Residents tell council Cumberland aggregate mine could bring heavy truck traffic, noise and water impacts

Several residents urged the council to review and, where appropriate, oppose aspects of a proposed aggregate mine and asphalt plant near Cumberland.

Julius Stevens, who identified himself as a resident of unincorporated King County near Enumclaw, told the council the project could involve 25–35 years of gravel removal and quoted daily heavy‑truck estimates in the transcript as roughly “2 98 to 6 68” trucks per day. He said the plant’s hours of operation are expected to be around the clock and cited an estimated daily water need of 175,000–250,000 gallons for operations. Stevens warned those factors could affect traffic, road wear and emergency services across a regional area including Auburn, the Muckleshoot areas, Covington and Enumclaw.

Stevens also noted King County had opened a public‑comment period and that the county’s materials list a project number; he said King County’s comment window was open through Aug. 7 and left a copy of county materials with the city clerk.

Linda Stevens urged the council to help preserve about 990 acres north of Cumberland, including Lizard Mountain and White River access. She described long‑running recreational use of the area and said residents worry about wells if a large project proceeds.

Council members did not take formal action on the comments during the meeting. The speakers asked residents and the council to review King County’s permit materials and to use the county comment period to raise concerns about traffic, noise and water use.