Skagit County Approves Relicensing Deal with Seattle City Light

The $980 million agreement includes fish passage and habitat restoration projects along the Skagit River.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 11:36pm

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Skagit County commissioners have approved a relicensing agreement with Seattle City Light that will allow the utility to continue operating three dams on the Skagit River. Under the proposed $980 million settlement, City Light will fund the construction of fish passage over its dams and an additional $150 million in salmon habitat restoration projects.

Why it matters

The Skagit River dams provide about 20% of Seattle's electric power, making this relicensing agreement critical for the city's energy supply. However, the dams have also impacted salmon populations, so the fish passage and habitat restoration commitments are seen as important concessions to protect the region's natural resources and cultural heritage.

The details

The relicensing agreement comes after years of negotiations between Skagit County and Seattle City Light. The utility has been seeking to renew its 50-year license to operate the three Skagit River dams. Under the proposed settlement, City Light will pledge nearly $980 million to build fish passage over the dams and spend an additional $150 million on salmon habitat restoration projects. County commissioners emphasized the need to hold City Light accountable to its promises, having previously voiced concerns that the utility could take over farmland to carry out its restoration projects.

  • The Skagit Board of County Commissioners voted on Monday, March 30, 2026 to approve the relicensing agreement with Seattle City Light.
  • Seattle City Light has been negotiating with Skagit County since 2019 to renew its 50-year license to operate the three Skagit River dams.

The players

Seattle City Light

A major utility company that provides about 20% of Seattle's electric power through the operation of three dams on the Skagit River.

Skagit County

The county in Washington state where the Skagit River dams operated by Seattle City Light are located.

Peter Browning

A Skagit County Commissioner who emphasized the importance of holding Seattle City Light accountable to its promises regarding flood risk reduction.

Joe Burns

A Skagit County Commissioner who cited the promise of fish passage as a major reason for approving the settlement agreement.

Dawn Lindell

The General Manager and CEO of Seattle City Light, who responded to concerns about the utility using condemnation authority to acquire property.

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What they’re saying

“The FERC settlement requires Seattle City Light to provide a safe and appropriate level of Army Corps-managed flood storage at Ross Dam, which plays a major role in keeping our community safe from flood risk.”

— Peter Browning, Skagit County Commissioner

“Salmon are a central part of our community's culture, and fish passage is a proven way to significantly increase harvest for tribal and non-tribal fishers alike. The promise of fish passage is a major reason that we approved the settlement agreement, and we look forward to Seattle City Light implementing fish passage in good faith.”

— Joe Burns, Skagit County Commissioner

“City Light does not intend to use condemnation authority to acquire property in the [Skagit River] estuary.”

— Dawn Lindell, Seattle City Light GM & CEO

What’s next

The agreement now awaits approval from the Seattle City Council.

The takeaway

This relicensing agreement represents a compromise between the economic needs of Seattle and the environmental and cultural concerns of Skagit County. The substantial investments in fish passage and habitat restoration demonstrate a commitment to balancing hydropower generation with the preservation of the Skagit River's natural resources and tribal fishing rights.