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TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I - SUMMATION CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION THE WILD AND SCENIC ACT ...... 2 AGENCY INTERPRETATION ...... 2 STUDY RIVERS ...... 2 STUDY APPROACH ...... 4 CHAPTER2-SUMMARYOF FINDINGS & RECOMMENDATIONS ...... FINDINGS ...... 4 RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 5 PART II - THE STUDY CHAPTER 1 - INVENTORY ...... -8 THE DRAINAGE BASIN ...... 8 THE STUDY AREA ...... · 10 CHAPTER2-EVALUATION OF RIVERS &ADJOINING LANDS CRITERIA USED ...... 13 ANALYSIS ...... 15 OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS ...... 20 CHAPTER 3 -CLASSIFICATION ALTERNATIVES, ANALYSIS & SELECTION OF STUDY PROPOSAL BASIS OF ANALYSIS ...... 23 THE PRESENT SITUATION ...... 23 ARRAY OF ALTERNATIVES ...... 26 ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES ...... 36 EVALUATION OF THE PROPOSED ACTION ...... 43 CHAPTER 4-JURISDICTION ...... 45 CHAPTER 5 - RECREATION DEVELOPMENT, MAINTENANCE, ADMINISTRATION &ACQUISITION COST ESTIMATES RECREATION DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM ...... 47 MAINTENANCE PROGRAM ...... 48 ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM ...... 48 ACQUISITION PROGRAM ...... 48 APPENDIX A - LEGISLATION & GUIDELINES ...... 56 APPENDIX B - INVENTORY DATA ...... 12 APPENDIX C - VISUAL RESOURCE ...... 126 APPENDIX D - USE INTENSITY INVENTORY ...... 152 APPENDIX E - AREA BOUNDARY AND LAND OWNERSHIP ...... 164 BIBLIOGRAPHY ...... 177

PART

SUMMATION 2

INTRODUCTION

A. THE WILD AND SCENIC sheds or shorelines essentially primi­ Copies of P.L. 90-542 and P.L. tive and waters unpolluted. These 93-279 are presented in Appendix A of RIVERS ACT represent vestiges of primitive Amer­ this report. ica. Congress enacted Public Law 90- 542 on October 2, 1968. This law, Scenic river areas - Those rivers or 8. AGENCY INTERPRETATION known as the Wild and Scenic Rivers sections of rivers that are free of impoundments, with shorelines or Act. es tab I ished a National Wild and In February 1970 the Department of watersheds still largely primitive and Scenic Rivers System; named eight and Department of the shorelines largely undeveloped, but rivers as ''instant" components of the accessible in places by roads. Interior jointly signed a document National System; named the Skagit as entitled "GUIDELINES FOR EVALU­ one of 27 "study rivers" for potential Recreational river areas - Those ATING WILD, SCENIC AND RECREA­ addition to the National System; and rivers or sections of rivers that are TIONAL RIVER AREAS PROPOSED set up criteria for the addition of other readily accessible by road or railroad, FOR INCLUSION IN THE NATIONAL rivers to the Nat ion al System. that may have some development WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS SYSTEM along their shorelines, and that may UNDER SECTION 2, PUBLIC LAW The intent of Congress in establish­ 90-542." ing a national system of Wild and have undergone some impoundment or diversion in the past. Scenic Rivers is stated in Section 1 (b) These guidelines, a copy of which is of the Act: "The Congress declares Other provisions of the Act, as included in Appendix A, supplement that the established national policy of amended by Pub I ic Law 93-279, which the criteria listed in the Wild and and other construction at appro­ are pertinent to this proposal include: Scenic Rivers Act and Define mini­ priate sections of the rivers of the. mum criteria for the classification and needs to be comple­ Section 5(b) which stipulates that management of free-flowing river mented by a policy that would the study of potential additions to the areas proposed for inclusion in the preserve other selected rivers or National System (study rivers) may be National System. sections thereof in their free-flowing carried out as a joint study, in condition to protect the water quality cooperation with the state involved. of such rivers and to fulfill other vital C. STUDY RIVERS national conservation purposes." Section 6(b) which precludes con­ The was one of 27 demnation for fee title acquisition The Act set up three different study rivers named in the Wild and once 50 percent of the entire acreage Scenic Rivers Act. The Act designated classifications for rivers and their is owned by public agencies, but that the Skagit and three of its major adjacent shorelines. Depending upon allows condemnation for the creation their degree of development, rivers tributaries should be studied for of scenic easements and public possible inclusion in the National may be classified as Wild, Scenic or access on 100% of the . Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Recreational. Section 2(b) of the Act Rivers named include the Skagit, from describes the characteristics of the Section 7(b) which prohibits the the of upstream to three classifications. licensing of any water projects under Bacon Creek (67.3 miles); the Cas­ Wild river areas - Those rivers or the Federal Power Act, on any study cade, from its mouth upstream to the sections of rivers that are free of river, for a period of ten years plus the junction of its North and South Forks, impoundments and generally inac­ time necessary for Congressional and up the South Fork to the cessible except by , with water- review of any recommendations. Peak (20.8 miles); the ~auK, rrom its mouth upsteam to 3 1 Eliott Creek, and up its North Fork from its mouth to the Wilderness (50.8 miles); and the Suiattle, from its mouth upstream to the (27.4

miles), a total of 166.3 miles of rivers. t. ITa T.IT•.

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T.na. MAPl STUDY RIVERS 4 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

D. STUDYAPPROACH 2. Eligibility - This element was A. FINDINGS concerned with determining the class­ The approach applied to the study ification eligibility of the study rivers, The study finds that th~ Skagit of the Skagit River and its tributaries under criteria established by the Wild River. along with its Cascade, Sauk was directed toward two major as­ and Scenic Rivers Act. This analysis and Suiattle tributaries and their pects of the Wild and Scenic Rivers will be found in Part II, Chapter 2. immediate environment possess out­ Act; (1) River classification , and (2) standingly remarkable fish, scenic administration and management. This 3. Alternatives - In this element the and wildlife values, and exhibit the involved a step by step process to potential economic, social and envi­ potential for the future development determine the degree to which the ronmental impacts of a series of of recreation sites of significant value study rivers were eligible for a Wild, classification alternatives were an­ to local, regional and national popula­ Scenic or Recreational Classification alyzed, and one of the alternatives was tions. These values are of such qua I ity under Section 2(b) of the Act. selected as the study proposal. This is and magnitude as to warrant their Administration and management re­ discussed in Part II, Chapter 3. protection tor the use and enjoyment sponded to Section 1 O(a) of the Act, of present and future generations. 4. Administration - In this portion which states that, "Each component of the study process, various admini­ of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers In addition, the rivers meet the strative options were examined, and System shall be administered in such criteria established by the Wild and an option was selected as the manner as to protect and enhance the Scenic Rivers Act and the Supple­ proposed method for administering values which caused it to be included mental criteria jointly agreed to by the rivers recommended under the study in said system without, insofar as is Department of Agriculture and Depart­ proposal. Part Chapter 4 presents consistent therewith, limiting other 11, ment of the Interior. The rivers are this analysis. uses that do not substantially inter­ free-flowing within the study area, and are suitable for water sports. fere with public use and enjoyment of 5. Implementation - Estimates for these values. In such administration the cost of public recreation develop­ The Skagit River is eligible for a primary emphasis shall be given to ments proposed during the first five Recreational classification for its protecting its esthetic, scenic, his­ years following classification, and for entire study area length. The Cascade, toric, archeologic, and scientific the acquisition of conservation ease­ Sauk and Suiattle Rivers are eligible features. Management plans for any ments and land in fee title were for a Scenic Classification for their such component may establish vary­ developed in this element. This entire study area length. ing degrees of intensity for its discussion is located in Part II, protection and development, based Chapter 5. Classification of the Skagit River on the special attributes of the area." between the town of Mount Vernon and the pipeline-utility corridor cross­ The River study process is outlined ing at Sedro Woolley would preclude below: the potential future development of a 1. Inventory- This element involved river basin flood control plan which inventorying and summarizing all could reduce the flood frequency tor pertinent data associated with the urban areas from once-in-14-years to land and water resources in the Skagit once-in-100-years. Basin. The resulting data is presented in Appendix B as background and supportive information. 5

B. RECOMMENDATIONS stered by federal or state government, or are under the jurisdiction of the To preserve these rivers and their Sfafo---Sf16relines~Management Act. immediate environments for the bene­ fit and enjoyment of present and 3. That administration of the pro­ future generations, it is recommend­ posal area be accomplished jointly by ed: components of federal and state governments. The Forest Service, 1. That the Skagit River from the USDA, should serve as the federal upstream side of the pipeline-utility administrative agency. corridor crossing at Sedro Woolley upstream to Bacon Creek (58.5 miles) 4. That a committee composed of be included in the National System a~ representatives from each administra­ a Recreational River component; and tive agency, and representatives of that the Cascade River (20.8 miles), appropriate county and local agen­ (50.8 miles) and Suiattle cies, be formed to develop a master River (27.4 miles), for their entire plan for the management and protec­ study area length, be Included in the tion of the rivers and their adjacent National System as Scenic River lands within the river area boundary. components. Rivers recommended Responsibility for the protection and for inclusion total 157.5 miles in management of the Skagit River and length. location of the its adjacent lands should rest primar­ recommended boundary of the river ily with State and local administrative area, as well as landownership within agencies, while responsibility for the the recommended boundary, is shown protection and management of the on the maps in Appendix E. Cascade, Sauk and components should rest primarily 2. The area enclosed by the classi­ with the Federal administrative ag­ fied river area boundary contains ency. approximately 34,650 acres of lands whose management is critical to the A discussion of the administration preservation of the rivers' scenic land acquisition, recreation develop~ recreational, natural and cultural ment and maintenance recommended values. Of this acreage, 16,605 acres under this proposal is found in Part II, are National Forest, 1,430 acres are Chapter 5 of this report. owned by other public agencies, and the remaining 16,615 acres are in private ownership. Administrative a­ gencies will purchase an estimated 1,728 acres, in fee title, and acquire conservation easements on an esti­ mated 3,350 acres. The remaining 29,572 acres within the proposal area boundary are either presently admini-

1 PART

THE STUDY INVENTORY

The study summarized in this report northwest corner of trend generally north-northwest _and covers the entire Skagit River drainage State in the area between Puget expose rock ranging from Paleozoic to basin, from the Canadian Sound and the Cascade Mountains. Tertiary in age. Glaciation has exerted south-and-west to . a major influence on the Skagit River While the Skagit basin has a While a great deal of information was Valley. The pre-glacier river was relatively low population density, it gathered for the basin as a. who~e, .the probably running in a narrow V-shap­ lies within an hour's drive of the inventory was most intensive w1th1n a ed valley and was rapidly downcutting metropolitan complex. The narrow corridor paralleling the study through bedrock on a comparatively basin is traversed by State Highway rivers. about one-half mile wide. This steep gradient. Upon melting, the 20. the only highway crossing the corridor was cal led the Study Area, glacier left deep deposits that resulted scenic North in the northern and encompassed some 53,000 acres in a broad, relatively flat valley portion of the State. Interstate High­ of land. (The Study Area proved to be bottom. These valley glacier deposits way 5. the major north-south artery on somewhat larger than the corridor joined with the continental glacier the , the basin on ultimately recommended as the class­ deposits in the lower river reaches and the west. An interlocking network of ified River Area; control over many of together changed the original stream State, county and Forest Ser~ice the lands within the Study Area proved from one that was flowing rapidly in a roads provides vehicular access with­ unnecessary for the preservation of narrow valley to one that is flowing in the river basin. the rivers' esthetic features.) Informa­ slower and meandering across a wide tion gathered in the invent_o_ry was The largest town on the Skagit is valley bottom. used for assessing the qual1t1es and Mount Vernon, with a population of Air masses reaching the Skagit characteristics of the study rivers, 8 532 in 1970. This is the most basin originate over the both for classification eligibility and d~veloped segment along the Skagit. Ocean, giving the area a mid-latitude, for management guidelines. Inventory There are other on the rivers, West Coast, marine climate. The data is summarized below. Parent some of which are Sedro Woolley, maritime air moderates both winter data is located in Appendix 8, under Burlington, Lyman, , Con­ and summer seasons, producing a the following headings: crete, Rockport and Marblemount. definite rainy season during the winter Darrington, with a population of about 8.1 Regional Setting and a short, dry summer. The Cascade 1,000, is the only town on the Sauk 8.2 Physical and Natural and shield the basin River: there are no towns on the Characteristics from cold air masses, while the Cascade or Suiattle. 8.3 History Olympics and the Co~st Range ?ffer 8.4 Socio-Economic Skagit County had a 1970 popula­ protection from the intense w1n!er Characteristics tion of 52,000 with an estimate of storms which buffet the coast. Rain­ B.5 Land Use Patterns 67,000 for 1985. Of its 1970 popula­ fall averages 46 inches at Sedro B.6 Resource Uses tion, over half-53.6%-lived in rural Woolley, while the average high areas. temperature is 60 degrees F. and the average annual low is 41. The mean THE DRAINAGE BASIN length of the growing season is 193 Description days. Setting The Skagit River flows roughly The Skagit River basin encompass­ The Skagit River drains an area of east-west through the northern Cas­ es a wide range of mountainous topo­ cade Mountains, dissecting moun­ 3,105square miles, 400 of which lie in graphy. Western {seward) elevations . The Skagit flows through the tains and regional landforms which 9

range from sea level to 3,500 feet on the nearby mountain tops. East of Mount Vernon the relief increases and the terrain becomes extremely rug­ ged. The crest of the Cascades forms the eastern boundary of the basin, and altitudes there range to over 8,000 feet. Characteristically, the mou n­ tains in the western portion of ttie basin are steep and timber covered. Eastward, the mountains increase in elevation, becoming very steep and precipitous. Timber becomes concen­ trated on the lower slopes. On higher slopes the timber is frequently inter­ spersed with rock outcrops and talus. Extending upward this, in turn, gives way to a world dominated by rock, meadows, talus and perpetual snow. This portion of the basin is renowned for its alpine beauty. Photo 1 depicts the transition from the broad, flat, timbered valley floor to the heavily timbered lower mountains on which the signs of recent timber are readily visible, and finally to the rock-and-glacier of the Cascade crest.

The basin was originally inhabited by Indians belonging to the Salish group. These early citizens lived in small, permanent villages in cedar­ plank houses, and lived off the bounty of the land-fish, wild meat, berries and other natural foods. At their peak, raised. The 1879 gold rush triggered major hydroelectric facilities was the Indians boasted a population of upriver settlement and, although gold completed in 1949. Road constructipn about 2,000 people. fever subsided in 1880, farmers and caused by the aided the con­ loggers had been introduced to the struction of the White settlement of the basin began rich upriver area. The railroads reach­ Highway, completed in 1972. This in 1855 with the signing of an Indian ed the basin in 1889, and by 1901 had highway makes east-west travel ac­ treaty. Early settlement was confined moved upriver to Rockport. In 1918 the ross the North Cascades a reality after to the fertile Skagit Delta, where first hydropower structure was started nearly a hundred years of planning. phenomenal crops of grain were on the Skagit, and the last of three 10

Although the economy of the basin The basin is abundantly endowed 250 picnic units, 1,621 parking is less tied to the extractive indus­ with forests. About 75% of the total spaces, 25 boat launches and 7 acres tries-agriculture, forestry, fishing land area is forested. There are of swimming beaches are provided. and mining-than it was during the 834.730 acres of forest land capable of There are 350,000 acres of National settlement era, they still play an producing forest products on a Forest Wilderness, 483,000 acres of important role in its overall welfare. continuing basis in the basin. These National Park, and 107,000 acres of While extractive industry employs lands have a current inventory of 23.6 . In total, only 7% of the labor force in the billion board feet. The basin supports some 940,000 acres, nearly 49% of the five-county (Skagit, Whatcom, Sno­ 12 sawmills, 2 plywood plants and a land in the basin, is under special homish, Island and San Juan) area, paper mill, as well as exporting designation. (as compared to 35% for manufactur­ additional material to processors ing, 23% for trade and 22% for outside the basin. Current predictions government) it is still important to are that 17% of the commercial forest THE STUDY AREA these counties as a foundation for land within the basin will be converted their general economy. to other uses in the next 50 years. Study Rivers At its inception, the study laid out a Resources The basin hosts vast "potential 53,000 acre study area, consisting of Of the 1 ,776,000 surface acres in the future sources" of minerals. The the study rivers and their adjacent Skagit River basin, about 53,000 are Bureau of Mines estimates deposits shoreline for about 1/4 mile back from devoted to rangeland and crops. of 4.8 million ounces of gold, 149 each river bank. The most intensive of Farms are found mostly in the low, million ounces of silver, 609,000 tons the inventory, analysis and planning flat. fertile delta of the Skagit River, of copper, 1.1 million tons of lead, efforts were concentrated within this although some good cropland ex­ 320,000 tons of zinc, 9,000 tons of study area. The study area is shown tends farther upstream along the cobalt, 70,000 tons of molybdenum, on Map 2. north bank of the river to Horn, 510, 200 tons of nickel, 190,000 tons of about six miles downstream from iron and 5.8 million tons of arsenic. Concrete. These rich farmlands pro­ Non-metallic reserves include over 1 duce 90% of the nation's supply of billion tons of limestone. In addition, cabbage seed and a large portion of its vast quantities of sand, gravel and beet, turnip and rutabaga seed. It is stone are found. With the exception of estimated that available farmland will sand and gravel, none of these increase by 15% in the next 50 years materials are presently mined within due to and land clearing. the study area. Gravel operations This increase may be curtailed by presently occur near Mount Vernon, changes in land use from farming to near the Skagit River channel, but residential developments or industrial outside the stream bed. sites. and by the loss of some Land in the basin is extensively farmland along the Skagit and Sauk used for public recreation. About 70% Rivers due to bank . of the land is Federally owned, and another 5 % is owned by the State. A total of 1 ,487,234 acres are open to the public. On this land 542 campsites, 11

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Resources Within The Study Area plain, beginning around the town of reservoir capable of generating ad­ Concrete and extending downstream ditional electricity. In addition, plans At Mount Vernon, the Skagit River in a narrow belt to Sedro Woolley, were recently announced for the has a mean flow of 16,250 cubic feet where the valley floor widens to construction of the first nuclear per second (cfs), which equals 10.5 encompass the broad river delta. generating facility in the basin, which billion gallons per day. There are no Upriver dams on the Skagit and Baker would be located northeast of Sedro withdrawals from the river within the Rivers mitigate flooding to some Woolley, outside the study area. The study area. extent, but urban areas within the facility would withdraw 100 cfs of flood plain are presently secure only water from the Skagit, within the Water quality on all of the study against floods of a once-in-14-years study area, for cooling water; this rivers is good. The maximum recorded magnitude or less. volume equals 0.61 % of the river's stream temperature for the study area mean flow. was taken in the Skagit near Mount Development of the lower flood Vernon, and measured 64 degrees F. plain is creating a growing clamor for The Skagit, along with its Baker, The mean high is 48.7. Dissolved increased flood protection. Cascade, Sauk and Suiattle tributar­ oxygen concentrations are near sa­ ies, comprises the largest drainage turation. The system transports about The practice of bank stabilization in basin in Puget Sound. These water ten million tons of sediment annually, the form of rock ri prap, placed at provide habitat for a vigorous, diverse mostly of glacial origin. The concen­ those points on the riverbank where fisher of national significance. Five tration of dissolved solids is low; with valuable agricultural land or existing species of , three species of the exception of iron concentrations, developed property would otherwise sea-going trout and a wide range of chemical water quality in all sections be avulsed by river currents, is an resident fish Jive and reproduce in meets U. S. Public Health Service established and sometimes necessary these waters. The Skagit is nationally drinking water standards. Bacterio­ practice on these rivers. As historical­ renowned for its sport steelhead logical quality is variable, with the ly practiced by Skagit County, the fishery. Its role as a spawning ground count of coliform organisms increas­ placement of rock riprap along short for salmon is important to the State ing downstream from Marblemount, stretches of river is not incompatible economy. due to effluent arising from towns and with either Recreational or Scenic residential tracts. Toxic or deleterious classification on these rivers. The A vigorous wildlife community material concentrations are low. The placement of artificial stabilization inhabits the study area. , bear, bilogical quality of the study rivers is devices such as car bodies, concrete waterfowl, fur-bearers and rodents all high, as witnessed by the high bunkers, bin walls, revetments and abound. Bald eagles gather in signifi­ species diversity and their recognized similar objects is incompatible with cant numbers along the middle Skagit productivity of both resident and both Scenic and Recreational classifi­ during the winter to feed on migrating anadromous fish. The Skagit is rated cation. salmon. This congregation of eagles Class A from Burlington downstream. is reported to be the largest wintering Above Burlington, and on all the There are no hydroelectric generat­ group on the contiguous West Coast. tributaries, the rivers are rated Class ing facilities within the study area. Six There are approximately 13,000 AA. Extraordinary, under criteria operating facilities are located on acres of privately owned commercial est ab I ished by the Federal Water rivers outside the study area; three on forest land within the proposal area. Pollution Control Act (PL 84-660) of the Skagit River, two on the Baker The available commercial forest lands 1956. River. and one on Newhalem Creek. Firm plans exist for raising have an average annual yield of about The Skagit has a 90,000 acre flood on the upper Skagit to create a larger 6,500 MBF, and generate an estimated 13 EVALUATION OF RIVERS AND ADJOINING LANDS

$1,495,000 in primary income. A. CRITERIA USED History and Archeology 1. P.L. 90-542 Criteria - The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act specifies four In accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act characteristics which must be evalu­ ated in order to determine if rivers are of 1966, the most recent listing of the National Register of Historic Places eligible for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. These has been consulted. No National criteria are: (1) the presence of Register sites are located within the structures which alter the free-flowing study area. nature of the river, (2) the degree of A letter from the Washington State accessibility, (3) the nature and extent Historic Preservation Officer, stating of shoreline development, and (4) that no sites on the State or National water quality. In addition, any out­ Register of Historic Places lie within standing characteristics which make the study area, has been received. the river a valuable addition to the system are to be considered. Out­ A pre I iminary review of the potential standing characteristics include such for archeologically significant sites things as scenic qualities, historical lying within the study area, by and cultural values, geological fea­ Washington State University, indi­ tures, fish and wildlife, and recrea­ cates that the possibility of the tional qualities. occurrence of such sites within the study area is very high. 2. Evaluation Guidelines- The joint Department of Agriculture - Depart­ ment of the Interior guidelines for evaluating Wild and Scenic Rivers supplement criteria listed in the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and define minimum criteria for classification and management of such rivers. The Guidelines' summary page follows. 14

SUMMARY 1/ Attributes and management objectives of the three river classifications for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic River System

Wild Scenic Recreation

Attributes ( 1. Free-flowing. Low dams, diversion 1. Free-flowing. Low dams, diversion 1. May have undergone some impound­ 1 works or other minor structures which works or other minor structures whict ment or diversion in the past. Water donotinundate the natural riverbank do not inundate the natural riverbank should not have characteristics of an may not bar consideration as wild. may not bar consideration. Future impoundment for any significant dis- Future construction restricted. construction restricted. tance. Future construction restricted. 2. Generally inaccessible by road. 2. Accessible by roads which may 2. Readily accessible, with likelihood One or two inconspicuous roads to the occasionally bridge the river area. of paralleling roads or railroads area may be permissible. Short stretches of conspicuous or along river banks and bridge crossings. longer stretches of inconspicuous and well-screened roads or railroads paralleling river area may be permitted. 3. Shorelines essentially primitive. 3. Shoreline largely primitive. Small 3. Shoreline may be extensively One or two inconspicuous dwellings communities limited to short reaches developed. and land devoted to production of hay of total area. Agricultural practices may be permitted. Watershednatural­ which do not adversely affect river like in appearance. area may be permitted. 4. Water quality meets minimum cri­ 4. 'Nater quality should meet minimum 4. Water quality should meet minimum I teria for primary contact recreation criteria for desired types of recrea­ criteria for desired types of recreation !--' except where such criteria would be tion except where such criteria would except where such criteria would be ex­ t-V exceeded by natural background condi­ be exceeded by natural background ceeded by natural background condi­ I tions and esthetics 2/ and capable of conditions and estr.etics 2/ and capable tions and esthetics 2/ and capable of supporting propagaITon of aquatic life of supporting propagation of aquatic supporting propagaffon of aquatic life ! normally adapted to habitat of the life norrr:a11y adapted to habitat of the normally adapted to habitat of the stream 1 stream. stream, or is capable of and is being or is capable of and is being restored restored :o t:1at quality. to that quality.

Management 1. Limited motorized land travel in L Motorized veticles allowed on la:ld 1. Optimum accessibility by motorized l objectives area. area. vehicle. 2. No unharmonious or new habitations 2. l'~ounhal'l'.'.onious ircprovements and 2. l\1ay be densely settled in places. or improvements permitted. fevJ habitation:: nermitted. 3. Only primitive-type public use 3. Limited modeL'l screer:ed p0ablic 3. Public use areas may be in close provided. use facilit:es permitted, i.e. carr.p­ proximity to river. grounds, visitor centers, etc. 4. New structures and ~mprovement 4. Sorr.e ~1ew facilities allowed, S'ach 4. '\Jew structures allowed for both hab­ of old ones prohibited if ~1ot in keeping as unobtrusive maririac;. itation and for intensive recreation use. with overall objectives.

5. Unobtrusive fences, gauging sta­ V• Unobtrusive fences, gauging stations 5. Management practice facilities tions and other managerr.ent facilities and '.lther 'T.anagement facilities may perr:iitted. may be permitted if no significant ad­ be permitted if no sign'ficant adverse verse effect on natural character of effect en r.ati;ral c'1arac~er cf area. area.

6. Limited range of agricc11ture and 1 6. Vlide rar:q 0 of 3griculti.:re and otter fl. Full range of agriculture and other other resource uses permitted. resource 'Jses ma; be perm:tted. reso'arce uses may be permitted.

1/ To be used only in con}.mc~ion with :"le text. February 1970 ;?/Federal Water Polbtion Control J\dmini:;tn.t:or: 's Water Oc:ali· \:ri~·2r'·3, Apr'l l., 19i:ilJ. lb

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MAP 3-RIVER SEGMENTS 8. ANALYSIS This discussion compares the study rivers to criteria set down in P.L. 90-542 and amplified by the Guidelines. ~, -7~--- + For ease of analysis, it is useful to I ·--+. -~ ·~ -- break each of the rivers down into 1 ~= ~ ~~ T.30N. smaller segments. In this discussion, the Skagit is divided into four 1-1- I R14E. I • R.8 E. R.9E. segments, and each of its tributaries --:-1--\iX"'·~'· i~· ~·r1- into two, except the Sauk, which has , : ,..

1-1~,~ -,, 16

Skagit River - Segment 1 Skagit River - Segment 2 pastoral and forest glade values present, and discourage future dev­ This segment includes the Skagit This segment begins at the Sedro elopments which threaten these val­ River from the Interstate Highway 5 Woolley pipe! ine-ut i I ity corridor ues. bridge at Mount Vernon-the lower crossing and continues upstream to boundary of the study area-to the the town of Hamilton, a distance of Skagit River - Segment 3 pipeline-utility corridor crossing at 15.6 miles. Sedro Woolley, a distance of 8.8 This segment includes the Skagit There are no dams or slackwater miles. River from the town of Hamilton impoundments within this segment. upstream to the downstream mouth of There are no dams or other slack­ One mi le of levee occurs at the town of Mcleod Slough, a distance of 26.0 water impoundments in this segment. Hamilton, and 2.1 miles of rock riprap, miles. There are 11 .3 miles of levees provid­ scattered in short stretches on the ing flood protection for urban areas. outside of bends. One short - 0.04 There are no dams or levees in this The levees are wel I sodded and natural mile-wooden weir is built in the river segment. Riprap work has been done in appearance. An additional 1.6 miles channel. It is falling into disrepair and on 2.2 miles of shoreline. of river bank has been rock rip­ will probably disappear within 10 rapped. years. Of the52 miles of shoreline, 34.4% is accessible from a road lying within The entire 17. 6 mi \es of shore I ine in All of the 31.2 miles of shoreline are 100 feet of the river. Another 37.7% this segment is paralleled by existing paralleled by roads. Roads lying has a road within the 100-foot to a roads. Of the total distance, 26.6% within 100 feet of the river occur in quarter-mile distance. The balance, lies within 100 feet of a road; 48.2% 14.7% of the segment; 23.4% is 27.9%, is paralleled by roads lying within 100 feet to a quarter-mile; and para I le led at between 100 feet and a farther than a quarter-mile away. the balance-25.2%-lies more than quarter-mile; the balance-61.9%­ a quarter-mile from the nearest road. has parallel roads beyond a quarter­ One bridge crosses the river in this m i le of the river. segment. There are five bridges, one power­ line crossing, two pipeline crossings Agricultural lands occupy 26.9% of and three docks within this segment. There is one powerline crossing this the shoreline in this segment, and sement of the river. 9.1 % is developed residential areas. Shorelines are predominately agri­ The remaining 64% of the shoreline is cultural land-71 .0%. Natural forest Shorelines in the segment are forested. The segment has 1108 covers 23.3% of the shoreline, and forested for 75.3% of their length. platted recreation subdivision lots. residential-commercial development Agricultural lands occupy 21 .5%, and occurs on 5.7% of the shoreline. residential developments 3.2%. The Because of the accessibility, shore- There are 58 platted recreational segment has 37 platted recreation 1 ine development and high number of subdivision lots in this segment. subdivision lots. platted lots. this segment is eligible for a Recreational classification. The combination of levees, shore­ The combination of accessibility line development and road accessibil­ and shoreline development render this ity limit this segment to Recreational segment unsuitable for a Scenic classification. classification. However, management of this segment under a Recreational classification should recognize the 17

Skagit River - Segment 4 recognize these qualities and take Cascade River - Segment 2 steps to protect the scenic resource. This segment includes the Skagit This segment includes the Cascade River from the downstream mouth of Cascade River - Segment 1 River from the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie Mcleod Slough upstream to Bacon National Forest boundary upstream to Creek, the upper boundary of the This segment includes the Cascade the Glacier Peak Wilderness boun­ study area on the Skagit, a distance of River from its mouth to the Mt. dary, a distance of 13.6 miles. 16.9 miles. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest boundary, a distance of 7.2 miles. There are no impoundments or There are no dams or levees within riprap within this segment. this segment. A total of 0.7 miles of There are no impoundments within shoreline have been ripprapped. this segment, and only 0.2 miles of Only 0.7% of the 27.2-mile shore­ riprap which is well overgrown by line is accessible from roads lying Of the 33.8 miles of shoreline in this brush and fairly natural in appearance. within 100 feet of the river. Roads segment, 33.1 % is paralleled by roads lying at a distance from 100 feet and a Of the 14.4 miles of shoreline, 1.4% lying within 100 feet of the river. quarter-mile parallel 38.6% of the Another 19.8% is paralleled by roads is accessible from a road lying within shoreline. Another 29.4% has parallel at a distance of 100 feet to a 100 feet of the river. A large part of the roads more than a quarter-mile from quarter-mile. The remaining 47.1 % of river, 64.6% is paralleled by roads at a the river. The remaining 31 .3% has no the shorelines are para I le led by roads distance between 100 feet and a existing road system. Two bridges lying more than a quarter-mile from quarter-mile. Another 24.3% has a cross the river in this segment. the river. para I lei road system located over a quarter-mile away. The remaining The entire shoreline is undeveloped forest land. One powerline and two bridges 9.7% has no parallel road system. cross the river in this segment. Two bridges cross the river in this segment. Of all river segments within the Residential development occurs on study area, this segment comes 5.6% of the shorelines, and agricul­ The shore Ii ne is forested along closest to meeting the criteria for a tural lands occupy another 19.8%. 76.4% of its length. Agricultural lands Wild River. Because of the existing The remaining 74.6% is forested. occupy 11.1 % of the shoreline, and road system, however, it does not There are 78 platted recreation subdi­ residential development another meet the Wild criteria. It is, in all vision lots in the segment. 12.5%. There are 449 platted recrea­ respects, a high-quality example of a tion subdivision lots, located in one Scenic River. Because of its accessibility and large tract. shoreline developments, this seg­ Future management of this seg­ ment meets the criteria for a Recrea­ Despite a fairly high percentage of ment should recognize the near-Wild tional classification. agricultural and residential develop­ situation and act to preserve the ments, the overall nature of the primitive qualities of the river corridor. Paradoxically, this segment also shoreline in this segment is natural. displays the most visually exciting The percentage of closely paralleling scenic vistas on the Skagit River. It is roads is low. Scenic values are high. in this segment where spectacular This segment qualifies for a Scenic views of the glacier-clad North Cas­ classification. cades, and the Eldora­ does occur. Future management must 18

Sauk River - Segment 1 Sauk River - Segment 2 within 100 feet to a quarter-mile occur on 27.3% of the shoreline. The This segment begins at the mouth of This segment includes the Sauk rema1n1ng 18.7% of the roaded the Sauk River near Rockport and River from the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie shoreline lies over a quarter-mile from continues upstream to the boundary National Forest boundary upstream to any road, while 52.7% of the shore­ of the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Elliott Creek, a distance of 18.5 miles. line, predominantely located on the Forest, a distance of 24.8 miles. The south bank, has no parallel road. Two segment also includes Mcleod Slou­ There are no impoundments or riprap within this segment. bridges cross the river in this gh, which is the delta of the Sauk segment. River. Only 8.9% of the 37 miles of shoreline is paralleled by roads within Other than a small primitive camp­ There are no impoundments or ground at the Wilderness boundary, riprap within this segment. 100 feet of the river. An additional 44.1 % is para I le led by roads at a there is no shore Ii ne development. Of the 49.6 miles of shoreline in this di stance between 100 feet and a The 15-mile shoreline is 100% forest­ segment, 15.5% is paralleled by roads quarter-mile. The remaining 47% is ed. lying within 100 feet of the river. paralleled by roads lying more than a This segment would be admirably Roads lying between 100 feet and a quarter-mile from the river. Three suitable for a Wild River classifica­ quarter-mile para I lel the shorelines for bridges cross the river in this tion, were it not for the existing road 26.6% of the distance. The remaining segment. system. Because of the roads, it 58.3% is paralleled by roads lying qualifies as a Scenic River. more than a quarter-mile from the Residential development has occur­ river. red along 2.7% of the shoreline. The Suiattle River - Segment 1 remaining 97.3% of the shore I ine is Three bridges and one powerline forested. There are 144 platted recrea­ This segment includes the Suiattle cross the river in this segment. tion subdivision lots in this segment. River from its mouth upstream to the boundary of the Mt. Baker-Snoqual­ Only 1.2% of the shoreline is Because of the almost totally mie National Forest, a distance of developed as commercial-residential forested shore I ine and low percentage 12.2 miles. land-principally the town of Darring­ of closely paralleling roads, this ton. Another 4.2% is agricultural segment is aptly suited for a Scenic There are no impoundments or riprap land. The remaining 94.6% of the classification. within the segment. shoreline is forested. There are 307 Of the 24.4 miles of shoreline, 4.1 % recreation subdivision lots in this Sauk River - Segment 3 is paralleled by roads lying within 100 segment. This segment includes the North feet of the river. Roads located at a Because of the predominance of Fork Sauk River, from its mouth to the distance of 100 feet to a quater-mile forested shoreline, the lower percent­ Glacier Peak Wilderness boundary, a occupy 38.1 % of the shoreline, and age of closely paralleling roads and distance of 7.5 miles. the remaining 57.8% is paralleled by the overall scenic nature of this roads lying more than a quarter-mile There are no impoundments or from the river. One bridge crosses the segment, it is well suited for a Scenic riprap within this segment. classification. river in this segment. Only 1.3% of the 15 miles of The shoreline is 100% forested. shoreline is paralleled by a road within There are 34 recreation subdivision 100 feet of the river. Roads lying lots in the segment. ,~

Because of the low percentage of closely paralleling roads, and the forested, undeveloped shoreline, this segment is well suited for a Scenic classification. Suiattle River - Segment 2 This segment includes the Suiattle River from the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest boundary to the Glacier Peak Wilderness boundary, a distance of 15.2 miles. There are no impoundments or riprap within this segment. Of the30.4 miles of shoreline, 9.2% is paralleled by roads lying within 100 feet of the river. An additional 61.2% is paralleled by roads lying at 100 feet to a quarter-mile from the river. Of the remainder, 25% of the shoreline has a para/ lei road system located over a quarter-mile from the river, and 4.6% has no road system. One bridge, a leading to a wilderness trail, crosses the river in th is segment. The shore Ii ne is totally forested, with two primitive campgrounds, and no platted recreation subdivision lots. Because of the undeveloped shore­ line and low percentage of closely paralleling roads, this segment quali­ fies as a Scenic River. A summary of statistics for each river segment, along with its classifi­ cation eligibility, is presented in Table 11-1 which follows. 20

TABLE 11-1 SUMMARY OF RIVER STATISTICS Skagit Skagit Skagit Skagit Case. Case. Sauk Sauk Sauk Su iat. Su iat. 1 2 3 4 1 2 1 2 3 1 2 TOTAL Segment Length- Miles 8.8 15.6 26.0 16.9 7 .2 13.6 24.8 18.5 7. 5 1 2. 2 1 5. 2 1 66. 3 Levees-Miles 11 .3 1.0 12.3 Riprap-Miles 1 .6 2.1 2.2 0.7 0.2 6.8 Weirs-Miles 0.04 0.04 Accessibi I ity-Percent Roads within 100 feet 26.6 14. 7 34.4 33.1 1.4 0.7 15.1 8.9 1 .3 4.1 9.2 16.1 Roads 100 feet to 1/4-m i le 48.2 23.4 37.7 19.8 64.6 38.6 26.6 44.1 27.3 38.1 61.2 37.1 Roads beyond %-mile 25.2 61.9 27.9 47.1 24.3 29.4 58.3 47.0 18.7 47.8 25.0 41.0 No parallel roads 9.7 31 .3 52.7 4.6 5.8 Structures - Number Powerline crossings 3 Bridges 5 2 2 2 3 3 2 22 Pipelines 2 2 Docks 3 3 Shore I ine Development-Percent Agriculture 71.0 21.5 26.9 19.8 11.1 4.2 13.1 Forest 23.3 75.3 64.0 74.6 76.4 100 94.6 97.3 100 100 100 83.3 Residential 5.7 3.2 9.1 5.6 12.5 1.2 2.7 3.6 Recreation Lots-Numbers 58 37 1108 78 449 307 144 34 2215

