April 23, 2003 News Release Land acquisition begins for Brightwater As part of the siting process for a new sewage treatment plant, King County will soon begin property acquisition to help keep the Brightwater project on schedule and give tax breaks and certainty to property owners. Federal tax benefits are available to property owners if the Metropolitan King County Council votes to initiate condemnation authority. That council action would also ensure rights-of-entry so the county's Wastewater Treatment Division can gather information for permitting and design. The King County Executive is sending an ordinance to the County Council seeking authority to condemn the Brightwater treatment plant sites. That action must be taken to initiate the property acquisition process and ensure property owners quality for federal tax benefits. The Brightwater facilities will protect public health and water quality by treating wastewater from the growing number of people in south Snohomish County and north King County. About 63 percent of the wastewater will come from cities and sewer districts in Snohomish County. The wastewater treatment utility has operated two regional plants in Seattle and Renton for 40 years. Those plants will reach capacity by 2010, when Brightwater must begin operating. In the coming months, King County will begin making offers for properties on the preferred site along State Route 9 in unincorporated Snohomish County. The legislation also authorizes a quick surplus process if the properties will not be used for the Brightwater project. The ordinance includes only the two treatment plant sites under consideration and not the conveyance system. Condemnation would be used only as a last resort if negotiations fail. King County will buy property based on fair market value and will offer relocation benefits to businesses and tenants. The county's Wastewater Treatment Division protects public health and water quality by serving 18 cities, 15 sewer districts and more than 1.4 million residents in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties. Related Information Wastewater Treatment Division Facts at a glance about our wastewater system Brightwater Home Site News Releases

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