Correction: This Fall 2024 edition of the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project Relicensing Newsletter is being reissued with a correction. The previous version stated that a new sign being installed in Newhalem reflects Seattle City Light’s commitment to honoring the language and culture of the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe. In fact, the sign, written in Lushootseed, reflects the language and culture of all tribes in the Skagit Valley, including but not limited to the Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe, and the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, and the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe.

Skagit River Hydroelectric Project

Fall 2024 | Relicensing News

This newsletter provides updates about the federal relicensing of the Skagit Hydroelectric Project. More information is available on the project website or by emailing the project team at scl_skagitrelicensing@seattle.gov.

North Cascades Institute Affinity Weekend: Opening Doors to Nature

On a sunny weekend in September, the North Cascades Institute (NCI) hosted its first Affinity Weekend, which focused on connecting people of color with the outdoors.

For nearly 40 years, NCI has inspired environmental stewardship through transformative learning experiences in nature. Its programs, many offered at the NCI’s Environmental Learning Center (ELC) on the shores of Diablo Lake, range from school field trips and youth leadership adventures to outdoor classes and family getaways.

An important aspect of NCI’s programming is its commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion—ensuring people of all ages, races, and backgrounds can connect with the outdoors. Seattle City Light contracts with NCI to run the Center and believes everyone benefits when people have equitable access to natural places and spaces for education, recreation, and renewal. Research shows that communities of color spend less time in nature, often due to systemic barriers such as unequal access to green spaces, historical discrimination, and feelings of discomfort or lack of safety.

NCI addresses this disparity in several ways, including offering scholarships for all programs and sliding-scale tuition for its Mountain School. Affinity Weekend is another important aspect of this commitment to diversity.

Photo credit: Alma Williams

“If we want to diversify who participates in our programs,” says Alma Busby-Williams, NCI’s Director of Inclusion and Community Partnerships, “we have to help people feel comfortable and welcome in this outdoor setting.”

Busby-Williams explains that the goal of the inaugural Affinity Weekend was to invite people to spend a weekend in the North Cascades, with the ELC as their home base.

“We wanted to invite them up just to spend a joyous weekend, doing as much or as little as they wanted,” she says.

Busby-Williams worked with two nonprofits that connect people with outdoor experiences—Outdoor Asian and Latino Outdoors—to organize the event and quickly filled up the 46 guest spots available. Thanks to financial support from Outdoor Asian, Latino Outdoors, Washington’s National Park Fund, Washington Trails, National Parks Conservation Association, Wilderness Society, Seattle City Light, and the Seattle Parks Foundation, the weekend was free for participants.

The Affinity Weekend was based on NCI’s Base Camp program model, which allows participants to explore the natural and cultural history of the North Cascades while enjoying comfortable lodging, delicious meals, and various outdoor learning and recreation activities. Over the weekend, attendees hiked, paddled on the lake, relaxed, and connected.

The event was such a success that they’re planning to do it again next year as we continue providing equitable access to the outdoors for all communities.

Seattle City Light Prepares to Install Public Sign in Lushootseed

Visitors to North Cascades National Park will soon be greeted by a new sign as they enter the town of Newhalem.

The sign, which will be installed in late 2024, features the name Newhalem in the Lushootseed language, reflecting Seattle City Light’s commitment to honor the language and culture of all Skagit Valley tribes. All future signs in the Skagit Project area will similarly include the Lushootseed place names.

Restoring Ecosystems on a Managed River

The three dams of the Skagit Hydropower Project are necessary to reduce the risk of floods for downstream communities and create the renewable energy we need. But how can you have a healthy river ecosystem when the river’s flow is interrupted?

Naturally flowing rivers perform important ecological functions, such as moving sediment and logs downstream and providing critical habitat for fish, plants, and other wildlife. When a river’s flow is impeded by dams like the Skagit Project, it’s harder for the river to do this work.

To help protect and restore the Skagit River ecosystem, Seattle City Light’s approach to relicensing the Skagit Project includes restoration and mitigation work to make up for what the river can no longer do on its own. This work includes:

significant investments to improve habitat, including developing a comprehensive fish program,
strategically managing how much water flows through the dams,
opening up and restoring habitat on the mainstem of the river, and
partnering on estuary restoration projects.

It also includes flood risk management strategies to help protect communities downstream.

Hydropower is critical to our region, and so are healthy river ecosystems. Through collaboration with Tribes and partners, City Light is committed to protecting and restoring the Skagit River, so future generations can benefit from the vibrant, resilient ecosystem while supporting the region’s renewable energy needs.

Top Skagit Relicensing Resources

Want to learn more about relicensing? Check out these resources:

Learn how the Skagit River’s flow is managed to protect communities, provide access to renewable power, and deliver stable rates for customers.
Take a deeper look at City Light’s science-based fish passage program.
Monitor progress—find the latest quarterly update to FERC on our project page.
Review study reports—other relicensing material, including the Updated Study Report, can be accessed through the Skagit Relicensing Public Documents Library.

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Hydroelectric Project and other City Light hydroelectric resources.

Skagit Relicensing Project Resources

Learn more about the relicensing process, including the library of public documents.

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