Welcome to Skagit County
|
March 12, 2003
Request $32.5 million to extend bridges and set back levees between Burlington and Mount Vernon SKAGIT COUNTY – The Skagit County Commissioners, accompanied by Burlington Mayor Gus Tjeersdma, traveled to Washington D.C. last week to state their case for federal transportation funding, as a key component of the Skagit River Flood Prevention Project. The request is a line item to improve or replace the bridges between Mount Vernon and Burlington to allow the river to be widened for flood protection. “The key to success to any project in Skagit County is working together,” said Skagit County Commissioner Ken Dahlstedt. “We appreciate Gus Tjeersdma’s leadership in working with us in Washington DC.” Tjeerdsma and the Commissioners met personally with Senators Patty Murray, and Congressmen Brian Baird, George Nethercutt, Rick Larsen, and Norm Dicks: and with legislative aides from Senator Maria Cantwell, Congressman Doc Hastings, and Congresswoman Jennifer Dunn’s offices. The group also met with Major General Robert Griffin, Chief of Civil Works for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and senior officials from the Departments of Interior, Commerce, Transportation, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. “With all the strong support, and due to the critical nature of this project, we believe funding will be made available,” said Dahlstedt. Island County, Dike District 12, the City of Burlington, and the City of Anacortes have also signed letters of support for the project. All nine State Legislators representing Skagit County, and three representing Whatcom County signed a letter of support for the project. Those Legislators were: Senators Harriet Spanel, Mary Margaret Haugen, Val Stevens, and Dale Brandland; and Representatives Dave Quall, Jeff Morris, Barbara Bailey, Barry Sehlin, Dan Kristiansen, Kirk Pearson , Kelli Linville, and Doug Erickson. “Working together gets things done for our community,” said Dahlstedt.
|