Welcome to Skagit County

January 31st, 2012

Larsen, Skagit County Commissioners, Mayors to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Commit to Funding the Skagit G.I.

WASHINGTON-Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, Skagit County Commissioners and the mayors of Mount Vernon, Sedro-Woolley, Anacortes, Burlington and La Conner sent letters today to U.S. Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy asking her to commit the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to fund the Skagit General Investigation Study.

In the letters the officials highlight the community's support for the critical project and highlight the vital need to continue funding.

"The need to continue the Skagit General Investigation Study is clear, and the community is united behind the project," Larsen said. "The Army Corps of Engineers must follow through on its commitment by funding the project through this year. Too much good work making the community safer would be put at risk by a lapse in funding."

"We appreciate the hard work of our Congressional delegation and the strong support of our cities, towns, and community as we move forward to complete the General Investigation," said Kenneth A. Dahlstedt, Chairman of the Skagit County Board of Commissioners. "When people come together, big things get done. We appreciate everyone's support in these tough financial times. Our community is unified in finding a solution to the devastation that a major flood will cause."

The letters to Darcy are below.

Letter from Rep. Rick Larsen

January 27, 2012

The Honorable Jo-Ellen Darcy
Assistant Secretary of the Army
108 Army Pentagon
Washington, DC 20310-0108

Dear Assistant Secretary Darcy:

I am writing to encourage the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to allocate capability funding to the Skagit General Investigation Study (G.I.) for the remainder of FY2012.

The Skagit Valley community is united behind the Skagit G.I. which provides the basis for comprehensive flood control projects. The Skagit G.I. has been progressing for more than fourteen years, funded primarily by Congressional appropriations each eligible year. With a long history of devastating floods, the communities along the river have been looking to construct flood control projects that will increase safety for those living in the Skagit River valley.

The Corps itself has recognized how important this G.I. study is. Through the Reset Initiative the Corps gave the Skagit G.I. a much needed higher priority level to bring about its completion in a fiscally responsible manner. An interruption to the forward progress of the study due to a stoppage in funding would be a disservice to the residents of the Skagit Valley. Less than $4 million is needed to complete the investigation. Allowing the Skagit G.I. funding to lapse would waste the $6.5 million of federal funds already invested in addition to the matching funds contributed by the local community.

With each flood comes a new threat to the communities of Skagit County. The sense of urgency behind the Skagit G.I. has never diminished. The communities of Skagit Valley are home to some of the most committed and responsive flood fighting organizations and volunteers. The people that provide the communities' flood response need comprehensive flood solutions. The best way to deliver these needed solutions is the Skagit G.I.

On behalf of the residents of Skagit County, I urge the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to allocate capability funding to the Skagit General Investigation Study for the remainder of FY2012 from agency discretionary funds.

Sincerely,

Rick Larsen
United States Representative
Washington State, 2nd District

Letter from Skagit County Commissioners and Mayors

January 30, 2012

The Honorable Jo-Ellen Darcy
Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works)
108 Army Pentagon
Washington, DC 20310-0108

RE: 2012 Funding for the Skagit River General Investigation Study (Washington State)

Dear Assistant Secretary Darcy:

We write to request your help to provide funding for the Skagit River General Investigation (GI) Study in 2012.

The Skagit River represents an ongoing and dangerous flood threat to our region. We know the Skagit River General Investigation Study is the only realistic process for achieving a regional flood solution. As you may be aware, this Study has made significant progress over the past two years due to the dedicated efforts of the Corps of Engineers staff at the District, Division, and Headquarters levels. During this time, the Study has produced valuable and relevant technical information which is already being used by our staffs to plan for future floods. The momentum that has been achieved is a tribute to all who have worked on this challenging Study, and we believe it is critically important to retain funding in 2012 in order to maintain that momentum.

In 2011, the Skagit River Study received $708,000 in federal funding ($651,000 of FY11 funds, and $57,000 of prior year funds). We urge the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to allocate capability funding to the Skagit General Investigation study for the remainder of FY2012 from agency discretionary funds.

The Skagit Community is united in its support of the Skagit General Investigation study. We are enthusiastic about the progress that has been made, and we think it is critically important to maintain the momentum that has been achieved. We sincerely appreciate the efforts of Congressman Rick Larsen, Senator Patty Murray, and Senator Maria Cantwell.

Thank you very much for your consideration of this funding request.

Sincerely

Ron Wesen
Skagit County Commissioner
District 1

Kenneth A. Dahlstedt, Chairman
Skagit County Commissioner
District 2

Sharon D. Dillon
Skagit County Commissioner
District 3

Jill Boudreau, Mayor
City of Mount Vernon

Mike Anderson, Mayor
City of Sedro-Woolley

Dean Maxwell, Mayor
City of Anacortes

Steve Sexton, Mayor
City of Burlington

Ramon Hayes, Mayor
Town of La Conner

For more information, contact Emma Whitfield at emmaw@co.skagit.wa.us or at (360) 419-7667.