Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson was joined by representatives of Tribes, state and federal agencies, and others for the recent signing of a historic agreement “that will shape the future of one of the city's most important sources of renewable energy -- the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project,” the Mayor’s Office said on May 13.
"The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Relicensing Settlement, developed through years of collaborative negotiations, reflects broad support from Tribes, resource agencies, local governments, and community stakeholders," the Mayor’s Office said.
“This is a proud moment for our entire region,” said Wilson. “The settlement honors the sovereignty and leadership of tribal governments and invests in the kind of long-term environmental stewardship and public benefit that defines who we are as a community.”
The license application, which Seattle City Light submitted to FERC in 2023, will now be amended to incorporate this settlement.
The settlement includes substantial commitments to:
- A comprehensive fish passage program at the project, intended to increase salmon harvest and recovery
- Continued prioritization of flood risk management, updating protocols to protect people, farmland, homes, and infrastructure
- Tribal cultural access and protection of resources
- Public recreation enhancements in one of the wildest, most biologically diverse places in North America including trails, river access and campsites
- Education and interpretation centers to continue serving students, local communities, and utility ratepayers with hands-on outdoor education and cultural programming
- Estuary and river restoration to support native fish species and improve water quality
- Adaptive management frameworks grounded in ongoing scientific research and data sharing
The comprehensive settlement is the result of eight years of negotiations with multiple parties. It incorporates the latest available science, integrates tribal ecological knowledge, and reflects public priorities for river restoration and recreational use, the Mayor’s Office said.
“This agreement represents years of dedicated work, partnership, and persistence,” said Rob Santoff, Interim General Manager and CEO, Seattle City Light. “We’re grateful to our partners --especially the Tribes -- for helping shape a proposal that restores ecosystems, respects cultural connections, and delivers clean, reliable energy.”
“This agreement represents a major milestone for the Skagit River and for the people who depend on it,” said Chris Townsend, Seattle City Light Director of Natural Resources and Hydro Licensing. “It demonstrates what is possible when governments and tribes work together with a long-term vision for stewardship, community, and future generations.”
The settlement now moves to the next stage of review as part of the FERC licensing process.
Upon approval, Seattle City Light will begin phased implementation of major infrastructure and ecological investments.
The Skagit River Hydroelectric Project is located within the Ross Lake National Recreation Area in North Cascades National Park, is a series of three dams that have a total installed capacity of 840 megawatts and generate about 20 percent of Seattle City Light’s power.
The project is licensed by FERC. The current license, issued in 1995, expired on April 30, 2025.
The Mayor’s Office noted that Seattle City Light is operating the project under annual licenses while continuing to work with federal and state agencies, Tribes, and other organizations toward a new 50-year license that will:
- Restore the Skagit River watershed ecosystem and support salmon recovery
- Respect Treaty Tribes' fishing rights
- Address the historic and ongoing impacts of the dams on Tribes' cultural resources and treaty interests
- Deliver benefits to the communities most impacted by the facilities
- Create jobs through license implementation
- Restore habitat based on local priorities and voluntary land acquisition
