Welcome to Skagit County

November 15th, 2004

COUNTY, PSE SIGN SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT TO PROVIDE 29,000 ACRE FEET OF ADDITIONAL FLOOD CONTROL STORAGE BEHIND BAKER RIVER DAMS

SKAGIT COUNTY – The Skagit County Board of Commissioners today granted approval for the County to sign the comprehensive settlement agreement for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) relicensing of Puget Sound Energy’s (PSE) Baker River Hydroelectric Project. In response to the efforts of Skagit County, the agreement provides for an increase in storage up to 29,000 acre feet in Lake Shannon. Under the current agreement, no storage is required in Lake Shannon. The new storage would be in addition to the 74,000 acre feet of storage currently provided in the Upper Baker River reservoir, which is preserved by the settlement agreement.

“This settlement agreement is a major step forward in assuring that Skagit County will have enough flood protection in the future,” said Skagit County Commissioner Ted Anderson.

In order for the additional flood control to be provided, FERC must approve the settlement agreement and issue a new license to PSE that includes the enhanced flood storage requirements. The flood control license article agreed to by the County, PSE and the other parties also requires that the Corps of Engineers approve the increased flood control protection and that PSE is compensated for energy losses related to improved flood protection and for the cost of any related structural modifications needed at the Lower Baker Dam.

“We commend PSE and all of the other participants in the Baker River Project settlement process for agreeing to increased flood protection for Skagit County citizens,” said Commissioner Ken Dahlstedt. “We look forward to working closely with PSE and others to make improved flood control a reality as soon as possible.”

The settlement agreement provides that the additional flood control is completely compatible with and supportive of the environment. Increased Baker River Project flood control benefits Chinook salmon downstream of the Baker River Project by minimizing the stranding of salmon and preventing “scouring” of salmon redds. The agreement also assures that flood control requirements will not conflict with the water flow regime adopted for the benefit of salmon and other fish and wildlife.

“It is very important to PSE that it not incur any additional expense from improved flood control,” said Commissioner Don Munks. “The County therefore agreed to work with PSE to obtain federal funding to compensate the company for flood control costs.”

For further information, call: Dan Berentson
Communications Director
360.419.3461