The Brief
- Seattle’s $150 million salmon habitat plan faces opposition from Skagit County over land use concerns.
- County officials fear Seattle may use eminent domain to acquire farmland for the project.
- Seattle City Light seeks to renew its dam licenses, impacting local salmon recovery efforts.
MOUNT VERNON, Wash. – A $150 million salmon habitat restoration plan tied to Seattle’s future power supply is drawing sharp pushback from Skagit County, where officials are accusing the city of potential land grabs and sidelining local and tribal voices.
What they’re saying:
In a letter sent July 28 to Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell and the City Council, county commissioners said they cannot support Seattle City Light’s proposed settlement agreement for the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project — a key part of the utility’s efforts to renew its federal license to operate three dams that supply about 20% of the city’s electricity.…