The Skagit County Board of Commissioners has approved a major settlement tied to the FERC relicensing of Seattle City Light’s Skagit River Hydroelectric Project. The agreement, developed with tribal, state, and federal partners, includes $979 million for fish passage construction and $150 million for downstream habitat restoration.
The plan also ensures continued flood storage at Ross Dam, a key part of local flood protection. Commissioners emphasized that the funding could help restore salmon runs and strengthen local infrastructure if implemented with community coordination…