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.

Diablo Dam

On April 28, Seattle City Light submitted a final license application to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) detailing plans to operate the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project for the next 50 years. The final license application (FLA) is a significant milestone for City Light and its partners and represents years of collaboration among Treaty Tribes, Canadian First Nations, federal and state regulatory bodies, environmental groups, and nearby communities. 

“While there is still a lot to do, we are so grateful to the dozens of license partners, City Light staff, and experts who have worked extraordinarily hard to put together the FLA,” said City Light General Manager/CEO Debra Smith. “The next license will dictate how we operate the dams for decades, and it’s crucial that we carefully balance the need for renewable energy with the need to respect Tribal interests and be good stewards of the watershed.” 

City Light manages the flow of water through the hydroelectric project so that flood risk management and protection of fish habitat are prioritized over recreation and power generation. While those priorities won’t change in the next license, there are new measures that reflect climate change, partner and regulatory agency requirements, and tribal cultural interests.  

The FLA is based on more than $28 million in relicensing research studies. But even with all that data, the climate and the environment are changing faster than the license can adapt. Our next license is built for more monitoring, more flexibility and more collaboration. Significant changes from the last license include:

• A whole-ecosystem approach: The next license takes a whole-ecosystem approach to managing the hydropower project’s effects on the watershed. 
• Adaptive management: The next license will include robust and long-term monitoring, which is essential to a flexible and adaptive management program. 
• A comprehensive fish program that includes fish passage: City Light has worked with Tribes, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), and other key partners to develop a comprehensive fish program that will contribute to the protection and restoration of fish throughout the river. This includes considerations such as water quality, spawning beds, shade, food sources, and more. City Light has also been responsive to the interests expressed by the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe, NMFS, and others, and has proposed a fish passage program for passage across all three dams.  

Learn more about the FLA and the next steps in the FERC licensing process on Powerlines.

One grant-funded study looks at whether beaver dam analogs are an effective restoration strategy for ecosystem function in wildfire-impacted Pacific Northwest watersheds.

Seattle City Light’s Wildlife Research Program offers research grants in support of projects that aim to better understand, manage, and protect wildlife resources in the North Cascades ecosystem.

Good science is always important to support, but it’s become increasingly important as our climate changes and habitat and species adapt to these changes. Past grants have been awarded to a wide range of research projects on topics like riparian plant communities, aquatic invertebrates, shorebirds in the Skagit Delta, lynx ecology, and land bird monitoring.

This year’s grants, awarded in March, support projects focused on beaver dams, rock taluses, bumblebees, and snowshoe hares. Grant recipients include the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, Western Washington University, Washington State University, and Eastern Washington University.

To read more, visit Powerlines.

Seattle City Light, in partnership with the North Cascades Institute, a nationally recognized leader in environmental education, offers fun, interactive tours on Diablo Lake. This summer, join us aboard the Alice Ross IV to experience the beauty of Diablo Lake and the surrounding North Cascades National Park and learn about the rich cultural and natural history of the area.

Tours run from June 29 to October 1, 2023. Find more information and other Skagit recreation opportunities on SkagitTours.com.

While we highly recommend experiencing the Skagit River Watershed in person, you can also take a quick virtual visit. Our new video: Skagit River Hydroelectric Project: Essential to Our Clean Energy Future captures the beauty of the area, highlights the importance of the Project to our carbon-free future, and explains how we partner with others to manage resources for the entire ecosystem. 

City Light's Hydroelectric Resources

Learn more about the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project and other City Light hydroelectric resources.

Skagit Tours and Recreation

Explore the Skagit River and the beauty of the North Cascades.

Skagit Relicensing Project Resources Page

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

OUR MISSION

Seattle City Light provides our customers with affordable, reliable and environmentally responsible energy services.

City Light Website | Powerlines Blog