A local grassroots coalition, Defend Cumberland, is calling on residents of Enumclaw and the surrounding South King County area to attend a public hearing on October 13. The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on the Green River College Enumclaw Campus and will feature King County Department of Local Services Director Leon Richardson as the guest speaker.
Why the meeting matters
Defend Cumberland says the hearing is an opportunity for community members to ask King County officials direct questions about the proposed Segale gravel mine and to ensure their concerns are heard. “Why does this matter? We need to show up and tell Leon that our concerns and opposition need to be addressed by King County,” the group wrote in its announcement.
Background on the Segale gravel mine proposal
In early 2024, Segale Properties LLC applied to develop a 990‑acre gravel mine in the Cumberland area east of Black Diamond. The site is adjacent to land owned by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. The proposal quickly sparked strong opposition from nearby landowners and local conservationists. A February 27, 2024 town‑hall at Black Diamond Elementary School was packed, and presenters from Segale and King County were forced to cut the presentation short after repeated interruptions and shouted questions.
King County spent the next two years reviewing Segale’s environmental analysis. On July 8, the county issued a Determination of Significance, concluding that the project would have a significant effect on the local environment. Specific concerns cited include runoff into local waterways, increased noise and traffic on rural roads, and reduced access to public open space.
Because of that determination, the project must now undergo Washington’s more rigorous State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review. The agency will evaluate how Segale can mitigate the identified impacts before any permit can be issued.
Public comment process
The state’s public comment period for the initial SEPA filing closed on August 7. Since then, state officials have continued to meet with project proponents and community stakeholders to discuss the scope of environmental concerns and possible mitigation measures. It remains unclear whether a second comment period will be opened once a draft Environmental Impact Statement is prepared.
Local voices
Bernie McKinney, a member of Defend Cumberland and the Enumclaw Plateau Community Association, emphasized the need for rural landowners to have a direct line to agency leaders. “Rural King County land owners need a way to communicate with their agency leaders,” McKinney said. “Get to know the many local folks who are gathering on a regular basis in order to create a bigger voice on the big decisions facing our rural plateau.”
The upcoming Oct. 13 meeting will give residents a chance to hear directly from King County staff, ask questions about the SEPA process, and present alternative ideas for protecting the Cumberland area’s natural resources.
How to participate
Anyone interested in the gravel mine discussion is welcome to attend. The meeting will be held in the main auditorium of Green River College’s Enumclaw Campus. No registration is required, and the public comment portion will allow community members to speak directly to officials.
For more information about the meeting or to learn more about Defend Cumberland’s efforts, visit the Enumclaw Plateau Community Association’s website.
Original reporting: Renton Reporter — read the source article.
