Enumclaw creates priority list for legislators

Traffic, trails and open spaces, and community mental health are all on the agenda.

By Kevin Hanson • February 13, 2019 10:30 am
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Among the items on Enumclaw’s priority list is a crossing over the White River that would connect segments of the Foothills Trail. A footbridge is envisioned for this part of the river, where a previous railroad bridge connected King and Pierce counties. File photo by Kevin Hanson
Among the items on Enumclaw’s priority list is a crossing over the White River that would connect segments of the Foothills Trail. A footbridge is envisioned for this part of the river, where a previous railroad bridge connected King and Pierce counties. File photo by Kevin Hanson

Editor’s note: A longer version of this story will be posted online at www.courierherald.com.

Enumclaw’s leaders have sent their Plateau priorities to Olympia.

By unanimous vote, members of the City Council approved a wish list that will be delivered to the three lawmakers who represent the 31st Legislative District. The action was taken during the council’s Jan. 28 meeting and the priority list has been delivered to Sen. Phil Fortunato and Reps. Morgan Irwin and Drew Stokesbary.

This marks the first time in recent memory that Enumclaw has formulated a “legislative agenda,” though the practice is not unique. Other entities are known to make their feelings known at the state capitol.

Enumclaw’s priorities were divided into three areas: first is transportation; next comes parks, trails and open space; and then mental health.

Under the transportation heading, Enumclaw leadership is asking for progress toward traffic issues that clog state Route 410. Congestion on Interstate 5 and SR 167 encourages commuters to shift their traffic troubles to Enumclaw and Buckley, where the two-lane 410 experiences daily gridlock.

“The daily commuting backup is impacting Enumclaw businesses and their ability to recruit employees,” the city said. Something that would help ease the situation, it was written, would be “additional lane capacity through he signalized intersections in Buckley.”

Enumclaw also made a pitch for Cayuse Pass, suggesting it could close later each fall and opened earlier in the spring. “This critical loop around Mount Rainier benefits many surrounding communities and the region by increasing the tourism opportunities” at the national park and at Crystal Mountain, the city said.

Finally, the city would like to see lawmakers in Olympia assure them that growth will pay for increasing demands on roadways.

It was noted that Enumclaw residents and businesses depend upon three state highways to get around, and all have two-lane sections that operate at maximum capacity (or soon will).

“The continued growth of the region without any state plan to address congestion is a plan for failure,” the city memo stated.

PARKS, TRAILS AND OPEN SPACE

The city has pitched for state funding to help pay for much-needed improvements to the Enumclaw Aquatic Center. The pool has served the region for more than four decades and is showing its age.

Also on the city list is another plea for money to get a bridge across the White River that would connect portions of the popular Foothills Trail in both Enumclaw and Buckley. The bridge is the only missing link and would complete a trail system that would stretch from Enumclaw and Buckley to Puyallup.

Finally, in a single sentence, the city promoted the desire to see trail systems connected throughout the state.

MENTAL HEALTH

The city asked lawmakers to address “a lack of adequate rehabilitation, treatment, housing and monitoring” for individuals suffering from addiction or mental health issues. The need for services puts strain on hospitals, law enforcement, and human-service agencies, the city noted, while making a point that the crisis has to be addressed on a statewide level.

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