1970

• King County Population is 1,159,369.
• Department of human resources establishes the public defense program.
• The first properties in King County are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

• Urban trails plan adopted.
• Charter review commission recommends merger of Metro and King County. Other charter review commissions will make this same recommendation in 1978 and 1987 before the merger is approved by a vote of the people in 1992.

• The King County Planning Department begins a survey of historic sites. A total of 140 sites in Seattle and King County are included.
• King County Parks Department assumes control of county fair.
• Congress passes the Clean Water Act requiring secondary treatment at all municipal wastewater treatment plants by 1977.

• King County International Airport (Boeing Field) is selected from 610 competing airports in the Northwest to receive the Airport Improvement Award.
• King County Council passes ordinance 1511 establishing the 1% for Art Program, the first county-level program in the country.
• First King County Annual Heritage Festival is held at Marymoor Park.
• Metro begins operating Seattle and King County public transit systems.

• King County International Airport is awarded first Airport Operating Certificate issued to a nonscheduled air carrier airport by the the FAA in the Northwest Region.
• Enhanced 9-1-1 emergency system begins.
• The division of human services (DHS) is created in the health department and includes mental health, developmental disabilities and the drug commission.
• Puget Sound Water Quality Defense Fund sues to stop Metro's plan to pipe solids waste from Renton to West Point.
• "The Uniform Alcoholism and Intoxication Treatment Act," Revised Code of Washington 70.96A is enacted and decriminalizes being drunk in public. The law puts the responsibility and authority for treating persons "found to be intoxicated in public" on county governments.
• In December 1974, King County opened the first King County Alcoholism Treatment Facility (also known as the King County Detoxification Center) in Cedar Hills.

• King County Mental Health Board adopts priority definitions to assure that the limited resources are used to support services for those persons with the most severe mental illnesses.
• King County began the King County Affirmative Action Program to serve as an internal equal employment opportunity and affirmative action office.
• First 1% for art projects in parks: Mt. Rainier Pool, Enumclaw Pool, and Ober Memorial Park on Vashon Island.
• King County Emergency Service Patrol established. The ongoing service provides transportation to incapacitated persons to hospital, sobering and other services.

• The Kingdome sports stadium is dedicated. It is the first domed stadium in Washington State. Over 52,800 cubic yards of concrete were used in the construction.
• County council adopts ordinance 2991, establishing heritage sites as open space policies as an amendment to the "King County Comprehensive Plan" of 1964.
• King County Community Gardening Program created by King County Parks.

• Detention and probation services transferred from superior court to the county executive.
• Phase I of the King County Historic Sites Survey/Historic Resources Inventory is inaugurated. A total of 542 sites are documented by the project.
• Legislature passes Senate Bill 2430 enabling King County/Metro merger.
• Farmlands preservation bond issue passes.
• Lake Washington reaches highest level of water clarity in its recorded history, a direct result of Metro's efforts.
• Local chapter of NOW (National Organization for Women) met for the first time to organize a King County Women's Commission.

• Juvenile Justice Act effects a major change in the philosophy guiding juvenile justice. Due process is emphasized and youth are held accountable for criminal actions.
• King County Airport celebrates 50-year anniversary with plaque presented by community.
• The county council establishes the office of historic preservation.
• First articulated bus arrives in Seattle.
• Metro transit ridership reaches 49.4 million riders.
• King County Women's Advisory Board and women's program established. Both mandate the fostering of "programs, legislation, and polices for the benefit of women throughout King County." Over the next five years they will complete a general needs assessment of women in King County, including minority women. Focus will be on community education and advocacy.

• Burien Little Theater is first in-residence community theater in the county. It is based in a county park.

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