Residents urge council to weigh impacts of proposed Cumberland aggregate mine and asphalt plant

Multiple residents urged the Eden Plus City Council on July 13 to pay attention to a proposed Cumberland aggregate mine and asphalt plant and to the regional impacts they expect if the project proceeds.

Julius Stevens, who identified himself as living just outside Enumclaw in unincorporated King County, told the council the proposal could remove gravel for 25 to 35 years and that the project’s traffic would be the community’s largest immediate impact. "They're looking at 298 to 668 heavy trucks per day," Stevens said, and he warned the operation is proposed as a 24‑hour, seven‑day operation. He also said the project could use between "175,000 to 250,000 gallons a day" of water.

Stevens urged the city to review the King County project material and noted the county has opened public comment through Aug. 7. He said residents are concerned about traffic, noise, impacts on roads and strain on police and fire resources.

Linda Stevens spoke separately about preserving roughly 990 acres north of Cumberland, including Lizard Mountain, calling the land important for recreation and for groundwater protection. She said some county and state entities had expressed interest in conserving the property and urged the city to support efforts to save the land.

Councilors did not take formal action on the mine or land‑conservation requests during the meeting; speakers left materials with the city clerk and encouraged follow‑up during the county comment window.

What residents asked for: review and coordination with King County, consideration of truck routes and hours, attention to potential well impacts and conservation options for the 990‑acre tract north of Cumberland.