chance. Through June 30, you can license your cat or dog with RASKC and all late fees will be waived.
Learn more and license online or call 206-296-2712.
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These experts could help you solve a rodent problem
If you have mice or rats on your property and would rather not use traps or poison, consider hiring a cat through Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC).
Barn Cats R Us, a volunteer-run program, rehomes outdoor cats to barns, sheds. and garages where they work as rodent hunters. These mousers and ratters provide totally organic rodent control. RASKC places barn cats at no charge to you—all you have to provide is warm and safe shelter, a dependable source of food, and fresh water.
Learn more and watch a short video about “Cats with a day job” on the RASKC website.
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Community and Human Services
Funding is available for countywide gender-based violence and trafficking prevention
The King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) is seeking proposals for countywide gender-based violence and trafficking prevention with funding from the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy.
The levy seeks to develop and implement in-depth, multi-level, coordinated gender-based violence and trafficking prevention and community engagement strategies tailored to geographically and culturally diverse communities across King County.
Available funding: Up to $5,457,508 in Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy funds
Investment period: October 1, 2024 – December 31, 2027 (subject to change)
Questions: Contact Bianca Davis at bidavis@kingcounty.gov or 206-263-4123
Applications are due by 2 p.m. on June 11
Learn more and apply
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Reminder
► Wildfire season is almost here. If you live, work, or recreate in high-risk areas, you should be ready for the possibility of wildfires. Sign up for King County emergency alerts, develop an emergency plan for your household (the Get Ready King County fillable workbook is a good place to start), and add emergency kits to your home and vehicle to provide basic survival supplies.
► Catch the Wastemobile at a location near you! Bring your old batteries, oil‑based paint, antifreeze, pesticides, and more to the Wastemobile for safe, no‑cost disposal. Check the website for accepted items, quantity limits, and the complete 2024 schedule.
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Skyway news
Skyway Coalition invites community members to three upcoming events
1. Skyway Resource Center Pop-Up, June 14, 3 to 5pm—Get free resources, including diapers, transportation resources, health insurance enrollment and support, personal protective equipment, food resources, and more. All are welcome! Where: King County Fire District #20 Administration Building parking lot, 12424 76th Avenue S. Learn more
2. Skyway Juneteenth Celebration and Festival, June 15, 3-7pm.—this free, fun-filled event will feature free concessions, free meals, community information and resources, vibe bingo with door prizes, games, entertainment, a youth job fair, and much more. Where: Campbell Hill Elementary School, 6418 S 124th Street. Learn more and register
3. The Skyway Farmers Market and Bazaar, June 30, 11am to 2pm—free admission, offers free food and resources, vendors who accept EBT/SNAP, artisans, games, a DJ, and more. Where: King County Fire District #20 Administration Building parking lot, 12424 76th Avenue S
Learn more
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Rural Area news
Correction: Joint Rural Area Team provides comments on 2024 King County Comprehensive Plan Update
In our May issue, we ran a notice about some of the Joint Rural Area Team members providing oral testimonies before the King County Council regarding the King County Executive's Recommended Comprehensive Plan Update. We inadvertently left out the following link to a written version of those testimonies. Unincorporated Area News regrets the error.
Joint Rural Area Team submits proposed line amendments to “striker” on King County’s Comprehensive Plan Major Update
on May 21, the Joint Team submitted proposed line amendments to the King County Council's Local Services and Land Use Committee on its striker. The proposed amendments are posted on the Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council website.
—Submitted by Peter Rimbos, Coordinator, Joint Rural Area Team
:: Community Alliance to Reach Out and Engage
Lord of Life Lutheran Church
12819 160th Avenue SE, Renton
See blog for the latest information and to confirm meetings.
:: Enumclaw Plateau Community Association
Third Tuesdays at 6 p.m.
Muckleshoot Library (King County Library branch)
39917 Auburn Enumclaw Road SE, Auburn
Monthly board meetings are open to the public, and often feature guest speakers in addition to community reports and information from a variety of local organizations. For more information email Nancy Merrill.
:: Fall City Community Association
First Tuesdays – Hybrid meeting (virtual and in-person, 7-8:30 pm)
Fall City Fire Department meeting room
4301 334th Place SE, Fall City
The Fall City Community Association promotes building of community, proactively communicates on local issues, and takes action on selected issues that affect the Fall City community. Meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month, and are open to the public. For more information, visit fallcity.org or email send email.
:: Four Creeks Unincorporated Area Council
Second Tuesdays – Virtual meeting via Zoom
Visit the website for the latest information and to confirm meeting dates and locations.
:: Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council
June meeting was on Monday, June 3, 7-9:30 pm – in person or via Zoom
Maple Valley Fire Station
22225 SE 231st St (across from the King County Sheriff’s Precinct #3)
Visit the website for meeting agendas and Zoom information, which are posted several days before each meeting.
:: Green Valley/Lake Holm Association
The Green Valley/Lake Holm Association advocates for those who live in unincorporated southeast King County. Primary goals are to maintain the community’s unique historic, agricultural, and rural character; protect the environment; and sustain quality of life in the area. They engage regularly with local government agencies to address concerns and influence policies on topics of mutual interest, such as growth and development, transportation, public safety, and flood control. Stay connected by visiting their Facebook page.
:: North Highline Unincorporated Area Council
Monthly board meetings are open to the public and often feature guest speakers in addition to community reports and information from local organizations. For more information, email Liz Giba.
:: Skyway Business Collective
The Skyway Business Collective aims to drive economic growth for entrepreneurs and small business owners living or working in Skyway, and to create a supportive and inclusive space for small businesses to grow, connect, and thrive through free professional services tailored to the business's needs. Learn more at www.skywaybusinesscollective.org
:: Skyway Coalition
See the coalition's website.
:: Skywest Tool Library
Working to start a new tool library in Skyway. The purpose of the library will be to share ideas, teach, learn, and borrow tools and more. To learn more, email HNA71@msn.com.
:: Upper Bear Creek Community Council
For information about the council, call Nancy Stafford at 425-788-5841 or visit the Facebook page and/or website. (Note: both the Facebook page and the website are currently being updated.)
:: Vashon Chamber of Commerce
Send email or visit the website.
:: Vashon-Maury Community Council
Meetings are open to all and are held on the third Thursday of each month, both online and in-person. Topics include affordable housing, ferries, election candidates, transportation, aviation noise, and more. The council sets up committees and passes resolutions to King County and other organizations as needed. Voting membership is free and open to residents 18 and older. To learn more, visit the website.
:: West Hill Community Association
Meetings are in person or via Zoom
Skyway Fire District 20 Admin Building
12424 76th Avenue S, Seattle
Monthly board meetings are open to the public, and often feature guest speakers in addition to community reports and information from a variety of local organizations. For more information, send email or visit the website.
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