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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Oct. 20, 1998
98-179
Contact: Ron Langley, Public Information, (425) 649-7009
BELLEVUE - Skagit County's future quality of life will receive a boost Wednesday when the Washington State Department of Ecology delivers a large grant to help pay for watershed planning in the area.
"Plenty of cool, clean water is essential for quality living in the Puget Sound area," said Ecology Regional Director Mike Rundlett. "Local leaders in Skagit County have agreed to work together to wisely use that water for people, industry, farms and fish. This grant will make a tough job a little easier."
The $453,956 watershed planning grant is the third-largest of its type in the state to be issued under the Watershed Management Act, which was signed last May by Gov. Gary Locke. The Skagit Council of Governments is one of several planning groups statewide to receive funding this year. It includes representatives from Skagit County, local cities and towns, the Swinomish Tribal Community, Public Utility District 1, the ports of Skagit County and Anacortes, and other local governments.
The money will be used to assess the amount and quality of water in the Skagit River system. The goal of watershed planning is to provide enough water for human uses while making sure there is enough cool, clean water in streams for salmon and other aquatic life.
"Ecology congratulates Skagit County leaders for taking on this critical task," said Rundlett. He said Ecology will soon hire a watershed coordinator to help guide the planning effort to a successful finish during the next four years.
Editors Note: The local contact for this issue is Kelley Moldstad, Executive Director, Skagit Council of Governments, at (360) 416-7875.
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