Classification Eligibility1 R R R R s s s s s s s

1 R - Recreat10,..,al S - Scenic

C. OUTSTANDING study. Although high quality alter­ of the five salmon species native to CHARACTERISTICS nates are diminishing, there still are , plus the three seago­ other places in Puget Sound where ing varieties of trout. The system's Fish Man can go for similar recreation, fishery produces an average of 2,210,- timber, wildlife, hydroelectric power, 000 anadromous fish each year. Of No discussion of the Skagit River and scenery. But there is no other this number, about a half-million system which ignores the signifi­ fishery like the Skagit. Erradication of return to spawn; the balance is cance of its fisheries in valid. the Skagit basin fishery would be a harvested by commercial and sport The rivers' role in providing spawn­ loss of the first magnitude! fishermen, or by natural predators at sea. These numbers of fish represent ing and rearing habitat for vast The Skagit River system is one of a significant percentage of the Puget numbers of resident and anadromous the few remaining systems in America Sound anadromous fish harvest fish is, beyond any question, the most which supports significant numbers significant fact pertaining to this (somewhere between 20% and 30%). 21

Clearly, any impact upon the Skagit River fishery will send reverberations through the entire northwest Wash­ ington region. A threat to the Skagit fishery will, by extension, impact the existing economic and recreational structure of the area, as well as striking at the fog-shrouded salmon mystique which is part and parcel of the unique life style of the . Scenic Qualities The Skagit River basin ranks high in any scenic quality evaluation. The Skagit, with its broad flood plain and densely forested slopes, is a river of broad vistas. Views of Mt. Baker, the Eldoradoes, Sauk Moun­ tain and a dozen lesser peaks present themselves at numerous points. The SKAGIT Skagit emphasizes grandeur; great mountains, viewed from afar, framed by giant conifers and accented by a broad meandering river. The lower Sauk River presents similar pageantry; glacier-clad moun­ tains surrounded by forest, viewed from a broad flood plain. Above Darrington, the Sauk be­ comes a more intimate river. The valley walls converge, white water becomes prevalent, and the visual focus is narrowed to a shorter range. River travelers in this segment are involved with the immediate river-its melody as it cascades over boulders and down steep chutes. It is an ever-changing scene, dominated by the roar of the water and the display of nature's inexorable forces at work. SAUK 22

The Suiattle is another river again. The esthetic values of the rivers, and quently encountered within the study Broader, more regular in its descent, their contribution to the psychic area. to the delight of visitors. its banks are forested with magnifi­ needs of man, must certainly be The Skagit River basin is home to cent old trees. Too fast and rough for considered in the decision-making three-rarely-seen species; the trum­ any but the most experienced kayaker, process relating to possible Wild and peter swan, the whistling swan, and the Suiattle is most spectacular near Scenic Rivers classification. the . the forest boundary, where it has carved a broad rugged . Wildlife The bald eagle is most evident along the middle flood plain, in The Cascade is the most intimate of Stable populations of big game stretches of undeveloped timber land. the study rivers. Flowing through a animals occur throughout the study Both adults and juveniles are fre­ narrow canyon whose walls are steep, area, but the concentration of animals quently seen perched in trees along rocky and high, the hiker feels himself occurs upriver from Concrete, coin­ the river bank. A small number of an intruder in a lush green sanctuary. cidental with the presence of undev­ these magnificent birds are perma­ Impassible to watercraft, far below the eloped forest lands reaching down to nent residents of the basin. Many nearest road, the Cascade presents the river. Along these forested upriver additional eagles visit the basin itself in short views. Dominating the reaches, blacktailed deer are a com­ during the height of the annual canyon floor, its beauty is not of the mon sight, particularly in late spring anadromous fish migration. Over two picture post card variety, but the and early summer when the best hundred have been counted during personal, haunting kind that comes forage is available in the river this period. This is reported to be the back to the memory a day, and a year bottoms. largest winter concentration in the later. It is an intensely personal river. Black bear are fairly common. . Efforts are No two persons perceive the Cascade Although these man-avoiding crea­ presently underway by private organ­ exactly alike; each brings away his tures are rarely seen near a road, they izations to establish a bald eagle own private experience. are occasionally visible from the river. sanctuary along this stretch of the Certainly no amount of verbiage can The sight of a bear foraging along a Skagit. describe the visual and emotional sand barfor spawning salmon is a rare Swans are not residents of the experiences of the study rivers. Nor is bonus to those quietly drifting the study area. The trumpeters are con­ there any value in comparing them upriver reaches. centrated in the freshwater marshes against the Grand Canyon or the on Nookachamps Creek, a tributary of Roosevelt are sometimes seen , since each is unique in the Skagit. Whistlers live in the in the basin, although they are not its own way. brackish sloughs of . residents. Mountain goats, mountain Ultimately, a subjective value judg­ sheep and are al I established There are no wildlife considerations ment must be made. in the basin, but are seldom seen within the Skagit basin which argue except by hikers in the remote high overwhelmingly for its preservation. The scenic values of the Skagit country. But the Skagit River basin is one of the River system are very high. Certainly, lesser-developed major drainages on Small game, waterfowl and upland they are one of the basin's most the west coast. That fact may become game birds are abundant. These unique attributes. Nationally and increasingly pertinent; one day soon, animals are more tolerant of the regionally, alternate areas of equal the Skagit basin may be distressingly presence of man than are the larger stature are rare. unique by virtue of its near-natural animals, consequently, they are fre- state. 23 CLASSIFICATION ALTERNATIVES, ANALYSIS & SELECTION OF STUDY PROPOSAL

Archeology A. BASIS OF ANALYSIS Existing flood control measures and structures combine to mitigate There are many prehistoric archeo­ The classification alternatives pre­ potential flood damage somewhat, logical sites located along all of the sented in this section discuss the but maximum protection for urban study rivers. Sites can be found alon.g impacts of varying degrees of river areas within the flood plain only offers river channels, sloughs, streams, and classification upon selected local, security against floods of less than a on high spots. Knowledge as to the regional and national characteristics. once-in-14-years interval. Some "pro­ whereabouts of some sites can still The basis for measuring the impact of tected" agricultural lands are flooded be found among the older residents of a given alternattive upon each charact­ by waters of a ohce-in-3-years inter­ the . eristic is the Present Situation. An val. Other sites have been reported by area alternative is said to have an impact residents. However, no survey has upon a certain characteristic or effect A recent comprehensive river basin 1 been conducted to determine the only if it will result in a net change to study has presented two different archeological potential of the study that characteristic's present status. plans for accomplishing flood protec­ area. Since little work has been done tion for the basin. The Study's Plan A to date to determine the pre-history of Since alternative impacts are postu­ suggests the construction of a joint the Skagit Indians, there is scientific lated against the Present Situation, it hydroelectric-flood control dam on value in any proposal which would is first necessary to discuss condi­ the lower Sauk River, the construction tend to preserve these sites until tions as they are today within and of a flood crest "bypass" from the investigation can be completed. adjacent to the study area. The Skagit River near the town of Avon to information for this discussion is PadillaBay, a change in operation of digested from inventory data found in Dam whereby more flood Appendix B. storage capacity is provided, the construction of new levees, and the B. THE PRESENT SITUATION improvement of existing levees. This FLOOD CONTROL - The Skagit plan would provide protection from River has a 90,000 acre flood plain once-in-100-year floods for urban which is periodically inundated. Most areas in the flood plain. flooding, particularly in the lower Plan B proposes the construction of agricultural lands, is caused by a larger Avon Bypass, along with the rainfall and a seasonally heightened change of operation at Upper Baker water table, rather than by "direct" Lake, the construction of new levees, inundation from flood crests on the and the improvement of existing river. Serious flooding, however, levees. This plan would provide pro­ occurs when the Skagit's peak flows tection from once-in-100-year floods either overtop or break through an for urban areas in the flood plain. existing dike. In 1966 the Corps of Engineers determined that the aver­ age annual flood damage was about $3 million. This figure was projected to rise to $4.25 million by 1980. This • ComprehensJVe Study of Water and Related Land increase was attributed to develop­ Resources, Puget Sound and Adjacent Waters, State of Washington; Pacific Northwest River Basins Commission, ment within the flood plain. 1970. 24

The Corps of Engineers is presently There are presently no generating have an average yield of about 6,500 investigating the proposal to pur­ facilities or reservoirs within the study thousand board feet (MBF), and chase additional storage capacity at area. generate an estimated $1,495,000 in Upper Baker Lake, and may soon primary income each year. inaugurate this project, which is PUBLIC RECREATION OPPOR­ common to both Plan A and Plan B. TUNITIES - Outside the boundaries of Timber harvest activity on privately the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National owned lands within the river area The estimated cost of implement­ Forest, there are very few public boundary is regulated by the recently ing Plan A is $104 million, while the lands. The state owns several small enacted State Forest Practices Act, estimated cost of implementing Plan tracts which are developed as boat which includes a requirement for the B is $53 million. launches, as well as the 447-acre reforestation of all cutover lands, and the State Shorelines Management Plan B was developed specifically Rockport State Park. Skagit County Act, which initiated a permit system to accommodate Wild and Scenic operates one first-rate campground at for timber harvest along the shore­ Rivers status for the Skagit and its Rockport, and a lesser developed site on the Sauk River. Short-range plans lines of principal rivers in the state. tributaries, while still achieving an Management activities on National acceptable level of flood damage call for the possible expansion of the county park at Rockport, and for the Forest lands have been curtailed in reduction. construction of a campground on recent years due to management for HYDROELECTRIC POWER - There state lands along the lower Cascade water quality and scenic values. are six dams in the Skagit Basin; three River. Many privately-owned lands AGRICULTURE - Within the study on the Skagit River, two on the Baker along the four rivers are presently area, most farming occurs on the River and one on Newhalem Creek. open to the public; these lands are north bank of the Skagit River, The Federal Power Commission has primarily owned by private timber downstream from Concrete. These identified2 13 sites within the study companies. With the creation of the lands are primarily used for pasture or area which have a potential for North Cascades National Park and the forage production. State laws regulate hydro-power development. Included opening of the North Cascades the handling of pesticides and animal in this number is the lower Sauk site, Highway, the demand for public wastes along the rivers. which could be developed in conjuc­ recreation facilities throughout Skagit tion with the flood control dam County has been increased. The NAVIGATION - No commercial discussed in Plan A above. The county and the state are taking some shipping occurs within the study area. development costs of the hydroelec­ positive steps to meet this need. Navigation today consists solely of tric portion of this dam were estimat­ pleasure craft. The Skagit, and the ed at $68 million. In all, the 13 sites TIMBER MANAGEMENT - Of the Sauk below Darrington, is generally (including lower Sauk) have a poten­ 34.650 acres of land located within the navigable throughout the year. The tial for generating 978,850 kilowatts of proposed river area boundary, 30,000 dams on the Skagit fluctuate its level power. Puget Sound Power and Light acres are potentially operable com­ by a foot or more twice each day. is presently proposing the construc­ mercial forest land. Of this amount, tion of a nuclear generating facility 16,600 acres are located within the STREAMBED OWNERSHIP - The northeast of Sedro Woolley. This site National Forest boundary; the remain­ Corps of Engineers lists the Skagit has a potential of 2,000,000 kilowatts. ing 13,400 acres are privately owned. River as navigable from its mouth to About half of the private acreage is Marblemount-a distance of 78 miles. ? Hydroelectric Power Potential of .~ivers Named 1n Public devoted to timber production. The Under the State Constitution, the Law 90-542. The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Federal Po·,, er Cornm1ss1on. Bureau of Power: March, 1969. available commercial forest lands State of Washington claims owner- 25

ship to the beds and shores of all MUNICIPAL-INDUSTRIAL WATER or federal permit is required before navigable waters in the State, up to SUPPLY - During periods of peak any materials can be mined from the the line of ordinary high water. demand, the City of Anacortes draws bed of any river. With the exception of some water directly from the Skagit the occasional "scalping" of sand In the case of a non-navigable river, River: this withdrawal occurs below bars for gravel used in road construc­ the riparian owners own the riverbed. the study area boundary. No other tion, which is strictly controlled by the IRRIGATION - There are no existing municipal-industrial water supply is State Departments of Game and diversion dams or impoundments for drawn directly from study rivers. The Fisheries, no commercial mining irrigation within the study area. Some proposed Puget Sound Power and takes place within the study area. Light nuclear generator would with­ minor withdrawals occur from time to WATER QUALITY - Although some draw 50-100 cubic feet per-second time, but they are insignificant. No pollution sources exist, water quality (cfs) from wells drilled near the significant water rights are known to meets or exceeds nearly all criteria for Skagit. The present mean flow at this be claimed on any of the rivers. interstate waters, as discussed in point along the river averages 16,000 Water Quality in this report. Enforce­ cfs. TRANSPORTATION AND UTILI­ ment of existing state and iederal laws TIES - Within the study area there are STREAMBANK EROSION PRO­ is bringing about the gradual elimin­ 22 bridge crossings and 4 utility TECTION - Existing state laws require ation of pollution sources. crossings, including one transmis­ the issuance of a permit before any sion line just completed by the work or installation can be accomp­ LAND USE PLANNING - Skagit Bonneville Power Administration. lished in streambeds. The Corps of County is in the process of developing This line, which crosses the Skagit Engineers exercises similar regula­ a comprehensive land use plan and approximately 1 .5 miles upstream tory authority over all of the Skagit zoning ordinance for the County. At from the recommended lower bound­ present, an "interim" zoning plan ary of the classified river area was River within the study area. Most of the bank stabilization work taking regulates land uses. The County authorized by Congress in 1968,' prior presently enforces a 25 foot setback to enactment of the Wild and Scenic place on the Skagit and the Sauk Rivers is done by Skagit County. Bank for construction along study rivers, Rivers Act. The Skagit River is and does not allow construction proposed for a Recreational classifi­ stabilization (rock riprapping) work can be accomplished without a within the 15 year flood plain along the cation; this new transmission line is river. These practices have limited compatible with that classification. permit, if the project is considered an emergency by county authorities. potential impacts to esthetic values Bonneville Power has agreed to some along the rivers. special management techniques to Riprap tends to revegetate quickly in mitigate the visual impacts of the the Skagit basin climate. Riprap, as WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS - line. practiced by Skagit County, generally Alteration of the natural shoreline of appears compatible with Recreational all study rivers is partially regulated by River crossings are currently regu­ or Scenic classification. lated by the Corps of Engineers, and the State Shorelines Management the U.S. Coast Guard. State law MINING- Mining in the Skagit River Act. There is no established system for identifying or safeguarding indi­ requi~es an easement for utility drainage has been confined mainly to crossings; present pol icy is to grant the production or nonmetallic com­ vidual tracts of undeveloped land. At such an easement only if no practical modities. principally sand, gravel, present, there are no state or federal alternative exists. and stone. Large quantities of lime­ designated Wild, Scenic or Recrea­ stone. used in the production of tional rivers in the State of Washing­ cement, have also been mined. A state ton: a bi 11 may be presented for 26

consideration by the next session of of Skagit County and the eastern half effect upon the present situation were the state to create such a of Snohomish County is based on selected for formal analysis here. system. patterned after the federal agriculture and forestry. Industry and system. tourism have become significant Four alternatives were ultimately contributors in recent years. Light selected for analysis. They are pre­ FISH - The Skagit River fishery industry is being encouraged. The sented here, and are followed by a provides an estimated 30% of the assessed value of in section which analyzes the impact of young anadromous fish entering salt Skagit County in 1974 was $288,287,- each upon the present situation, and water in Puget Sound. The value of 000. Taxes levied on this property the interrelationship of the four with these fish to commercial fishermen totaled $989,650. the proposed action. has been estimated to be near I y $17 million in odd-numbered years when Several federally-sponsored stud­ The study proposal was originally the prolific migrate ies are underway in an effort to developed as Alternative Din the array upstream. and over $6 million during determine the economic opportuni­ of alternatives. A sixth alternative even-numbered years when the pink ties of the area, and to encourage the (Alternative B, Total Classification, salmon are absent. The Skagit also formulation of plans for capitalizing Recreational) was also developed; supports one of the largest sports on those opportunities. Although however, it presented no significant fisheries in the state. some of these studies are still differences from the Total Classifica­ incomplete, those completed favor tion alternative, and was not consider­ WILDLIFE - Near Barnaby Slough the preservation of the existing ed in the final analysis. on the Skagit River is an area which agriculture-forestry economic base, provides habitat for winter popula­ augmented by tourism and some light ALTERNATIVE A - tions of bald eagles. The birds spend industry. The studies all favor inclu­ two or three months wintering along sion of the Skagit and its tributaries in TOTAL CLASSIFICATION the Skagit. feeding on spawned out the National Wild and Scenic Rivers salmon. Elsewhere along the river System. based on the additional Description: undeveloped land provides cover and potential tourist traffic and beneficial Under this alternative the Skagit River habitat for many different species. aspects of preserving natural qualities from Mount Vernon to Bacon Creek The river bottoms are particularly along the river. would be classified Recreational. The important during the winter when deer Cascade, Sauk and Suiattle Rivers retreat to the brushy areas to find C. ARRAY OF ALTERNATIVES would be classified Scenic for their winter browse. The classification eligibility analy­ entire study area length. SCENIC QUALITY - Within the sis found in Chapter 2 of this section Purpose: study area, and particularly immedi­ provides a basis from which to ately adjacent to the rivers, develop­ examine classification alternatives for This alternative forecasts the various ment, alteration or other encroach­ the study rivers. The natural limits of impacts to the Present Situation of ments have impacted scenic values at the alternative array range from no including all of the study rivers in the some points. The recent acceleration classification to total classification. National Wild and Scenic Rivers of subdivision development along the Within this spectrum lie virtually System. With respect to the Principles rivers could affect the immediate dozens of alternatives varying only and Standards for Planning establish­ shoreline's natural beauty. slightly in degree or effect. Conse­ ed by the Water Resources Council, quently, only those alternatives which LOCAL ECONOMY - The economy this alternative represents an environ­ present discernible differences in mental quality alternative. 27

ALTERNATIVE A /NORTH CASCADES

- -, MT BAKER / L-, NATIONAL FOREST 1- 5 j_l r--, L. r- - _.J L._J L __j

Padilla Bay

MT BAK ER ~! Sedro Woolley pipeline c,roSsing I "' NATIONAL L.- -1., L 1 i c:- i .,.. L._ L_.I FOR EST GLACIER PE AK L-, I r1 ,j rj; r' . I ! I I L.• I L. __ __:-·-:__;-;_J IL-,

r-·-· -iDarringfon 1- ~ ~-, ~ i L.~;__ __ 1 _J Direct Effects: ' 'I_ __ , Under this alternative, 166.3 miles of acres of land would be purchased and :' eligible rivers (the entire study length) conservation easements would be I ' would be included in the National acquired on an estimated 3,350 acres. ,-.:.' System; 67.3 miles as Recreational Public access easements would be Rivers, and 99.0 miles as Scenic obtained on an estimated 70 miles of Rivers. The River Area boundary (the shoreline. Estimated federal-state area within which government could expenditures for the first 5-year period exercise its options to buy or are $16,863,000. otherwise control land use) would include an estimated 36,350 acres. Within this area an estimated 1,750 28

ALTERNATIVE C estimated 1,728 acres of land would be purchased, and conservation ease­ CLASS/FICA TION ABOVE ments would be acquired on an THE DALLES BRIDGE estimated 3,350 acres. Public access easements would be obtained on an Description: estimated 50 miles of shoreline. Under this alternative the Skagit River Estimated federal-state expenditures from Mount Vernon to the Dalles for the first 5-year period are Bridge near concrete would remain $1 6. 1 44. 000. unclassified. The Skagit River from the Dalles Bridge upstream to Bacon Creek would be classified Recreation­ al. The Cascade. Sauk and Suiattle Rivers would be classified Scenic for their entire study area length.

Purpose: The purpose of this alternative is to forecast the effects upon the Present Situation of including the upriver portion of the study area in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, while excluding the main­ stem of the Skagit River downstream from the bridge. With respect to the Principles and Standards for Planning established by the Water Resources Council. this alternative represents a trade-off alternative, since it accom­ modates the completion of PS&AW flood control Plan B, and imposes no federal management options on pri­ vate property below the bridge. Direct Effects: Under this alternative 127.8 miles of eligible rivers would be included in the National System; 28.8 miles as Recreational Rivers and 99.0 miles as Scenic Rivers. The River Area boun­ dary would include an estimated 28.950 acres. Within this area an / NORfH CAS.CADES (, NATIONAL -~PARK __.------/ - ., MT BAKER ; _.,.,,. I ,,...-"' / L-, NATIONAL FOREST I- 5 i...l ,..., l__, \---~RA // L., r-,- _.J L...J r·J " ;__ ._J '" NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK

Padilla Bay pr.G \ T r---,___ ~ R \" E R Dalles i '·L.~ Bridge s~ I '---·------, MT BAKER Sedro Woolley ~-1 pipeline c1r0Ssing I

n WILDERNESS rj i . ---1 . I ! I . I I . L, . ' L_ -- ____;---:_ _;·- ---:__ J I L--, s lJ ~, I A. r r ,­ S, LE (' L-~ C" £ Nl'-..C ------_____\ ~·- __ J ' " ALTERNATIVE C 30

ALTERNATIVE E - and conservation easements would be acquired on an estimated 1 ,000 acres. PARTIAL CLASSIFICATION Public access easements would be Description: obtained on an estimated 35 miles of shoreline. Estimated federal-state ex­ Under this alternative the Sauk and penditures for the first 5-year period Suiattle Rivers, and the Skagit River are $4.867.000. downstream from the pipeline-utility corridor crossing at Sedro Woolley would remain unclassified. The Skagit River from the pipeline-utility corridor crossing upstream to Bacon Creek would be classified Recreational. The Cascade River would be classified Scenic for its entire study area length. Purpose: The purpose of this alternative is to forecast the effects upon the Present Situation of including only those eligible rivers or segments which could be included in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System while still maintaining the option to complete PS&AW flood control Plan A. With respect to the Principles and Stand­ ards for Planning established by the Water Resources Council, this altern­ ative represents an economic develop­ ment alternative. Construction of a dam on the Sauk River would be possible under this alternative. Direct Effects: Under this alternative 79.3 miles of eligible rivers would be included in the National System; 58.5 miles as Recreational Rivers and 20.8 as Scenic Rivers. The river area boundary would include an estimated 13,950 acres. Within this area an estimated 76 acres of land would be purchased, 31

/NORTH CASCADES

- -, MT BAKER / ' NATIONAL FOREST 1- 5 /

CASCADES

PARK

Padilla Bay

._. __ ---·- ---i MT BAKER ~l Sedro Woolley I If' pipeline C1rossing Moun I NATIONAL L - --,-j' Vernon L 1 i c.. ··-·1 i .,.. L-.-, L - --, L. _ __; I FOR EST GLACIER PE AK

WILDERNESS ' '------

L.-,

L.,

ALTERNATIVE E 32

ALTERNATIVE F - NO CLASS/FICA TION Description: Under this alternative, none of the study rivers would be included in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Purpose: The purpose of this alternative is to forecast the effects upon the Present Situation of excluding all eligible rivers from the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. With respect to the Principles and Standards for Planning established by the Water Resources Council, this alternative represents thB status quo alternative. Direct Effects: Under th is alternative no eligible rivers would be included in the National System. No government land acquisi­ tion or additional control would be accomplished. No government money would be invested in public recreation facilities. 33

- -, MT BAKER / L.-, NATIONAL FOREST I- 5 c.l r·-, / L~ 1·- _.J L._J ,,/

~ _J ' NORTH CASCADES ,,/~ NATIONAL PARK I

Padilla Bay r--...._~R'"E p...G \ T I •., s~ --~ ---·-·--, ; MT BAK ER Sedro Woolley '-1 pipeline c,roSsing . , NATIONAL L - - 1"'f"' L l i Go ,_, r-1 i~ L ___ _J I L-., FOR EST GLACIER PE AK

fl rj i . . I ! I I i .. I L ____ _r·-:..T--:....J /L-,

,-·­ r·-·_J L.-,

L.~ I __ J ·-' ALTERNATIVE F 34

PROPOSED A CT/ON - state expenditures for the first 5-year CLASS/FICA TION ABOVE period are $16,615,000. SEDRO WOOLLEY Description: Under the proposed action the Skagit River from Mount Vernon upstream to the pipeline-utility corridor crossing at Sedro Woolley would remain unclassified. The Skagit River from the pipeline crossing upstream to Bacon Creek would be classified Recreational. The Cascade, Sauk and Suiattle Rivers would be classified Scenic for their entire study area length. Purpose: The prQposed action is presented here to forecast the effects upon the Present Situation of including all eligible segments of river except those necessary for the accomplish­ ment of PS&AW flood control Plan B in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Direct Effects: Under the proposed action 157.5 miles of eligible rivers would be included in the National System; 58.5 miles as Recreational Rivers and 99.0 miles as Scenic Rivers. The river area boundary would include an estimated 34,650 acres. Within this area an estimated 1,728 acres of land would be purchas­ ed. and conservation easements would be acquired on an estimated 3,350 acres. Public access easements would be obtained on an estimated 70 miles of shoreline. Estimated federal- /HORlH CASCADES

, - -, MT SAKER / L.-, NATIONAL FOREST ,' I- 5 i..l r·-, I l'.__j ___ J L-' NORTH CASCADES

NATIONAL PARK

~· r·~ r·-:_. __ _j Padilla Bay __ , R \" E R r. '-----, Dalles _J c~oE I '·"L.~ Bridge I '--·---·-----, c. "s ,-·-- -- i I MT BAKER ~-! I - __ __, Sedro Woolley I If' I pipeline Ct1'05sing NATIONAL L.- - -,., I L l i G- i .,.. r-1 L ___ __, I L __ I FOR EST GLACIER PE AK

WILDERNESS )' ______,

' S lJ I ~, ~ r r LE

I SCENIC __ J PROPOSED ACTION 36

D. ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES 1. Economic Effects Hydroelectric Power - Of the 13 potential hydropower sites within the Two different points of departure are Flood Control - All alternatives study area, only Alternative F would combined in this analysis. The first, would accommodate additional flood make it possible to develop all 13 as emphasized earlier in this chapter, storage capacity at Upper Baker Lake, sites, generating 978,000 kw of reflects changes to the Present along with the construction of new additional electricity. Alternative E Situation forecast for each alternative. levees and the improvement of exist­ would facilitate the development of 8 The second involves the application of ing levees. In addition, flood plain of the 13 sites. with a total potential of three "accounts" as set down by the management ordinances could be 460,000 kw. National Environmental Policy Act initiated under all alternatives. Altern­ and the Water Resources Council. atives A and C, along with the Alternative A, C and the Proposed These accounts include Economic Proposed Action, would preclude the Action would foreclose the opportu­ Effects, Social Effects, and Environ­ construction of the lower Sauk Dam. nity to develop any of the 13 sites. mental Effects. These impacts, along with predicted With the exception of the lower Sauk level of flood protection for each site, investment costs for the 13 sites For this analysis these two systems alternative, are arrayed below. have not been determined. have been combined, resulting in three accounts- economic, social and As stated in the discussion of environmental - each of which por­ present conditions, the estimated trays the foreseeable impacts of each cost of flood control Plan A is $104 alternative upon the conditions out­ million, and $53 million for Plan B. * lined in the Present Situation portion of this chapter. In many cases, an alternative may have no foreseeable impact upon one or more conditions.

POTENTIAL FOR FUTURE FLOOD CONTROL DEVELOPMENT Alternative Proposed Present A c E F Action Situation Flood Control Plan A* No No Yes Yes No Yes Flood Control Plan B* No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Flood Plain Management Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Dike Construction Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Potential Level of Once- Once- Once- Once- Once- Once- Urban i n-50- in-100- in-100- in-100- in-100- in-14- Protection Years Years Years Years Years Years

*Developed in Puget Sound and Adjacent Waters Study (PS&AW). '37

POTENTIAL HYDROPOWER SITES LEFT OPEN TO DEVELOPMENT Alternative Proposed Present A C E F Action Situation kw Potential 0 0 460,000 978,000 0 978,000 Number of Sites 0 0 8 13 0 13

Public Recreation Opportunities - ESTIMATED FEDERAL-STATE RECREATION INVESTMENT, Federal-state investment in the dev­ FIRST FIVE YEARS elopment of public recreation facili­ ties within the study area during the Alternative Proposed first five years after classification A C E F Action varies with the amount of rivers which , State 182,000 -0- 96,000 -0- 96,000 would be included. Estimated invest­ Federal 193,000 193, 000 140,000 -0- 193,000 ments, by alternative, are portrayed Total 375,000 193,000 236,000 -0- 289,000 below. CAMPGROUNDS State -0- -0- -0- -0- -0- Federal 126, 000 126, 000 -0- -0- 126, 000 Total 126,000 126,000 -0- -0- 126,000 DAY USE SITES State 126,000 126,000 126,000 -0- 126,000 Federal -0- -0- -0- -0- -0- Total 126, 000 126, 000 126, 000 -0- 126, 000 SIGNS, State 10,000 4,000 8,000 -0- 8,000 Federal 13,000 13,000 5,000 -0- 13,000 Total 23,000 17,000 13,000 -0- 21,000 MAINTENANCE State 64,000 26,000 46,000 -0- 46,000 Federal 114,000 114,000 34,000 -0- 144,000 Total 178,000 150,000 90,000 -0- 160,000 ADMINISTRATION State 300,000 140,000 280,000 -0- 280,000 Federal 420,000 420,000 50,000 -0- 420,000 Total 720,000 560,000 330,000 -0- 700,000

TOTAL, State 682,000 296,000 556,000 -0- 556,000 Federal 818,000 818,000 224,000 -0- 818,000 Total 1 ,548,000 1,162,000 795,000 -0- 1,422,000 38

Timber Management - Proposed Agriculture - Implementation of any guidelines for timber management of the alternatives would have virtually along classified rivers suggest a no effect upon agricultural production reduction in harvest near Recreational within the study area. Existing agri­ Rivers and more stringent harvest cultural practices are generally com­ curtailments near Scenic Rivers. The patible with Recreational and Scenic potential impacts of this policy are classification. Some practices, such shown below. This display includes as the operation of a high density projected effects on both private and cattle feedlot, might be curtailed National Forest timberlands, which along classified rivers, but such amounts to 30,000 acres of potentially practices are not known to occur operable commercial forest land with­ within the study area. in the proposed river area boundary. Transportation and Utilities - No alternative calls for the relocation of any road or utility structures. Alterna­ PROJECTED EFFECTS UPON TIMBER HARVEST tives A, C, E and the Proposed Action would restrict future road and utility Alternative Proposed crossings to existing corridors on A c E F Action Scenic rivers, and would allow the Average Annual upgrading of existing crossings to Income Reduction $228,000 $201 ,000 $ 55,000 0 $221,000 meet increases in traffic. Average Annual Volume Reduction 990 MBF 875 MBF 220 MBF 0 960 MBF Strearnbank Erosion Protection - Timber Industry Federal agencies would not partici­ Job Reduction 12 11 3 0 12 pate financially, either directly or indirectly, in any bankside stabiliza­ tion project which threatened the visual or free-flowing characteristics of classified rivers. Each such project would be judged on its own merits; all Federal support would be withdrawn for projects adjudged "non-compati­ ble." This criterion would be applied under Alternatives A, C, E and the Proposed Action for all classified rivers or river segments. This policy would generally allow the placement of rock riprap for the protection of homes and property.

_J Mining - Existing or future mining Proposed Action. Such regulations Wild and Scenic Rivers - Estimated operations located on federal land may raise production costs due to land acquisition programs and costs within the river area boundary are additional water quality, air quality or are shown below, by alternative. subject to regulation by the Secretary visual standards which must be met, Acreage purchased in fee title would of Agriculture or Secretary of Interior causing an increase in labor costs, be removed from tax rolls. under Alternatives A, C, E and the waste disposal costs or operating expenses.

ESTIMATED LAND AND CONSERVATION EASEMENT ACQUISITION, AND ESTIMATED FEDERAL-STATE ACQUISITION EXPENDITURES Alternative Proposed Action A c E F Action LAND ACQUISITION State, Acres 98 76 76 -0- 76 Federal, Acres 1,652 1,652 -0- -0- 1,652 Total Acres 1,750 1,728 76 -0- 1,728 State, Cost $ 1 ,724,000 1 ,602,000 1,602,000 -0- 1,602,000 Federal, Cost $ 5,816,000 5,816,000 -0- -0- 5,816,000 Total Cost $ 7,540,000 7,418,000 1,602,000 -0- 7,418,000 CONSERVATION EASEMENT State, Acres 620 620 620 -0- 620 Federal, Acres 2,730 2,730 380 -0- 2,730 State, Cost $ 1 ,302,000 1,302,000 1,302,000 -0- 1,302,000 Federal, Cost $ 5,733,000 5,733,000 798,000 -0- 5,733,000 PUBLIC ACCESS State, Miles 53 38 26 -0- 53 Federal, Miles 17 12 9 -0- 17 Total Miles 70 50 35 -0- 70 State, Cost $ 555,000 397,000 275,000 -0- 555,000 Federal, Cost $ 185,000 132,000 95,000 -0- 185,000 Total Cost $ 740,000 529,000 370,000 -0- 740,000 TOTAL PROGRAM Purchase, Acres 1,750 1,728 76 -0- 1,728 Scenic Easement, Acres 3,350 3,350 1,000 -0- 3,350 Public Access, Miles 70 50 35 -0- 70 Cost, State $ 3,581 ,000 3,301,000 3,179,000 -0- 3,459,000 Cost, Federal $ 11 ,734,000 11,681 ,000 893,000 -0- 11, 734,000 Total Cost $ 15,315,000 14,982,000 4,072,000 -0- 15,193,000 40

Fish - The potential for the con­ 2. Social Effects struction of artificial spawning devic­ es is not precluded by either Recrea­ Flood Control - Each of the five tional or Scenic river status. The cost alternatives offers some opportunities of constructing such devices would for reducing the risk of flood damage probably be increased in a classified to lives and property. Although the river segment in order to mitigate or maximum potential flood protection nullify the visual impacts. statistics have been summarized in the economic account, they are again Scenic Quality - Most traffic in the summarized here. study area travels along roads which parallel the study rivers. Alternatives A, C, E and the Proposed Action tend POTENTIAL FLOOD PROTECTION to maintain visual quality as perceived Alternative Proposed Present from both the rivers and the parallel A c E F Action Situation road systems. Potential Level Once- Once- Once- Once- Once- Once- of Urban i n-50- in-100- in-100- Local Economy - Classification in-100- in-100- in-14- Protection Years Years Years Years Years Years under Alternatives A, C, E and the Proposed Action would tend to draw additional visitors to the basin to "see" a National River. Estimated impacts of government land acquisi­ tion upon county tax revenue derived from Real Property are arrayed below, by Alternative.

IMPACT TO LOCAL TAX REVENUE Alternative Proposed Present A c E F Action Situation Reduction of 1974 Levy Real Property Levy, $ 26,250 25,920 1, 140 -0- 25,290 989,650 41

Public Recreation Opportunities - Land Use Planning - Within the Fish - Alternatives A, C and the Federal-state investment in public River Area boundary, federal, state Proposed Action, which show the recreation facilities will make addi­ and county governments would be greatest potential for maintaining and tional outdoor recreation facilities able to exercise varying degrees of enhancing fish production in the available to national, regional and control over the use of lan.d, through basin, would also tend to maintain local populations. The magnitude of their options to purchase land out­ and enhance the quality and produc­ projected recreation developments right, to purchase conservation ease­ tivity of the recreation fishery, a during the first five year following ments or public access easements, to natural resource that is nationally classification is presented below for initiate zoning ordinances, and renowned for steelhead and salmon. each alternative. through management guidelines dev­ Alternatives E and F retain the eloped under the Shore! in es Manage­ potential for the deterioration of this ment Act. The acres within this significant fishery. boundary are shown below, by altern­ ative.

