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Apr
29

Review and comment on a proposal to make recycling, waste reduction services more convenient in northeast King County

Summary

A draft environmental impact statement is now available for review for a new state-of-the-art recycling and transfer station in northeast King County. The new King County Solid Waste Division facility will offer major improvements over the current station, including expanded recycling services, and compaction equipment to reduce traffic.

News

As part of a long-range plan to support regional climate action goals by increasing access to recycling services, and reducing the amount of garbage that ends up landfilled, King County’s Solid Waste Division invites review and comment on a draft environmental impact statement for the Northeast Recycling and Transfer Station Project.

The new facility will replace the Houghton Transfer Station in Kirkland that has been in service for almost 60 years.

The draft EIS studies two site alternatives, called “action alternatives,” that include a 12.9 acre-site in the 15000 block of Woodinville-Redmond Road Northeast in Woodinville, and the current Houghton Transfer Station property at 11724 NE 60th St. in Kirkland.

Review and comment on the draft EIS during the 62-day comment period, from now until April 9. The draft EIS as well as an online open house will be available on the project website, kingcounty.gov/northeast.

Wherever it’s sited, the new station will have more benefits and fewer impacts than the Houghton Transfer Station, including compaction equipment that makes hauling more efficient, reducing truck traffic and vehicle emissions. It will be fully enclosed to contain noise and odors, offer more recycling services to keep valuable recyclables out of the landfill, and support regional environmental goals to protect the environment and reduce carbon emissions. 

The draft EIS evaluates the potential environmental and community impacts of the project’s construction and operation and proposes mitigation to avoid or address impacts. A “no-action” alternative is also studied.

Paper copies of the draft EIS will be available for review at several locations:

  • King County Library System – 18215 98th Ave. NE, Bothell
  • King County Library System – 308 Kirkland Ave., Kirkland
  • Kirkland City Hall – 123 5th Ave., Kirkland
  • King County Library System – 15990 NE 85th St., Redmond
  • King County Library System – 825 228th Ave. SE, Sammamish
  • King County Library System – 17105 Avondale Rd. NE, Woodinville
  • Woodinville City Hall – 17301 133rd Ave. NE, Woodinville

Submit comments via email to northeast@kingcounty.gov, or via the project online open house at kingcounty.gov/northeast. Comments sent by mail should be addressed to King County Solid Waste Division, Attn: Mary O’Hara, Project Manager, 201 S. Jackson St., Suite 5701, Seattle, WA 98104-3855.

In-person open houses are scheduled for March, where people can learn more about the recycling and transfer station replacement project project, and submit their comments on the draft EIS:

Wednesday, March 6 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Lake Washington High School
12033 NE 80th St., Kirkland, WA 98033

Wednesday, March 13 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Woodinville High School
19819 136th Ave. NE, Woodinville, WA 98072

More information about the Northeast Recycling and Transfer Station Project Draft EIS is available at kingcounty.gov/northeast or by contacting King County’s Solid Waste Division at 206-477-4466 or 711 TTY Relay. 

Resources

Contact

Annie Kolb-Nelson, Solid Waste Division, 206-477-5373

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