Did You Know...

. . . that Seattle City Light has been recognized in recent years by both the National Hydropower Association and The Nature Conservancy for environmental accomplishments associated with the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project?

The Nature Conservancy awarded SCL the 1998 Public Service Award for its environmental stewardship in the Skagit River basin. And, NHA named the Skagit River Project to its list of Outstanding Stewardship of America's Rivers in 1999.

Seattle City Light works in collaboration with state and federal resource agencies, tribes and conservation groups to protect salmon runs and preserve wildlife habitat. The Skagit watershed supports the largest and healthiest runs of wild chum and pink salmon in the Pacific Northwest. Many spawn directly below the project, where four- to six-fold increases in spawning numbers have been documented during recent years. SCL plans and monitors water releases carefully to protect the salmon during the early stages of their reproductive cycle. Nearly 2.5 miles of new off-channel salmon spawning and rearing habitat have been created or acquired at several upper Skagit sites.

In addition to restoring salmon runs, an inter-agency agreement provides for long-term protection of wildlife habitat through land acquisition. More than 8,000 acres of critical habitat have been acquired, benefiting bald eagles, black bear, songbirds and amphibians.

(reprinted from the USCOLD Newsletter, March 2000, page 3)