PROPOSED PUBLIC RECREATION DEVELOPMENT, FIRST FIVE YEARS Alternative Proposed A c E F Action Hiking Trails, (Miles) 36.1 15.3 22.0 0 27.3 Campgrounds, (Persons at one Time) 150 150 0 0 150 Day Use Areas (Persons at one Time) 400 400 400 0 400 Public Access Easements (Miles) 70 50 35 0 70

ACREAGE ENCLOSED BY RIVER AREA BOUNDARY Alternative Proposed A C E F Action Estimated Acres 36,350 28,950 13,950 0 34,650 42

Scenic Quality One of the despite the fishery-enhancement de­ vital for animals. In this manner, the expressed desires of both area and vices which undoubtedly would be impact of additional recreational regional residents is to keep the installed in conjunction with each visitors within the River Area can be Skagit Basin "the way it is now." reservoir, that the Skagit basin ana­ successfu I ly managed. Classification under Alternatives A, C dromous fishery could suffer a severe or the Proposed Action would help to decline such as has affected other satisfy this social goal by maintaining "controlled" rivers across the nation. Timber Management - Alternatives the visual and natural elements which Thus, while Alternatives E and F do A, C and the Proposed Action present give the river zone its beauty and not propose to build these structures, nearly identical impacts to the emotional appeal. the potential of their construction management of timber within the nevertheless remains under these two study area. In exchange for this local Economy - Alternatives A, C alternatives. While no environmental reduction in annual harvest (which and the Proposed Action, which studies have been made to determine represents 0.03% of the projected would foreclose the option of dam the effect of any of these projects, it 1980 harvest from Puget Sound) building on study rivers, would insure can be inferred that their completion numerous benefits would accrue to that the economic and social disrup­ could irreversibly alter the entire the environmental account. The logg­ tion associated with such projects biosphere of the Skagit basin. Al­ ing policies proposed in these altern­ would not occur within the study area; though other forms of human modifi­ atives would tend to protect water that the pace and quality of I ife in the cation may occur along the rivers quality, provide wildlife food and basin would tend to stay "the way it is under Alternatives A, C and the habitat, retain the scenic qualities of now.'' Proposed Action, the interrelation­ the river corridor and provide a large, ship between the rivers, the forests, permanent site for dispersed human use in a natural setting. 3. Environmental Effects and the creatures of the basin - including man - would remain reason­ Agriculture - Although agriculture Flood Control and Hydroelectric ably intact. is generally considered compatible Power - The acreage which would be with classification, some controls inundated by the implementation of might be placed upon agricultural flood control Plan A and by the various Public Recreation Opportunities - practices within the river area bound­ hydropower reservoirs identified as The development of new public ary to maintain or upgrade water potential sites has not been research­ recreation facilities proposed in Alter­ quality and scenic values. ed by the agencies involved. However, natives A, C, E and the Proposed it can be safely concluded that if all Action would introduce additiona1 Transportation and Utilities - Con­ the potential reservoirs identified in numbers of people to the river and the trols over road and utility crossings this study were to be built, the study river corridor. There is no question suggested in Alternatives A, C, E and rivers would exist predominately as a that additional recreation visitors can the Proposed Action would serve to chain of artificial lakes, linked to­ adversely affect fish and animal prevent future visual intrusions on gether by short stretches of river. populations. However, administrative Scenic rivers. These reservoirs would naturally fill agencies still have management tech­ Streambank Erosion Protection - the flat bottom lands along the rivers - niques at their disposal which can Classification under Alternatives A. the same lands which are so vital for concentrate many kinds of human use C, E and the Proposed Action would winter wildlife habitat, and equally in those river areas which are not actively discourage the completion of vital in terms of land available for critical to wildlife purposes; converse­ non-compatible bank stabilization human use. In addition, it is possible, ly, human use can be limited in areas works or other water resource pro­ Fish - Alternatives A, C, and the readily discounted. Within this group­ jects. This policy would maintain the Proposed Action, which foreclose the ing fall Agriculture, Transportation free-flowing characterof the river, and future option of dam building on study and Utilities, Municipal and Industrial would prevent the completion of such rivers, would tend to maintain the Water Supply, and Local Economy. projects as would detract from scenic quality and quantity of the present Water Quality also falls into this values, while allowing projects nec­ fishery, an outstanding resource of group. Because water quality is a essary to protect homes and property. the study area. These alternatives classification criterion explicitly stat­ would also accomodate the construc­ ed in the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, it Mining-Alternatives A, C, E and the tion of compatible fisheries enhance­ is dropped from further consideration Proposed Action would permit the ment devices. only after making the considered production of minerals located on judgment that it will remain fairly federal land within the river area, but Wildlife - Alternatives A, C, E and constant under any alternative, due to would require such operations to the Proposed Action could secure a the action of existing state and federal protect water quality, seen ic values permanent winter habitat for bald laws. and other important environmental eagles near Barnaby Slough, and considerations. would provide varying acreages of Hydroelectric Power is another suitable habitat for wildlife. factor which is not impacted. Al­ Water Quality- Classification under though the potential for the develop­ Alternatives A, C, E and the Proposed ment of new sources of electricity Action would tend to reinforce exist­ within the study area appears to relate ing state and federal laws which seek E. EVALUATION OF THE PROPOSED significantly to the selection of a to preserve or upgrade the quality of ACTION study proposal, the recent announce­ study river waters. When reviewing the foregoing ana­ ment of plans to construct a nuclear Wild and Scenic Rivers - The free­ lysis, several factors can logically be generating facility in the basin effec­ flowing characteristics and natural excluded from further consideration, tively negates this consideration. If shorelines of study rivers would tend since they are unchanged by any built as presently proposed, the to be preserved within classified river alternative. Included in this group are "nuke" will produce far more electri­ segments. Miles of rivers and shore­ Navigation and Irrigation, which are city than the 13 potential dams in the lines which would be preserved are totally unaffected by any of the basin, and will be on-line years sooner arrayed below, by alternative. alternatives. Several other factors are than could any of the dams. Since somewhat affected by one or another classification does not preclude the of the alternatives - but to such a opportunity for some future Congress minor degree that the effects can be of the United States to judge that hydroelectric power is a vital nee-

MILES OF FREE-FLOWING RIVER INCLUDED IN THE NATIONAL SYSTEM Alternative Proposed A c E F Action Free-flowing Rivers, miles 166.3 127.8 79.3 0 157.5 essity and declassify all or part of the The matrix below portrays the that the purpose of the Wild and proposal area, the interim loss of the effects of each alternative upon those Scenic Rivers Act is to preserve those area's potential hydropower sites factors which were used for final rivers which possess outstanding does not irreversibly affect national analysis, and serves as the basis for characteristics of national merit, and power planning. evaluation of the Proposed Action. (2) that major adverse impacts to The standards for this evaluation local, regional and national popula­ reflect two overriding concepts; (1) tions should be avoided.

REVIEW OF CLASSIFICATION ALTERNATIVES WITH RESPECT TO MAJOR IMPACTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE NATIONAL WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS SYSTEM ALTERNATIVE Definition Of Proposed Major Impact A c E F Action FLOOD CONTROL - Potential to meet or exceed desired flood control goals (1 : 100) NO YES YES YES YES STREAM BANK EROSION PROTECTION- YES YES YES YES YES Permit vital bank stabilization work FISH - Precludes potential for future detriment while permitting enhancement YES YES NO NO YES LAND USE PLANNING - Offers positive program to assist in control of future development along rivers YES PARTLY YES NO YES SCENIC QUALITY - Acts to maintain study area "the way it is now." YES PARTLY NO NO YES WILDLIFE - Opportunity to secure winter habitat YES YES YES NO YES PUBLIC RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES - Provides additional supply of public recreation facilities YES YES YES NO YES TIMBER MANAGEMENT -Avoids significant reduction in national timber supply YES YES YES YES YES MINING - Allows removal of future locatable minerals YES YES YES YES YES WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS - Includes major portion of eligible rivers in National System YES NO NO NO YES JURISDICTION

None of the four alternatives Through the analysis of river System by an Act of Congress. successfully meet all of the evaluative classification alternatives in Chapter Detailed plans would be jointly criteria. Because it succeeds in 3, along with their relative impacts to prepared after the legislation was including most of the eligible rivers in the present situation and an aggres­ enacted. the National Wild and Scenic Rivers sive public involvement effort, the System while avoiding significant Proposed Action was developed. 3. Federal Administration - Under impacts to local, regional and national Federal administration, the principal populations, the Proposed Action­ Consideration is now directed to­ federal agency in the River Area would which was originally presented to the ward potential administrative arrange­ administer the entire river system. public as Alternative D-was select­ ments to determine "who" should Since National Forest land is involved ed. administer the rivers discussed in the in this proposal, the Forest Service previous chapters. would probably be the administering agency. Under this arrangement, Three potential administrative ar­ rivers would become part of the rangements have been identified: National Wild and Scenic Rivers System by an Act of Congress. 1. State Administration - Under State administration, the river areas could Section 2 of the Wild and Scenic be protected by an appropriate state Rivers Act specifies: agency, or through some other state "Sec. 2.(a) The National Wild and governmental arrangement. The state Scenic Rivers System shall com­ would need to enact scenic river prise rivers (i) that are authorized legislation, then make application to for inclusion therein by Act of the Secretary of the Interior pursuant Congress, or (ii) that are desig­ to Section 2 (a) (ii) of the Wild and nated as wild, scenic or recrea­ Scenic Rivers Act, if it wanted to tional rivers by or pursuant to an include the rivers in the National Wild act of the legislature of the State and Scenic Rivers System. or States concerned without 2. Joint Administration (Federal­ expense to the United States, State) - Under joint administration, that are found by the Secretary of the State of Washington and the the Interior, upon application of Secretary of Agriculture would share the of the State or the administrative responsibilities for the Governors of the States concern­ rivers. Written cooperative agree­ ed, or a person or persons ments between the state and federal thereunto duly appointed by him government would be entered into, or them, to meet the criteria outlining the responsibilities of each established in this Act and such party for land acquisition, develop­ criteria supplementary thereto as ment, and management. Under this he may prescribe, and that are alternative the rivers could be added to approved by him for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers the system . " An analysis of each of the three a. Of the 157.5 miles of river (99.0 miles). The rivers would be administrative arrangements is shown recommended for classification, administered in accordance with the below: only 54.8 miles are within the following management guidelines. boundary of the Mt. Baker-Sno­ Detailed plans would be prepared 1. Under State Administration, qualmie National Forest. The jointly after legislation is enacted. the federal government could not remaining 102.7 miles are under County and municipal governments contribute or participate in the state, local government, or pri­ would participate in the preparation of acquisition and mangement of vate ownership. management plans. lands within the river area, except for National Forest lands. b. Many state agencies already The State has no scenic river have significant management Proposed Management Guidelines legislation. Funds for the protec­ responsibilities for the river and tion and development of the it resources, including the De­ for Joint Administration rivers would probably come from partments of Fisheries, Game, 1. The State of Washington to be L&WCF monies and would repre­ Natural Resources, Ecology and responsible for the administration of sent a drain on outdoor recrea­ the Parks and Recreation Com­ the Skagit River component; the tion projects elsewhere in the . federal government for the Cascade, State. The State could not Sauk and Suiattle River components 3. Under Federal Administration prohibit the licensing of a dam of the National System. and reservoir within the proposal the total cost of acquisition and area. management w_oul~ rest with the 2. The respective administrative federal government. The neces­ agencies for the state and federal 2. Under Joint Administration, sary acquisition of private pro­ governments, in cooperation with federal and state governments perty would require the appropri­ appropriate county and municipal would play a co-dominant role in ation of over $60 million of agencies, to jointly develop a land, river administration. County and Federal funds. Approximately public access and conservation ease­ municipal governments could two-thirds of the land within the ment acquisition plan which fulfills also participate. Administrative river area is outside the existing the requirements and intent of the duties, responsibilities and National Forest boundary. Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. costs would be shared. Legisla­ tive authority at all levels would The administrative arrangement 3. The administrative agencies to be employed to protect the which best satisfies the future man­ seek to substantially execute the rivers. Due to the predominance agement needs of the Skagit River and acquisition plan within five years after of private land adjacent to pro­ its Cascade. Sauk and Suiattle tribu­ inclusion of the rivers in the National posal rivers, it is appropriate to taries under the Wild and Scenic Wild and Scenic Rivers System. have active state and local Rivers Act is Joint Administration. 4. The administrative agencies to participation in acquisition and jointly prepare a management plan management programs. Under Joint Administration, the State of Washington would lead which identifies compatible and non­ protection and development activities compatible land and resource uses, along the Skagit River (58.5 miles); both existing and potential, and the federal government would fulfill identifies methods to be used to meet the same responsibilities along the management goals. This plan to Cascade, Sauk and Suiattle Rivers interact with the land acquisition plan RECREATION DEVELOPMENT, MAINTENANCE, ADMINISTRATION AND ACQUISITION COST ESTIMATES

to help determine acquisition form A. RECREATION to all but pedestrian traffic. Estimated and priority. DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM construction cost for the project is $53,000. This would be a federal 5. The administrative agencies, A conceptual recreation develop­ project. working in conjunction with associat­ ment program has been prepared for ed federal, state and local government the proposal area, to provide some 4. One moderate-sized campground agencies, to plan the development of public facilities development during is proposed for construction during public recreation facilities within the the first five years following classifi­ this period. A 30-unit campground, river area sufficient to meet a cation. This program should accom­ accommodating about 150 persons at proportionate shore of the public modate any initial surge of tourism to one time, could be located along the demand. the proposal area, while allowing south bank of the Suiattle River, near long-range planning to follow future its with the Sauk River, in 6. The administrative agencies to demands as they evolve. the scenic Sauk . Estimated jointly devlop such cooperative agree­ cost of this facility is $126,000. The ments, memorandums of understand­ Recommended developments in­ campground would be developed with ing, working agreements, etc., as may clude: federal funds. be necessary to administer the classi­ fied river area, and to protect or 1. A 12-mile foot trail between Sedro 5. The construction of day use areas enhance the many values which Woolley and Lyman on the north bank along the Skagit River, accommodat­ caused its inclusion in the National of the Skagit River. This trail should ing a total of 400 persons-at-one-time. Wild and Scenic Rivers System. be slated for eventual upgrading to Estimated construction cost is $126,- accommodate bicycles. For the pre­ 000. These facilities lie within the sent, it should be closed to all but state's area of administrative respon­ pedestrian traffic. Estimated con­ sibility and are proposed for state struction cost for the project is completion. $96,000. This project lies within the state's area of administrative respon­ 6. A program to provide adequate sibility, and is proposed for comple­ signing for the proposal area is tion by the state. estimated to cost $21 ,000. The state share of the signing program is 2. A 10-mile foot trail on the north estimated at $8,000, and the Federal bank of the Cascade River, beginning portion at $13,000. at the existing trailhead near the Glacier Peak Wilderness, and continu­ 7. A program to perform necessary ing downstream to Marble Creek maintenance and reconstruction in campground. Estimated cost is developed National Forest camp­ $140,000. This trail should be closed grounds within the river area. This to all but pedestrian traffic. This work is required to bring the sites up would be a federal project. to current standards. This program 3. A 5.3-mile foot trail on the west will cost $48,000, all Federal Funds. bank of the Sauk River, from the Estimated expenditures for land Suiattle River bridge (M. P. 12.3) acquisition necessary to the comple­ downstream to Government Bridge tion of this proposal are included in (M. P. 7.0). This trail should be closed the Acquisition Program discussion, which follows this section. There are four options for achieving tion easements should cost some­ land use control. The first involves the what less, per acre, than purchase. The total estimated cost for this application of existing county, state development program is $610,000. and federal laws for protecting the The fourth option involves the ac­ The estimated state portion under th is rivers and their adjacent lands. qusition of public access easements. proposal is $230,000. Total estimated County zoning ordinances, flood plain These easements may either be federal recreation expenditures for the management policies and master acquired in conjunction with conser­ first five years following classification plans, the State Shorelines Manage­ vation easements, or may be acquired under this proposal are $380,000. ment Act, and federal water quality alone. In either case, their function is laws and laws regulating the uses of to provide ingress, egress, or lateral 8. MAINTENANCE PROGRAM navigable rivers are examples of such access at appropriate points along the rivers. Maintenance costs are based on existing controls which serve to 10% of the previous years' invest~ protect various aspects of the rivers. The acquisition cost estimate is men ts. Total estimated cost of the This body of laws, regulations and based on a use intensity inventory and maintenance program for the first five policies, taken together as a manage­ a resulting series of assumptions. Too years is $112,000 of which $66,000 is ment option, can serve to successful­ complex to present here, the inventory the estimated proportionate federal ly regulate use along many river and assumptions are presented in share. Estimated state maintenance segments within the proposal area. Appendix D, in the chapter entitled costs are $46,000. The second management option "Use Intensity Inventory." C. ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM involves fee-title acquisition of land. Estimated acquisition costs are Administration costs tor the first This option includes such practices as based on the purchase of some lands, five years following classification are outright purchase, exchange, dona­ the acquisition of conservation ease­ estimated at $420,000 for the federal tions, and buy-I ease back. In general, ments on the other lands, and the government and $280,000 for the these practices are referred to as acquisition of public access ease­ state. "purchase" in this discussion. ments on some additional lands. D. ACQUISITION PROGRAM The third management option open to future administrators is the pur­ Based on recent transaction evi­ To accomplish the management chase of conservation easements. dence in the proposal area, estimated and recreation development programs This option will normally be used costs were averaged at $3,500 per acre outlined in the earlier parts of this where it is desirable to continue an for fee title purchase of land, $2, 100 chapter, the acquisition of some land existing land use, modify a non-com­ per acre for conservation easement is necessary. Since an actual acquisi­ patible land use, or provide an acquisition, $5,600 per acre for the tion plan should not be prepared until acceptable level of scenic quality for a purchase of trail sites, and $2.00 per classification for the proposal area is particular view or panorama where lineal foot for public access ease­ a fact, land acquisition planning at outright ownership of the land is ments. this time need only provide a basis for unnecessary. Conservation ease­ Conservation easements would reasonably estimating the acreage ments will purchase only certain seek to maintain the natural qualities and cost involved. This discussion property rights from the legal owner, of specific portions of the designated provides that estimate, and leaves the leaving the land on the local tax rolls river area. Most lands within the identification of individual tracts for and otherwise under the control of the designated river area which are in the first phase of planning by the river landowner. Consequently, conserva- private ownership will be adequately area administrators. protected by state and county laws. The establishment or maintenance of Based on the above, and the These laws include the State Shore­ a vegetative screen between the river information in Appendix D, "Use lines Management Act, the State and roads, utility lines and structures Intensity Inventory," the following Forest Practices Act, and the county would be encouraged. acquisition cost estimates were dev- zoning ordinances. Conservation eloped: easements wi.11 be acquired on less Additional road construction within than 10% of the land within the river view of the river would be precluded. area boundary. On those lands placed under conservation easement, the fol­ The maintenance or enhancement of lowing management guidelines would the overall scenic quality of the river apply: and its adjacent shoreline would be sought. Timber harvest would be regulated to maintain existing scenic values, wild­ life habitat, water quality and other values.

Established agricultural uses would RIVER continue. ACTION STATE FEDERAL Skagit Acquire conservation easements on Future subdivision or development 620acres. $1,302,000 would be limited. Sauk Acquire conservation easements on Sand and gravel quarrying would not be permitted. Mining operations 1 ,170 acres outside National would be subject to state and federal Forest boundary and 380 acres regulations. within National Forest boundary. $3,255,000 Purchase 800 acres. ,,. $2,800,000 Except for prior established uses, no portable housing would be permitted, Suiattle Acquire conservation easements on whether for permanent or overnight 670 Acres outside National uses. Forest boundary and 130 acres within National Forest boundary. $1 ,680,000 No commercial signing or advertise­ Purchase 816 acres. $2,856,000 ments would be permitted except on existing business premises. Cascade Acquire conservation easements on No rubbish, junk or garbage dumping 380 acres within National Forest would be permitted. boundary. $ 798,000

Maintenance, repair or replacement of All Rivers Acquire 369,000 lineal feet existing structures would generally be (70 miles) of public access permitted. easements. $ 555,000 $ 185,000

L__ In addition. the following land It is anticipated that the State of acquisition must be accomplished to Washington will acquire the lands and accommodate the proposed recrea­ conservation easements needed for tion developments: protection, recreation ··development and public access on the Skagit River. Some or all of the funds used for this acquisition may come from Land and RIVERS ACTION STATE FEDERAL Water Conservation Fund monies, Skagit Acquire 36 acres of shoreline for which would increase the federal government's expenditures while de­ trail construction at an estimated creasing those of the state. $5,600 per acre. $ 202,000

Acquire 40 acres for development as day use areas at an estimated $3,500 per acre. $1 ,400,000

Sauk Acquire 16 acres of shoreline for trail construction at an estimated $5,600 per acre. $ 90,000

Acquire 20 acres for development of campground at an estimated $3,500 per acre. $ 70,000

SUMMARY OF ACQUISITION COSTS ESTIMATES

Land Purchase ...... 1 ,728 acres $ 7 ,418,000 Conservation Easements ...... 3,350 acres $ 7 .035,000 Public Access Easements ...... 70miles $ 740,000 TOTAL ...... $15, 193,000 ESTIMATED STATE EXPENDITURES

Land Purchase ...... 76 acres $ 1,602,000 Public Access Easements ...... 53 miles $ 555,000 Conservation Easements ...... 620 acres $ 1 ,302,000 TOTAL ...... $ 3,459,000

ESTIMATED FEDERAL EXPENDITURES

Land Purchase ...... 1,652 acres $ 5,816,000 Public Access Easements ...... 17miles $ 185,000 Conservation Easements ...... 2,730acres $ 5,733,000 TOTAL ...... $11,734,000

Estimated costs to federal and state governments tor implementing this proposal tor the first five years follow­ ing classification are shown below.

ESTIMATED FEDERAL EXPENDITURES

Activity Year1 Year2 Year3 Year4 Years Total

Administra­ $ 84,000 $ 84,000 $ 84,000 $ 84,000 $ 84,000 $ 420,000 tion

Acquisition 1,760,000 1,760,000 2,347,000 2,933,000 2,934,000 11, 734,000

Recreation 66,000 66,000 66,000 66,000 68 '000 332, 000 Development

Maintenance1 9,600 16,600 22,600 29,600 35,600 114,000 TOTAL $1,919,600 $1,926,600 $2,519,600 $3, 112,600 $3, 121,600 $12,600,000

1 Includes $9,600/year for existing campground maintenance program. ESTIMATED STATE EXPENDITURES Activity Year1 Year2 Year3 Year4 Years Total

Administra- $ 56,000 $ 56,000 $ 56,000 $ 56,000 $ 56,000 $ 280,000 tion

Acquisition 519,000 519.000 691 ,000 865,000 865,000 3,459,000

Recreation 46,000 46,000 46,000 46,000 46,000 230,000 Development

Maintenance 5,000 9,000 14,000 18,000 46,000

TOTAL $ 621,000 $ 626,000 802,000 981,000 $ 985,000 $ 4,015,000

TOTAL ESTIMATED EXPENDITURES Activity Year1 Year2 Year3 Year4 Years Total

Administra- $ 140,000 $ 140,000 $ 140,000 $ 140,000 $ 140,000 $ 700,000 tion

Acquisition 2,279,000 2,279,000 3,038,000 3,798,000 3,799,000 15, 193,000

Recreation 112,000 112,000 112,000 112,000 114,000 562,000 Development

Maintenance 9.600 21 ,600 31 ,600 43,600 53,600 160,000

TOTAL $2,540,600 $2,552,600 $3,321 ,600 $4,093,600 $4,106,000 $16,615,000

APPENDIX Public Law 90-542 90th Congress, S. 119 Pub. Law 90-542 - 2 - October 2, 1968 October 2, 1968 d\>n·lop11.1l~nt along tlwir ~liorpli11P:-1, by de~iµ:natf'd as 1·omporn•11t:-; of thl' national wild and :-...·enil· ri\·pr-., riVe!'S, ~ystern: Be it enacted by the Senate and Hou.~e of Representative8 of the ( 1) Cu:.\RW .\TER, ~1mm.E FonK. fo.\JIO.--The '.\I iddle Fork fro111 1 lie United States of Ame·rica in Congress aJJ&embled, That (a) this Act Wi U a.""1C. S.J€f'.ic town of Koo~kia upstream to tliP town of LowplJ: thP L-ocli:--.a Hi\ e1· may be cited as the ··~Vild and Scenic Ri,·ers Act". Rivers Act. from itsjmwlio11 with the Selway al Lmwll fozrning tlw ~lid.Ile Fork. (b) It is hereby declared to be the policy of the l:nited States that upstream to the Powell Hanger Station: :rnd the :->el way l{in'r frnrn certain selected rivers of the Xation which, with their immediate Lowel1 upstream to its origin; to be ad111inistrn·d by tliP ~P('rptary of environments, possess outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, .\µ;i-if'ulture. geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural, or other similar values, (:2) EI.E\"l:X Po1~·T. 1fJ!"SOl-HI.--TlH• st-g:111P11t of tla• rin'r pxtl•11di11g: shall be preserved in free-flowing condition, and that they and their downstream from T1wmasvillt> to Stat!:' JTigJi,\·ay I-1-~: to hr ad111ini!-1- immediate environments shall be protected for the benefit and enjoy- terelltin• ~liddlP Fork: to lit• ad111i11i-.;­ the established national policy of dam and other construction at appro- tf'rf'd by the ~een•tat'y of .\griniltnrP. priate sections of the rivers of the United States needs to be com- (-1-) H10 (;1~.\1"DE, :;\Ew ~Ji.:xwo.-Tht> .'-f',Ulllt'llt PXtendi11g frolll ' plemented by a policy that would preserve other selected rivers or Color:Hlo State li1w down:-:.tn•;u11 to tlw ~tatP Highway Hli 1Tossing. and sections thereof lll their free-flowing condition to protect the water the lowf'r four miles of the J{rd Hivt>r: to la• admini:-JPrPd hv the quality of such rivers and to fulfill other vital national conservation Sf'l'retarv of the I ntrrior. · purposes. I;)) H(JG1·E. 0REn0'1 .-The ,;egment of the riYer PXf<'lld i ng from the (c) The purpose of this Act is to implement this policy by institut­ mouth of the ~\pplPg-ate Hin•r downstream to the Loh-;ter ('rt:>d\: ing a national wild and scenic rivers system, by designating the initial _e_2_s_TA_·'.,.·._9..,,C.,. 7 __,...B_r~id~ge; to be adn!lni,.;tered by ageneies of the DepartmP11ts of the ln- companents of that system, and by prescribing the methods by which 82 STAT. 908. ter1or or ..\zrieulture a!"! agrt>ed upon by tl1e :-::Pcre.t:uies of :-\aid l>'l•part• and standards accordmg to which additional components may be added nlf'nts or as directed hv t lie Pt"Psint lw­ SEC. 2. (a) The national wild and scenic rivers system shall comprise National wild twepn the dam Jll'ar Taylors Falls, :'.\finnesota, and the dam zwar rivers ( i) that are authorized for inclusion therein by Act of Congress, and scenic Gordon, ,\... iSf'on~in, and ib tributary, the- 1\arnekaµ-on~ from Lak:P 1Jr (ii) that •tre designated as wild, scenic or recreational rivers by pr rivers system. Xamekagon downstream to it~ <'onftuell<'P with the Saint Croix; to he pursuant to an act of the legislature of the State or States through administered by the Secretary of the Interior: /'n,,·ided. That except which they flow, that are to be permanently administered as wild, as may be required in <'onne<"tion with ite-ms (a) and (h) of this ~cenic or recreational rivers by an agency or political subdivision of para~zTaph, no funds availablr to carry out the prO\'isions of this _\ct the State or States concerned without expense to the -United States, may be rxpe1Hh•d for 1hl' acquisition or development of lantls in 1·011 that are found by the Secretary of the Interior, upon application of neC'tion with, or for ad111ini~tration untler this .\d of~ that portion of the Governor of the State or the Governors of the States conce"'r"'n"'e'-i<_,..l,'--'s-"2_sT'-A_T-'.'-'-g-05-'­ the Saint. Croix Ri1·er between the

20-277(432) 0 - 68 57

October 2, 1968 - 3 - Pub. Law 90- 542 Pub. Law 90-542 - 4 - October 2, 1968 82 STAT. 910 (a) of this sedion slrnll, within Pst tit the ri,·er or its Yarions _(c) Before >~ppro,·ing or disapproving for inclusion in the national Se~me_nts; CUH~ }~l'f'}la1:e a vJan for neeessary de\·p]opments in t'OllllPdion wild and scemc nvers sy,;,tem any ri,·er designated as a wild, scenic with its adm1111strat1011 111 arconlanC'e with ~1wh ('lassitication. Said Puhlication in or recreational river by or pursuant to an act of a State legislature, the ·boundaries, <'lassiti"ation, and denlopment plans shall he published Federal Register. Secretary of the Interior shall submit the proposal to the Secretary of in the .FedPral Heg1ster alld shall 110t he"ome etfN-til'e Illltil llinety _\griculture, the Secretary of the Army, the Chairman of the Federal rein or. hPr~·aft~r hy tlw Cm~g-ress as potential additions t'o additions. addition to the national wild and scenic rivers system: Designation. such systen1; 1d1wh, 111 J11s or their .indgrnent, fall 11"ithin oil<' or nwre of ( 1:) Allegheny, Pennsylvania: The segment from its mouth to the the elassf's spt out 111 se<:ti~m i, subsf'ction {b), of this ~\et: an. proposed to be adnrn11stPred, wholly or pa1tially by an

October 2, 1968 - 5 - Pub. Law 90-542 Pub. Law 90- 542 - 6 - October 2, 1968 82 s~AT. 912 82 STAT. 911 executirn agPnei<·s, that )fexico has no objection to its being included Lar.d acquisition, SEC. 6. (a) The Secretary of the Interior and the SPeretarv of _\.,ri­ among the studies authorized by this Act. eulture are earh authorizPd to aequin• lands and interests in Cn: _hl1n. but he shali not ncc}11ire fpe t itl(• to

October 2, 1968 - 9 - Pub. Law 90- 542 Pub. Law 90- 542 - 10 - October 2, 1968 82 STAT. 916

(d) Xothing in this 5"ction with respfft to the making- of a loan or Adrtinistrat::_o:l,. SEC. 10. (a) Each component of the naiional wild and "'"'ni•· riq•rs grant shall apply to grnnts made under the Land and \Yater Conserva­ system shall be adininistere<:l in :-:u(_'h manner as to protect and enhance tion Fund .\<'t of 1 !J()5 ( 7H ::->tat. 8~l7; l (} l T.S.C. 4601-5 et seq.). the \·alues whi('h caused lt to lw \ndudl'"d in said :-:y;:;te1n wi1hout, ::-l>:c. 8. (a) .\\l publi<' lands within th(• authorized boundaries of any insofar as is consistent therewith, limiting- otlwr use~ that do 11nt sub­ 1·ompouf'11t of tllP national wi1d and ~rPnif• rivers system which is stantially intPrfere with publi<" USP :tnd enjoymPnt of tht>sf' \':th1e~. In tlPsignated in section 3 of this Act or which is hereafter designated for such administration primary ernphasi~ shall hr gin•n to protec1 in~ it~ inclusion in that '""stem are hereby withdrawn from entry, sale, or esthPti<", scrni<", histori(', archeologic, and scientific featurP~. ~fanage­ othPr dis1x)sition 11;1der the puh1ie l~nd laws of the l~nited ~tate~. n1ent p]ans for any such component may establish Yarying d·eg-ref>S ( b) All public lands which constitute the bed or bank, or are within of intensity for its protection and de,·elopment, based on the srweial one-quarter mile of the bank, of any riner which is listed in section;), attribute> of the :trea. rnbsection (>'),of this Act are hereby withdrawn from entry, sale, or (b) _\.ny poi~ion of a component of the national wild and '•«·nic other disposition under the public land laws of the United States for rivers system that is within tlie national wildPrness presen·ation sys­ the periods specified in sedion 7, subsection 1b), of this Act. tem, as establisht-:c. n. (a) Xothing in this Act slia\l affect the applicabiltty of the ~'.c:ob.~ and Stat. 800; 16 l'.S.C., eh. ~:l), shall be snhjeet to the pro,·isions of both lTnited States inining- and 1nineral ]easing laws with111 ernnponents of ;r:.neral leas- 16 use 1131 rhe \Vilderness .\ct and this .\rt with respect. to presenation of such the national wild and seenic rivers system except that- in,; laws. note. ri,·er and its imnwdiatt> en,·ironn1ent, and in <"Use of ('Onflirt hehn•t>n ( i) all prospecting, mining operations, and other activities on the. pro,·i~ions of ttw~e _\cts the 1nore restril'tive pro\·isions shall miniiw claims which, in the l'a>£ of a component of the svstem apply. desig-n';',ted in section 3 of this .\.ct, have not heretofore beei1 per­ (l') _\.ny romponent of the national wild and scenic river,; systpm fected or which, in the case of a l'Omponent hereafter designated that is :uhnini:-;tered by the ~ecretary of the Interior through the pursuant to this Act or any other Act of Congres.s, are not per­ ~ational Park Service shall become a part of the national park sys~ fected before its inclusion in the system and all mining operat10ns tern, and any such component that is administered by the Se<·rf'tary and other aetiYities under a inineral ]ease, license, or perinit i~sued throu1d1 the Fish and \Vildlife Sen·ice shall beeome a part of the na­ or renewed after inclusion of a component in the system_ shRll be tional wildlife refug-e system. The lands inrnlwd shall be subject to the subject to such regulations as the Secretary of the Interwr or, in prm·isions of this ,\et. and the Acts under which the national park the case of national forest lands, the Secretary of Agriculture may :--1yst.Prn or nation:d wildlife system. as the {'ase may be, is administered, pre~cribe to effeduate the purpose~ oft his Act; . . and in case of eonflict between the pro,·isions of these Acts, the more (u) subiect to valid exis.tmg rights, the p~rfection ofi or 1ssu· restrictin~ rn-o\·isions shall apply. The Secretary of the Interior, in his ance of >L patent to, any mmmg claim affectmg lands w1thm the a.dministration of any C'OJnponent of the national wild and scenir rirers system shall confer or convey a right or title only to the mmeral :-;ystem~ niay u_tilize such general statutory authorities relating _to deposits and such rights only to the use of the surface and the areas of the national park system and '11ch g-eneral statutory authontws surface resources as are reasonably required to carrying on pros­ otherwise available to him for recreation and presern1tion purpose~ pecting or mining ope'.-ations and are consistent with such regul;i­ and for the conservation and 1nanageme11t of natural resources as he tions as may be prescribed by the Secretary of the Interior or, m deems appropriate to carry_ont the plll·f?oses o_f _this Act. the case of national forest lands, by the Secretary of Agriculture; Id) The Se<-ret;iry of .\grirnlture, in hrn admm1strat1on of any com­ and ponent of the national wild and scenic ri,·ers system area, may utilize (iii) subject t-0 valid existing rights, the minerals in Federal the general statutory authorities relating to the national forests in such lands which are part of the system and constitute the bed or bank rnanne-r as lw dc•('ms appropriate to carry out the purposes of thi~ ~'\<'t. or are situated within one-quarter mile of the bank of any river Coopcrati ve (e) The Federal ag-enl'y charged with the administration of miy designated a wild river under this Act or any subsequent Act are agreemecits ;·;i th l'Omponent of the national wile! :md scenic ri,·ers system may enter into hereby withdrawn from all forms of appropriation under the State or local written C"ooperative ag-reements with the Go\·ernor of a State, the head mininir laws and from operation of the mineral leasing laws governments. of any State agency, or the appropriate official of a political subdi­ including-, in both cases, amendments thereto. . . . ,·ision of a State for State or local gorernrnental participation in the lfogulations issued pursuant to par":graphs (i) and (u) of this subsec. administration of the component. The States and their political sub­ tion shall, among other things, provide safeguards agamst pollut10n of divisions shall he encouraged to cooperate in the planning and admin­ the river involved and unnecessary impairment of the scenery 'vithin istration of romponents of the system which include or adjoin State- or the component in question. coimtv-owned lands. (b) The minerals in anv Federal lands which constitute the bed or A3s::.s-:.ance in SF.,:. 11. (a) The Secretary of the Interior shall eneourage and assist bank or are situated within one-quarter mile of the bank of any river :'inan~ing State the ~tates to consider, in forn1u1ating and carrying out their r.ornpre­ "~hich is listed in section 5, subsection (a) of this Act are hereby with­ and local proj­ hensive statewide outdoor recreation plans and proposals for financing­ drawn from all forms of appropriation under the mining laws dur­ ects. assistance for State and local projects submitted pursuant to the L:rnd ing the periods specified in section 7, subsection (b) of this Act. 16 us::; 4601.-4 and 'Vater C'onsernttion Fund Act of 196f> (78 Stat. 897), needs and Nothing contained in this subsection shall be constru~d to forbid note. opportunities for establishing- State and local wild, scenic and recrea­ prospecting or the issuan~e or leases, licen~es, and permits under the tional ri,·er areas. He shall also, in al'cordance with the authority con­ mi1wral leasrng- laws sub1ect to s•1ch cond1t10ns as the Secretary of 16 use <6Cl- tained in the .\er of :\fay 28, 1963 177 Stat. 49), provide technical the Interior and, in the case of national forest lands, the Secretary of 460l_-3 • assistance and advice to, and cooperate with, States, political subdi­ . \griculture find appropriate to safeguard the area in the event it visions, and priyate interests, including nonprofit organizations, with is subsequently included in the system. respect to establishing rnch wild, scemc and recreational river areas. UI

\ October 2, 1968 - 11 - Pub. Law 90- 542 Pub. Law 90-542 - 12 - October 2, 1968 82 STAT. 917 82 STAT. 918. (b) The Serretaries of .\griculture and of Health. Education, and Eas ernents and (g) The Secretary of the Inrerior or the Secretary of Agriculture as \\'elfare slwll likewise, ill ae<'orda11ee \rith the autlwrity vested in rights-of-way. the case may be, may grant easements and rights-of-way upon, o;er, under, across, or through any component of the national wild and tlwm, of thi~ table contri- Code, or as a gift under section 2522 of said title shall constitute an Act in order to determine what ad ions should be taken to prot<•ct such bution or gitt • agreement by.the donor on behalf of himself, his heirs, and assigns that, 76 Stat· lo34• if the terms of the instrument creating the easement are violated the rivers during the period they are being <·

-tt U.S. GOVf.RNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1973-797-227 62

PURPOSE

The following criteria supplement those listed in Section 2 of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, which states that rivers included in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System shall GUIDELINES FOR EVALUATING WILD, be free-flowing streams which possess outstandingly remark­ able scenic, recreational, geological, fish and \vildlife, historic, cultural and other similar values. SCENIC AND RECREATIONAL RIVER These guidelines are intended to define minimum criteria for the classification and management of free-flowing river areas AREAS PROPOSED FOR INCLUSION IN proposed for inclusion in the national system by the Secre­ tary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture, and for State rivers included in the system by the Secretary of THE NATIONAL WILD AND SCENIC the Interior. RIVERS SYSTEM UNDER SECTION 2, In reading these guidelines and in applying them to real situations of land and water it is important to bear one important qualification in mind. There is no way for these PUBLIC LAW 90-542. statements of criteria to be written so as to mechanically or automatically indicate which rivers are eligible and what class they must be. It is important to understand each criterion; but it is perhaps even more important to under­ stand their collective intent. The investigator has to exercise his judgment, not only on the specific criteria as they apply to a particular river, but on the river as a whole, and on their relative weights. For this reason, these guidelines are not absolutes. There may \Je extenuat­ ing circumstances which would lead the appropriate Secre­ tary to recommend, or approve pursuant to Section 2(a)(ii), a river area for inclusion in the system because it is exceptional in character and outstandingly remarkable even though it does not meet each of the criteria set forth in these guidelines. However, exceptions to these criteria should be recognized only in rare instances and for compel­ ling reasons.

