Welcome to Skagit County

June 10, 2002

SKAGIT COUNTY APPROVES $100,000 IN FUNDING FOR FOUR LOCAL NATURAL RESOURCE IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS WITH US FOREST SERVICE

Federal government compensates County for impact of large federal land acreages

SKAGIT COUNTY - Seven natural resource improvement projects within the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest valued at more than $190,000 have been recommended for approval by the newly created public resource advisory committee in Skagit and Whatcom Counties.

Funding for the projects is available through the new Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000. The law provides payments to local counties as compensation for the impact of large federal land acreages within their boundaries.

"I would like to congratulate our advisory committee on their excellent work in reviewing these projects," said Skagit County Commissioner Ted Anderson. "These funds for resource improvement are very important to Skagit County. We've had great local participation in this process."

A 15-member advisory committee, comprised of citizens from Whatcom and Skagit County, reviewed the proposed projects. Jerri Krampetz of Sedro-Woolley is the chair.

Four of the seven projects recommended and approved in Skagit County for 2002 are:

Gee Creek Road erosion control near Finney Creek for an amount of $67,500.
Sky Ridge Runners to conduct backcountry/wilderness patrols in the Glacier Peak Wilderness for an amount of $13,500.
Skagit River boating map/guide to provide education/information to watercraft recreationists in the Upper Skagit River areas of Skagit and Whatcom Counties for an amount of $8,800.
Non-commercial thinning and late-successional timber reserves in the Finney Creek and Deer Creek areas for an amount of $15,000.

For further information, contact: Dan Berentson
Communications Director
360-419-3461