Skagit County commissioners are fighting Seattle City Light’s $150 million salmon restoration plan, calling it a potential land grab that ignores local concerns.
The commissioners sent a letter to Mayor Bruce Harrell and City Council on July 28 rejecting a proposed settlement tied to the utility’s hydroelectric license renewal. They fear Seattle could use eminent domain to seize private farmland for habitat restoration.
Seattle City Light operates three Skagit River dams that generate about 20% of the city’s electricity. The utility needs federal license renewal, which requires salmon habitat restoration commitments.
Most restoration work would occur on Skagit County farmland and near local infrastructure, raising concerns among farmers and officials.
Jason Vander Kooy, vice president of Save Family Farming and a local dairy farmer, called the plan a “power move” that threatens rural farmland while excluding local voices from decisions.
Farmers and tribal leaders want restoration money spent on fish passage improvements at the dams rather than land acquisition.
County officials say Seattle must work directly with local communities and tribes to advance both salmon recovery and the utility’s licensing goals.