The three classes of river areas described in Section 2(b) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act are as follows:

"(l) Wild river areas--Those rivers or sections of rivers that are free of impoundments and generally inaccessible except by trail, with watersheds or shorelines essentially primitive

-1- February 1970 63

and waters unpolluted. These represent In evaluating a river for possible inclusion in the system or vestiges of primitive America. for determining its classification, the river and its immedi­ ate land area should be considered as a unit, with primary "(2) Scenic river areas--Those rivers or sections of emphasis upon the quality of the experience and overall rivers that are free of impoundments, with shore­ impressions of the recreationist using the river or the lines or watersheds.still largely primitive and adjacent riverbank. Although a free-flowing river or river shorelines largely undeveloped, but accessible in unit frequently will have more than one classified area, places by roads. each wild, scenic, or recreational area must be long enough to provide a meaningful experience. The number of different "(3) Recreational river areas--Those rivers or sections classified areas within a unit should be kept to a minimum. of rivers that are readily accessible by road or railroad, that may have some development along Any activity, use, or development which is acceptable for a their shorelines, and that may have undergone some wild river is also acceptable for scenic and recreational impoundment or diversion in the past." river areas, and that which is acceptable for a scenic river is acceptable for a recreation river area. Activity and development limitations discussed below should not necessar­ ily be interpreted as the desired level to which development GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS or management activity should be planned. Hunting and fishing will be permitted, subject to appropriate State and The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, Section lO(a), states that, Federal laws. "Each component of the national wild and scenic rivers system shall be administered in such manner as to protect and en­ e The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act provides that rivers must hance the values which caused it to be included in said sys­ be in a free-flowing natural condition, i.e., a fiowing body tem without, insofar as is consistent therewith, limiting of water or estuary or a section, portion, or tributary there­ other uses that do not substantially interfere with public of, including rivers, streams, creeks, runs, kills, rills, use and enjoymen~ of these values. In such administratioD and small lakes which are without impoundment, diversion, primary emphasis shall be given to protecting its esthetic, straightening, rip-rapping or other modification of the scenic, historic, archeologic, and scientific features. waterway. However, low dams, diversion works, and other Management plans for any such component may establish vary­ minor structures will not automatically preclude the river ing degrees of intensity for its protection and development, unit from being included in the National Wild and Scenic based on the special attributes 'of the area. 11 Rivers System, providing such structures do not unreasonably diminish the free-flowing nature of the stream and the scenic, In order to qualify for inclusion in the national system, a scientific, geological, historical, cultural, recreational, State free-flowing river area must be designated as a wild, and fish and wildlife values present in the area. scenic, or recreational river by act of the State legisla­ ture, with land areas wholly and permanently administered in ethe river or river unit must be long enough to provide a a manner consistent with the designation by any agency or meaningful experience. Generally. any unit included in the political subdivision of the state at no cost to the Federal system should be at least 25 miles long. However, a shorter Government, and be approved by the Secretary of the Interior river or segment that possesses outstanding qualifications as meeting the criteria established by the Wild and Scenic may be included in the system. Rivers Act and the guidelines contained herein. A river or related lands owned by an Indian tribe cannot be added to the ethere should be sufficient volume of water during normal national system without the consent of the appropriate years to permit, during the recreation season, full enjoy­ governing body. ment of water-related outdoor recreation activities general-

-2- -3- 64

ly associated with comparable rivers. In the event the lines, etc., in river areas being considered for inclusion existing supply of water is inadequate, it would be neces­ in the national system are discouraged. However, where no sary to show that additional water can be provided reason­ reasonable alternative exists, additional or new facilities ably and economically without unreasonably diminishing the should be restricted to existing rights-of-way. Where new scenic, recreational, and fish and wildlife values of the rights-of-way are indicated, the scenic, recreational, and area. fish and wildlife values must be evaluated in the selection of the site in accordance with the general guidelines des­ •The river and its environment should be outstandingly re­ cribed in the Report of the Working Committee on Utilities markable and, although they may reflect substantial evidence prepared for the.President's Council on Recreation and of man's activity, should be generally pleasing to the eye. Natural Beauty, December 1968.

eThe river should be of high quality water or susceptible •Mineral activity subject to regulations under the Act must of restoration to that condition. A concept of nondegrada­ be conducted in a manner that minimizes surface disturbance, tion whereby existing high water quality will be maintained sedimentation and pollution, and visual impairment. Specific to the maximum extent feasible will be followed in all river controls will be developed as a part of each management plan. areas included in the national system.

All rivers included in the national system should meet the CRITERIA FOR RIVER DESIGNATION "Aesthetics--General Criteria" as defined by the National Technical Advisory Committee on Water Quality in the Federal The following criteria for classification, designation, and Water Pollution Control Administration's Water Quality administration of river areas are prescribed by the Act. Criteria, April 1, 1968. Water quality should meet the These criteria are not absolutes, nor can they readily be criteria for fish, other aquatic life, and wildlife, as de­ dE;.fined quantitatively. In a given river, a departure from fined in that document, so as to support the propagation of these standards might be more than compensated by other qual­ those forms of life which normally would be adapted to the ities. However, if several "exceptions" are necessary in habitat of the stream. Where no standards exist or where order for a river to be classified as wild, it probably existing standards will not meet the objectives of these should be classified as scenic. If several "exceptions" are criteria, standards should be developed or raised to achieve necessary in order for a river to be classified as scenic, those objectives. Wild river areas can be included in the it probably should be classified as recreational. national system only if they also meet the minimum criteria for primary contact recreation, except as these criteria Wild River Areas might be exceeded by natural background conditions. Scenic or recreation river areas which qualify for inclusion in The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act states that "these represent the system in all respects except for water quality may be vestiges of primitive America," and they possess these added to the system provided adequate and reasonable assur­ attributes: ance is given by the appropriate Federal or State authority 1. "Free of impoundments" that the water quality can and will be upgraded to the pre­ 2. "Generally inaccessible except by trail" scribed level for the desired types of recreation, and 3. "Watersheds or shorelines essentially pr1m1t1ve" support aquatic life which normally would be adapted to the 4. "Waters unpolluted" habitat of the stream at the prescribed level of water qual­ ity. At such time as water quality fully meets the criteria, eclassification criteria. it may be desirable to change the classification of a river. Despite some obvious similarities, the "wildness" associated eNew public utility transmission lines, gas lines, water with a wild river area is not synonymous with the "wildness"

-4- -5- involved in wilderness classification under the Wilderness like appearance so that the entire river area remains a Act of 1964. One major distinction, in contrast to wilder­ vestige of primitive America. For the purposes of this Act, ness, is that a wild river area also may contain recreation a limited amount of domestic livestock grazing and pasture facilities for the convenie.nce of the user in keeping with land and cropland devoted to the production of hay may be the primitive setting. considered "essentially primitive." One or two inconspicu­ ous dwellings need not necessarily bar wild river classi­ 1. An "impoundment" is a slack water pool formed by any fication. man-made structure. Except in rare instances in which esthetic and recreational characteristics are of such out­ 4. "Unpolluted" means the water quality of the river at standing quality as to counterbalance the disruptive nature least· meets the minimum criteria for primary contact recrea­ of an impoundment, such features will not be allowed on wild tion, except where exceeded by natural background conditions, river areas. Future construction of such structures that and esthetics as interpreted in the Federal Water Pollution would have a dir~ct and adverse effect on the values for Control Administration's Water Quality Criteria, April 1, which that river area was included in the national system, 1968. In addition, the water presently must be capable of as determined by the Secretary charged with the administra­ supporting the propagation of aquatic life, including fish, tion of the area, would not be permitted. In the case of which normally would be adapted to the habitat of the rivers added to the national system pursuant to Sec.2(a)(ii), stream. Where no standards exist or where existing such construction could result in a determination by the standards will not meet the objectives of these criteria, Secretary of the Interior to reclassify or withdraw the standards should be developed or raised to achieve those affected river area from the system. objectives.

2. "Generally inaccessible" means there are no roads or eManagement objectives. other provisions for overland motorized travel within a narrow, incised river valley, or if the river valley is The administration of a wild river area shall give primary broad, within 1/4 mile of the riverba~k. The presence, how­ emphasis to protecting the values which make it outstandingly ever, of one or two inconspicuous roads leading to the river remark.able while providing river-related outdoor recreation area will not necessarily bar wild river classification. opportunities in a primitive setting.

3, "Essentially primitive" means the shorelines are free of T~ achieve these objectives in wild river areas, it will be habitation and other substantial evidence of man's intrusion. necessary to: This would include such things as diversions, straightening, rip-rapping, and other modifications of the waterway. These 1. Restrict or prohibit motorized land travel, except where would not be permitted except in instances where such de­ such uses are not in conflict with the purposes of the Act. velopments would not have a direct and adverse effect on the values for which that river area was included in the national 2. Acquire and remove detracting habitations and other non­ svstem as determined by the Secretary charged with the admin­ harmonious improvements. istration of the area. In the case of rivers added to th~ national system pursuant to Section 2(a)(ii), such construc­ 3. Locate major public-use areas, such as large campgrounds, tion could result in a determination by the Secretary of the interpretive centers or administrative headquarters, outside Interior to reclassify or withdraw the affected river area the wild river area. Simple comfort and convenience f acili­ from the system. With respect to watersheds, "essentially ties, such as fireplaces, shelters, and toilets, may be pro­ pt"imitive" means that the portion of the watershed within the vided for recreation users as necessary to provide an enjoy­ boundaries has a natural-like appearance. As with shorelines, able experience, protect popular sites, and meet the manage­ developments within the boundarfes should emphasize a natural- ment objectives. Such facilities will be of a design and

-6- -7- 66

location which harmonize with the surroundings. system pursuant to Section 2(a)(ii), such construction could result in a determination by the Secretary of the Interior to 4. Prohibit improvements or new structures unless they are to reclassify or withdraw the affected river area from the clearly in keeping with the overall objectives of the wild system. river area classification and management. The design for any permitted construction must be in conformance with the 2. "Accessible in places by road" means that roads may occa­ approved management plan for that area, Additional habita­ sionally bridge the river area. Scenic river areas will not tions or substantial additions to existing habitations will include long stretches of conspicuous and well-traveled roads not be permitted, closely paralleling the riverbank. The presence, however, of short stretches of conspicuous or longer stretches of incon­ 5. Implement management practices which might include con­ spicuous and well-screened roads or screened railroads will struction of minor structures for such purposes as improve­ not necessarily preclude scenic river designation. In addi­ ment of fish and game habitat; grazing; protection from fire, tion to the physical and scenic relationship of the free­ insects, or disease; rehabilitation or stabilization of damaged flowing river area to roads, consideration should be given to resources, provided the area will remain natural appearing and the type of use for which such roads were constructed and the the practices or structures will harmonize with the environ­ type of use which would occur within the proposed scenic ment. Such things as trail bridges, an occasional fence, river area. natural-appearing water diversions, ditches, flow measurement or other water management devices, and similar facilities may 3. "Largely primitive" means that the shorelines and the be permitted if they are unobtrusive and do not have a signi­ immediate river environment still present an overall natural ficant direct and adverse effect on the natural character of character, but that in places, land may be developed for agri­ the area. cultural purposes. A modest amount of diversion, straighten­ ing, rip-rapping, and other modification of the waterway Scenic River Areas would not preclude a river from being considered for classi­ fication as a scenic river. Future construction of such The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act states that scenic rivers: structures would not be permitted except in instances where such developments would not have a direct and adverse effect 1. Are "free of impoundments"_ on the values for which that river area was included in the 2. Are "accessible in places by road" national system as determined by the Secretary charged with 3. Have "shorelines or watersheds still largely the administration of the area. primitive and shorelines largely undeveloped" In the case of rivers added to the national system pursuant ec1assification criteria. to Section 2(a)(ii), such construction could result in a determination by the Secretary of the Interior to reclassify 1. An "impoundment" is a slack water pool formed by any man­ or withdraw the affected river area from the system. "Largely made structure. Except in rare instances in which esthetic primitive" with respect to watersheds means that the portion and recreational characteristics are of such outstanding of the watershed within the boundaries of the scenic river quality as to counterbalance the disruptive nature of an im­ area should be scenic, with a minimum of easily discernible poundment, such features will not be allowed on scenic river development. Row crops would be considered as meeting the areas. Future construction of such structures that would have test of "largely primitive," as would timber harvest and other a direct and adverse effect on the values for which that river resource use, providing such activity is accomplished without area was included in the national system as determined by the a substantially adverse effect on the natural-like appearance Secretary charged with the administration of the area, would of the river or its immediate environment. not be permitted. In the case of rivers added to the national

-8- -9- 01

4, "Largely undeveloped" means that small communities or any river access points. concentration of habitations must be limited to relatively short reaches of the total area under consideration for des­ 2. "Some development along their shorelines" means that ignation as a scenic river area. lands may be developed for the full range of agricultural uses and could include small communities as well as dis­ eManagement objectives. persed or cluster residential developments. 3. "Undergone some impoundment or diversion in the past" A scenic river area should be managed so as to maintain and means that there may be water resources developments and di­ provide outdoor recreation opportunities in a near natural set­ versions having an environmental impact greater than that ting. The basic distinctions between a "wild" and a "scenic" described for wild and scenic river areas. However, the river area are degree of development, type of land use, and degree of such development should not be to the extent that road accessibility, In general, a wide range of agricultural, the water has the characteristics of an impoundment for any water management, silvicultural and other practices could be significant distance. compatible with the primary objectives of a scenic river area, providing such practices are carried on in such a way that Future construction of impoundments, diversions, straighten• there is no substantial adverse effect on the river and its ing, rip-rapping, and other modification of the waterway or immediate environment. adjacent lands would not be permitted except in instances where such developments would not have a direct and adverse The same considerations enumerated for wild river areas should effect on the values for which that river area was included be considered, except that motorized vehicle use may in some in the national system as determined by the Secretary charged cases be appropriate and that development of larger scale with the administration of the area. In the case of rivers public-use facilities within the river area, such as moderate added to the national system pursuant to Section 2(a)(ii), size campgrounds, public information centers, and adminis­ such construction could result in a determination by the trative headquarters, would be compatible if such structures Secretary of the Interior to reclassify or withdraw the were screened from the river. affected river area from the system.

Modest facilities, such as unobtrusive marinas, also would be eManagement objectives. possible if such structures were consistent with the manage­ Management of recreational river areas should be designed to ment plans for that area. protect and enhance existing recreational values. The primary objectives will be to provide opportunities for engaging in Recreational River Areas recreation activities dependent on or enhanced by the largely free-flowing nature of the river. The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act states that recreational rivers: Campgrounds and picnic areas may be established in close 1. Are "readily accessible by road or railroad" proximity to the river, although recreational river classi­ 2. "May have some development along their shoreline" fication does not require extensive recreational develop­ 3. May have "undergone some impoundment or diversion ments. Recreational facilities may still be kept to a mini­ in the past" mum, with visitor services provided outside the river area.

ec1assification criteria. A~dopted:, _D n . ~~. ~-,:Z,,- 70 l, "Readily accessible" means the likelihood of paralleling __...... w::....':;.;;;...;::;.¥.->'"--"-_.;;.....~---.,.;;....~ Department of the Interior (Date) roads or railroads on one or both baaks of the river, with the possibility of several bridge crossings and numerous

-10- 68

SUMMARY 1/ Attributes and management objectives of the three river classifications for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic River System

Wild Scenic Recreation

Attributes ( 1. Free-flowing. Low dams, diversion 1. Free-flowing. Low dams, diversion 1. May have undergone some impound­ 1 works or other minor structures which works or other minor structures whict ment or diversion in the past. Water donotinundate the natural riverbank do not inundate the natural riverbank should not have characteristics of an may not bar consideration as wild. may not bar consideration. Future impoundment for any significant dis- Future construction restricted. construction restricted. tance. Future construction restricted. 2. Generally inaccessible by road. 2. Accessible by roads which may 2. Readily accessible, with likelihood One or two inconspicuous roads to the occasionally bridge the river area. of paralleling roads or railroads area may be permissible. Short stretches of conspicuous or along river banks and bridge crossings. longer stretches of inconspicuous and well-screened roads or railroads i paralleling river area may be permitted. ! 3. Shorelines essentially primitive. 3. Shoreline largely primitive. Small 3. Shoreline may be extensively One or two inconspicuous dwellings communities limited to short reaches developed. and land devoted to production of hay of total area. Agricultural practices may be permitted. Watershed natural­ which do not adversely affect river Ii like in appearance. area may be permitted. i 4. Water quality meets minimum cri­ 4. Water quality should meet minimum 4. Water quality should meet minimum teria for primary contact recreation criteria for desired types of recrea­ criteria for desired types of recreation . except where such criteria would be tion except where such criteria would except where such criteria would be ex- ; exceeded by natural background condi­ be exceeded by natural background ceeded by natural background condi­ tions and esthetics 2/ and capable of conditions and esthetics 2/ and capable tions and esthetics 2/ and capable of supporting propagaITon of aquatic life of supporting propagation of aquatic supporting propagaffon of aquatic life . normally adapted to habitat of the life normally adapted to habitat of the normally adapted to habitat of the stream 1 stream. stream, or is capable of and is being or is capable of and is being restored restored to that quality. to that quality.

Management 1. Limited motorized land travel in 1. Motorized verjcles allowed on land 1. Optimum accessibility by motorized 1 objectives area. area. vehicle. 2. No unharmonious or new habitations 2. Nounharrnonious i'Ilprovements and 2. May be densely settled in places. or improvements permitted. few habitations permitted. 3. Only primitive-type p•iblic use 3. Limitpd modern screened public 3. Public use areas may be in close provided. use facilities permitted, i.e. camp­ proximity to river. grounds, visitor centers, etc. 4. New structires and improvement 4. Some new facilities allowed, such 4. New structures allowed for both hab­ of old ones prohibited if not in keeping as unobtrusive marirFi.s. itationandfor intensive recreation use. with overall objectives. I 5. Unobtrusive fences, gauging sta­ 5. Unobtrusive fences, gauging statiom 5. Management practice facilities tions and other management facilities and other management facilities may permitted. may be permitted if no significant ad­ be permitted if no significant adverse verse effect on natural character of effect on natural character of area. area. 6. Limited range of agriculture and 6. Wide range of agriculture and other 6. F'.lll range of agriculture and other other resource uses permitted. resource uses may be permitted. reso'.irce uses may be permitted.

1/ To be used only in conjcmction with the text. February 1970 Y Federal Water Pollution Control Administration's Water Q'..lality Criteria, April 1, 19e8.

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APPENDIX

The Skagit River basin encom­ passes over 3,000 square miles in the northwest corner of Washington State, covering the area between Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains.

While the study area itself has a low population density, it lies within 2 hour's drive of the Seattle metro­ politan complex. It is paralleled by State Highway 20, the only highway crossing the Cascade Mountains in the northern portion of the state. In­ terstate Highway 5, a major north­ south artery, borders the study area on the west. 72 PHYSICAL AND NATURAL CHARACTERISTICS

Climate Coast Range offer protection from the and March. About 5% falls in July intense winter storms which buffet the and August. Annual average precipi­ coast. tation ranges from 29 inches at Olga, Air masses reaching the Skagit in the of the Olympic Basin originate over the Pacific Mountains, to 81 inches at Darrington. Ocean, giving the area a mid-latitude, in the basin is light Average monthly and annual precipi­ west coast, marine climate. The mari­ during the summer. It increases in the tation is summarized in Table 111-1 time air moderates both winter and fall and peaks during the winter as at the end of this section. summer seasons, producing a defi­ moisture-laden maritime air is lifted nite rainy season during the winter and cooled as it moves inland, caus­ and a short, dry summer. ing persistent cloudiness and fre­ Temperatures during the warm quent precipitation. Half the annual summer months average in the high ?O's in the mid-afternoon, and around The Cascade and Rocky Mountains rainfall occurs in the four-month 50 at night. However, freezing temper­ shield the basin from cold winter air period of October through January, atures are not unusual at all eleva- masses, while the Olympics and the and another 20% falls in February

TABLE 111-1 AVERAGE MONTHLY AND ANNUAL PRECIPITATION IN INCHES Period Elevation of Station Feet Record Jan. Feb. Ma.-. Apr. May June July Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. Annual

Olga 80 1931-60 4.04 2.94 2.51 1.65 1.35 1.51 .88 .95 1.61 3.04 3.91 4.39 28.78

Sedro Woolley 56 1931-60 5.57 4.33 4.65 3.30 2.56 2.78 1.33 1.38 3.01 4.91 5.87 6.38 46.07

Darrington 550 1931-60 11.79 9.37 8.13 5.30 3.43 3.20 1.36 1.50 3.92 8.33 11.14 13.14 80.51

Diablo Dam 891 1931-60 10.29 8.55 6.78 4.44 2.48 2.07 1.24 1.33 3.49 8.03 10.54 12.32 71.56

TABLE 111-2 AVERAGE MONTHLY HIGH AND LOW TEMPERATURES Station Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Annual

Olga High 44 47 51 57 63 67 70 70 66 58 50 46 57 Low 34 35 37 40 44 47 49 49 48 44 39 36 42

Sedro Woolley High 44 49 53 61 67 70 75 75 69 61 51 46 60 Low 32 33 36 40 44 49 50 50 47 43 37 34 41

Darrington High 41 46 51 61 68 71 78 77 71 61 49 43 60 Low 29 30 32 37 42 47 49 49 46 40 33 31 39

Diablo Dam High 37 42 48 57 66 70 78 77 71 58 45 40 57 Low 27 29 32 37 43 48 52 52 48 41 34 31 40 f-.S

tions over 5,000 feet. In winter, after­ Landforms to the adjacent peaks. Long steep slopes, containing timber intermin­ noon highs average in the low 40's, and evening lows in the high 20's. gled with talus slopes, rock outcrops The Skagit River drainage basin Infrequently, cold air masses from and meadows are common features. encompasses a wide range of moun­ Canada's Canyon dis­ Serrated rocky ridges and slender tainous topography. Western eleva­ tribute over the basin, causing the rocky pinnacles form an impressive tions range from 300 feet at Mount alpine topography that dominates the to plummet to the zero mark Vernon to approximately 3,500 feet on or below. Average monthly and an­ landscape. Above 7,000 feet snow­ the nearby mountain tops. Eastward fields and can be found nual highs and lows are presented in from Mount Vernon the relief in­ Table 111-2 at the end of this section. throughout the year on many peaks. creases and the terrain becomes These, along with numerous meadows extremely rugged. The crest of the and small glacial lakes, constitute The mean length of the growing Cascades forms the eastern boundary impressive alpine scenery. season is 237 days at Olga in the San of the drainage basin, and altitudes Juan Islands, 193 days at Sedro Wool­ there range from 5,000 to over 8,000 ley, and 151 days at Darrington. feet. However, the greatest altitudes Geology are not along the Cascade crest but occur on Mt. Baker (10,778 feet) in Relative humidity in the basin is the northwestern part of the basin. The Skagit River flows roughly high. It ranges from 90% at night to Mt. Baker, with its snowcapped peak, east-west across the northern Cas­ 75% in the day during the winter, from dominates the topography of north­ cade Mountains, dissecting moun­ 85% to 60% in the spring and 85% to . tains and regional geology which 50% in the summer. trend generally north-northwest and expose rock ranging from Paleozoic Characteristically, the mountains to Tertiary in age. Most of the rock Cloudy days are most prevalent in in the western portion are steep and is folded, faulted, and metamor­ the winter, when from 23 to 26 days timber covered. Extending eastward phosed. The intensity of metamor­ a month are clouded. During the the mountains increase in elevation phism and deformation generally in­ ·Spring and fall 10 to 15 days a month and become very steep and precipi­ creases eastward from Puget Sound. are clear, rising to 20 or more in the tous. Timber becomes concentrated summer. on the lower slopes. On higher slopes the timber is frequently interspersed Most mineral production from the with rock outcrops and talus. Extend­ Skagit River drainage has come from are from the south ing upward this in turn gives way to a Paleozoic rocks. Talc-soapstone, as­ and southwest in winter, and from the world dominated by rock, meadows, bestos, limestone, cement, silica and west and northwest in summer. Ex­ talus and perpetual snow. serpentine, as well as gold, silver, treme velocities 30 feet above the copper and lead, have been produced ground exceed 55 mph once in 2 from the Paleozoic host rocks. The years, 90 mph once in 50, and 100 The upper basin country is un­ major geologic structure in the drain­ mph once in 100 years. paralleled in its alpine beauty. Topo­ age is the Shuksan thrust. This thrust graphic differences are extreme with fault trends generally north-northwest vertical distances often extending and dips east. The fault has a dis­ over 5,000 feet from the valley floor placement of over 30 miles. 74

Rocks in the northern Cascades 3. Overlying rocks of the Cascade Mountain northwest of Concrete but and along the Skagit River drainage Metamorphic Suite are Middle Devon­ is not now being mined. ' have been divided (Misch 1966) into ian to Middle Permian volcanic and seven major rock units. sedimentary rocks of the group. These rocks are best exposed 7. Volcanism occurred along the near Concrete, where fossils occur in drainage during middle to late Ter­ 1. Crystalline basement rocks (Yel­ the limestone beds. tiary time. Volcanics from the Mount low Aster complex) of pre-Middle Baker eruptions can be seen along Devonian age, occur in the core of the the . Ash deposits from 4. Overlying the Paleozoic rock~ . Glacier Peak eruptions have been are Mesozoic rocks of the Cultus mined near Marblemount and Dar­ Formation. These rocks are mainly rington. Pre-Tertiary and Recent 2. Overlying the Yellow Aster com­ marine deposited elastic sediments volcanics are a source of much of the plex and forming the crystalline core and mafic volcanics. Most are strong­ and similar rock mined for of the Cascade Range are pre-Middle ly deformed and moderately meta­ ballast and riprap. Uplift, erosion, and Devonian rocks of the Cascade Meta­ morphosed. Rocks of the Cultus For­ dissection accompanied the vol­ morphic Suite, which is subdivided mation are best exposed north of canism. Towards the end of this vol­ into the Shuksan Metamorphic Suite Concrete. and the Skagit Metamorphic Suite. canic activity, glacial erosion began and has subsequently been the domi­ 5. Overlying the Cultus Formation nant factor contributing to the present Rocks of the Shuksan Metamorphic are late Cretaceous to early Tertiary configuration of the North Cascades. Suite (Darrington phyllite and Shuk­ rocks of the Chuckanut Formation. san green schist) have been thrust These rocks are folded and faulted The period known as the "Ice Age" over rocks of the Chilliwack group. but are mostly unmetamorphosed. began about one million years ago A half window (fenster) has been They consist predominantly of con­ and continued until recent time. eroded in the thrust plate by the tinentally deposited massively bed­ Radiocarbon dating indicates that the Baker River. Rocks of the Shuksan ded, arkosic sandstone with inter­ last major advance of continental and Metamorphic Suite consist of Darring­ beds of coal. The Chuckanut rocks alpine glaciers began about 25,000 ton phyllite that is overlain by Shuk­ contain coal beds and fossils. The years and reached its maximum about san green schist. Darrington phyllite fossils are best exposed at Minkler 14,500 years ago. During that time is best exposed east of Marblemount Lake, east of Sedro Woolley. Coal all but the highest peaks lay under a and north of Sedro Woolley and Shuk­ has been produced from Chuckanut thick mantle of ice. Glacial erratics san green schist is best exposed beds east of Sedro Woolley. along Finney Creek south of Con­ on the higher peaks indicate that the crete. Two major rock types making ice was as much as 6,000 feet thick in up the Skagit Metamorphic Suite are 6. During Mesozoic and Tertiary some areas. Since then the conti­ Cascade River schist and Skagit times the rocks of the North Cascades nental ice has disappeared and the gneiss. Cascade River schist is best were intruded by basic as well as alpine glaciers have receded to high exposed along the Cascade River. granitic rocks. Olivine is produced elevations. Skagit gneiss, including some magne­ from a Tertiary dunite intrusive lo­ tite, is best exposed along the Skagit cated just north of the Skagit River This glaciation has had a profound River between Diablo and Newhalem. drainage in the Twin Sisters Moun­ impact on the North Cascades, as tains. Similar material occurs at Goat glaciers are a very powerful agent of 75

erosion. The jagged peaks, cirque four soil groups. The generalized soil The soils in this group have limited basins, lakes, truncated spurs, hang­ characteristics and management con­ suitability for most agricultural pur­ ing valleys and broad U-shaped val­ siderations are then discussed at the poses. They are low in natural fertility leys are characteristic of glacially group level. and have a low water holding capa­ modified mountains. city. Soils rapidly dry out during the summer and become draughty. Be­ The groups are intended to be used cause of this, crop production nor­ Glaciation has exerted a major in­ in attaining a quick general under­ mally requires fertilization and sum­ fluence on the Skagit River Valley. standing of the valley soils and their mer irrigation. In their natural state The pre-glacial river was probably problems. For specific information on these soils are most suited to forest running in a narrow V-shaped valley the distribution of soils and their production. and was rapidly downcutting through properties, refer to the Soil Survey, bedrock on a comparatively steep Skagit County, Washington. gradient. The valley glacier caused These soils have good suitability modification by steepening the side­ tor many non-agricultural purposes. The soil groups along with some slopes, widening and straightening They are generally well suited for generalized interpretive information the valley, and reducing the gradient. campgrounds as they are well drained are described as follows: Upon melting, the glacier left deep and have minimal tendency to be­ deposits that resulted in a broad, rela­ come muddy. Their desirable engi­ tively flat valley bottom. These valley Soil Group 1 neering characteristics make them glacier deposits joined with the conti­ well suited for most developments, nental glacier deposits in the lower such as buildings. The permeable, river reaches and together changed Soil Group 1 includes soils of well-drained soils are well suited for the original stream from one that was Everett, Greenwater, Klaus, Lynden, septic tanks or drainfields. They are flowing rapidly in a narrow valley to Pilchuck, Skykomish and Thornwood also well suited for roads as they one that is flowing slower and mean­ Series. In general these soils are generally have a high load carrying dering across a wide valley bottom. medium to coarse textured, and are capacity. One minor road problem underlain by loose glacial drift and however, is that road cutbanks can Soils Within the Study Area outwash material. The following key be expected to ravel because of features contribute significantly to rather loose sandy and gravelly sub­ their management characteristics: strata. Also, these materials would The Soil Survey of Skagit County17 (a) Soil textures are moderate­ erode severely if exposed to wave shows a large number of soil types ly coarse to coarse action in reservoirs. occurring within the Skagit River Study Area. Many of these soil types (b) Soils are somewhat exces­ One soil in this group is an excep­ have similar characteristics and sively drained therefore have similar management tion to most of what has been dis­ applications. cussed. That is the Pilchuck Series. (c) Substrata is sandy and gra­ Although this soil is coarse textured velly, and is often loose and well drained, it has severe flood­ For the purpose of the Skagit River ing potential. This severely limits ·its Study, those soils with broadly similar (d) Slopes range from 0 to 15 use for most considerations. features have been placed into one of percent (most commonly 0-5 percent) 76

Soil Group 2. areas. The effluent is unable to dis­ (e) Slopes range from 0 to 15 Soil Group 2 includes soils pri­ perse through the cemented till and percent (most commonly 0 to marily of the Alderwood and Skiyou may appear at the soil surface result­ 3 percent) Series. In general these soils are ing in disagreeable odors and con­ medium to moderately coarse tex­ tamination. Other than this, the soils These soils are generally well tured, well drained, and are under­ generally have good suitability for suited for agriculture. They generally lain by cemented glacial till. The buildings and recreational develop­ have good natural fertility, good water following key features contribute ments. These soi Is generally have holding capacity, and are easily tilled. significantly to their management good engineering properties that Many crops are grown with good suc­ characteristics: make them well suited for buildings or cess. These include pasture, hay, roads. (a) Surface and subsoils are small grains, strawberries, raspber­ gravelly loams or gravelly ries and other row crops. However, sandy loams Soil Group 3 some of these soils; notably Belfast, Puyallup and Sultan, have a flooding hazard. Because of their very low (b) Materials are well drained in Soil Group 3 includes soils of Bel­ lying positions, the water table is at or the surface and subsoils fast, Giles, Gilligan, Puyallup, Sultan near the surface during parts of the and Wickersham Series. In general . This problem of flooding (c) Substrata is cemented gla­ these soils are medium to moderately causes these soils to have severe cial till that restricts root and coarse textured, well to moderately­ limitations for most non-agriculture water movement well drained, and are underlain by uses such as buildings, drainfields, alluvium or glacial outwash. However, sanitary landfills or recreation devel­ (d) Slopes range from 0 to 15 the soils within this group tend to be opments. percent more variable than soils within the other groups. The following key fea­ Soil Group 4 These soils are only moderately fer­ tures contribute significantly to their tile, and therefore have some limita­ management characteristics: tions for agriculture. The majority of Soil Group 4 includes soils of these soils is in second growth tim­ (a) Silt loam or loam surface Bellingham, Bow, Cokedale, Puget, ber. Most of what has been cleared is textures , Sumas and Thornwood Ser­ used for pasture. The soils are best ies. In general these soils are moder­ suited for pasture and meadows but (b) Well to moderately-well ately-fine to fine textured, and under­ will produce other crops when pro­ drained lain by glacial till, alluvial or glacial perly managed. lake materials. These soils are im­ (c) Often stratified sandy and perfectly to poorly drained. The fol­ silty substrata materials lowing key features contribute signi­ The most limiting soil feature for ficantly to their management charac­ non-agriculture purposes is the pres­ teristics: ence of the cemented till substrata. (d) Some soils in group are sub­ This severely limits the operations of ject to flooding because of septic tanks or drainfields that could low lying position (a) Imperfectly or poorly drained be used with buildings or recreational soils 77

;

(b) Silty clay or clay in the sur­ drainage and a very thick base course face soils Another way in which the drainage because of the wet clayey soils. basin soils affect the study area is in (c) Clay influence in subsoils the way they respond to management activities as these activities influence Soils Outside the Study Area the aesthetic qualities of the area. {d) Slopes range from 0 to 15 For example, some soils are very un­ percent (most commonly 0 to stable. Roads constructed on these 3 percent) These soils are within the Skagit River Drainage Basin but outside the soils result in large cutbank and fill study area boundary and therefore failures that produce unsightly scars These soils have limitations for have fewer impacts on planning. on the landscape. agricultural purposes because of While the soils within the study area are directly involved with proposed clayey textures, high water tables and The soils information for the drain­ flooding hazard. Many areas are sub­ developments, such as drainfields or age basin is presented in this report buildings; the soils outside are only ject to annual flooding because of at a very broad level, sufficient to re­ their low lying position adjacent to involved to the extent that they affect flect gross external influences upon water and aesthetics. How these soils streams. Even when not influenced by the study area. Soils are discussed as handle water, and how this may be stream overflow, water often stands three broad soil-and-landscape altered through logging and road con­ on the surface for parts of the year. groups. The soils and landscapes struction activities, has a major in­ Also, these soils are somewhat more within each group have some gross difficult to till than the other soils in fluence on the Skagit River and its similarities related to water quality tributaries. the valley because of the clayey tex­ and quantity, and visual impacts. tures. Because of these limitations, the soils are most suitable for summer pasture and hay. The agricultural Soils affect water in several ways. Soil Group 5 suitability can be considerably im­ By providing a source of sediment, proved by diking and drainage. they exert an influence on water qual­ ity. Some soils provide more sediment This group is primarily comprised than others and soils differ in the kind of rock outcrop, talus slopes, alpine These soils have severe limitations of sediment they produce. On many meadows, and perpetual snow and for most non-agricultural purposes soils the sediment discharged to ice. Landforms are the steep, rugged, unless extensive diking and draining streams can be significantly in­ rocky, high-elevation ridges and facilities are installed. They become creased by faulty management. Also, mountains. Soils are very intermittent very muddy in campgrounds and re­ since soils have different textures and and shallow. Where soils occur they quire surfacing in all use areas. The depths, they have different capacities are generally gravelly sandy loams. high water tables and flooding poten­ to store and release water. This com­ Timber is nonexistent or spotty and tial causes severe limitations for sep­ bined with total precipitation, the is primarily noncommercial. tic tanks, drainfields or sanitary land­ amount of snowfall and temperature fills. The flooding potential combined fluctuations, determines to a large with the moderately poor soil en­ extent the volume of water in the Since this group occurs mostly at gineering properties causes severe drainage basin at any given time. high elevations, most of the precipi­ limitations for buildings or industrial tation occurs as snow. Snowmelt dur­ development. Roads require frequent ing spring and summer months pro­ vides much of the summer flow in the 78

