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Department of Ecology News Release - Dec. 21, 2000
00-242
BELLEVUE - When Puget Sound Energy dramatically cut the flow of water through its dam on the Baker River over the Thanksgiving weekend, the action slowed the river to almost a trickle, putting the biological integrity of the lower Skagit River watershed at risk.
Today, the Department of Ecology (Ecology) issued a notice of violation to Puget Sound Energy, requesting that the utility explain what happened and outline measures the company can take to prevent similar incidents in the future.
On Nov. 22, Puget Sound Energy rapidly reduced the flow of water through its dam from 2,500 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 125 cfs, apparently anticipating low demand for electricity during the extended holiday weekend. State, local and tribal investigators found that the utility's action, which lasted four days, exposed hundreds of chum and endangered chinook salmon redds (egg deposits).
"We believe the company's action created a substantial potential to damage salmon and other wildlife in the Skagit River," said John Glynn, who oversees Ecology's water quality activities in Northwest Washington.
Glynn said Ecology's action is not a monetary penalty against Puget Sound Energy, nor does it constitute a legal order requiring the utility to take corrective action.
"We want to put the utility on notice that we believe drying up sections of the Baker River and diminishing flows on the Skagit River was a preventable action that damaged the environmental functions of these rivers," said Glynn.
"We need to work with utilities to strike a proper balance between the needs of fish and the environment and human needs. This is a tough issue, but we're confident we can work together to come up with solutions to keep this from happening again," Glynn said.
Puget Sound Energy has 30 days to respond to Ecology's notice of violation.
Contact:John Glynn, Regional Water Quality Supervisor, (425) 649-7033
Curt Hart, Public Information Manager (425) 649-7009; pager, (206) 663-1785
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
