Seattle City Light (SCL) operates three hydro-electric dams on the Skagit River: Gorge, Diablo and Ross. While the dams are located above the historic anadromous barrier, they affect salmon and their habitat by impacting water flows. SCL has made the conscious decision to be good environmental stewards towards the lands they impact, both in policy decisions and on-the-ground actions. In the policy realm SCL takes salmon into consideration when making decisions about water storage versus discharge at the dams. On-the-ground, Seattle City Light purchases properties that have value as salmon habitat and designates them as conservation properties.
With the acquired lands in various stages of ecological functionality, SCL reached out to the Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group (SFEG) because of our extensive background in conducting restoration activities. SFEG is able to provide SCL with the restoration expertise that they desire and local community support that they appreciate. SFEG and SCL work together in a collaborative partnership: SCL purchases conservation properties and SFEG visits the sites regularly to make sure there are no illicit activities and conducts restoration when necessary. Many of these properties are in the floodplain, and provide critical habitat for salmon.
Stewardship is the responsible overseeing and protection of something considered worth caring for. SFEG stewards 26 properties comprising over 2,425 acres for Seattle City Light. SFEG is able to be an effective partner for SCL because we are a local, community-based organization with roots that are extensive and deep. These connections provide hundreds of ‘eyes and ears’ throughout the Skagit Valley. Being a local and small non-profit, SFEG has the flexibility to respond quickly when issues arise that threaten the conservation mandate.
Most SCL properties are visited quarterly by SFEG staff, and occasionally more frequently should the need arise. During stewardship visits, SFEG monitors the properties for prohibited activities. All land purchased by Seattle City Light is public land, and so PASSIVE recreation is permitted. Allowable activities include:
- Hiking
- Bird watching
- Photography
- Foraging (with prior permission)
- Fishing and hunting (during regulated seasons with appropriate licenses)
Lands purchased by SCL are intended for environmental conservation so destructive activities are not allowed. Prohibited activities include:
- Camping or campfires
- Firewood collection
- Dumping (trash, yard waste, construction materials, etc.)
- Damaging vegetation (cutting trees, clearing brush, riding ATV through brush, etc.)
- Timber harvest
- Motorized vehicles (ATVs, motorbikes, vehicles, etc.)
- Poaching
Skagit Fisheries has developed positive working relationships with many neighbors adjacent to Seattle City Light conservation parcels. These community members are plugged into the goings on in their local area. When suspicious activities happen on SCL properties the neighbors report it to SFEG. Many Skagitonians appreciate the wilderness opportunities that the Skagit Valley provides. These Seattle City Light conservation properties continue this tradition.
More information on this program can be found on the Seattle City Light website