Skagit system. Also, the shallow inter­ drainage basin. The landscape is typi­ deep on the average, they will store mittent soils in this area have little fied by long steep slopes, ridges and considerably more water than will the capacity to store water other than in narrow valleys. soils in Group 5. Some of this water is the form of snow. Consequently, sum­ slowly released and contributes to mer rain rapidly runs off and further river flow for some time after the pre­ Because of the complex bedrock contributes to summer flow. cipitation ends. and glacial geology of the area, soil types occur in complex patterns and Most of the sediment contributed arrangements. Both shallow and deep The soils in Group 6 produce much from Group 5 is coarse material that soils occur and they are often inter­ of the sediment that ultimately does not remain in . These mingled. The deep soils are typically reaches the Skagit River. This sedi­ materials are primarily sands, silts gravelly loams or gravelly sandy ment is predominantly silts, sands, and gravels that are deposited into loams and are derived from glacial gravels and a minor amount of clays. the drainage system through debris till, glacial drift or colluvium. They Most contribute to the bedload with slides, soil creep and other forms of occur typically on midslopes and some remaining in suspension. erosion. This type of sediment rapidly toes lopes. drops out of suspension and does not Water quantity and quality can both significantly impair water quality. The shallow soils typically consist be significantly changed by manage­ of gravelly loams or gravelly sandy ment activities such as logging and A notable exception occurs at the loams and are underlain by various road construction. glacier headwaters of the Suiattle types of hard or moderately hard River. These glaciers have accumu­ metasedimentary, metamorphic, or granitic bedrock. Road construction and timber har­ lated a very heavy load of glacial vest activities disturb soil and in­ flour. Upon melting, this flour is dis­ crease the stream sedimentation po­ Group 6 is large and provides much charged into the Suiattle River where tential. This may not be especially of the watershed for the Skagit sys­ it remains in suspension causing the significant over small areas, but when tem. The precipitation occurs mostly water to become very turbid. extended over large areas it can be­ as snow at higher elevations and as come quite significant. Also, as the rain at lower elevations. Another major influence that Group road density increases, the negative 5 exerts on the study area is that it aesthetic impact on the study area provides very scenic background and This group provides much of the increases. is one of the primary contributors to water for river flow during the winter. the aesthetic qualities of the study While precipitation at higher eleva­ Soil Group 7 area. tions is in the form of snow that will contribute to spring flow, much of the precipitation at lower elevations falls Soil Group 7 occurs on timbered, Soil Group 6 either as rain or as snow that will steep unstable drainages and toe­ periodically melt during warm winter slopes. Soils are typically moderately periods. deep to deep, gravelly sandy clay or This group occupies the timbered, gravelly silty clay loams overlying steep, relatively stable sideslopes highly weathered metasedimentary that are prevalent over much of the Because these soils are moderately or schist bedrock. 79

A comparatively small percentage greatly increase the rate of slide ac­ dammed to reduce the damages of of the drainage basin is occupied by tivity. This affects the study area in flooding, representing still another Soil Group 7. However, because of the two ways. First, there is a substantial type of demand. nature of the group it exerts an in­ increase of suspended sediment fluence out of proportion to its size. reaching the Skagit causing a de­ The eastern portion of the Skagit Because these soils are comparative­ crease in water quality. Secondly, the basin (above Marblemount) is rugged, ly deep and fine textured, they have a large fillslope and cutslope failures mountainous territory, famous for its greater water holding capacity than occurring along roads considerably wilderness values. There are over other soils in the drainage basin. impair the scenic value of the area. 270 permanent glaciers in this part This water is slowly released and con­ of the basin. The terrain maintains its tributes to maintain summer base flow Water Resources mountainous character between Mar­ in the Skagit River. blemount and Sedro Woolley, but it As population increases and great­ is cut by broad, deep valleys, through These soils, although of compara­ er demands are placed upon a fixed which major rivers flow. Below Sedro tively small extent throughout the resource base, society is often forced Woolley the land levels out to a wide basin, contribute substantially to the into choosing from a number of com­ flood plain, leading to the fertile Ska­ suspended sediment load in the river peting uses those which will be satis­ git Flats, as the delta is locally known. system. The soils are unstable and fied and those which will not. There contribute sediment from landslides, are few areas in the nation which are The northwestern, central, and slough and other forms of mass wast­ so well endowed with any resource western portions of the basin are ing. The soils contain a high percen­ that they can base allocations on drained by the Skagit River; the Cas­ tage of clays and silts that remain demand alone. cade drains the east-central portion; suspended in water for long periods. the Sauk and Suiattle, the southeast No resource has a greater demand portion; and the north-central portion These soil particles are significant placed upon it, or from as many differ­ is drained by the Baker River. contributors to water pollution, as ent sources, as water. There are many bacteria tend to multiply in waters possible uses which can be made of The Skagit basin is the most exten­ carrying clay particles. Clays are that water. These uses can be grouped sive in the Puget Sound area, and portion of the soil which carry the into two classes, withdrawal and in­ experiences a wide variation in cli­ nutrients essential to sustain plant stream uses. Withdrawals are made mate. Precipitation occurs primarily life; since bacteria are plant life, they for domestic, commercial, industrial, as snowpack in the higher elevations. absorb the clay carrying nutrients and and agricultural purposes. lnstream Lodge has an average rapidly multiply. uses are those which do not require recorded snowfall of 530" and an water to be removed from the source, average rainfall of 108". Anacortes, and include power generation, re­ at the tip of , which is These soils are unstable in their creation, waste dilution, navigation, essentially at sea level, receives an undisturbed state. Natural debris, fish and wildlife. While not a use, average of 5.9" of snow annually, and slides and slumps occasionally occur flood control is increasingly exercised 26" of rain. Sedro Woolley, geo­ that deposit sediment into the stream over water resources in order to pre­ graphically in the middle, averages channels. The effects of road con­ vent damage to lives and property. 46" of "liquid sunshine" each year. struction and timber harvest can Thus many rivers are diked and Small wonder that the Skagit basin 80

produces more runoff than any other Hydrology first storm of the winter. Peak flows drainage in Puget Sound. occur primarily from October to March. Runoff generally decreases The average unit discharge varies during December to March as a result During the period 1931-1960, the throughout the Skagit River basin. of colder . Snow melt causes Skagit averaged an annual discharge This is primarily a reflection of the increased streamflow as tempera­ of 11.8 million acre-feet into Skagit topography and the direction of the tures begin to rise in April. Stream­ Bay. The significance of the Skagit's prevailing moisture-laden storm flow usually recedes to minimum tributaries can be seen from the fact winds. Unit discharges for various flows by the end of August, as the that, for the same period, its flow portions of the Skagit Basin are as snowpack is depleted. Discharge is averaged 4,418 cfs at Newhalem follows: sustained during the dry summer (above all tributaries) and 16,250 cfs months by contributions from ground­ at Mount Vernon, below the discharge Discharge per water storage and melting glaciers. point of all the tributaries. Area Square Mile in cfs Higher-than-natural flows occur Within the basin, lakes, dams, and Skagit River Water­ shed north of Inter­ during October through February be­ impoundments cover 40.9 square national Boundary 2.8 cause of regulation by the power­ miles, 1.3% of the basin's total area. production reservoirs on the upper Natural lakes cover 9.1 square miles, Skagit River at Skagit and the Baker River. Lower­ the remaining 31.8 square miles be­ Newhalem 3.8 than-natural flows occur during the ing impounded by hydro-electric spring months when the reservoirs reservoirs. The total surface area of Skagit River near Marblemount 4.2 are being filled. Minimum flows in glaciers in the Basin is about 63 the higher-elevation tributary streams square miles. These glaciers repre­ Cascade River usually occur in February or March sent a significant "reserve" water Watershed 6.2 while minimum flows in the lower­ storage supply. elevation tributary streams normally Sauk River Water­ occur in September. shed above the Approximately 120 miles of river Whitechuck 7.5 in the basin are considered usable for Major floods along the Skagit River boating. Literally hundreds of miles Entire Sauk-Suiattle and its tributaries occur predominate­ River System 6.1 of unnavigable streams and creeks ly as a result of warm rain storms with intermittent flows meander during the months of October through through the basin. Baker River Watershed 8.7 March. Rain-caused flood waters are often augmented by melted snow, From the roaring flow of the Skagit Entire Skagit particularly when the snow mantle in flood stage to the melodious gur­ River Basin 5.2 extends to low elevations prior to a gling of a small mountain stream, the warm rainfall. Spring and summer Skagit basin exhibits a vast potential The volume of flow of the Skagit floods are caused by snow melt. They usually are not severe and cause for meeting the diverse water re­ and some of its major tributaries usu­ source demands of people. ally begins to increase in September little damage. or October with the advent of the 81

The more productive groundwater fluence on the Skagit River system. The streams beyond the study aquifers occur in the lowland areas of Melting glaciers left in their wake boundaries are characterized by the Skagit and basins. broad, relatively flat Li-shaped valley many rapids and cascades in propor­ These lowland aquifers lie in the bottoms. These valleys extend up­ tion to pools and flats. Streambed deep, coarser alluvial deposits be­ stream to Newhalem on the Skagit gradients increase rapidly upstream neath the river flood plains. Outwash and upstream on the Sauk River to beyond the study boundaries. Chan­ deposits in upstream areas may also Darrington. The Skagit River valley nel scour and long-term degradation contain local high-yielding aquifers. floor flattens into a broad delta near is characteristic of many of the steep Virtually all recharge to the lowland Sedro Woolley. Meanders and oxbows tributary stream courses. aquifers is by infiltration of precipita­ are characteristic of the river down­ tion. Much of this recharge infiltrates stream from Hamilton. Pronounced into and percolates through the water­ meandering also occurs upstream bearing sediments where they thin out, between Hamilton and Van Horn, at or near the mountain uplands, and again from Rockport to Marblemount, lap onto older consolidated rocks. and to river mile 4.0 on the Sauk There is some recharge from small River. The river reaches from Marble­ tributary streams where they inter­ mount to Bacon Creek, and on the sect these sediments. Significant re­ Sauk River from approximately river charge of lowland aquifers from the mile 4.5 to 8.0, are relatively broad adjacent Skagit and Samish Rivers is and straight with deep fast-flowing doubtful due to the impermeability of water. riverbed sediments. The Cascade and Suiattle Rivers, Increased urbanization could affect and the Sauk River upstream from the hydrology of the Skagit River ba­ river mile 8.0 to the study boundary sin. The major effects of urbaniza­ are characterized by much deposition tion include sealing off groundwater of bedload and woody debris. These recharge areas and accelerating deposits often cause braided chan­ storm-water run-off. Disruption of nels. Channel scour and fill occurs natural drainage patterns by land seasonally and even daily during peak management and road construction flow conditions. This often changes activities can also be of major signifi­ the position of riffles, flats and pools cance. These and other soi 1-distu rb­ and their proportion, one to another. ing construction activities can cause Straighter, deeper and narrower both and stream sedi­ channel reaches are interspersed mentation. with these aggraded and braided channels. Relatively swift current and bouldery channel bottoms are char­ River Morphology acteristic of these reaches.

Glaciation has exerted a major in- 82 HISTORY OF THE SKAGIT RIVER BASIN

Pre-Settlement Era Contact between the Skagit River they turned to cash crops, and in Indians and white men was almost 1864, the first of many phenomenal nil until 1855, when the Indian Treaty The first recorded inhabitants of the grain harvests was taken from the was signed at Point Elliott. The settle­ Skagit River Basin were tribes be­ tidal mud flats. ment era was generally peaceful. Only longing to the Salish group of Indians. once, in 1880, were troops sent up These early citizens lived in small the Skagit River, and that incident permanent villages of cedar plank News of the Skagit grain harvests ended with no serious encounters. houses, built in favorable locations caused an influx of land-seekers. Once settlement began, the white along the principal rivers in the basin. Soon, all the open land was gone; man's diseases, against which the late arrivals had to clear wooded There were several different tribes Salish had no natural resistence, land, and construct many dikes and in the Skagit basin. They shared a quickly decimated their numbers. The ditches to protect their fields. Al­ common language and customs, but last remnants were finally crowded each tribe occupied its own territory. though the work was hard, these into a shack village far up the swift early settlers persevered and grain Suiattle River. A few of the Indians became the principal crop in the The Skagit River Indians were were granted land allotments there, Skagit delta. Granaries were built never populous; best estimates place but the village eventually disappeared. along the sloughs, where shallow their total number at about 2,000. draft steamers picked up the crop for export. Today, about 800 Salish remain, The tribes were peaceful, living many of them of mixed blood. Not off the bounty of the land. Fish was all of that number live in the basin; Settlement of the lower reaches the staple of their diet. Coastal tribes of those who do, most live on reser­ forced late arrivals farther upstream augmented their food supply with vations. to seek land. Since there were no clams, crabs, oysters, edible bulbs roads or trails, upriver transit was and berries. Upriver tribes had fewer Development Period accomplished by Indian dugou1 such easily acquired natural foods, . Upstream progress was and consequently hunted for wild blocked by a series of giant natural meat. None of the tribes did any farm­ The process of white settlement in log jams, beginning near the site of ing. They were loosely allied with the the Skagit River basin began about present-day Mount Vernon, and ex­ Noo-wha-ah Indians of the Samish 1855, concurrent with the signing of tending upstream for a mile and-a­ River valley for defense against raid­ the Indian Treaty. half. ing tribes from the British coast, but otherwise led an isolated existence. The initial thrust of settlers moved The "Big Jam," as it was called, up the forks of the Skagit in canoes posed a formidable obstacle to up­ and small boats. Homesteads were stream development. The portage Their chief mode of transportation staked on the river's ban ks, with around the Big Jam was long and was the river, over which they trav­ open, untimbered land claimed first. arduous. Passage directly over the eled in cedar canoes, fashioned from The early settlers raised subsistence Jam was dangerous, since in some a single log. A few of these canoes crops for their own consumption. As spots the surface had sprouted new still exist, mostly in local museums. their efforts at land clearing, ditching vegetation, deceptively masquerading and diking began to show results, as solid land while the river currents 83

ran underneath, ready to sweep away taurant as well as a saloon. Naviga­ true wealth than the once-crowded anyone unfortunate enough to fall tion occasionally reached farther up­ gold fields upriver. through a hole. stream as in 1903 when the Black Gold was first reported on the Prince reached a point one mile Skagit in 1858 by prospectors return­ above Bacon Creek. ing from the abortive Fraser River Pressure for the Jam's removal gold rush. Traveling upstream as far grew as the downstream population as Baker River, the men reportedly increased. By 1873, citizens of Skagit found gold on gravel bars, although City, the center of a booming logging As new farmers poured into the not in sufficient quantities to hold industry on the South Fork, began to Basin, a change took place in farming them. organize for the removal of the Big practices. Although cereal grains Jam. Stating that the Big Jam was were still a major crop (so much so that Skagit County once boasted the the key to development of the upper Prospecting next occurred in 1872, heaviest oats yield per acre of any valley, they petitioned Congress, in when a miner found a ruby on Ruby county in the United States) many 1874, for funds to finance its removal. Creek, at a point now inundated by farmers began raising garden seed. . In 1875, four settlers from They proved so successful at this new the Skagit delta prospected near A government agent estimated the kind of farming that Skagit County Marblemount, and one of them took cost of clearing th'e Big Jam at soon produced 95% of the nation's up a claim near the junction of the $100,000. Congress apparently did not cabbage seed. Another new crop was Baker River and the Skagit. consider the money a good invest­ , used in brewing beer. This crop ment, since it ignored the settler's was quite prevalent until about 1906. petition. Finally, in 1876, the settlers As the once-rich soils became de­ Two years later, a party of five set decided to clear the Big Jam them­ pleted from constant one-crop pro­ up sluice boxes in Ruby Creek. By selves. It was a monumental under­ duction, and as horses were being 1879, their luck was good enough to taking; particularly since only hand replaced by tractors and "tin lizzies," trigger the first gold rush in the North tools.-axes, saws and peavies.-were basin farmers were forced to turn to Cascades. By late 1879, it was re­ available. The work took three years. crop rotation and dairy farming. ported that 5,000 men were at work Those who cleared the Big Jam re­ in the Skagit gold fields. ceived little pay. Most of the timber was too rotton to have any commer­ Delta farms are protected by an cial value; the only real compensa­ extensive dike system, started in the A great fever of development and tion the workers received was the 1860's. The last major dike construc­ exploration seized the basin. Towns satisfaction of doing the nearly tion job on the ended in such as Ruby City-which was platted impossible. 1946, but the structures are con­ while the ground was covered with stantly being repaired, improved and 20 feet of snow-were planned, and modified. There is a movement cur­ mining companies with stock issues Once the Big Jam was cleared, rently afoot to raise the existing dikes up to a million dollars were formed. many shallow draft steamboats moved in the event federal funds ever be­ Then came the bust. in to carry settlers, loggers and min­ come available. It is doubtful, there­ ers upstream. Under most conditions, fore, that the diking system will ever the river boats were able to steam be "finished"; protecting, as it does, Within a year, it was conceded that upriver to Marblemount which, during the rich agricultural lands which, over gold simply did not exist in profitable quantities in the Skagit Basin. The this period, boasted a hotel and res- the long haul, have produced more Puget Sound Mail announced frankly is said by its owner, Rocky Wilson, internal combustion engines in the on October 30, 1880, that "the Ruby to contain deposits of gold, silver, 1920's. Logs were dragged with gold rush was over, and that it had zinc, lead and tin. cables slung along the ground until been a failure." 1915, when the more efficient high lead (spar tree) system was intro­ Aside from a few such surv1v1ng duced. Although logs were rafted Some miners stayed behind and operations, the mining era served down the river as late as 1959, larger continued to work out a few dollars more to open the basin to settlement companies developed a system of of gold dust, but on the average, few than to line its pockets with gold. logging railroads to transport the logs men had come out with more than a Mingling with the rush of prospectors either from the woods to the rafting thousand dollars in dust. Those who were the farmers and the loggers, point, or directly to the mill. In the showed the most profits were miners whose steadier vocations ultimately early 1920's, logging trucks, moving who sold their claims at the height formed the economic base for Skagit over rough, narrow roads, began to of the fever. County. replace the railroads, and by virtue of the lower cost of trucks and truck Hard-rock miners came to the basin Loggers and farmers rode the river roads, had replaced rail haul by 1940. in the 1890's; big companies with steamers part way up the Skagit, then plenty of capital to invest. But even disembarked to reap the abundant Trucks, which phased out the old these long-term investments failed to resources of the land. This wave of logging railroads, also had their im­ uncover any significant deposits, and immigration, coupled with the influx pact on steamboat traffic on the in 1897-98, the basin was abandoned of gold seekers, proved so great that Skagit. Steamboats, which once car­ for the richer promises of the Klon­ in 1889, railroads were brought to the ried freight and passengers on a reg­ basin. In that year three lines were dike. ular schedule between Mount Vernon, built into the Skagit River valley. Sedro Woolley, and points upstream, These lines later merged into the as well as from rail's end at Hamilton Only one success story was re­ Great Northern and Northern Pacific to the now-vanished Sauk City, were ported during this period; the Coke­ lines, which in turn became the Bur­ discontinued in 1928; railroads, high­ dale Mine. This coal mine was located lington Northern in 1970. By 1901, ways, trucks and automobiles had re­ four miles northeast of Sedro Woolley. the rails had reached Rockport. The placed the river as a travel route, It started operations in 1891, pro­ railroads spurred development in the although there was still boat service duci ng enough coal at one time to valley, and for years, every incoming between Mount Vernon and Seattle keep 50 coke ovens busy. The mine train had its load of new settlers. closed in 1921, ending, with a few until 1960. exceptions, the story of mining in the Skagit River Basin. Logging was the principal indus­ As steamboat traffic vanished and try in the Skagit River valley during roads moved farther inland, the river Some limited mining occurs in the this era (1890-1930), and, despite a underwent other changes--princi­ basin today. Among this small group decline, is significant yet today. Dur­ pally, the harnessing of its current to is the Silver Queen Mine on the South ing the early settlement period, oxen electric turbines. Fork of the Cascade River. This mine, and horses were used to skid the logs. operated by the Washington Natural They were replaced in the 1890's by In 1918, the City of Seattle secured Resources Development Corporation, steam donkeys, which gave way to 85 SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS

a permit for hydropower development Population in 1970, nearly equaling Island's on the Skagit, and the following year growth with an elevenfold rate. began construction of a 25-mile rail­ At the other extreme is San Juan road to supply the construction of the Population in the five-county area County, which had 2,900 residents in Gorge Dam. The first generator at the has experienced a sporadic, though 1900 and 3,800 in 1970. Gorge plant was installed in 1924, always increasing growth. Over the the fourth and final one in 1951. last 70 years, population has climbed from 67, 100 in 1900, to 430,400 in Both Whatcom and Skagit counties Diablo Dam, which is a short 1 distance upstream from Gorge Dam, was com­ 1970, an increase of 641 % . This com­ have tripled their population during pleted in 1930, and Ross Dam in pares to 658% for the state as a whole the 70-year period, illustrating the 1949. Road construction done in con­ during the same period. A population less spectacular growth of agricul­ junction with the dam construction of 610,300 is forecast for the area in ture-forestry dominated economics. made feasible the North Cascades 1985. Highway, opened in September 1972. Population projections indicate that This highway makes possible, for the However, growth rate has not been the established growth patterns will first time, direct access from the consistent in all counties. Island and continue for each county; spectacu­ Skagit River Valley to the lands lying Snohomish counties have expe­ lar population increase in Island and east of the Cascade Mountains. rienced the most spectacular growth Snohomish counties, a small but rates. Island County's population regular growth in Whatcom and The North Cascades Highway will jumped from 1,800 in 1900 to 27,000 Skagit, and very little change in San have more than a regional impact, in 1970, a fifteenfold increase. Sno­ Juan. however. Thousands of tourists an­ homish County, the industrial center nually pass over this scenic new road, of the five-county zone, has increased presaging yet another boom in the from 24,000 people in 1900, to 265,000 beautiful Skagit River Valley. TABLE 111-3 POPULATION STATISTICS 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980* 1985*

Island 1,870 4,704 5,489 5,369 6,098 11,079 19,638 27,011 35,818 40,865 San Juan 2,928 3,603 3,605 3,097 3,157 3,245 2,872 3,856 4,105 4,234 SKAGIT 14,272 29,241 33,373 35,142 37,650 43,273 51,350 52,381 61,731 67,022 Snohomish 23,950 59,209 67,690 78,861 88,754 111,580 172,199 265,231 349,286 398,667 Whatcom 24,116 49,511 50,600 59,128 60,355 66,733 70,317 81,950 93,296 99,593

Five-County Total 67, 136 126,268 160,757 181,597 196,014 235,910 316,176 430,434 544,236 610,381 State 518, 103 1,141,990 1,356,621 1,563,396 1,736, 191 2,378,963 2,853,214 3,409, 161 4,113,764 4,519,021 Nation 152,271,000 180,684,000 207,959,714 235,212,000 Source: 1900-1960 1rom Schmid, Calvin F., et.al., Pop­ National statistics (except 1970) from Water ulation Forecasts, State of Washington, 1965- Resources Council, "Proposed Principles and '1980 and 1985 are based upon the estimates in Schmid, 1985, Olympia. Department of Commerce and Standards for Planning Water and Related et.al., but revised based upon discrepancies between Economic Development, 1966. Land Resources," Federal Register, Vol. 36, the actual and pro1ected 1970 figures (McGuire). 1970 from U. S. Bureau of the Census, 1970 No. 245, Tuesday, Dec. 21, 1971. Census of Population, Advance Report, PC (V2)-49. Washington, GPO, 1971. 86

Economic Base sons employed in basic industry had The Puget Sound and Adjacent declined to 6,930. Waters Study predicts the Skagit­ Samish basin population will increase During the settlement era, the econ­ by roughly 30% between 1953 and Within the five-county area, Snoho­ omy of the five-county area was pre­ mish County-with the industrial city 1985, to 69,800. It foresees 86,500 dominantly based on basic industries people in the basin by 2000, and of Everett-constitutes the major -agriculture, forestry, fishing and employment center. Over half the 118,200 by 2020. The Washington mining. State Census Board roughly corre­ total labor force in the five counties lates this prediction with a predicted is employed in Snohomish County. 1985 maximum of 610,000 for the By 1940, the first year for which Whatcom County is the second lar­ five-county area, a 158% increase, employment data is available, these gest employment center, with Belling­ most of which would be felt in Island industries had begun to decline in ham providing most jobs. However, and Snohomish counties. importance. In that year basic indus­ Whatcom County's percentage of total try em ployed 13,419 out of a total employment has steadily declined as labor force of 60,065. By indicated in Table 111-5. The concensus of predictions is of 1970, the labor force had increased that Skagit County, the heart of the to 135,180, while the number of per- study area, can anticipate a 30% pop­ ulation increase by 1985, with regular 1 2 growth thereafter. Table 111-3 summa­ TABLE 111-4 PER CENT URBAN POPULATION BY COUNTY , rizes the population statistics and projections formulated by the State of 1900 1910 1930 1950 1960 1970:3 Washington, upon which this discus­ 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 20.1 33.9 sion is based. Island San Juan 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 The rural-urban proportion is pre­ SKAGIT 0.0 14.3 36.9 35.7 44.8 46.4 sented in Table 111-4. Most of Wash­ ington's population lives in urban Snohomish 32.7 47.4 42.2 33.1 41.6 71.7 areas, and the five counties generally reflect this urban centralization. It Whatcom 45.9 49.1 52.1 51.1 52.9 48.6 should be noted, however, that within 40.8 53.0 56.6 53.6 54.2 72.6 the study area proper, the only urbani­ State zation is taking place north of Mount Vernon. Study area residents live in a JSchmid. Calvin F., and Schmid, Stanton E. Growth of rural or rural village setting. Large Cities and Towns: State of Washington. Olympia: Wash­ ington State Planning and Community Affairs Agency, urban concentrations lie outside the 1969 Skagit basin and the study area, and represent a significant departure from :.!Pre-1950 definition of "urban'' and "rural" was used to the life style of area residents. allow comparability of data.

JTable 43. General Social and Economic Characteristics, Washington. U.S. Census of Population. 1970. Bureau of the Census. 87

TABLE 111-5 TOTAL EMPLOYMENT AND PROJECTIONS FIVE COUNTY AREA, 1940-2020

Employment (Thousands) Per Cent of Total

County 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 2000 2020 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 2000 2020

Island 1.8 4.3 7.4 11.5 17.1 24.6 3.0 5.2 6.8 8.3 8.3 7.0

San Juan 1.1 1.2 .9 .9 1.3 1.7 1.8 1.5 .8 .7 .6 .6

SKAGIT 11.4 14.0 17.4 16.1 19.4 25.7 34.4 18.9 17.4 16.0 12.8 14.1 12.5 11 .1

Snohomish 26.9 37.8 58.6 78.9 80.1 125.9 202.6 45.0 47.3 54.2 62.9 58.0 61.5 65.3

Whatcom 18.9 23.0 24.1 30.5 26.2 34.9 46.9 31.3 28.6 22.0 24.3 18.9 17.1 15.1

TOTAL 60.1 80.3 108.5 125.5 138.1 204.8 310.3 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

Source: App. IV. PS&AW; Employment Security Depart- ment Statistics. State of Washington. *Included 1n Skagit and Snohomish statistics TABLE 111-6 EMPLOYMENT COMPOSITION AND PROJECTIONS FIVE COUNTY AREA, 1940-2020

Employment (Thousands) Per Cent of Total

Category 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 2000 2020 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 2000 2020

Agric., For., Fish, Mining 13.4 13.1 8.6 6.9 8.3 6.8 5.8 22.3 16.3 7.9 7.0 6.0 3.3 1.9

Manufacturing 15.9 18.2 25.8 34.1 39.5 64.8 113.4 26.8 22.9 24.0 34.8 28.6 31.6 36.5

Construction 2.8 5.8 8.6 6.4 9.9 12.9 15.9 4.6 7.2 7.9 6.5 7.2 6.3 5.1

Trans., Comm., PU 3.8 5.8 7.1 5.7 5.9 4.9 3.8 6.3 7.1 6.5 5.8 4.3 2.4 1.2

Trade 9.8 15.0 20.5 23.2 30.7 44.3 61.0 16.4 18.7 18.8 23.7 22.2 21.6 19.6

Services 11 .4 15.4 25.9 N/A 23.2 39.3 63.4 19.0 19.2 24.1 N/A 16.8 19.2 20.5

Government 1.8 5.9 9.8 21.5 20.6 31.9 47.0 2.9 7.2 8.9 21.9 14.9 15.6 15.2

Source: App. IV, PS&AW: Employment Security Depart- ment Statistics, State of Washington. 88

LAND USE PATTERNS

ic conditions in the Puget Sound area. Ownership Skagit County, the heart of the Extractive industrial employment is study area, employs about fifteen per­ down due to mechanization and a cent of the total five-county work general decline in mining and com­ Land ownership within the study force. Employment in the county is mercial fishing. area falls into five general categories: concentrated in Anacortes and in the federal, state, county, forest industry Mount Vernon-Sedro Woolley com­ and private holdings. plex. Since the closing of the cement It appears that, within the five­ plant at Concrete, the upriver area county area employment is following provides only a few hundred jobs, the national trend; more work in in­ The U. S. Forest Service adminis­ mostly in the forestry and forest prod­ dustry and trade, less in the extrac­ ters the largest acreage under fed­ ucts industry. tive industries. eral stewardship. Shorelines totaling 17,526 acres of the study area lie within the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie Island and San Juan Counties to­ National Forest. These lands lie in the gether provide employment for less upper reaches of the Sauk, Suiattle than ten percent of the area work and Cascade Rivers. There is no force. Forest Service administered land along the Skagit River within the study area. In addition to the Forest Projections are for Snohomish Service, the Bureau of Land Manage­ County to employ an ever-increasing ment administers 36 small tracts total­ percentage of the five-county work ing 450.12 acres within the study area. force, while the remaining four coun­ These lands vary in size from 1/3- ties provide a smaller and smaller acre to 80 acres and are primarily percentage of available jobs. located on islands in the rivers. The Bureau also administers 23 tracts, Median family income for the area totaling 316.72 acres in size, lying rose from $3,058 in 1950 to $9,300 in within one mile of the study rivers. 1970. This represents an increase of 204 percent, above the national aver­ The State of Washington owns age of 199 percent. This figure is be­ 1,870 acres of forest land within the low the $10,037 family income for study area, administered by its De­ the West in the same year, however. partment of Natural Resources. The State Department of Game controls Composition of the employment a 50-foot railroad right-of-way on the market for the area is displayed in north bank of the Skagit between Table 111-6. It can be readily seen from Concrete and Rockport. This 11-mile this Table that manufacturing, trade strip of land is significant in terms of and government are the only employ­ public access. The Department con­ ment fields in which the trend is trols 12 additional sites, totaling 56.18 continuing upward. Construction is acres, through use agreements. It in decline due to the present econom- 89

owns 500 acres in the area of Barnaby Interstate Highway 5 is the main follows the west bank to Darrington. Slough, with over 2 miles of river artery on the west side of the moun­ A gravel road follows the west bank frontage. The Department of Fisheries tains. This road will ultimately provide from Rockport to Government Bridge, owns approximately 90 acres of land four and six-lane freeway travel from six miles upstream. Beyond Govern­ administered in conjunction with the Canada to Mexico. In Washington, ment Bridge the only west side travel operation of the Skagit River and it is already near completion; one­ is over a powerline maintenance jeep Samish River fish hatcheries. Hold­ way non-stop travel is a reality from trail which rejoins the highway near ings by private forest industries with­ Vancouver, B. C., to Vancouver, Darrington. Upstream from Darring­ in the study area total 10,870 acres Washington. 1-5 crosses the study ton, Forest Service Road 322 follows of land. These lands are managed for area at its western edge; its Skagit the east bank of the Sauk to the South commercial timber harvest, and are River bridge marks the lower limit of Fork, and then up the east bank of the generally open to the public. the study. The presence of this road South Fork to Highway 92 mentioned makes the study area readily avail­ above. The west bank of the Sauk has able to interstate traffic year-around. a road from Darrington to the White The balance of the 53,000 acre Chuck River; this road, number 3211, study area-Some 22,000 acres--is is scheduled for upgrading to two­ in private ownership and varies from Four paved roads lead into the lane paved status. Beyond the White productive agricultural lands to quar­ eastern portion of the study area. Chuck, Road 3113, a logging road, ter-acre recreational lots. Ownership Highway 92 leaves 1-5 at Marysville follows the west bank of the Sauk for within the study area is summarized and connects with Forest Road 322 two miles before turning up-country. below. on the South Fork of the Sauk near Monte Cristo, just outside the study Ownership area. Highway 530 exits from 1-5 near The North Fork of the Sauk is par­ Acres % Arlington and follows the North Fork alleled by only one road, Number 308, U.S. Government 17,970 33.9 of the to Darring­ which leads to the Glacier Peak Wild­ State of Washington 2,460 4.7 ton, which lies within the study area. erness and managed timber stands Forest Industry 10,870 20.5 The South Skagit Highway, a County in the Sloan Creek drainage. Private 21,700 40.9 road, follows the Skagit River on its south bank from Clear Lake to a point TOTAL 53,000 100.0 The Suiattle River is bracketed by across the river from Van Horn as a roads number 345 and 325. Road 345 paved road, and on up to Marble­ follows the north bank from the mouth Transportation and Utility Routes mount with an all-weather gravel sur­ to the Wilderness; 325 from the Forest face. Highway 20 parallels the Skagit boundary to the Wilderness. There is on the north bank, from Mount Ver­ The Cascade Mountains run north­ a system of unimproved private log­ non to the old road's end at Thunder south at the eastern extremity of the ging roads reaching the south bank study area. These mountains consti­ Creek, near Ross Dam, and now of the Suiattle at several points near across the Cascades to Winthrop. tute a massive natural barrier to east­ its mouth in Sauk Prairie. west traffic. Consequently, traffic patterns in the coastal strip of Wash­ The Sauk River is paralleled on its ington state are most intensively de­ The Cascade River is paralleled on east bank by a paved road from Rock­ the north by Road 3528 from its mouth veloped for north-south travel, par­ port to the mouth of the Suiattle, alleling the mountains. to Mineral Park. Road 3404 then con­ where the road crosses the river and tinues up the South Fork to the trail- 90

head near the junction of the South This extension of Highway 20, for the have yet to be agreed upon by th6 Fork and Middle Fork. The south bank first time, connects the east and west Forest Service, State of Washington of the Cascade has a network of pri­ slopes of the Cascades by a road. and Federal Highway Administration. vate logging roads which extends Marblemount on the west slope is Hopefully, this project will be well set nearly to the Forest boundary. linked to Winthrop on the east. The back from any system rivers, and will highway traverses some of the most be designed for low speed pleasure scenic mountain terrain on the North The Cascade is crossed by four driving rather than as a high speed American continent. Vast numbers of bridges, the Sauk by eight, the transportation facility. travelers are expected to use this new Suiattle by two, and the Skagit by two facility each year; as an east-west gas pipelines, two railroad bridges travel route, as a recreational expe­ Figure Ill-A shows the existing and by six highway bridges. rience in itself, and for access to the transportation uti I ities system. heretofore "closed" mountain region. One point must be clarified con­ It is impossible to predict the de­ Agriculture cerning the relationship between mands and stresses which will be roads and rivers. Although all of the placed on the study area by this new rivers are paralleled by roads, the route. Even the most conservative Of the 1,776,000 surface acres in roads very seldom lie immediately ad­ analysts, however, acknowledge that the Skagit River basin, approximately jacent to the river. In al I cases, there the North Cascades Highway will 53,000 acres are devoted to range­ are long stretches where the road swamp the scanty facilities presently land and crops. Farmlands are pri­ and river diverge both horizontally available for food, lodging and marily located in the river flood plain. and vertically. Within these stretches recreation. The majority of agricultural activity the two entities are visually blocked is found in the low, flat, fertile delta of from each other by distance, grade, the Skagit River, well outside the The second road plan nearing or vegetation. At other points the two study area. Some good cropland does completion is the Mountain Loop are visually Ii n ked, although the phy­ lie in the study area, however, since Highway. This scenic route is de­ sical distance separating them mea­ a narrow belt extends up the river signed as a day-outing for motorists sures several hundred feet. Points along the north bank to , from the Seattle metropolitan area. where rivers and roads converge and about six miles downstream from Leaving 1-5 at Marysville, travelers lie adjacent to each other are, in fact, Concrete. will proceed east on Highway 92 up rare except for Highway 20 above the South Fork of the Stillaguamish Marblemount, where the two lie within River to Forest Road 322 near Monte During the development period, a hundred feet of each other for most Cristo. They will follow 322 (paved farmlands were generally worked for of the distance. two-lane) down the South Fork of the family consumption crops, with oats Sauk to the White Chuck Bridge, raised as a . Skagit County Two current road construction cross over and go on to Darrington still claims to hold the world record plans will have significant impact on over Road 3211 (paved two-lane) for oats production per acre, earned the study rivers. and return to 1-5 on Highway 530, during this period. As horses were which follows the North Fork of the replaced by machines, production in Stillaguamish. The scheduled com­ the basin shifted from cereal grains The first is the North Cascades pletion date of th is road is not firm, to dairy farming and to growing vege­ Highway, opened in September 1972. since location and design standards tables, berries and vegetable seeds T.57M.

MT. BAKER R.5E. ------R.4E R.15E.

1:31N. T.J&N.

+ PARK T. Sf5N. T.HN.

T.UN. 'tHilt.

0.4£. R.5 [.

