King County’s bid to build the much-opposed Brightwater sewage treatment plant in Southeast Snohomish County is moving into the permitting process, a sign that plans to start construction in 2006 could be on track.
A Snohomish County hearing examiner last month approved a permit allowing King County to build the 15-mile pipeline that would dump Brightwater’s treated sewage into Puget Sound.
Although approved on Sept. 17, King County didn’t announce the decision until Wednesday, Sept. 22.
The permit is the first of many King County must get to build the plant on Highway 9 just off of Highway 522. Brightwater officials say they are on schedule to open the new plant in 2010.
Although the decision is under appeal, King County scored a victory in August when a King County hearing examiner rebuffed a challenge to the environmental impact statement that, if it stands, would allow the 8.5-acre treatment plant, which would serve both King and Snohomish counties.
The King County permit granted last week allows it to build an underground tunnel under sensitive wetlands that wildlife officials have said should be left untouched.
The county will need more permits from the state Department of Ecology and several local jurisdictions.
Lukas Velush is a reporter with The Herald in Everett.
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