Resident warns council of traffic, noise and water impacts from proposed Cumberland aggregate mine

Julius Stevens, who identified himself as a resident of unincorporated King County just outside Enumclaw, used the public‑comment period to draw attention to a proposed Cumberland Aggregate Mine and Asphalt Plant and to ask the council to review King County project materials.

Stevens said the proposal could involve "25 to 35 years of removing gravel" and warned of impacts including substantial truck traffic. "If you're looking at throwing approximately 298 to 668 heavy trucks per day into that traffic mode, it's going to complicate life in Enumclaw," he said, adding the applicant’s current documentation lists operations as 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

He also raised concerns about water demand, saying the project would need "175,000 to 250,000 gallons a day" to run. Stevens said expected noise, traffic and wear on roads would affect local police and fire services and have regional effects reaching Auburn, the Muckleshoot area, Covington and Enumclaw neighborhoods. He noted King County has opened a public comment period through Aug. 7 and that he left a copy of county materials with the city clerk.

Council did not take immediate action at the meeting; Stevens urged council to review the county project number and background materials before the county comment deadline.

Why it matters: If built as described in the project materials Stevens cited, the site could substantially increase heavy‑vehicle traffic, water demand and noise near Enumclaw and may require coordinated review by city, county and emergency services.