T.52N. ---- Fig.III- A

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T.Htl T.Htrt. tor the commercial market. The basin TABLE 111-7 FARMS, LAND IN FARMS, AND LAND USE: produces 90% of the United States' supply of cabbage seed and half the 1969 and 1964, SKAGIT COUNTY garden beet seed supply. Large volumes of turnip and rutabaga seeds 1969 1964 are also produced. Yet most of the All farms .... number 1.050 1.540 cropland in the basin is devoted to raising forage in support of dairy Land in farms ...... acres 116,925 136,425 cattle. Table 111-7 shows general farm Average size of farm ...... acres 111.3 88.6 statistics for 1964 and 1969. Approximate land area . acres 1, 110, 144 1,110,450 Proportion in farms percent 10.5 12.2 The acreage of farmland is expect­ ed to increase by 15% in the basin Value of land and buildings dollars 103,608,642 (NA) by 2020 (PS & AW). Basic to this pro­ Average per farm dollars 98,674 51,000 Average per acre .. jection is the assumption that future dollars 886.11 605.23 population growth will be confined Land in Farms According to Use to existing urban areas, and to lands unsuited for agricultural production. Total cropland farms 966 1,390 The validity of this assumption is acres 87,536 86,205 questionable, since flat, agricultural Harvested cropland farms 725 1, 122 land is amazingly easy to convert to acres 62,217 58,767 high-density housing areas, and has Number of farms by acres harvested: rapidly undergone such conversion 1 to 9 acres 154 358 10 to 19 acres ...... in recent years. 102 239 20 to 29 acres 74 103 30 to 49 acres 90 128 Skagit County's Comprehensive 50 to 99 acres 122 141 100 to 199 acres Plan, 1968, offers the following ob­ 100 95 200 to 499 acres 66 47 servation on land use changes in the 500 to 999 acres 14 9 county. "The pressure to cover prime 1,000 acres and over 3 2 agricultural land in this county with residential subdivisions will tend to Cropland used only for pasture increase. If permitted, schools, ser­ or grazing farms 599 943 vice stations, and shopping centers acres 21,735 24,738 All other cropland will follow the new homes on into the farms 93 (NA) acres 3,584 2,700 suburbs and areas that are now farm­ Woodland including woodland pasture farms 400 707 lands. In addition to being best suited acres 17,635 32,208 to agricultural uses, these areas, be­ All other land farms 616 (NA) cause of flood hazard, high water acres 11,754 17,994 table, and surface drainage problems Irrigated land farms 80 57 should remain in agricultural use. acres 6,108 4,000 It will be necessary to judiciously Source 1969 Census of Agriculture - County Data 93

Photo 1 - An oxbow on the Skagit River near Nookachamps Photo 2 - The same oxbow thirty years later. In this 1971 Creek. This picture was taken in 1941. Note the agricultural picture the agricultural land has been totally eroded away. land on the east (right) side of the peninsula. Note the new main channel, gravel bar and backwater created. 94

control future land uses so that prime river. The timbered land, however, facilitates the economical export of soi/ in the agricultural sections is not has thus far withstood the eroding basin timber to plants outside the needlessly taken out of agricultural currents. Many other such examples basin, i.e., Bellingham, Everett, et al. production. If permitted, urban spra~I could be cited, to illustrate the pro­ can take a tragic toll of a substantial blem of bank erosion. portion of Skagit County's land and Recent studies (PS & AW) indicate economy." that 17% of the commercial forest land within the basin will be con­ Forestry verted to uses other than timber­ Because the combined effects of producing by the year 2020, if current soil suitability and geography confine Within the Skagit-Samish River ba­ trends continue unchecked. farms to the low, flat flood plains, sins, 757r of the land - 1,754,000 farms in the basin are seriously af­ acres - is forested. Of that land, fected by the two annual flood sea­ This conversion roughly parallels 697c, or 976,080 acres, is classified sons. Floods occur in late fall and the anticipated conversion rate of as available timber land. An addition­ winter, due to the precipitation falling commercial forest land elsewhere in al 375,000 acres of forest land is in during those months, and again in the the Puget Sound basin. Consequently, permanent reserve, either as National late spring as the snowpack rapidly the basin will still contain about 17% Parks or as Wilderness. melts in the mountains. of Puget Sound's commercial forest land in 2020; however, the total acreage will be reduced in size. This But even with these significant In the Skagit-Samish basin, a total reduction will necessitate the inten­ withdrawals, the basin is abundantly of 155 353 acres is subject to flood sive management of all remaining endowed with forest resources. Within damag'e. Of those acres, 90,439 are commercial forest lands to meet a the basin there are 834,730 acres of either cropland or potential cropland. consumption demand amounting to commercial forest land capable of The extent of existing flood control 187% of the 1965 level (See Table producing forest products on a con­ structures, and various proposals for 111-8). more effective flood control are thor­ tinuing basis. These lands have a oughly discussed in the flood control current timber inventory of 23.6 bil­ section, and can be reviewed there. lion board feet. The basin has 17% of Material imported to Puget Sound the commercial forest land in the comes predominantly from two Puget Sound area, and 23British Columbia. The com­ age, farmers adjacent to the river area there are 38,510 acres of for­ petition for timber in both of these suffer losses of agricultural land as ested land, with 550 million board feet areas is on the increase, making it the river erodes banks or changes of conifer and hardwood timber. more expensive for the area to import channels. Photos 1 and 2 illustrate its wood material. As a result, the this problem. Photo 1 is an aerial predictions are for a decrease in At present, the basin contains 12 photo of an oxbow near Nooka­ importation, from 38% of the total sawmills, 2 plywood plants and a champs Creek taken in 1941; note the sawtimber requirements in 1962, to paper mill. These industries have a farmland on the east (right) side. 25% by 2020. Photo 2 is an aerial of the same piece total daily demand of 600 MBF, peak­ of land, taken in 1971. The farm land ing to about 1,000 MBF. In addition, has been totally eroded away by the the existing transportation system 95

This loss of raw material will be all occur within the basin. There are 124 publicly-adminis­ met, in part, by a 260% increase in tered recreation sites in the basin. the utilizations of plant residues, in­ Seventy-eight of that number are creasing from 130 million cubic feet The Skagit River steelhead fishing, federally administered, 34 are State in 1965, to 335 million by 2020. the beauty of Ross, Diablo and Baker operated, and 12 are owned by cities. Lakes, and the many splendid views of nearby mountains are all prime The balance of wood consumption attractions to tourists. must be met by timber production within the Puget Sound area. To pre­ dict whether the demand will be satis­ TABLE 111-8 CURRENT AND PROJECTED COMMERCIAL FOREST AREA fied is speculative at best. Table 111-9, IN THE SKAGIT-SAM/SH BASINS 1968-2020 extracted from Appendix V of the Puget Sound and Adjacent Waters Ownership (In Thousand Acres) Study, probably makes the specula­ tion as accurately as is possible. It Private Public predicts, based on a projection of the Other existing conditions in the Puget Period Large Medium Small NF Federal Other Total Sound area, that the demand for tim­ ber in 2020 will exceed the supply 1965 101.6 9.1 187.3 386.5 63.1 87.1 834.7 (both local and import) by some 39 million cubic feet. 1980 106.9 9.1 172.8 322.1 61.3 85.6 757.8 2000 117.9 9.0 145.8 318.5 60.4 83.8 735.4

Timber harvest within the study area, 2020 121.8 8.8 122.9 314.1 59.6 81.8 709.0 and future trends, is fully discussed in the Forestry portion of the Resource Use Section, which appears later in TABLE 111-9 this Chapter. SUMMARY OF TIMBER SUPPLY AND DEMAND FOR THE PUGET SOUND AREA, 1980-2020 Public Recreation (Million Cubic Feet)

TIMBER SUPPLY About 70% of the total land area of the Skagit basin is federally ad­ Local Yield From ministered. Another 5% is managed Total Produc- Theo- Pro;ection by the State. Timber ti on retical of Existing Period Demand Imports (Goals) Yield Condition

These lands are famous for their 1980 606 212 394 453 345 varied recreation opportunities. Moun­ 2000 655 197 458 448 386 tains, wilderness, forest, streams, lakes, saltwater, islands and beaches 2020 596 149 447 434 408 96

A total of 1,487,345 acres of land reational subdivisions", these may Results of the survey indicate that are open to the public - 900,888 occur as a number of residences in an 85 percent of the developments are acres of which are administered by established development unit within water-oriented. It is obvious that if the U.S. Forest Service. a small area, or they may occur as present trends continue, Washington single dwellings spaced irregularly can expect an increasing number of On these 1.4 million acres of public along the river. The quality of con­ recreational subdivisions. The IAC land, 542 camp units, 250 picnic units, struction varies tremendously. Some reported that 57 percent of the de­ 1,621 parking spaces, 25 boat launch have electricity, running water, a velopers indicated they intended to ramps and 7 acres of swimming lawn, etc., and are hardly distinguish­ develop new subdivisions in the fu­ beaches are provided. In 1964, over able from urban residences. Others ture, while 7 percent said they were 1,400,000 people used these various have few improvements and are little uncertain. facilities. more than a shelter from the ele­ ments. The majority of these recrea­ tional dwellings are "second homes" There are several recreational de­ Recreational developments within and are used only during certain per­ velopments on the Skagit River and its tributaries. As of August 1972, 22 the study area, and future trends, are iods of the year. Many, however, are fully discussed in the Recreation por­ permanent residences. developments had been identified. In tion of the Resource Use section; addition to these platted develop­ which appears later in this Chapter. ments there are others where individ­ The Washington State lnteragency uals are constructing a single resi­ Committee for Outdoor Recreation dence for which plats do not exist. A significant portion of the federal (IAC) has recently conducted a study lands in the basin are reserved from of second homes (vacation homes) in future development. There are the State, which provides information The location of platted develop­ 350,000 acres of dedicated Wilder­ on the nature of this industry. An ments are indicated in Figure 111-B. ness within the Pasayten and Glacier interesting fact reported by this study There are developments on the Peak , 483,000 acres in is how recent the growth of second Skagit River and on each of the major the North Cascades National Park, homes has been. In the period 1945- tributaries in the study area. There is and 107,000 acres in the Ross Lake 1959, there were no recreational sub­ considerable variation in the size of the plats. At least two of the develop­ National Recreation Area. In total, divisions in Skagit County. During some 940,000 acres are under perma­ 1960-1965, 270 acres were converted ments have platted less than 10 lots, nent federal protection, nearly 48% to recreational developments. while the largest is approaching 600. of all lands within the basin. Most of the plats are of fairly recent origin. Lot values within these devel­ During the next five-year period opments vary from $30-60 per fron­ Recreational Subdivisions (1966-1971), this climbed to 1,380 tage foot. At present, there are 2,215 acres, an increase of 511 percent. Of platted subdivision lots within the all the developments responding to study area. One of the most significant land the IAC survey, 50 percent were use trends in the area immediately established within the last two years. adjacent to the river (within 100 yards A second fact brought out by the IAC It is very probable that the com­ or so) is the growth of private recrea­ study was the importance of water pletion of the North Cascades High­ tional residences. Often called "rec- in the location of the developments. way will provide the impetus for a 'df

number of new developments. The A deterioration of water quality is highway parallels the Skagit River likely if recreational subdivisions are for many miles and opens up rec­ permitted to grow unchecked. The reational areas heretofore overlooked majority of them are not on public by developers. This, coupled with the sewer systems, but utilize septic tanks burgeoning demand tor outdoor rec­ and drain fields. If properly con­ reation and the increasingly crowded structed and maintained, and if set public facilities, will create increased back far enough from the river's edge, demand for recreational land devel­ septic tanks can be utilized safely. opment by the private sector. However, most subdivisions are con­ structed close to the river, and often too concentrated, allowing seepage The effects of development are from the drain fields to enter the river. both good and bad. On the positive Unusual geological conditions may side, the growth of recreational de­ speed this process considerably. Be­ velopments will partially meet the cause of the very large volume of demand for recreation and serve to flow in the rivers it is doubtful if the reduce the pressure on public facili­ present developments are seriously ties. If the developers see fit, services damaging water quality. provided to the development resi­ dents can even be made available to the public. A less apparent consequence of development is the future river modi­ fication which may be necessary to But there are a number of dis­ protect the lives and property of those advantages associated with the pro­ living along the river. Levees, riprap­ liferation of recreational subdivisions. ping, drainage, and other similar The most obvious is the irreparable measures have all been used to pre­ damage done to the natural land­ vent damage. These measures repre­ scape. Because of the incessant de­ sent an adverse impact on river sire to be close to water, develop­ classification, however, and carried ments invariably take place imme­ to extremes could preclude classi­ diately next to the river, where they fication. are clearly visible to all recreation­ ists. The rivers can only stand so much development before they no longer possess the criteria for river classification. Photos 3 through 8 show typical recreational subdivisions along the river. However tastefully done, they still can present an ad­ verse visual impact, as well as a restrict ion on public access. 98

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KEY Year Map No. Name legal Description No. lots Platted 1 Janicki Cove S.25, T.35N., R.4E. 40 1971 2 Rod & Reel Tracts S.13, T.35N., R.5E. 18 1962 3 Heart O' the Skagit S.21, T.35N., R.6E. 37 1965 4 Smith Skagit Hideaway S.13, T.35N., R.6E. 7 1965 5 Shangri-La S.13, T.35N., R.6E. 59 1964 6 Skagit Wilde S.13, T.35N., R.7E. 23 1961 7 Cape Horn S. 7, T.35N., R.8E. 593 1965 8 Cedargrove S.14&15, T.35N., R.8E. 220 1966 9 Thunderbird Lane S.24, T.35N., R.8E. 104 1964 10 Skagit River Colony S.20, T.35N., R.9E. 58 1964 11 Skagit Steelhead Tracts S.28, T.35N., R.9E. 44 1960 12 Carefree Acres S.23&26, T.35N., R.10E. 78 1963 13 Cascade River Park S.11,14&15, T.35N., R.11E. 449 1963 14 White Falls Estates S.12, T.34N., R.9E. 26 1964 15 Sauk River Estates S.18, T.34N., R.10E. 140 196"1 16 Suiattle River Forest Sites S.32, T.33N., R.11E. 34 1962 17 Forgotten Mountain S. 5, T.30N., R.11E. 102 18 Armstead River Tracts S.13, T.32N., R.9E. 9 1962 19 Begis Sauk River Tracts S.25, T.32N., R.9E. 36 1964 20 Darrington River Front Tracts S.25, T.32N., R.9E. 40 1962 21 Timber Bow River Tracts S.25&26, T.32N., R.9E. 56 1961 22 Reece's South Fork Hideout S. 9, T.36N., R.11E. 42 1963 TOTAL 2,215 100

Cape Horn. This unique peninsula formed by a meander of the Skagit River near Concrete was undeveloped forest land in 1941 when this picture was taken. (Courtesy SCS)

Cape Horn thirty years later. This land is now high-density residential prop­ erty. It was sub-divided in 1965 and contains 593 lots. By mid-summer of 1972, 504 lots had been sold. Perma­ nent structures have been erected on 73 lots, another 128 are used as campsites. 101

A recreational subdivision near Con­ crete. Many lots are first used as campsites, then fitted with a house trailer. Trailers are sometimes used A fishing cabin built on uplatted pri­ as interim residences until a perma­ vate property above Rockport. A nent recreation home can be bu i It; thick concrete foundation secures they are also used as the final stage this cabin against high water. The of development. structure has galvanized metal siding.

Location of a permanent structure in An older trailer site on the Skagit near a subdivision near Concrete. Marblemount. 102

RESOURCE USES

Municipal-Industrial 0.65% of its mean flow of 16,250 cfs Water Quality Water Supply (10,530,000,000 gallons/day). Characteristics The adequacy of a water supply is The other significant water-con­ dependent not only upon the quantity suming system in the Skagit Basin is Systematic measurement of water and quality of available water, but the Skagit County Public Utility Dis­ quality characteristics began in the also upon the demands made on the trict No. 1 (PUD No. 1). This system Skagit River basin in June 1959 by supply by increases in population and supplies water to municipal and in­ the U. S. Geological Survey and the industrial development. dustrial consumers around Mount Vernon, Burlington, and Sedro Wool­ Washington State Department of ley. Along with Anacortes, this tri-city Ecology. Additional water quality data area is expected to significantly in­ is collected periodically by the U. S. The 1965 population of the Skagit Forest Service, the Washington State River basin was 56,900. Extensive crease its population by 2020. PUD No. 1 provides water for 23,500 people Department of Fisheries, Skagit Coun­ projections forecast that this number ty Health Department and Skagit will increase to 64,200 by 1980; 86,500 at an average rate of 8.9 mgd (1965). Valley College. Collected data is de­ by 2000, and to a total of 118,000 The water is supplied mainly by five small streams in the Cultus Mountain signed to maintain a continuing in­ people by the year 2020. The majority ventory of the basic quality of the of the predicted population increase watershed. The system may, at some future time, look to the Skagit River water resource of the Skagit basin, is expected to settle around Ana­ to provide the basis for study of spe­ cortes, due to anticipated industrial for a maximum of 60 mgd through river intake and treatment facilities. cific water quality problems, to serve development there. as a planning guide for resource and industrial development, and to detect Although Anacortes lies well out­ In addition to the surface water quality changes in time to initiate side the study area, its water supply supply in the Skagit basin-which is control and preventive programs be­ comes from two wells on the east capable of exceeding all demands fore pollution problems become bank of the Skagit River, north of to 2020--a sizable ground water res­ acute. Mount Vernon but outside the study ervoir exists. area. During dry periods, the wells' Physical output is augmented by water Over large areas, ground water of pumped directly from the Skagit. This varying quality is available at shallow system has the capacity to provide depths. Wells yielding up to 600 gpm Relatively cool stream tempera­ 20.8 million gallons per day (mgd) have been drilled in the basin, such tures occur in the Skagit River basin. at average river flow. This is barely results occurring in major sand and Maximum recorded and mean stream adequate to meet peak demands. gravel aquifers. Recharge to delta temperatures for four stations are Plans are to develop a series of river aquifers is estimated to be at least as follows: intake and treatment plant expan­ 50,000 acre-feet (16.3 billion gallons) sions with an optimum capacity of per year. Small communities and in­ 69 mgd by 2020. This water would all dividual dwellings in the basin rely on come from the Skagit River. However, ground water for their water supply, this withdrawal represents only 3.9% which promises to exceed all future of the Skagit's recorded low flow, and demands. 103 I

Stream Sauk River above the Whitechuck Chemical Temperatures (°F.} River is 10.2 mg/I. Maximum The concentration of dissolved Station Recorded Mean Analysis of sediment data obtained solids in the Skagit and its tributaries in 1965 and 1966 indicates that the is low. Mineralization, determined by Skagit River near Skagit River can be expected to trans­ a specific conductance measurement Mount Vernon 64.0 48.7 port a sediment load of ten million increases only slightly downstream'. Some upstream tributaries are more Baker River at tons during a year of normal stream­ highly mineralized than others. Concrete 62.0 48.9 flow. Much of this sediment is of gla­ cial origin. Finely-ground rock flour, Skagit River at originating in the melting glaciers, is Hardness values are less than 60 Marblemount 59.4 46.9 carried in suspension far down­ mg/I at Mount Vernon, resulting in a stream. This material gives a pro­ "soft" water classification for the Sauk River at nounced milky appearance to the Darrington 55.4 45.3 Skagit River upstream from the Inter­ Suiattle and Whitechuck Rivers and a state Highway (1-5) bridge. Phosphate greenish cast to the lower Sauk River values are very low while the maxi- Summer time stream temperatures lower Baker River and the Skagit mum recorded nitrate level is 0.34 are moderated by melting snow and River below Rockport. Coloration is mg/I. High iron concentrations are glacier ice in the upper reaches of most pronounced during periods of common, especially in ground water the Cascade, Suiattle and Sauk warm, clear summer weather. Turbid­ in the vicinity of the Skagit River. River Watersheds. ities are highest near the glacier source and decrease downstream as With the exception of the high iron sediment concentrations are diluted concentrations, chemical water qual­ Upstream hydropower reservoirs by relatively clear water from non­ ity in all sections of the study river presently have little impact on the glacial streams. meet 1962 U.S. Public Health Service temperature downstream. Studies Drinking Water Standards. indicate that the reservoir created behind the proposed High Ross Dam Non-glacial streams normally trans­ could have a severe impact on down­ port little sediment except during fall Bacteriological stream temperatures, lowering them and winter storm runoff. Stream tur­ to such an extent that salmonoid bidities may be much higher during The Skagit River shows a general reproduction would be delayed or these periods than during the glacial trend of decreasing quality down­ precluded. melt period, however. This can be stream from Marblemount. Bacterio­ attributed to a natural soil and logical quality, although variable, Dissolved oxygen concentrations streambank sediment source with a generally reflects the urban, industrial throughout the length of the Skagit greater proportion of colloidal parti­ and agricultural buildup downstream River are generally near saturation. cles. Poor logging practices can also from Concrete. Dissolved oxygen (D.O.) concentra­ contribute significantly to sedimenta­ tions at Mount Vernon have ranged tion, even during periods of low run­ from a low recorded value of 9.3 off. subside to low levels The most probable number (MPN) mg/I to a high of 13.7 mg/I. The re­ as high water recedes. of coliform organisms per 100 ml corded low D.O. concentration on the ranges from a low of 0 to a high of 104

230 at Marblemount, but is usually Waste Treatment and control require­ sources along the Skagit appear to contribute most toxic materials and less than 50. This low average is ments are now in effect to reduce this typical of the upstream reaches of pollution. aesthetic impact. Waste treatment the Skagit River system. Near the 1-5 and control requirements have been bridge, the MPN has ranged from O specified to control these waste to 24,000. The normal range for this Toxic or Deleterious Material sources. location is from 91 to 4,600. The maxi­ Concentrations and Aesthetics mum recorded MPN on the Sauk Biological River near Darrington is 2,400 and Toxic or deleterious materials are on the Baker River 930. those which may affect public health, the natural aquatic environment or The aquatic environment of the Both point and non-point pollution the desirability of the water tor any Skagit River system is highly con­ sources could cause higher coliform usage. Aesthetic values involve these ducive to the migration, rearing and counts than those measured. Possible materials or their effects (excluding spawning of both anadromous and point pollution sources are streams those of natural origin) which offend resident fish. A great diversity of fish draining through small upstream com­ the senses of sight, smell, touch or species use the Skagit River system, munities and recreational subdivi­ taste. Factors affecting water quality which indicates high-quality water. sions (a small stream draining and its associated aesthetic values Other factors indicating high-quality through a portion of Rockport had a on the Skagit River System may in­ water include high dissolved oxygen measured coliform count of 70 and a clude: ( 1) sewage, garbage, refuse contents, relatively low nutrient specific conductance of 240 on and petroleum products from ma­ levels, and a low bacterial content, September 14, 1971, in comparison to rinas, commercial vessels and plea­ particularly in the upstream tribu­ a coliform count of 1 and a specific sure craft, (2) silt, organic wastes, taries. In general, streams of the conductance of 50 in the Skagit River litter, and waste oil in storm runoff Skagit system are all relatively clear just upstream from the mouth of this from urbanized areas, (3) silt, pesti­ and odorless and the stream bottoms stream). Runoff from stored farm ani­ cides, fertilizer salts and organic ani­ are clear and free of deposits. mal wastes downstream from Con­ mal wastes in agricultural waste water, (4) bark, debris and other or­ crete, and effluent from marinas and Stream temperatures remain rela­ ganic material from log storage or pleasure craft may also be significant tively cold in upstream tributaries dump areas, (5) high turbidities, non-point bacterial pollution sources. throughout much of the year. Nu­ woody debris and rock bedload as a The tremendous volume of water in trient levels are also low. These fac­ result of soil erosion and land de­ the Skagit River dilutes these con­ tors may limit the productivity of velopment, (6) high turbidities during taminants to insignificant quantities aquatic organisms. Unchecked do­ glacier melt periods, (7) possible in a short distance, however. mestic, municipal, industrial and downstream nitrogen supersaturation agricultural waste discharges along and algal blooms caused by upstream the lower Skagit could degrade water Other significant point pollution impoundments and reservoirs, and quality to the detriment of aquatic sources that contribute to bacterial (8) nutrients and toxic materials in life. pollution are raw sewage discharges sanitary landfill drainage water. from the larger incorporated towns, and food processing and metals Standards plants along the lower Skagit River. Municipal and industrial waste 105

Water quality standards were ity information to the contrary was deleterious material are most prob­ established for the Skagit River on available. There was no reason to ably due to domestic and industrial December 4, 1967 by the Washington doubt anything but AA Class for the waste discharges. Wastes produced State Pollution Control Commission Cascade and Suiattle Rivers. Water by livestock and certain recreational (superseded by the Department of quality data collected in 1971 by the subdivisions and small communities Ecology). This regulation was promul­ Mt. Baker National Forest as a part of may also be significant contributors gated to comply with Section 10 of the this study substantiates this classi­ to the total bacterial count. At times, Federal Water Pollution Control Act fication. silt from private gravel washing oper­ of August 9, 1956, (Public Law 84-660) ations has been destructive to fish, as amended. and harmful to other water uses. Water quality criteria for the Skagit River is very similar to the criteria for The Skagit River from its mouth to the Cascade, Sauk and Suiattle Domestic, commercial and indus­ Burlington was assigned a Class A, Rivers, with the exception of trial waste discharges along the Excellent. Water quality of this class standards. Intrastate AA standards Skagit have had treatment and collec­ exceeds or meets the requirements and Interstate A standards (i.e., mouth tion system improvements mandated for all or substantially all uses. From of Skagit River to Burlington) specify by the Washington State Department Burlington to the Canadian Border, that turbidity shall not exceed 5 Jack­ of Ecology. A time schedule for com­ the Skagit was assigned Class AA, son Turbidity Units (JTU} over natural pletion of the improvements has been Extraordinary. Water quality of this conditions, while Interstate AA stan­ established. class markedly and uniformly ex­ dards specify that turbidity shall not ceeds the requirements for all uses. exceed 5 JTU. Turbidity data collect­ ed on the Skagit during the summer Future water quality of the Skagit of 1971 indicates that natural turbid­ will be affected most by the growth Water quality standards were es­ ities exceed 5 JTU on the Skagit in population, industry, agricultural tablished for the Cascade, Sauk and River between Burlington and the production and recreation. Increased Suiattle Rivers on January 8, 1970. Cascade River during summer glacial numbers of cattle concentrated onto These intrastate rivers have been ice melt periods. smaller areas poses the most serious assigned Class AA, Extraordinary. future agricultural threat to water Water quality of this class markedly quality. Raw waste production from and uniformly exceeds the require­ Controls recreational activities is also pro­ ments for all uses. jected to increase significantly by 1980. Generally, water quality control is No water quality data was available adequate on the mainstem of the when assigning the AA, Extraordinary, Skagit. Bacterial and toxic or delete­ class to the Cascade and Suiattle rious standards are not being met Rivers. Alt intrastate surface waters between the highway lying within the mountainous regions bridge and Burlington. Bacterial of the State, (i.e., within national standards are also not being met in parks, national forests, and/or wilder­ the reach between Burlington and ness areas) were automatically de­ Bacon Creek. High concentrations of signated Class AA unless water qual- coliform organisms and toxic or 106

Control of most miscellaneous to reduce and control soil erosion and Most of the ground water wells are waste discharges and non-point pol­ stream sedimentation on National found in the central and eastern parts lution can be accomplished through Forest lands. of the alluvial plain. Ground water is specific regulatory directives from the found at fairly shallow depths and Department of Ecology. Other "built­ wells may produce up to 600 gallons in" water quality controls may be From these indicators, it appears per minute. effected through (1) an April 1967 that water quality on the Skagit may State law prohibiting permanent be upgraded to a point at which it structures within the 15-year flood meets all interstate requirements Although the ground water has a frequency zone, (2) a newly-enacted except for the natural turbidity caused higher mineral content than surface State Shorelines Management Bill to by glacial flour. water, its quality is still high enough limit or prohibit major developments for irrigation needs. Salinity increases in ground water seaward (west) of within 200 feet of shorelines and Irrigation streams, and (3) State and local Sedro Woolley. health regulations concerning sewage disposal and sanitary landfills. In Irrigation in the Skagit basin varies Only 3°k of the 1,540 farms in the addition, the provisions of the Federal from year to year, depending upon basin in 1964 had irrigated croplands. Water Pollution Control Act Amend­ the amount of rainfall during the These farms used their irrigation ments of 1972 (33 USC 1314, 86 Stat. growing season. In 1965 about 6,200 systems to enhance production of 816-904) apply to the basin. acres were irrigated, probably an potatoes, forage, vegetables and average figure. berries. Of the 95,800 arable acres in Wastes from commercial vessels, the Skagit basin, 89,600 with irriga­ pleasure craft, and marinas along the Most irrigated lands lie along the tion potential remain uni rrigated. Ex­ Skagit are to be controlled by the Skagit River from Concrete down to pectations are that 45,000 of these Federal Government, under the terms the river's mouth, and on Skagit Flats, acres will be under irrigation by 2020. of Public Law 91-224. As provided in the 68,000 acre fan-shaped delta laid down by the Skagit. this law, performance standards for At the total anticipated irrigation marine sanitation devices are to be development, a net depletion of developed by the Environmental Pro­ Water for irrigation is supplied 37,200 acre-feet of surface water­ tection Agency and promulgated as mostly from wells, although some primari ly from the Skagit-will occur. regulations. The Department of Ecol­ small diversions occur on the Skagit This figure represents 0.32% of the ogy will prepare similar legislation and smaller rivers. Nearly 70% of the Skagit's 11.8 million acre-feet mean applying to intrastate waters. present irrigation water supply comes annual flow. Ground water sources from the wells; the balance from sur­ will be depleted by 9,300 acre-feet Forest land management practices face water. annually, nearly 20% of the estimated guidelines were developed by the 50,000 acre-feet annual recharge to the lowland aquifers. Department of Ecology in 1971 to Surface water quality is good. No comply with inter- and intra-state serious sediment problems are en­ water quality standards and regula­ countered except for glacial flour, Present indications are that no irri­ tions. The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie Na­ which has no effect on the value of gation diversions or other structures tional Forest has instituted practices the water for irrigation. will be called for within the Skagit 107

River study area, hence no conflicts TABLE 111-10 PROTECTION BY DIKING DISTRICT LEVEES are anticipated. Protection

Flood Control Miles Recurrence of To Flow Interval On August 31, 1960, the Governor Location Levee (cfs) (years) of Washington requested that the Skagit River Corps of Engineers, under the author­ North bank - Burlington to the ity of Section 206, Public Law 86-645, mouth of the North Fork (River conduct a survey of floods and flood Mile 2-21) 16, 1 108,000 5 potential in the Skagit River Basin. The resulting report, "Flood Plain South bank - Burlington to Information Study, Skagit River Basin, Mount Vernon (River Mile 21 Washington," published in April 1967, to 13) 7.5 143,000 14 delineates the 50-year flood plain. South bank - Mount Vernon to Appendix XII, Flood Control of the mouth of the South Fork Puget Sound and Adjacent Waters (River Mile 13 to 2) 14.4 101,000 4 Study, published in , was also a source of information for this South bank of the North Fork- 5.5 91,000 3 section. North bank of the South Fork 6.0 91,000 3

In the context of flood control, the TOTAL 49.5 miles

Skagit River basin and the Samish SOURCE: Appendix XI I, PS&AW River basin become one, since floods on the Skagit overflow into the Samish and transportation routes, is highly Existing flood control structures flood plain. susceptible to flooding. Under 1966 total 55.8 miles of levees and 39 miles prices and conditions the average of sea dikes, protecting 45,000 acres annual flood damages are estimated of land. The levee system is sum­ Although the valley floor begins to to be $3,020,000. lose its narrow, incised profile at marized in Table 111-10. These dikes Bacon Creek-the upper limit of the are not adequate, however, since the study area-the flattening of the The greatest problem with flooding lowest ones offer protection only valley floor is gradual. The potential occurs on those lands west (seaward) from a peak flow of 91,000 cfs, which for flood damage begins at Marble­ of Sedro Woolley. This area contains constitutes a three-year interval flood. mount and continues downstream. 75% of the total flood plain, and has Maintenance of the dikes is the re­ Once past Sedro Woolley, the valley a history of periodic inundation. De­ sponsibility of various local diking floor flattens into a broad valley of spite regular flooding, the develop­ districts. The diking districts have 90,000 acres. The valley, which sup­ ment of farms and residential areas been aided by the Corps of Engineers ports most of the basin's agricultural has continued, increasing the de­ in rebuilding flood-damaged dikes activity, as well as a large portion of mands for more flood control and in placing bank protection de­ Skagit County's population, industry, structures. vices, with a to-date cost of $373,300. 108

Two of the upriver dams offer lim­ sant Ridge. The sea dikes which pro­ A coordinated levee improvement ited storage space tor flood control. tect the Skagit and Samish deltas program could protect the area Ross Dam, which provides the only from saltwater intrusion would im­ down stream from Burlington from significant effect on flooding, is re­ pound the floodwater. Ponding would floods of less than 120,000 cfs mag­ quired by the FPC to maintain 120,000 occur to a height of eight feet. Levees nitude, or once in eight-uear fre­ acre-feet of winter flood storage. above and below Mount Vernon would quency. The current level of protec­ This capacity is always used during probably fail, flooding the lower sec­ tion is once in three years. flood stage. The Upper Baker Dam tions of the city. A c rossdi ke near provides 16,000 acre-feet of storage Milltown would impound water to a to replace the natural channel storage depth of 13 feet, at which point the The Avon Bypass would divert lost by construction of the dam. Jn levee would fail and the waters would 60,000 cfs of the Skagit's flood stage addition, the Corps of Engineers can flow south, inundating Stanwood on from a point between Burlington and request an additional 84,000 acre­ the Stillaguamish River. See Figure Mount Vernon, to Padilla Bay. Al­ feet of storage space during the win­ 111-C. though the bypass was authorized ter flood season, provided that suit­ in 1936, it was deactivated because able arrangements are made tor com­ local interests could not meet spon­ pensating Puget Sound Power for the A hundred-year flood, with a flow sorship requirements. In 1960, at power losses incurred. This alterna­ of 240,000 cfs at Sedro Woolley would Skagit County's request, the study tive has not been adopted, but is fill roughly the same area to greater was resumed. A viable plan now under investigation. depths. exists for the bypass. Despite the fact that the Avon Bypass, in con­ junction with the levee improvement The Corps of Engineers recom­ To augment the existing flood con­ program noted above, would increase mends instituting several procedures trol program, Skagit County has re­ flood protection for the basin to a to reduce flood damage and prevent cently proposed a new flood plain 100-year interval frequency, the pro­ zoning ordinance. It adopted, this improper development within the flood plain. These include flood plain ject has been opposed, both because ordinance would preclude the con­ of its high ($5-6 million) local costs struction of any permanent structure zoning, the conversion of flood-sus­ ceptible land to open space uses such for necessary rights-of-way, bridge with a finished floor elevation lower modifications, and utility relocations, than the 50-year interval flood level. as parks and parking lots, the prep­ aration of a master levee plan, a and for its potential adverse environ­ The ordinance allows new structures mental effects. which meet set-back and floodproof­ program to mark the geographical ing standards. limits of previous floods and water height at points inside past flood Upstream storage sites have been areas, and the use of floodproofing identified on the Skagit, Sauk, A 50-year flood would have a dis­ for developments bui It within the Suiattle and Cascade Rivers and on charge of 205,000 cfs at Sedro Wool­ floodway. Other controls, they say, Thunder Creek. The principal site, ley. The flood would flow over into could be exercised by government having the best potential for devel­ the Samish River basin and inundate loan-insuring agencies, floodway opment as a multiple-purpose hydro­ the entire Samish delta. Water over building codes and subdivision regu­ electric project, is located on the the dike above Burlington would flow lations. lower Sauk River at about river mile through the town and flood the en­ 5. To date, the Corps of Engineers tire area between Bayview and Plea- has only undertaken preliminary 109

T.•••/ T.11 •. .... I. .... ------!~ UI ' ------

PARK T.Ha

T.Ua

T.;s:u. ,___ oil!

T.11 lrt.

