Cedar River Asphalt Plant Approved Over Staunch Opposition

KING COUNTY, WA — King County's Permitting Division late last week approved plans for an asphalt plant to be built across from the Cedar River, following years of pushback from community organizations and King County Councilmember Regan Dunn, who represents the district.

According to The Seattle Times, permitting officials determined Lakeside Industries' proposed plant "does not pose a probably significant adverse impact to the environment," which would sit on 25 acres along State Route 169, just 50 yards from the Cedar River.

Environmental groups have fought the proposal for years, noting its proximity to a vital source of drinking water for the region and a key habitat for salmon. Opponents also worry that the plant will add to the noise and air pollution, generate unwanted odors and decrease property values.

An online petition circulated by the group Save the Cedar River garnered more than 10,000 signatures.

Councilmember Dunn, a Republican representing King County's 9th District, secured a moratorium on the project in 2017 and last year penned a strongly-worded letter urging the county to reject the permit. Dunn responded to the final decision Friday.

His statement reads in part:

"I am deeply troubled by King County’s decision to allow the asphalt plant to move forward. Siting an asphalt plant so close to the Cedar River — an environmentally sensitive location that is home to critical salmon habitat in addition to being a drinking water source for 1.4 million people in our region — presents an unwarranted risk of contamination and overly burdens rural communities with pollution, traffic, and other known impacts. This is shockingly poor land use policy that, I fear, will have harmful ramifications for generations to come."

Dunn thanked community members who voiced their opposition to the project and pledged to "continue to stand alongside the community however I can to further our shared mission of stopping the asphalt plant."

As The Times reports, the permit requires the plant to follow certain environmental mitigation measures, including utilizing covered trucks and constructing a sound barrier.