King County seeks public comment on a proposed recycling and transfer station project planned for Kirkland or Woodinville

November 3, 2022

Summary

King County’s Solid Waste Division is seeking public comment on the scope of an environmental impact statement the agency is preparing for its new Northeast Recycling and Transfer Station Project. An online open house along with three public meetings will offer project information, and opportunities to comment in person or in writing.

Story

King County is planning to replace the outdated, 60-year-old Houghton Recycling and Transfer Station in Kirkland with a new state-of-the-art facility and invites people to provide comments on the scope of the project.

The King County Solid Waste Division proposal includes two potential site alternatives in Kirkland and one in Woodinville. A no-action alternative is also being considered. People can comment on the scope of proposed alternatives through Jan. 17, 2023.

The new facility will be designed to help advance regional climate action goals by providing access to more recycling options and using compaction equipment to reduce truck trips.

Scoping is the first step in the environmental review process under the State Environmental Policy Act and informs what King County’s Northeast Recycling and Transfer Station project team should consider in preparing a draft environmental impact statement set for publication in spring 2023. 

People can learn about the proposed project alternatives and submit comments verbally or in writing at one of two in-person open houses:

Thursday, Dec. 1, 6-8 p.m.
Lake Washington High School
12033 NE 80th Street, Kirkland

Thursday, Dec. 8, 6-8 p.m.
Brightwater Community Center
22505 State Route 9, Woodinville

A virtual meeting option via Zoom or by telephone will be available Wednesday, Dec. 7, from 6-8 p.m. by visiting kingcounty.gov/northeast.  

People can also review proposed alternatives and submit written comments through an online open house that will be posted from Nov. 3 to Jan. 17, 2023.

Another option to submit written comments includes sending an email to northeast@kingcounty.gov, or a letter to: 

King County Solid Waste Division
Attn: Mary K. O’Hara, PE, PMP
Northeast Recycling and Transfer Station Project Manager
201 S Jackson Street, Suite 5701
Seattle, WA  98104
 
For questions about the Northeast Recycling and Transfer Station Project, please visit the project website at kingcounty.gov/northeast or contact the King County Solid Waste Division at 206-477-4466 or 711 TTY Relay. 

RELEVANT LINKS
• King County Northeast Recycling and Transfer Station Project

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Annie Kolb-Nelson, King County Solid Waste Division, 206-477-5373