HYPOTHETICAL FLOOD +

50 YEAR INTERVAL T.IOk.

It.KE. •••. 1. ... (,

Fig. :t II - C T.Ha 110

studies of these dam sites, with no water resource projects dealing with Hydroelectric Power study being given to these potential flood control. These two different projects at this time. plans have been devised to achieve protection against the 100-year flood No hydroelectric developments for urban areas of the flood plain. exist within the study area. Eight The Puget Sound and Adjacent They are summarized as follows: separate generating facilities do Waters Study presented two options exist upstream from the study rivers. for flood control structures. Plan A which assumed no river classification Plan A- Maximize Flood Control under the Wild and Scenic Rivers a. Purchase additional storage Three of the generating facilities Act, and, Plan B which assumed total at upper Baker Dam are small (200 kW or less). The NEW­ river classification. b. Improve existing levees HALEM plant, on Newhalem Creek, c. Build new levees was the first public generating plant d. Construct Avon Bypass for in the Skagit basin. Built by Seattle Plan A allows full use of storage 60,000 cfs capacity City Light in 1921, this 2000 kW plant opportunities to obtain maximum e. Construct Lower Sauk Dam was designed to provide energy for flood control in the Skagit River driving the power tunnel for Gorge Basin. The assumption is made under Dam. Water for the plant comes from this option that no part of the Skagit Plan B - Recognize Wild and Newhalem Creek, a tributary of the River or its tributaries would be in­ Scenic River Values Skagit. Water passing the plant flows cluded in the National Rivers System. a. Purchase additional storage a half-mile downstream, where it at Upper Baker Dam joins the Skagit. A timber dam diverts b. Improve existing levees the water into a 2,689-foot tunnel. Plan B is based on the assumption c. Build new levees A 905-foot penstock carries the that the entire river complex cited in d. Construct Avon Bypass for water to the powerhouse, where it the Act would be designated in the 100,000 cfs capacity. turns a double-overhung Pelton tur­ National Wild and Scenic Rivers bine which powers the generator. System. Also, the assumption was The 2000 kW plant is fed into the made that the entire complex would System. be given a "Recreational river" class­ The conflict of either plan to Wild and ification and that nonstorage devel­ Scenic Rivers is the accommodation opments would be compatible with of the large diversion (Avon Bypass) The other two small plants are this classification. This assumption and with the large impoundment known simply as BEAR CREEK NO. 1 has not proven to be correct as con­ (Lower Sauk Dam) of Plan A. Based and NO. 2. These plants are owned tained in the findings of the report, on the area's resistance to dams and by the Lone Star Cement Corpora­ although the Corps of Engineers bypasses, it seems likely that future tion, and are located on Bear Creek, maintains that the Avon Bypass is flood control will have to be accom­ a tributary of the Baker River. Built compatible with classification. plished by increased storage capacity in 1908, Bear Creek No. 1 has an at existing reservoirs, levee improve­ installed capacity of 1800 kW of ments, flood plain zoning, flood­ power. Bear Creek No. 2 is down­ The elements of these two plans proofing requirements and admini­ stream from No. 1 and has an in­ strative controls discouraging further are the same for all features except stalled capacity of 200 kW. The out­ development in the flood plain. for flood control, hydro-power and put of these two plants was used to recreation. Our concern here is the 111

power the Lone Star Cement plant licensee. This project provides facili­ begun in 1943 and completed in in Concrete. Lone Star Cement ties for fishery protection, including 1949, bringing the dam to its present ceased their operations in Concrete ladders, rearing ponds, traps, and a size of 540 feet high and 1,300 feet during 1968. Although the generating "fish taxi" which traps migrating long. Provision was made during the facilities at the two Bear Creek anadromous fish below the Lower first two stages of construction for plants have been left in place, the Baker Dam and releases them into the erection of a third stage, raising transmission lines have been re­ Baker Lake, where they find suitable the dam another 122.5 feet. The moved, effectively eliminating these spawning areas. authorized two minor power sources from the Seattle City Light to proceed with power generating inventory. the application for a license amend­ GORGE Dam was the first hydro­ ment on December 14, 1970, seeking electric power development on the authority to raise the dam. At pre­ The LOWER BAKER Dam, a devel­ Skagit. The power plant began oper­ sent, this proposed addition to the opment of Puget Sound Power and ations in 1924 with two 24,000 kW dam is a highly controversial issue Light, began operation in 1925. The generators. A 26,400 kW generator in the Skagit basin, Puget Sound, generating plant, which originally was added in 1929 and a 60,000 kW and even in Canada, since Ross Lake housed two 19,750 kW generators, unit in 1951, giving a total capacity already extends 1.5 miles into that had a third 64,000 kW generator in­ of 134,000 kW. A two-mile tunnel, country. "High Ross" as it is called stalled in 1960. This powerhouse was 20.5 feet in diameter, carries the locally, would increase the area of destroyed by a mud slide in 1965 water from the dam to the generator impoundment in Canada. The present and was rebuilt with a 64,000 kW plant. This installation, along with reservoir has a gross storage capa­ capacity. The 285-foot high dam is the upstream dams on the Skagit, city of 1,405,000 acre-feet, distri­ 530 feet long and inundates 2,218 is operated by Seattle City Light. buted over an area of 11,820 acres, acres, backing water up 9.5 miles to the Upper Baker Dam, forming Lake which constitutes Ross Lake. This Shannon. DIABLO, the second unit on the popular impoundment, along with the Skagit River, was completed in 1929. waters behind Gorge and Diablo The dam is 389 feet high, 1, 180 feet Dams, as well as the Skagit River UPPER BAKER Dam, another long, and 146 feet thick at the base. itself down to Bacon Creek (the up­ Puget Sound Power and Light facil­ Water is carried from the dam to the per limit of the study area) are con­ ity, was completed in 1959. The con­ powerhouse at Reflector Bar by two tained in the Ross Lake National crete darn is 330 feet high, 1,235 feet 15-foot diameter penstocks 290 feet Recreation Area. The Ross Lake long, and is 12 feet wide on top. The long, and by a 19.5-foot diameter powerhouse is located on the south dam has a generating capacity of tunnel 2000 feet long. Two 60,000 bank of the Skagit River, just down­ 94,400 kW. Baker Lake, which is form­ kW generators give this dam a total stream from the dam. Four genera­ ed by the dam, covers 4,985 acres output of 120,000 kW. tors are installed in the powerhouse, and backs up nine miles from the each rated at 90,000 kW; total in­ dam. The FPC required the dam to stalled capacity for the plant is provide 16,000 acre-feet of flood ROSS Dam is the largest hydro­ 360,000 kW. storage. An additional 84,000 acre­ electric development in Puget Sound. feet of flood control storage is avail­ Ross Dam was built in two stages. able through Corps of Engineers Stage one, completed in 1940, raised Ignoring the two Bear Creek negotiations to compensate the a dam 305 feet high. Stage two was plants, whose generating capacity 112

has never been available for public diurnal fluctuation from the up­ significantly to flood control in the consumption, the six generating stream dams, aidinq the Skagit fish­ lower Sauk and Skagit River valleys. plants on the Skagit and its Baker ery by stabilizing flow. If this allega­ Classification of the Sauk River as River and Newhalem Creek tribu­ tion is true, the dam probably would wild, scenic or recreational would taries have a total generating capa­ not be incompatible with the classi­ preclude the construction of this city of 774,800 kW and an average fication of the Skagit River as a com­ dam and thereby forego the best annual output of 3,106 gigawatt­ ponent of the National Wild and opportunity for achieving substantial hours (millions of kWH). This output Scenic Rivers System, assuming no flood hazard reductions and in­ represents 17.8 percent of the total other adverse impacts. creased hydroelectric power produc­ 1965 power demands for the Puget tion in the Skagit Basin. Sound area-17,407 gWH. This sta­ Thunder Creek is a proposed proj­ tistic becomes more significant when ect of Seattle City Light to divert the There are six other hydroelectric it is discovered that, in that same flow of Thunder Creek from Diablo sites in the Puget Sound area which year, the Puget Sound area produced Lake to Ross Lake, increasing the are under active consideration. The a total of 5,324 gWH, and had to output of the Ross plant by about six projects would produce a total of import the balance, 12,083 gWH, fifteen percent. Application was 194,000 kW of power. Completion of from sources outside the area. made to the FPC on August 14, 1967. these projects would in no way inter­ This proposal is completely outside fere with the potential of the Skagit In terms of Puget Sound area pro­ the study area and would have no system for inclusion in the National duction, then, the Skagit basin pro­ effect on classification potential. Rivers System. duced 58.3 percent of the "home grown" electric power. The Cascade Dam is under investi­ There are nine proposals in the Pu­ gation by Seattle City Light. The get Sound area for additions to exist­ The Puget Sound area still has a dam would divert water from the ing hydroelectric installations. These large number of potential hydro­ Cascade River to the proposed Cop­ proposals would have an installed electric sites suitable for develop­ per Creek powerhouse generating capacity of 407,520 kW. Three of the ment. Several such sites are under 60,000 kW of power. Classification proposed projects are within the active consideration at the present of the Cascade River as wild, scenic Skagit River basin, but none fall time. Four are located in the Skagit or recreational would preclude this within the study area. All three pro­ River basin. project. posals appear compatible with the terms of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, and none of them would affect A multiple-purpose storage proj­ The Copper Creek Dam, for which the Skagit's eligibility for inclusion ect on the lower Sauk River has been Seattle City Light has been ordered in the system. to seek approval, is located outside given preliminary study by the Corps the study area, at Copper Creek on of Engineers. However, detailed In addition to the foregoing poten­ the Skagit River. It would have an feasibility investigations required for tial structures, one hydroelectric site installed capacity of 83,000 kW which project authorization have not been with a potential average annual out­ would be fed into Seattle City Light's conducted. The project, defined in put of 9,350 kW, and nine sites with system. Proponents of the dam claim preliminary studies, would have an a potential average annual output that it wou Id effectively regulate the installed capacity of 96,000 kW of electric power and would contribute in excess of 10,000 kW would be pre- 113

eluded by inclusion of the entire Mine. Several unsubstantiated re­ river, however. study area in the Wild and Scenic ports of other stern wheelers moving Rivers System. this far upstream exist. Consequent­ ly, the entire Skagit River within the There are no marinas or boat liver­ study area boundary has been suc­ ies within the study area. All traffic Puget Sound Power and Light has cessfully navigated by commercial on the river is either personally recently announced plans to install vessels. owned and operated, or rented­ a nuclear generating facility north­ along with the services of a fishing east of Sedro Woolley near Minkler guide- for the day. All craft must be Lake. While outside the study area, Once the first wave of settlement trailered or car-topped to the river, this facility would withdraw 50 cfs of had subsided, and a series of roads dumped in, and removed again at the water from the Skagit for cooling. and railroads was constructed, river end of the excursion. A preliminary review of the project's traffic dropped sharply. Rafts of logs Environmental Statement indicates formed the majority of commercial Three pleasure boat docking facili­ that no adverse effects to the Skagit traffic on the river, and even this ties lie outside the study area. The would occur. The facility would gen­ commodity decreased in volume each first is located in the town of Mount erate 1,000 megawatts (million watts) year. By 1964, residents of Mount Vernon, where several boats are of electricity. Vernon and Sedro Woolley reported moored to a floating dock built in the to the Northwest Regional Task Skagit. Farther downstream, about Group th at no barge or raft traffic two miles above the Skagit's mouth, Navigation had occurred "for several years." Phil's Boat House and Al's Landing provide private moorage and launch­ The Corps of Engineers lists the For all practical purposes, com­ ing facilities. Here and there in the Skagit River as navigable from its mercial traffic on the Skagit has portion of the Skagit downstream mouth to Marblemount-a distance ceased. There is no history of com­ from the study area, individual boats of 78 miles. This gives the Corps mercial navigation on the Sauk, are moored to pilings in the river; authority over any change affecting Suiattle or Cascade Rivers. however, these personal facilities the river channel. are unavailable to the general public. Virtually all river traffic within the As discussed in the history portion, study area presently consists of plea­ Within the study area, a small the Skagit was opened to steamboat sure craft. There is a wide variety number of personal docks have been navigation above the town of Mount of such craft in use, ranging from built either for moorage or as launch­ Vernon in 1879, coincidental with the the blunt-nosed, flat-bottomed, broad­ ing/fishing platforms. Nearly all of Skagit gold rush. Although the gold beamed guide boats which are pow­ these have been constructed without rush was unproductive, steamer traf­ ered by outboard motors in the 30 securing the necessary permit from fic flourished. The head of navigation to 50 h.p. class, down to fragile ca­ the Corps of Engineers required for under normal flow was Marblemount, noes and kayaks. The majority of those facilities constructed on the but in 1903 the river steamer Black craft plying these waters are guide navigable portion of the Skagit River, Prince recorded in its log a journey boats and conventional runabouts. i.e., from its mouth to Marblemount. upstream to a point one mile above There seems to be a slow-but-regular Technically, these structures are ille­ Bacon Creek, where it delivered a growth in the number of canoes, gal and their removal could be load of machinery to the Old Talc kayaks and even inflatables on the required. 114

Fisheries The Skagit River is the single most man run. The Department stresses productive steelhead river in the that these values are attributed sole­ State. During the 1967-71 winter sea­ ly to fish produced naturally in the The Skagit, Sauk, Suiattle, and sons the Skagit produced an aver­ river; that is, the value of fish pro­ Cascade Rivers comprise the largest age of 20,000 "I ronheads." The other duced in state-operated hatcheries drainage basin in the Puget Sound study rivers produced 1,500 for a is not included in this figure. area. Within these study rivers, a Skagit basin total of 21,500 fish. wide variety of fish abound. The ana­ dromous fish population includes five Fish enter and spawn in the river throughout the year. Two species are species of Pacific salmon (Chinook, The economic value of the Skagit divided into distinct ··runs," spring Coho, Pink, Chum, and Sockeye) plus basin steelhead run is significant. A and fall , winter and summer and winter steelhead, sea­ 1963-64 study conducted by the summer steelhead. The other species run cutthroat, and sea-run Dolly Var­ State Game Department found that enter the river during a distinct an­ den trout. The more important resi­ the cost of an artifically propagated nual season. Once the fish enter the dent (non-migrating) fish are rain­ steelhead was $4.00 in the angler's Skagit, practically the entire length bow trout, , Dolly creel. That same steelhead, however, of the study area is used for spa.m­ Varden, brook trout, and whitefish. was found by a 1969 survey to have Lesser-known species include a total value of $60.00 to the State's ing. stickleback, shiners, sculpin, and economy, representing the angler's investment in equipment, food, lodg­ squawfish. Although fish from the study area ing, licenses, transportation and have been taken as far south as cen­ associated fishing expenses. A large commercial fishery is de­ tral and as far north as pendent on anadromous fish spawned , study area rivers contribute in the study area. This commercial The steelhead production of the principally to the commercial fishery fishery is centered in Puget Sound. Skagit basin can, then, be credited on Puget Sound and the Washington Pacific salmon species are the most with contributing $1,290,000 to the coast. Coastal commercial fishing important component of this fishery. economic well-being of Washington is conducted from troll boats using Commercial fishing contributes the State during an average season. hook and line. This method is quite primary income for many people re­ expensive. In 1965 Washington li­ siding in central Puget Sound. censed over 1,800 troll boats. In Pu­ Other anadromous fish represent get Sound most of the commercial a much greater economic return to harvest is taken by purse seine and Sport fishing is another important the State, since they (salmon) are gillnet boats. In 1965 there were 400 aspect of study area fisheries. Ana­ subject to commercial harvest and purse seine and 906 gillnet boats li­ dromous and resident fish alike are sale. The Washington Department of censed in Puget Sound. Table 111-11 sought by sport fishermen. Fishing Fisheries estimates the annual pro­ shows the average yearly commercial success is high because, in addition duction of salmon from the Skagit salmon harvest between 1935 and to the resident fish population, there River to have a total value (both 1965. In addition, an unlicensed In­ is always some species of anadro­ commercial and sport) of $7,842,034 dian fishery takes a large number of mous fish in the waters. The majority in even-numbered years when the fish in Puget Sound. In the Skagit of the sport fishing activities on the pink salmon runs do not occur, and River fishery the Swinomish Indians Skagit and its tributaries occur with­ a value of $16,945,394 in the odd­ use a variety of fishing gear to con- in the study area. numbered years when the pink sal- 115

duct their fishing operations. They In addition to the winter steelhead Near the mouth of the Skagit net all five species of Pacific salmon, runs, the Washington Department of River, there is a moderate commer­ and also harvest a sizeable steelhead Game has initiated a large restock­ cial fishery. Gillnet vessels are used catch. The Indian fisheries, under a ing program aimed at establishing almost exclusively. The most heavily recent court ruling, are allowed 50% a summer run. Initial returns have fished areas are in northern Skagit ot the each year. been good, suggesting that a healthy Bay, Rosar;o Strait, and the southern new fishery is close to establishment. half of Samish Bay. A few purse sein­ ers fish near William Point in Samish Bay.

TABLE 111-11 AVERAGE ANNUAL1 COMMERCIAL SALMON CATCH, 1935-1965

Numbers of Fish

Totals3 (1000- Management Area Chinook Coho Pink2 Chum Sockeye Rounded)

Strait of 3,571 107,983 352,357 1, 111 18,759 483.8

San Juan Islands 6,175 80,292 2,002,466 23,777 746;527 2,859.2

Point Roberts 13,971 49,227 1,073,817 22,971 548,098 1,708.1

Bellingham Bay 6,283 22,900 26,844 28, 100 84.1

West Beach 3,012 26,857 317,154 50,265 50,310 447.6

Skagit Bay 22,751 31,333 157,814 53,976 1,132 320.8

Port Susan - 4,227 49,551 284,129 39,493 377.4

Seattle 302 22,259 31,912 54.5

Port Discovery to Kingston 1,599 40,102 181,749 164,328 387.8

South Sound 977 11,054 41, 187 53.2

'Excludes landings of less than 100 fish. a1ncludes Indian commercial landings. but not tribal personal use landings.

'Odd-year average only. SOURCE: Appendix XI, PS&AW 116

The sport salmon fishery sup­ three months to a year. Trout may ulates growth, which increases ported by the Skagit is the largest spend their entire lives in the stream, oxygen consumption. in Puget Sound. Spring and fall or may migrate to the sea after one to Chinook, Coho and Pink salmon con­ three years of growth. tribute to this fishery. Many fish in Another deterrent to fisheries is excess of 50 pounds are caught each streamflow fluctuation. All of the study year. The Skagit fishery is exception­ Whatever the migratory habits of rivers are subject to seasonal floods al not only because of the size of the the species involved, streams must and low water flows. These two con­ runs, but also because they are of meet the same criteria in order to ditions are particularly damaging to long duration, and in a river system provide suitable spawning grounds. spawning areas. During high water, well-suited to both boat and shore First of all, spawning areas must be unhatched eggs are washed out of their beds or covered by rubble. High fishing. accessible to adult fish moving up­ stream. Then, the stream must have water also kills young fish by exces­ a relatively constant flow curve, par­ sive siltation and by stranding them Although the life cycles of the var­ ticularly during the summer. Clean, on gravel bars. Low water causes the ious salmon and trout species vary stable gravel from one-half inch to six loss of incubating and rearing habi­ somewhat, they are similar enough to inches in diameter must be exposed tat. Sometimes the high-low flow com­ be discussed in one generalization, on the streambed. Cover, in the form bination results in starvation, preda­ as can certain threats and limits to of logs, undercut banks, rubble, tur­ tion, and higher disease rates. their successful propagation. bulence, substrate, deep pools, and overhanging vegetation, must be The diurnal fluctuation caused by Whether in the spring or fall, the present. Water temperature should upriver dams creates problems which female constructs a depression in run in the fifties, and not exceed 77° are very similar to those experienced coarse gravel agitated by the current. F., with a dissolved oxygen content during seasonal high and low water conditions. These fluctuations occur She digs the depression by rolling on no lower than 7 mg/I and ideally near her side and flexing her tail three to the saturation point. The stream twice daily. They are caused by the demand for more electrical power ten times; the suction of each flexion should be free enough of suspended draws gravel upward where the cur­ sediment to allow photosynthesis in during daylight hours, when most of rent moves it downstream. After the the substrate. In view of these many the population is active. To provide eggs are deposited in the nest and limiting factors, it is obvious that a this power, the upstream dams must fertilized by the male, they are cover­ great number of external stimuli can run more water through their turbines. ed with gravel and left to develop. adversely affect spawning beds. The extra water causes a substantial Incubation takes from three to seven rise in the downstream water level on the Skagit. As the demand for peak months, depending upon the species Changes in the current flow can involved and the water temperature. power subsides and the upstream wash away old spawning areas. dams cut their flow, downstream Deteriorating organic debris drasti­ water levels fall rapidly. These fluc­ Some species--pink salmon and cally reduces the available levels of tuations probably have more impact -migrate downstream dissolved oxygen in the water by the on the Skagit River fishery than do the to the sea as fry, returning again only actions of fiber-consuming bacteria, greater, but more gradual fluctuations to spawn and die. Coho and Sockeye and by the chemical oxygen demand caused by seasonal floods and salmon spend one or two years in the of wood sugars leached from the' droughts. Diurnal fluctuation has at stream before migrating, and Chinook wood. Decomposing debris also stim- least two adverse impacts on all fish 117

propagating and rearing areas. Peak Water removal from the rivers for mountainous regions. Marten and water flows cause siltation and flush­ municipal, industrial, or agricultural lynx are found in the high rugged ing. Siltation is dangerous since it purposes poses a potential threat to headwaters of the Sauk and Skagit can bury incubating eggs under mud the fishery. Drastic increases in such rivers. As with all species these habi­ and suffocate them. Flushing can withdrawals could conceivably de­ tats are not definite areas but vary wash away gravel on the stream bot­ crease the water flow to the point of with season and food supply. tom, eradicating a suitable incuba­ damaging fish habitat. tion site. The rapid decrease in water Most fur-bearers require a water flow strands millions of salmon fry oriented, marsh-type habitat. This in tiny shallow water pools, or on gra­ Shoreline development frequently habitat occurs most often along the vel bars, where they are consumed results in demands for channeling and flood plain in lowland waterways, by fish-eating birds which thrive along diking the river. Channelization and where man's activity is most obvious. the river. River residents have re­ diking cause the loss of spawning ported observing mergansers in par­ habitat by straightening and narrow­ Drainage and diking projects have destroyed prime habitat, and con­ ticular, flocking to the river as the ing the river, which means destroyed stitute the number one limiting factor. peak flow subsides. The birds gorge gravel beds. The removal of gravel themselves on the salmon fry left flop­ from streams for construction pur­ ping on sand bars, or trapped help­ poses also destroys productive Ducks are divided into two sub­ lessly in shallow pools. spawning sites. groups: Dabbling ducks (mallard, teal, pintail, widgeon), and diving Although water quality throughout The demand for fish continues to ducks (scaup, bufflehead, and sco­ the study area is generally good, rise in the Pacific Northwest. If prop­ ters). Dabbling ducks use the tidal there is some domestic and indus­ erly controlled and developed, the zone near the mouth of the Skagit trial pollution of the Skagit and Sauk Skagit River can play an increasingly for resting, and do their feeding in­ rivers. All of these conditions have a greater role in meeting that demand. land. The diving ducks spend their limiting effect on fish production. time on the Sound or on larger inland lakes where they find an adequate Wildlife food supply. Species which commonly Physical barriers also have an im­ nest along the Skagit and its tribu­ pact on fish production. Barriers taries include mallards, wood ducks, block access to large areas of good A wide variety of wildlife inhabits western harlequins, hooded mergan­ spawning habitat, which, could they the Skagit River basin. The wildlife sers, American mergansers and an be used, would increase the fish pop­ population is divided into five cate­ occasional Barrow's goldeneye. ulation considerably. Barriers may gories: big game, upland game, fur also block the passage of smolts bearers, waterfowl, and unique spe­ (young fish bound for the sea), reduc­ cies. Black-tailed deer, bear, moun­ Snow geese and Western Canada ing the magnitude of the fishery tain goats, and mountain lions are geese spend their resting periods in despite available spawning grounds. included in the big game category, open salt-water bays and feed in the These barriers are both man-made while pheasants, quail, partridge, tidal zone. Brant geese spend their such as the dams on the Baker and , pigeons, and grouse consti­ entire I iv es on salt water. They de­ Skagit rivers, and natural, as are log tute upland game. Fur bearers which pend heavily on submerged eel-grass jams or the falls on the North Fork of inhabit the area include beavers, beds for survival. the Sauk River. , minks, river otters, marten, 118

The Skagit-Samish delta, including cultural areas. The blue grouse, on wildlife. Skagit, Samish and Padilla Bays, is the other hand, prefers open ridges the most important waterfowl winter­ and sparsely timbered areas. ing site on the West Coast of the Since much of the upper Skagit United States. It is the only place in basin is still in a near-natural condi­ Washington where snow geese The ring-necked pheasant was in­ tion, fur animals of all types abound. winter. troduced to the basin to fill Beavers, muskrats, mink, , for an open space game bird. The and river otters live along water pheasant inhabits fence rows and courses throughout the study area. Since large salt-water bay resting edge areas near agricultural lands. Lowland varieties include skunks, areas are available, waterfowl popu­ Except for a small acreage on the opossums and red foxes. lations are primarily controlled by Sauk River near Darrington, all phea­ and inhabit the foothills and the amount of food present. Recently, sant range within the basin occurs weasels, skunks, raccoons, opossums, in , the trend has been along the Skagit River. bobcats, lynx, red foxes, and coyotes. away from cereal grain production. Waterfowl include dabbling ducks This condition, plus diking and drain­ (mallard, teal, pintail. and widgeon) age of marsh lands, has decreased California quail, which inhabit Plea­ sant Ridge on the North Fork of the diving ducks (scaup, bufflehead)'. the food available to water fowl. Pre­ snow geese, Western Canada geese, sent farm crops are , , and Skagit, were introduced to fill the same needs as the pheasant; they lesser Canada geese, and Brant sweet corn, which leave very little geese. waste. provide good, but limited, hunting.

There are three unique species; Hunting is concentrated in Skagit, Two species of rabbits utilize every type of vegetative cover in the basin. whistling swans, trumpeter swans, Padilla, and Samish Bay. Later in the and bald eagles. season much hunting takes place on The cottontail is abundant on and the Skagit River itself. near agricultural lands, while the inhabits upper elevation The black-tailed deer is the most forests. populous big game animal in the The limiting factors for big game basin. Brush and forest lands are the are loss of habitat and weather con­ Upland game birds are greatly primary zones of deer concentration. ditions. Unlike fisheries, artificial As a result, the entire basin, except propagation programs cannot be affected by changes in agricultural practices. Conversion in recent years for urban and intensively farmed successfully applied to big game areas, provides deer habitat. Shrubs management-any increase in num­ from cereal crops to specialty crops, and an increasing use of insecticides, and small plants, the principal deer bers must be generated by a corres­ food, need sunlight to grow; conse­ ponding increase in available forage. has lowered these populations. Re­ duced damage from forest fires and quently, logging is an important fac­ a curtailed slash burning program tor in maintaining the population. The two most numerous upland has reduced the habitat for most Snow depth has the greatest effect game birds in the basin belong to the upland game. The general encroach­ on the availability of winter forage. grouse family. The ruffed grouse fre­ ment of man on the natural habitat Because of extensive snow pack at quents the woods along streams and of upland game has reduced the high elevations, most deer winter be­ lakes, as well as woodlots near agri- land's total carrying capacity for low the 2,000-foot level. Since 63% I I :7

of the Skagit basin is below the 2,000- The winters in study area. Boundaries of the study foot mark, it is well suited for deer the marshy, fresh water areas near area were laid out by legal descrip­ production. The majority of low eleva­ Nookachamps Creek. The Whistling tion; paralleling study rivers at a dis­ tion winter range is located adjacent Swan makes its home near the brack­ tance of roughly one quarter-mile. to the study rivers. ish sloughs around Skagit Bay. Bald Silvicultural data was then gathered Eagles are found most often in the for the lands lying within the study middle flood plain of the Skagit River. area boundary. Black bear, like deer, inhabit wood­ The eagles prefer secluded nest sites, land areas. Their ability to hibernate but they must be near areas of ample makes their winter food supply less fish production. Within the nearly 53,000 acres of critical. Still, the highest concentra­ the study area, almost two-thirds-- tion of bears occurs at lower eleva­ 38,510 acres-- is classified as opera­ tions where the weather is mild and The most important limiting factor ble commercial forest land. The bal­ food more abundant. Logging plays for these birds is loss of habitat. ance-13,280 acres--is inoperable an important role in bear production, These species are, ecologically, very due to topography, unsuitability as a as it increases the ground vegetation fragile, and their relationship with growing site, or existing develop­ so vital to a substantial bear popula­ nature is balanced to such a fine de­ ments (roads, buildings) which pre­ tion. Again, prime habitat is found gree that any outside influence can clude any silviture. along the study rivers. have very di re consequences on their odds of survival. Draining marshes, logging, and the general encroach­ Operable forest land has been Mountain goats require steep rocky ment of man have thinned the ranks of placed into four different ownership slopes producing year-long forage. these species. In recent years, be­ categories: The U. S. Forest Service, Because of their specific habitat de­ cause of an increased awareness on the State of Washington, private tim­ mands, mountain goats are not wide­ the part of the general public, the ber companies and other (small tract spread. Areas inhabitated by goats birds are making a comeback. How­ holders). Total acreage in each cate­ in the Skagit basin include the head­ ever, their habitat in the basin is far gory is: waters of the Sauk, Suiattle, and Cas­ from secure. Through encroachment, Forest Service 13,840 cade rivers. pollution, or physical intrusion, man Forest Industry 10,110 could easily decimate the small flocks Washington State 590 Small Tract Holders 13,970 Elk are seldom found in the basin. which still populate the basin. A small resident herd is located on the south slopes of Mt. Josephine, Timber Management In their April 1972 Forestry Interest near the town of Hamilton. Report, the Industrial Forestry Asso­ ciation makes the following projec­ To determine the effect of classifi­ tions about the non-Federal operable Mountain lions require large areas cation on forestry practices adjacent forest lands within the study area: to roam for food. The high, remote to study rivers, it was first necessary areas of the basin provide the seclu­ to establish a specific area within sion they need. A stable population which the effects would most likely a. Average annual yield per acre is of 15-20 of these rare creatures is be contained. This area was deter­ 700 b.f. for conifer lands, 1,000 b.f. for estimated for the entire basin. mined to be the same as the overall cottonwood stands and 500 b.t. for alder lands. 120

b. Only one-fourth to one-half the signed to encourage the practice of The Skagit River Basin has not land owned by small tract holders silviculture within the study area to been insulated from the burgeoning will be kept in timber production the greatest permissible extent. The outdoor recreation demand. Available through the year 2020. occasional harvest of a tree crop is figures indicate that the growth of eminently more desirable than the recreation facilities and recreation demand have roughly paralleled c. Annual timber harvest for the conversion of forest land to high­ these entities on a State-wide basis. period 1972-2020 will average 12 mil­ density recreation cabin tracts. Estimates by the State of Washington lion board feet; 3.5 million of conifer indicate that recreation demand with­ and 8.5 million of hardwood, from Recreation in the basin will increase by approxi­ non-Federal lands. mately 100 percent of the 1960 level each decade. The State predicts a d. After 2020, annual harvest will In the 20-odd years since the end of basin recreation day demand for the drop to an average 10.5 million board World War II, the demand for outdoor year 2020 of 27,500,000. It should feet; 5.5 of conifer and 5.0 of hard­ recreation in the nation has contin­ be noted that this demand will be wood, due to the conversion of suit­ ually increased, normally at a rate in increased by recent activities of the able sites to conifer production and to excess of the increase in population. in the North the conversion of timberland to other With its unique combination of moun­ Cascades National Park, which uses. tains, ocean beaches, sparkling trout streams, and such outstanding sal­ should significantly increase the mon and steelhead fisheries as the number of Park visitors by the year _The greatest danger involved in Skagit River, the Pacific Northwest 1975: the completion of the North attempting to place realistic limits on has had to provide outdoor recreation Cascades Highway, which will put timber harvest within the study area areas, not only for its own outdoor an as-yet-unpredicted number of is the possibility that one factor, oriented population, but for the an­ additional tourists directly into the which, if isolated, seems negligible, nual influx of tourists from all over the Skagit River Basin every summer; could prove to be the breaking point: nation. completion of the Mountain Loop the practicalities of cost accounting Highway, which will induce one-day are already forcing the subdivision and weekend traffic from the Seattle and sale of some high-quality forest The State of Washington has borne metropolitan area to travel through lands within the study area. Care its proportionate share in this erupt­ the basin; and the possible classifi­ should be taken to design limits or ing recreation demand. Despite an cation of the Skagit River system un­ guidelines which protect the river aggressive facilities development pro­ der the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, environment without unduly ra1s1ng gram, a 1968 State study determined which would tend to draw visitors to the cost of timber harvest in the that the State needs to more than the river itself. For the Skagit River study area. triple its existing facilities to meet basin, then, this 100 percent increase demands of the year 2000. Around in demand per decade may be con­ Puget Sound-one of the most heav­ servative. Properly controlled, forestry-in­ ily used areas for outdoor recrea­ cluding timber harvest-is one of the tion-a Federal study projects that In their recent State-wide Compre­ most compatible resource uses within demands will increase by 100 percent hensive Outdoor Recreation and the study area. Management guide­ of the 1960 facilities level every Open Space Plan, the State of Wash­ lines, and restrictions included in decade. scenic easements, should be de- ington identified 25 different kinds of 121

recreation activities for which per­ Commercial recreational develop­ Both county and state planners sons go outdoors. All 25 of these ac­ ment is strangely absent within the have verbally confirmed that the tivities are available in Skagit and study area. With the exception of a planned control of recreational sub­ Snohomish Counties. Seventeen of small tackle and bait shop at Rock­ expansion within the study the 25 are available within the narrow port, no one in the basin seems to area is a desirable goal. Whether or corridors of the Skagit River study have, as yet, viewed the river as a not classification under the Act is area.· This fact clearly underlines commerical resource. There are no able to control this activity, it should the recreation potential of the Skagit boats or canoes for rent, no resorts, serve to encourage commercial in­ River system and shows how effec­ no regu larfy schedu fed tau rS--noth­ vestment in other recreational facili­ tively the Skagit could be used to ing but the Skagit River guides who, ties, which presently are non­ meet total recreation demand of the for about $75.00 a day will take a existent. two counties. boatload of sportsmen out to sample the Skagit's fantastic winter steel­ The existing recreational develop­ head fishing. Thus far, the only com­ The commercial development of ment along the study area is surpris­ mercial development on the Skagit the Skagit River and its tributaries ingly low. There are 16 campgrounds has been the wholesale development has a highly profitable potential. The on National Forest lands with a total of recreational subdivisions along scenery, which is above average even persons-at-one-time capacity of rivers; these have been abundantly for the outstandingly beautiful Paci­ 1080; these augmented by numerous active, particularly in the past de­ fic Northwest, approaches the "fan­ campgrounds further away from the cade. There are 22 subdivisions with­ tastic" level for flatland easteners. river which may either be located on in the study area. Most of these have The upper reaches of the Cascade, some tributary of the study rivers or at least some cabins built, and some, Sauk, and Suiattle rivers are fast in a non-water oriented spot. There like Cape Horn, are extensively de­ flowing white water rivers in the are seven State of Washington boat veloped. By and large, the develop­ boulder zone, and provide numerous launch and fishing sites within the ments are within the 15, 25 or 50-year opportunities for miniature scenic study area in addition to Rockport flood plain. adventures and audio-visual water State Park, which is 447 acres size contact. Further downstream, as the and has 20 camp units. In addition, rivers begin to level out, they pro­ Luckily there are still a great num­ the county has a small park at Rock­ vide the opportunity for white water ber of potential recreation sites with­ port, appropriately named Steel­ kayaking and canoeing, as well as in the study area. Any piece of land head Park since its principal function for some excellent trout fishing dur­ which is as yet undeveloped and lies seems to be as a campsite for winter ing the warm summer months. From within the 25-year flood plain usually steelheaders, although it is frequent­ where the three rivers join the is suitable for development as a pic­ ly used in the summer too. Skagit, and on the Skagit all the way nic ground, campground, boat launch from Bacon Creek down, the waters site, or other facility. Along the upper are wide and deep. The scenery is reaches of the river, where the banks still outstanding, yet along here even are steep and permanently located, a novice can navigate a or land is more suitable for the develop­ small rowboat with no great danger *B1cycl1ng for pleasure, driving for pleasure, swimming, ment of permanent facilities such as of overturning, provided customary walking for pleasure, visiting local parks, fishing, boat­ cabins, homes and resorts. ing (power), boating (other), horseback riding for plea­ river safety rules are observed. sure. picnicking, sightseeing, camping, water sk11ng, hunting, hiking, rock hounding. other 122

During the Memorial Day-Labor First, the metals are contained in metals have been produced, while Day vacation period, campgrounds complex quartz ores which present non-metals totalling over $130 million in the basin are busy and normally severe extraction problems. Second, have been removed during the same full to overflowing. These facilities most metallic ores are found in the period. are mostly located on ocean beaches high Cascades, a remote, rugged and slack-water impoundments. Con­ terrain with a short working season sequently, one can canoe down the and no roads. Finally, the same min­ Unlike the metals, which are most­ Skagit during the summer, as mem­ erals are present in more profitable ly located in the rugged headwaters bers of this study team have done, quantities elsewhere in the nation; of the basin, the non-metals are and rarely see another craft on the this holds the price below the profit found in the more accessible lower water. margin for any modern mining opera­ valley. Foremost among these de­ tion which could be developed. posits is limestone. The quarry at Concrete produced cement for 61 A small number of white water years, and while presently out of enthusiasts such as kayakers, and One recent exception to the above operation due to economic pres­ canoeists utilize the rivers of the is gold, whose recent price climb sures, the quarry still boasts a re­ area as a site for floating recreation. may revive interest in some of the serve of 20 million tons of top quality Certainly, as greater numbers of the abandoned gold mines in the basin. limestone. Total limestone reserves public "discover" this sport and as for the basin are estimated at over commercial support facilities be­ 1 billion tons. come available, more people will be The Bureau of Mines, U. S. Depart­ spending more time floating down a ment of Interior, classifies most of river. the metals in the Skagit basin as Since the closure of the limestone "potential future sources," meaning quarry in 1968, sand, gravel and stone that their successful utilization must have become the principal minerals Mining await increased prices, improved in the basin. Talc-soapstone is also technology or better access. Among mined, but on a smaller scale. Other these "future sources" are estimated minerals removed in small quantity Despite the glittering promises of deposits of 4.8 million ounces of include silica, , travertine, the 1879 gold rush, mining-that is, gold, 149 million ounces of silver, pumicite and serpentine. the extraction of metallic minerals 609,000 tons of copper, 1.1 million contained in a crude ore-has never tons of lead, 320,000 tons of zinc, been a significant factor in the econ­ 9,000 tons of cobalt, 70,000 tons of Sand and gravel valued at over$ 9 omy of the Skagit basin. This is not molybdenum, 510,300 tons of nickel, million has been mined near the to say that gold, silver and the other 190,000 tons of iron and 5.8 million Skagit River around Mount Vernon, glamorous metals do not exist in the tons of arsenic. Burlington and Sedro Woolley. These basin, but rather that no technology operations continue today and, while has yet evolved which can profitably they may occur close to the river produce them. Despite these sizable deposits of channel, little if any withdrawal is metals, it is the unglamorous non­ made from the streambed. metals which have been the back­ There are three main factors which bone of mining activities in the combine to discourage utilization of Skagit basin. Since the first "boom" Another significant non-metallic the basin's metallic mineral deposits. in the 1870's, only $2.5 million of mineral mined in the basin is stone. 123 I

Over 9 million tons of basalt and re­ lated rock, valued at some $15 mil­ lion, have been quarried for use as ballast and riprap.

Other non-metals are mined on a part-time basis, or during peaks in the market. As a whole, their contri­ bution to economic activity in the basin is minor.

Under PL 90-542, the Bureau of Mines made a preliminary study of mineral resources in the Skagit River drainage. The purpose of the report was to determine whether classifica­ tion of the Skagit and its tributaries would affect mining activity in the basin. Their report finds that the Skagit basin is an area with mineral potential, but that "No mineral de­ posit presently being mined, with the exception of sand and gravel de­ posits along the upper drainage, would be affected by the inclusion of the Skagit River in the Wild and Scenic Rivers System. However, any classification which has the effect of limiting access would stop the de­ velopment of new deposits, and min­ ing would cease with the working out of accessible deposits."

APPENDIX 126

VISUAL RESOURCE

The Visual Resource is the world we see around us--water, land, sky, plants, animals, and artificial objects, like buildings, fences, roads, towns and cities. What we "see" is colored by what we have seen in the past, what we see now, and what we ex­ pect to see in the future. It is a col­ lection of our visual impressions from infinite points of view.

How can we begin to realize the value of seemingly unlimited reserves of natural beauty? If we are able to interpret what we see, if we can understand what we see, then we can identify the many different values which combine to make up the visual resource. And understanding should naturally lead to protection, since, as we shall see, the visual resource in the Skagit basin is a treasure. 127

Moving through the scenery within the river basin one can sense an apparent harmony among all the natural elements, ground forms, rock formations, vegetation and even ani­ mal life. The river basin has a natural­ ly produced landscape character. Replenished by the eternal snows of the North Cascades, high above the Puget Sound lowlands, it carries the trickles and torrents from hundreds of glaciers, from rain-laden clouds,, 'on down through magnificent forests of Western redcedar and Douglas-fir; down into alder, cottonwood, willow and big leaf maple stands, into the valley floors spreading, moving, changing, flowing with the seasons, seaward. 128

Eagles, osprey and heron, salmon and steelhead, and moun­ tain goat, mallard and merganser are part of the scene; and man as well, who lives among these and depends upon the intricacies of this complex and infinite natural scene. There is a feeling of dynamic, continuing com­ pleteness to it, a delicately implicit harmony. This is its landscape character. ,,.,

And it is of many kinds, from the broad scale sweep of the entire basin panorama to the close-up scrutiny of the fern shadow hiding a fawn track. It is the cottonwood canopied is­ lands, the sloughs and backwaters teeming with tiny animal life, lush with spring greens, burnished warm in the golden tones of autumn, stark, grayed and silent in winter. 130

The river channels today are a dis­ tinctive landscape type as they were in the yesterdays that we can read in the river morphology-the terraces, the oxbows, the braided meanders, the youthful valleys, V-shaped and steep-gorged, hollowed, carved by the waters in constant obedience to gravity. The channels have variety, like the wide, quiet "drifts" along the flood plain (drifts - meaning long, easy stretches of relatively calm, but con­ stantly flowing current), like the fast waters, rolling and boiling with rapids and riffles, like the plunging, roaring falls, down deep inside the high country, gushing with foam and spray, roaring like diesel locomotives on a fast idle, squelching all other sound except maybe afternoon thunder. This river is an experience. The compelling vertical scale of the mountain enclosure dominates all visual variety. From the broad sweep of the flat, level, grand expanse of the lower flood plain to the deep V-trenched bottom of the high coun­ try, the vertical enclosure is dramati­ cally present. Whether from the river or the highway, the glimpses out "looking around" are always con­ trolled by this vertical backdroP­ either nearby (foreground), or far away (background). The visual frame of reference is always seemingly up­ ward from the base plane, the valley floor. Emotionally we experience a sense of awe, respect for the majesty of the wild lands on the skyline. 133

"The finest coniferous forests in uniform elevation of the main ridge­ is a more primitive atmosphere. Be­ the world occur in this region of the tops. Towering above this relatively yond this primitive threshold lies the Cascade Mountains" wrote geolo­ even crest are two dormant vol­ wild country just beyond-upriver gists Don Easterbrook and Don canoes; Mt. Baker and Glacier Peak. and on the skyline, deep in the North Rahm. "Here, incredible peaks thrust There are several granite peaks of Cascades. skyward in such savage profusion as exceptional height. Glacial features are common, with hundreds of to provide a lifetime of challenges So now it is possible to define the to the mountaineer." cirques; some peaks, ringed by cirques, have eroded to matterhorns. five landscape environments. The vegetation is characterized by Discussing the wonder of this re­ thick stands of Western hemlock, Urban Characteristic of a city gion, naturalist Bauer wrote Douglas-fir, grand fir and subalpine Rural Open country, stripped of "Nowhere outside of Alaska is there fir. the forest cover, used for a region within a state in which cli­ intensive farming mate, topography and soil have pro­ Pastoral Mixed forest and farmland duced river landscapes that are more The Puget Sound basin type re­ which feels simple, peace­ esthetically and recreationally suited flects massive continental glaciation, ful and "rustic" to the citizen's varied needs than which forms an area of low relief Primitive Land at an early stage of those of the Puget Sound drainage broken by low moraine ridge systems development, the forest basin. Not only are many of these and rounded hummocks and many predominates streams scenic and environmental lakes. The typical vegetation includes Wild Sparsely inhabited uncul­ miniatures of the great wilderness Douglas-fir, Western hemlock, West­ tivated lands still largely rivers of the north country, but they ern redcedar and grand fir. Some in a natural state form some of the most pristine land­ stands of lodgepole pine are found scaped ready-made park lands within on moraine remnants. commuting reach of millions. Although these five landscape en­ vironments occur throughout the These two broad landscape types river basin, future discussion about Here, amidst these "incredible are further subdivided into easily them will be limited to their occur­ peaks," in this area of "ready-made recognizable environments-Urban, rence within the "seen area"-that park lands," flows the Skagit River. Rural, Pastoral, Primitive and Wild. portion of the landscape which is The five terms are natural; they fit visible from the travel corridor along the different levels of development the Skagit and its tributaries. The The river setting is in two charac­ within the Skagit basin. The transi­ seen area is a visual corridor, per­ teristic landscapes; the Northwestern tion is gradual and easily recognized ceived from any number of points Cascades type and the Puget Sound -from the highly developed and along the bottom of the river valley Basin type. heavily modified urban areas in the which, for some viewers will be the lower flood plain out into rural areas road, for others the river. Because intensively managed for domestic The character of the Northwestern the individual's perception depends crops, then merging into a pastoral upon whether he views the landscape Cascade type is one of sharp, jagged sort of world which seems to be apart peaks and deep, steep-sloped valleys from the road or from the river, it. is from anything else. Penetrating important to consider the presence resulting from alpine glaciation. A deeper into the upriver country there striking topographic feature is the of a dual visual perception corridor. 134

Driving in a car, on the road, a Because both modes of travel recreation traveler passes through (river and road) can be experienced varying landscapes as he moves up­ by the traveler, they are both impor­ river. From the lower floodplain, tant to identify and understand. The which is intensively-developed, he visual resource is perceived under passes through an environment one set of conditions from the river, which shows less and less evidence under another set from the road. of the works of man. His gradation of Both modes of experience are im­ perceptual experience is precondi­ portant to the total experience. Each tioned by the landscape environ­ experience has value-separate and ments he passes through on his way distinct, yet interrelated. to any given point on the river. To study these experiences it is The river traveler is in a different necessary to go beyond the narrow world, perceptually. Although the limits of the Skagit River Study cor­ mountain backdrop is still present ridor-V4 -mile on each side of the and still very important visually, the river. The visual resource must be vegetation along the river channel considered on the basis of the seen confines vision to such a limited de­ area. The seen area is there, and it gree that travel on the river is per­ is visible; it cannot be made invisible. ceived as mostly a back-country kind The following sectional sketches of of experience. Much of the land­ the river environments will help dis­ scape modification which is apparent play the realm of the seen area or from the road is obscured from the visual corridor. They show the close­ low vantage point of the river. Some up and the distant views, the fore­ clearings, roads, cabins, farms and ground, middle and background. towns are obvious, but only at a They show both the man-made and limited number of points. the natural environments. The inten­ sive use area is on the valley floor. The extensive use area is along the The river experience, then, is one slopes of the hills and mountains of seclusion, as opposed to the urban­ which form the wall-like enclosure of ru ral-pastoral-pri mitive-wi Id t ransi­ the visual corridor. tion found along the road.

The map shows the visual corridor, the characteristic landscape pro­ vinces and the five landscape en­ vironments. T. 111.

------a.41[ It.I I. r-· :------:

PARK T.H•

Puget Northwestern T.•••· ..,. __ Sound Cascades Province Province

LANDSCAPE ENVIRONMENTS T.JIN.

~ Urban + ~Rural T.3011.

It.ME.

~ Pastoral R.11. R.ll.

~Primitive T.llll ~Wild 136

URBAN ENVIRONMENT

The Urban Environment includes In the urban environment, natural The aerial photo on the next page the cities of Burlington, Mount Ver­ elements are usually disregarded, or illustrates some of the incongruities non and Sedro Woolley, and the su­ considered as nuisances or menaces. of the urban environment as it lies burban areas that interconnect the The river is a menace in this regard, against the river, the mountains, and three towns. The urban environ is an since it will flood unless controlled. the adjacent rural environment. enclave within the larger rural set­ tings. Since it is urban, it presents visually those things one would ex­ pect to see in a city; intensive, dense use of available land and air space in a built-up environment. The natural landscape is entirely subdued or modified beyond recognition, except that the base plane--the valley floor -is relatively unchanged. The river is rigidly contained between levees. Vision is dominated by buildings, streets, utilities, traffic, busy indus­ trious activity and movement; here man is the master, in control, indus­ trious, refined, useful, gregarious. The resultant psychological effect is one of a controlled landscape; one that is highly organized for human use and benefit, to the virtual exclu­ sion of consideration for other natural processes.

The urban environment occupies a very smal I segment of the total study area-about 10 river miles.

There is a distinct high-density clustering of its visual elements, which contrast sharply with the rural setting from which they spring. This enclave is seemingly independent of, or developed in spite of, the natural landscape in which it lies. It bears no THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT visual relationship to the natural SEDRO WOOLLEY landforms around it. LOOKING UPSTREAM 137

RURAL ENVIRONMENT

As the definition suggests, open Here the river is less significant, hills like Haystack Mountain and country and farming typify this land­ even hard to find. Mount Josephine act as visible por­ scape environment. It occupies the tals to the North Cascades on the entire lower floodplain to saltwater. distant skyline. The lower floodplain portion of this The land is heavily modified and rural environment is typical of the intensively used for agriculture. Puget Sound province-low round No single photograph can present Structures, low in density, are asso­ hills on level glaciated plains. Moving all of the visual elements of the rural ciated with this kind of land use; upriver into the beginning of the environment. Some of these ele­ farm and ranch buildings and homes. North Cascades province, the foot­ ments are presented in the following Residential units independent of hills gain dominance, even though picture. Others will be shown later in agricultural uses appear amidst this the valley floor is quite broad. Foot- this discussion. farming backdrop. River frontage is occasionally occupied with residen­ tial units. But the valley floor is typi­ cally farmland; fields, fence rows, groves and woodlots, interspersed with a well-developed transporta­ tion network. The rural environment occupies about 30 miles of the study area.

The border of the rural environ­ ment is easily recognized on the ground-it is where the "open" country begins. Fields surround the urban environment. The visual ele­ ments are those we expect in a rural setting; fields of crops and forage, contained by fence rows and punc­ tuated by barns, sheds and farm houses. Other visual elements in­ clude neighborhood milling, market­ ing and supply centers, roads, rail­ roads, roadside stands and an occa­ sional residential unit or, in some instances a residential subdivision. The dominant characteristic of the rural space is that the land is cleared of trees. Groves exist only around houses or in terrain which is unsuit­ able for cultivation. The land is work­ THE RURAL ENVIRONMENT ed hard-pushed for an annual crop. l YMAN VICINITY LOOKING UPSTREAM 138

PASTORAL ENVIRONMENT

The word "pastoral" defines a feel­ -cottonwoods--contrasted against Sauk River looking upstream from ing of idealized simplicity, peaceful­ the dark conifer background. Where Sauk Prairie. ness and apartness from the rest of communities exist in this realm they are subordinate to the overall visual the world. In the Skagit basin this There are about 90 miles of river tranquility of the environment. emotional sensation begins in the in the Pastoral Environment, present­ general vicinity of Finney Creek - ing a rich variety of spectacular sce­ Cape Horn. The occurrence of cleared Some of the emotional qualities of nery contrasted against the exqui­ and cultivated land gradually gives this environment are visible in the site variety and detail of the river way to uncleared tracts of woods and following picture, which shows the foreground. forest, with a consequent decrease in structural modifications of land­ scape. This sort of countryside evokes reactions of simplicity, peace, and oneness-with-nature. Man is still pres­ ent, to be sure, but the density of pro­ duction farmland decreases and is replaced with large tracts of forest and open lands; agriculture no longer dominates the valley floor as it does farther downstream.

The important visual feature of this landscape is the dominant pres­ ence of uncleared land intermingling with farmland and buildings. As noted above, this begins to become visible in the area of Finney Creek and holds true to varying degrees up the Skagit to beyond Marblemount, and up the Sauk to Darrington.

Another important visual factor is the increasing proximity of the mountain walls on both sides of the valley. They are closing in, tighten­ ing up the valley floor, making the river more frequently apparent. The middle and upper floodplains are narrower, hence the river is more dominant. This becomes obvious by PASTORAL ENVIRONMENT studying the river-bottom vegetation SAUK PRAIRIE LOOKING UPSTREAM PRIMITIVE ENVIRONMENT

The natural-appearing landscape precipitous of the Cascade, The rugged grandeur of this en­ of the primitive environment is domi­ Suiattle and Sauk (above Darrington) vironment is vividly presented in the nant along some 70 miles of study Rivers. The river valleys are narrow, following photograph, taken in the rivers. Except for a few settlements, with steep, heavily forested side Cascade River valley. vacation cabins and public recrea­ slopes. Cross-canyon views reveal tion sites, this environment is only great stands of fir, cedar and hem­ sparsely modified along the valley lock. floor. Logging roads, heavily traf­ ficked by fishermen, hunters, camp­ ers and other outdoorsmen, repre­ sent the chief modification of the landscape. Without these roads, this country could easily be perceived as wilderness - with or without any administrative designation.

There is the overwhelming pres­ ence of steeply sloping mountains closing down on the riverbed. The strong vertical scale and upward orientation that the observer expe­ riences is the significant element in the perception of this landscape. The narrow V-shaped valleys are inter­ cepted by even steeper side can­ yons.

The roads are generally found up on sidehills, above the river. The rugged Cascadian skyline focuses the view up and down canyons to dis­ tant glaciers and peaks. Somewhere below in the dense conglomerate of trees and thickets rumbles the modu­ lated sound of white water. It is vivid­ ly wild scenery, a threshold to the wilderness farther upstream.

Once again the border is easily distinguishable as one enters the PRIMITIVE ENVIRONMENT CASCADE RIVER • HARD CREEK VICINITY LOOKING UPSTREAM 140

WILD ENVIRONMENT The Evaluation Phase

Although it lies beyond the boun­ Evaluation Phase - Of the five dary of this study, the wild environ­ landscape environments just dis­ ment should be recognized as it re­ cussed, four occur within the study lates to the visual context of the area: urban, rural, pastoral and prim­ classification of landscape environ­ itive. Existing land uses within these ments. The upper study termini of four environments can best be sum­ the Cascade, Suiattle and North Fork marized by the photographs on the Sauk Rivers end at the Glacier Peak following page. As the four "slices" Wilderness boundary. The South show, there are distinct differences Fork of the Sauk study terminus is at between each of the four environ­ Elliott Creek, three miles below Bar­ ments. After only a cursory review of low Pass along the Mountain Loop the four slices, it is possible to pre­ Highway. Were it not for this road, dict what land uses, landscapes, this last stretch of river could also vegetation and structures are liable be considered as lying in the Wild to be found within each environ­ Environment. ment. But understanding the present situation in each of the four environ­ ments is only part of the whole; it is Here the rivers and the lands ad­ also necessary to consider their abil­ joining them are totally unaltered by ity to withstand change while still the hand of man. Rugged peaks, retaining their present character. virgin timber, scattered alpine vege­ tation and pure wilderness setting .typify this environment. Man is a visitor in this land which so logically culminates the progression upriver, from dense urbanization to the un­ restricted dominion of nature. 141

COMPARISON OF DEVELOPMENT IN THE FOUR ENVIRONMENTS

URBAN RURAL PASTORAL PRIMITIVE SEDRO WOOLLEY LYMAN SAUK PRAIRIE CASCADE: Mi 13.5 142

UPSTREAM

THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT SEDRO WOOLLEY 143

the boundaries of the existing urban It should be recognized that, with­ The Urban Environment environment; structural densities are in the study area (that quarter-mile still low enough to allow substantial corridor on either side of the river) amounts of new work before the the infiltration of urban densities and This sketch and the photograph saturation point is reached. Beyond structures on the rural, pastoral or on the preceding page show two dif­ this point, the urban environment primitive environments should be ferent aspects of the urban environ­ must slop over into the rural for vigorously resisted. ment; a vertical "bird's eye view," additional space. and a cross-section. Together, these two views depict the relationship Within the existing boundaries of between the urban environment and But in this case, the existing urban the urban environment additional the mountain backdrop, the river, environment lies totally within an development is generally acceptable, and the surrounding rural landscape. existing hundred-year floodplain. Be­ so long as it does not slop over into The gradual sprawl of the urban cause of its flood liabilities, one of the other, less developed and more environment into both the rural and two alternatives may be adopted for fragile environments. riverine environs is especially appar­ tutu re expansion; either extensive ent in the vertical photo. flood control devices will be con­ Change, represented by further structed, or expansion will take place modification of the existing land­ on the surrounding foothills, outside scape by new structures, will as­ the floodplain. However, either alter­ suredly continue in the urban en­ native could be accomplished under vironment. A certain amount of this the study recommendation. expansion can be contained within

I. I \ 144

UPSTREAM

THE RURAL ENVIRONMENT LYMAN VICINITY ,.. .,

The Rural Environment The rural environment has a lim­ convert it to a visual extension of the ited capacity to accept change. Its urban environment. The floodplain flat, open character cannot visually and agricultural lands above it in this As shown in this sketch and the absorb encroachment or develop­ environment are in limited supply. foregoing photograph, the rural en­ ment without destroying the visual Visually and economically they are vironment is also greatly modified, elements which comprise its open, under constant attack from urban but by fields and fences more than agricultural aspect. Billboards, sub­ sprawl. They have little capacity to by homes and businesses. divisions, hot dog stands and ticky­ accommodate this sprawl and still tacky would destroy its openness and retain their rural character.

' \ \1 I I ; i'' :,, I I.: i ;,1 ., I \\ I , I/' ,j \ i ,; r" : I !I 1111t! : · '\I :1 • 11: lij! I11 ' I I I II 1\ ;1 I Iii !I ii Il i < I 146

UPSTREAM

THE PASTORAL ENVIRONMENT SAUK PRAIRIE 147

The Pastoral Environment Visually, this environment can ac­ . This environment is visually suited cept a wide diversity of uses without to medium density uses in the un­ appearing to change. Its capacity to cleared forest areas. Here, as in the As illustrated in this sketch and accept change is due to the large rural environment, an incongruent the preceding photograph, the pas­ proportion of available vegetative cottage, cabin, camper or commu­ toral environment contains an en­ screening. Consequently change­ nity can impart a drastic negative chanting mixture of woodlands and accomplished in harmony with the visual impression. The pastoral en­ agricultural fields. It is triply fragile, forest, groves and woodlots.-would vironment is not the place for clus­ since three different kinds of change be generally acceptable. ters.-whether houses or trailers or could affect it; it could be totally campers-within public view along cleared and converted to farmland, the highway river. Such clusters it could be extensively developed may be readily acceptable provided for human habitation and recreation they can be effectively screened. -. and approach urban densities, or it '-- Id be reforested and turned back to tim Then, of course, it could be kept t e way it is now.

::! :\II) ! I /1 'I I 1; 11 I ,I i; dI I i/' I •/ 'I I 1; I I ; 11· I :I 'I 11 'I ll I I I .14a

UPSTREAM

THE PRIMITIVE ENVIRONMENT CASCADE RIVER • HARD CREEK VICINITY 149 ·~\\ I The Primitive Environment \'--\ ,f'.,_ ~ ~' \

In this sketch and the preceding \ .. ,,.~,~\';\ photo show, this environment is es­ 1 '\ ~ . }\... Fortunately, it is possible to mod- sentially unchanged from its natural ~ . ,, erate the extent, shape, or design state except for the presence of \~ 1. ·. l\. of planned developments to harmon- roads. "\~ "· !\ ize with the natural patterns of th \ I \ forest cover, fitting the scenery a CJ 1 Changes in ( 1, (.( \\ minimizing their visual impact. .w n ~ . these mitigations cannot or w1I not "' \ I be employed, serious confli arise

\\\\I which threaten the integr" of this, ~the most fragile of the r environ- \\ · ~ landscap7 in the study !~~ \ ·~\.,/ •1 ~ '\ \ ·.\ ,'. ;' }- \ 1 \ '1 Ir

Ii ij ·:·,f. i r! I l' i I i \: i :I \\ii I :1 j ;, :] I. i ,, ij ':I 1, ! ~ i I I ,,, I., ' \\ \1 \\' . 'I \I \ \l Ii\ i !! I ! I : I

I

I

I , APPENDIX 152 USE INTENSITY INVENTORY

A. Management Analysis Process In analyzing the runs, five factors its shorelines, and combine to determine the recom­ its landscape, and mended level of human use; these thereby has intro­ Rivers have finite limits to their factors are uniqueness, fragility, di­ duced elements of capacity to accommodate human use versity, accessibility and encroach­ visual, physical or without deterioration. Management ment. These factors are defined biological disequi­ prescriptions are based on the pre­ below. librium. cept of accommodating human use while preventing damage to the re­ Uniqueness - that quality which defines the signifi­ In general, river runs that are source. Consequently, it is first neces­ unique, fragile, of low diversity, in­ sary to determine the human capacity cance or rarity of a characteristic rela­ accessible and unencroached cannot of each river. Once determined, the accommodate intensive human uses capacity rating for the rivers can be tive to the river as a whole without the destruction of some signi­ abstracted into management con­ ficant elements or the disturbance cepts, such as Preservation, Passive of some natural processes. In con­ Fragility- a term describing Use or Active Use. These concepts trast, river runs which have relatively durability, tolerance will provide meaningful guidelines to few unique or fragile values, are high­ to change, or ability future managers in terms of permis­ ly diverse, accessible and encroach­ to survive environ­ sible recreation intensities, permissi­ ed can generally accommodate inten­ mental stress. ble forms of shoreline activities, or sive human use without further dam­ non-compatible activities. age to those values. Diversity- that quality which relates to the varie­ B. Approach ty, complexity and The general relationship between richness of the phy­ the five factors can be codified by sical and visual assigning a numeric value range to It is difficult to analyze 157.5 miles characteristics of each of the factors, and then apply­ of river as a single unit, therefore the the river and river­ ing those numbers to a set of formu­ river system was reduced to a series scape. las designed to measure each run's of short segments, each of which reacts more-or-less in a unified man­ suitability for three different intensi­ Accessibility- the relationship be­ ties of use. Formulas are established ner to management activities. tween the river and to rate each run's suitability for Pre­ adjacent roads servation, Passive Use and Active The proposal area is divided into which determines Use. The formulas are set down and 32 segments, called Runs. each of how readily the river explained below. which represents a fairly homogenous can be reached by unit suited to isolated analysis. Four automobile. PRESERVATION: U1 + F1 additional runs are identified below (2A + 2E) the proposal area, and are subjected Encroachment -the degree to which to the same analysis as those runs human modification within the proposal area, in order to (with the exception This formula implies that for a run suggest management guidelines to of roads) has intrud­ to merit preservation, it must have state and local governments. ed u pan the river, both unique (U) and fragile (F) values 153

within its existing character, and must jacent to the run. However, the adja­ or influenced by the height and velo­ have a very low level of both accessi­ cent landscape is too complex to city of the fluctuating river currents." bility (A) and encroachment (E) since accurately assess with a single nu­ both of these factors are multiplied meric value. It was necessary to re­ by two and subtracted. Diversity is duce the river and its adjacent visible The Flood Plain is that area of land not an important consideration for landscape (defined as the River­ which will inundated by the river at preservation. scape} into its basic factors before least once every 100 years. an analysis can be undertaken. The Viewshed includes all the ter­ PASSIVE USE: rain visible from the river. U1 + Fi + D1 - (A + 2E) 1. Riverscape Components

The Watershed is the total geogra­ This formula states that for a run to The Riverscape (the extreme limit phic area which contributes to the be managed for passive recreation it of land which can be viewed from drainage of the river basin or supplies must have unique (U). fragile (F) and the river, and from which in turn some run-off to the river. diversity (D) values inherent in its portion of the river is visible) divided existing character. Accessibility (A) itself into four basic components. can be permitted at places, so is only These components are 1) river chan­ For the purpose of this analysis, subtracted at face value. Encroach­ nel, 2) streamway, 3) flood plain, and it was possible to aggregate these five ment (E) is still multiplied by two and 4) viewshed. The limits of a fifth com­ riverscape components into two gen­ subtracted, since its relative absence ponent - the watershed - generally eral categories; the Waterform, and is still desirable for passive recrea­ lie beyond the boundary of the view­ the River Setting. tion forms. shed. These components are defined as follows: The Waterform contains the river channel and the stream way, while the ACTIVE USE: 201 - U1 - F1 + A-E The River Channel refers to the River Setting includes the flood plain, river bed which, if not prevented by viewshed and watershed. diking, may change course within the This formula implies that in a run limits of the streamway or flood plain. which is high in diversity [(D) which It is generally marked by the begin­ River Runs are shown on the map is multiplied by two] with relatively nings of the vegetation line. at the end of this discussion. low uniqueness (U) and fragility (F) values, is readily accessible (A) and has tolerable levels of encroachment The Streamway, as defined by Wolf (E), active recreation forms can be Bauer, is "that stream-dependent allowed. corridor of single or multiple, wet or dry channel or channels, within which the usual seasonal or storm water To apply the formulas, each river run-off peaks are contained and with­ run was analyzed to determine the in which environment the flora, fauna, physical and biological characteris­ soil and topography is dependent on tics present within the landscape ad- 154

2. Analysis of the Waterform To analyze a river run, the presence cal waterform and the biological river and the River Setting - or absence of the various elements setting. These "scores" were then identified in the foregoing checklist applied to the formulas as explained The Waterform and the River Set­ was measured, allowing a numeric below. ting are each composed of both "score" to be assigned which ex­ physical and biological elements pressed the uniqueness, fragility and which can be recognized, measured diversity of the physical waterform, and recorded. These elements are the physical river setting, the biologi- displayed below.

PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL ELEMENTS OF THE WATERFORM AND RIVER SETTING

Waterform, Physical River Setting, Physical

1. Gradient 1. Side valleys 2. Low banks, beaches 2. Landform relief 3. Point bars 3. Peaks, ridges 4. Islands 4. Rock outcrops 5. Sand and gravel bars 5. Springs 6. Boulders 6. Waterfalls 7. Major 7. Tributaries 8. Cliffs 9. Shoals or falls 10. Placidity 11. Pools and riffles 12. Rapids

Waterform, Biological River Setting, Biological

1. Vegetation 1. Woodland 2. Wetlands 2. Scrubland 3. Anadromous Fish 3. 4. Other fish 4. Clearings 5. Waterfowl 5. Large mammals 6. Small mammals 7. Rare and endangered species 8. Birds Analysis river setting). The matrix is shown ar:id averaged. Ratings for accessi­ below. After evaluating each river run bility and encroachment were simply from aerial photographs, information recorded in the appropriate box. The To facilitate the recording of data, collected on field trips, and support­ average ratings U1, F 1, 01, and the a matrix was designed to include ing maps, the occurrence of each flat ratings A and E were then applied both the five factors (uniqueness, di­ characteristic was recorded for each by computer to the formula for Preser­ versity, fragility, accessibility and river run, by entering a numeric code vation, Passive Use and Active Use. encroachment) and the four river­ between one and seven. The rating The highest total score of the three scape elements (physical and biologi­ scale follows the matrix. As shown on formulas then became the overall cal waterform, physical and biological the matrix, the ratings for uniqueness, rating for the run being evaluated. fragility and diversity were totaled

RIVER CHARACTERISTICS ~z > w WATER FORM SETTING !:: ~ MATRIX ..J :c w m 0 cu cu <( (.) CJ en cu -~ cu (.) (.) ..J <( en 0 Ol C> <( w ·-en 0 ·-en 0 a: a: >. - >. ~ w CJ 0 ..r:::. ·-0 ..r:::. 0 0 > 0 z 0. ..a 0. :.a ~ <( <( w ...... UNIQUENESS 6 2 5 /5 3.75 ~ -g 2 ~ FRAGILITY 3.; d QJ 4 3 5 2.. 14 5 3 VJ CQ DIVERSITY 4 3 5 2 14 3.5 100 RATING SCHEDULE

Criteria Rating Value Description Criteria Rating Value Description

Uniqueness 7 Very highly unique Diversity 7 Very highly diverse physical/visual pattern

6 Highly unique 6 Highly diverse physical/visual pattern

5 Moderately highly unique 5 Moderately highly diverse physical/visual pattern 4 Moderately unique 4 Moderately diverse physical/visual pattern 3 Moderately low uniqueness 3 Moderately low diversity of physical/visual 2 Low uniqueness pattern

Very low uniqueness 2 Low diversity of physical/visual pattern

Very low diversity of physical/visual pattern IF ragi lity 7 Very highly fragile

6 Highly fragile Accessibility 7 Very highly accessible

5 Moderately highly fragile 6 Highly accessible

4 Moderate fragility 5 Moderately highly accessible

3 Moderate low fragility 4 Moderately accessible

2 Low fragility 3 Moderately low accessibility

Very low fragility 2 Low accessibility

No accessibility FORMULAS* Criteria Rating Value Description For Preservation: U 1 + F 1 - (2A + 2E) + 26 Encroachment Pristine 3.25 + 3.5 - (14+ 12) + 26 2 Very little visual disturbance/physical 6.75 alteration For Passive Use: U1 +Fi+ D1 - (A+ 2E) + 18 = 3 Moderately little visual disturbance/ 3.25 + 3.5 + 3.5 (7 + 12) + 18 = physical alteration 9.25 4 Moderate degree of visual disturbance/ For Active Use: physical alteration 201 - U1 - Fi +A - E + 18 7 - 3.25 - 3.5 + 7 - 6 + 18 = 5 Moderately high visual disturbance/ 19.25 physical alteration 19.25 = Management Rating 6 High degree of visual disturbance/ "The numeric values of 26. 18 and 18 used respec1ively physical alteration in the Preservation. Passive Use and Active Use formu­ las are normalizing values which adjust each formula 7 Very high degree of visual/physical to a 0-36 scale. In the example shown, Active Use received the highest rating by 10 points. indicating that alteration this Run is best suited for management which empha­ sizes its public recreation va!ues. RIVER RUN ANALYSIS

River, Skagit Run, Avon u =3.25 F=3.50 0=3.50 A=7.00 E=7.00 Preservation = 4.75 Passive Use = 7.25 Active Use = 18.25 River, Skagit Run, N. Fork U=6.25 F=6.00 0=6.00 A=6.00 E=4.00 Preservation = 18.25 Passive Use = 22.25 Active Use = 19. 75 River, Skagit Run, S. Fork u =6.50 F=6.00 0=6.25 A=6.00 E=4.00 Preservation = 18.50 Passive Use = 22. 75 Active Use = 20.00 River, Skagit Run, Mt. Vernon u =3.25 F=3.50 0=3.50 A= 7.00 E=6.00 Preservation = 6.75 Passive Use = 9.25 Active Use= 19.25 River, Skagit Run, Skiyou u =3.25 F=3.75 0=3.75 A=6.00 E=5.00 Preservation = 11 .00 Passive Use= 12.75 Active Use = 19.50 River Skagit Run, Lyman u =5.50 F=4.50 0=5.00 A=3.00 E=4.00 Preservation = 22.00 Passive Use = 22.00 Active Use = 17.00 River, Skagit Run, Hamilton U=3.25 F=4.00 0=3.75 A=7.00 E=4.00 Preservation = 11.25 Passive Use = 14.00 Active Use = 21.25 River, Skagit Run, Concrete u =4.00 F=3.50 0=4.25 A=5.00 E=6.00 Preservation = 11 .50 Passive Use = 12. 75 Active Use = 18.00 River, Skagit Run, Van Horn u =3.75 F=4.00 0=3.25 A=6.00 E=4.00 Preservation = 13. 75 Passive Use = 15.00 Active Use = 18. 75 River, Skagit Run, Rockport U=4.25 F=4.25 0=4.75 A=5.00 E=4.00 Preservation = 16.50 Passive Use = 18.25 Active Use = 20.00 River, Skagit Run, Sauk-Mtn. u =5.00 F=5.25 0=5.50 A=6.00 E=3.00 Preservation = 18.25 Passive Use = 21 . 75 Active Use = 21.75

River, Skagit Run, Marblemount U = 4.25 F=4.50 0=4.00 A= 6.00 E=5.00 Preservation = 12. 75 Passive Use= 14.75 Active Use = 18.25 River, Skagit Run, Bacon-Creek U = 3.25 F=3.00 0=3.50 A=6.00 E = 5.00 Preservation = 10.25 Passive Use = 11 .75 Active Use = 19. 75 River, Sauk Run, McCloud U=6.00 F=4.75 D=4.50 A=3.00 E=2.00 Preservation = 26.75 Passive Use = 26.25 Active Use = 17 .25

River, Sauk Run, lllabot u =4.25 f =4.25 D=4.00 A =5.00 E=4.00 Preservation = 16.50 Passive Use = 17 .50 Active Use = 18.50

River, Sauk Run, Rinker u =4.75 F=4.75 D=4.50 A=4.00 E=4.QO Preservation = 19.50 Passive Use = 20.00 Active Use = 17.50

River, Sauk Run, North-Mtn. u =6.00 F =4.50 D=5.00 A=3.00 E=3.00 Preservation = 24.50 Passive Use = 24.50 Active Use= 17.50

River Sauk Run, Darrington u =3.50 F=3.50 D=3.50 A =6.00 E=6.00 Preservation = 9.00 Passive Use = 10.50 Active Use = 18.00

River, Sauk Run, Murphy-Creek u =4.25 f =4.00 0=3.75 A=5.00 E=2.00 Preservation = 20.25 Passive Use = 21.00 Active Use = 20.25

River, Sauk Run, Whitechuck U=4.75 F=4.50 0=4.25 A =4.00 E=2.00 Preservation = 23.25 Passive Use = 23.50 Active Use = 19.25

River, Sauk Run, Falls-Creek u =4.25 F =4.00 D=3.75 A=4.00 E=2.00 Preservation = 22.25 Passive Use = 22.00 Active Use = 19.25

River, Sauk Run, Bedal u =3.75 F=3.50 0=3.50 A= 5.00 E = 3.00 Preservation = 17.25 Passive Use = 17.75 Active Use = 19. 75

River, N. Fk. Sauk Run, N. Fk. Falls U=4.75 F=3.75 0=4.50 A =4.00 E=3.00 Preservation = 20.50 Passive l!se = 21 .00 Active Use = 19.50

River, N. Fk. Sauk Run, Sloan-Creek U=4.50 F=3.75 D=4.25 A =4.00 E=3.00 Preservation = 20.25 Passive Use = 20.50 Active Use = 19.25 River, Suiattle Run, Sauk-Prairie U=4.75 f =3.75 A=2.00 0:3.75 E=2.00 Preservation = 26.50 Passive Use = 24.25 Active Use = 17 .00 River, Suiattle Run, Suiattle-Mtn. U = 4.00 f=3.50 A=4.00 0=3.75 E=2.00 Preservation = 21 .50 Passive Use = 21.25 Active Use = 20.00 River, Suiattle Run, Teepee-Falls U = 4.00 F = 3.00 A=4.00 0=3.50 E=3.00 Preservation = 19.00 Passive Use = 18.50 Active Use = 19.00 River, Suiattle Run, U=3.75 f=3.00 A=4.00 0=3.50 E=4.00 Preservation = 16. 75 Passive Use = 16.25 Active Use = 18.25 River, Suiattle Run, Gibson-Falls U = 4.25 f =3.25 A=4.00 0=3.50 E=5.00 Preservation = 15.50 Passive Use = 15.00 Active Use = 16.50 River, Suiattle Run, Downey-Creek U = 4.25 f=3.00 A=4.00 0=3.50 E=5.00 Preservation = 15.25 Passive Use= 14.75 Active Use = 16. 75 River, Suiattle Run, Hot-Springs u =4.25 f =3.00 A=4.00 0=3.50 E=5.00 Preservation = 15.25 Passive Use = 14. 75 Active Use = 16.75 River, Suiattle Run, Sulphur-Mtn. U = 4.00 f =3.00 A=3.00 0=3.50 E= 2.00 Preservation = 23.00 Passive Use = 21 .50 Active Use = 19.00 River, Cascade Run, Hatchery U=4.50 f =4.25 A=5.00 0=4.00 E=4.00 Preservation = 16.75 Passive Use = 17. 75 Active Use = 18.25 River, Cascade Run, Lookout-Mtn.U = 3.75 f=3.50 A =6.00 0=3.75 E=5.00 Preservation = 11 .25 Passive Use = 13.00 Active Use = 19.25 River, Cascade Run, Marble-Creek U = 4.00 f=3.50 A=3.00 0=3.75 E=3.00 Preservation = 21 .50 Passive Use = 20.25 Active Use = 18.00 River, Cascade Run, South-Fork u =4.00 f=3.50 A=3.00 0=3.75 E=3.00 Preservation = 21 .50 Passive Use = 20.25 Active Use = 18.00

------IOU

River Run Termini Rating

South Fork A to B North Fork C to D Avon Dto E Active Mt. Vernon E to F Active Ski you FtoG Active Lyman G to H Passive Hamilton H to I Active Concrete I to J Active Van Horn J to K Active Rockport K toX Active Sauk-Mtn. XtoY Passive Marblemount Yto Z Active Bacon Creek Z toa Active Hatchery z to b Active Lookout Mtn. bto c Active Marble Creek c to d Preservation So. Fork d toe Preservation McCloud L to M Preservation lllabot M to N Active Rinker N too Passive North Mtn. Oto P Passive Darrington PtoQ Active Murphy Creek Q to R Passive Whitechuck R toS Passive Falls Creek S toT Preservation N. Fk. Falls T to V Passive Sloan Creek VtoW Passive Bed al Tto U Active Sauk-Prairie Oto f Preservation Suiattle-Mtn. f tog Preservation Teepee-Falls g to h Passive Huckleberry Mtn. h to i Active Gibson Falls i to j Active Downey Creek j to k Active Hot Springs k tom Active Sulphur Mtn. m ton Preservation T. 37N, T. 37N,

R 3E.

RIVER RUNS

l

R.B E. ft.9E.

T.MN.

APPENDIX IO'f

SKAGIT RIVER RIVER AREA BOUNDARY INDEX MAP

RECREATIONAL

MAP20Fl2

MAP10F12

Darringt n

MAP 12 OF 12

LEGEND

RIVER AREA BOUNDARY

NATIONAL FOREST BOUNDARY

Land Within River Area Boundary

NATIONAL FOREST

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT -~ STATE - COUNTY C:J PRIVATE 165 166

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tylap12 of12 BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Comprehensive Study of Water 7. Proposed Stream Classification 15. Mineral Resources of the Skagit and Related Land Resources, System; Wolf Bauer; 1971. River Drainage; Bureau of Mines Puget Sound and Adjacent (Close), 1972. Waters, State of Washington; 8. Washington Statewide Compre- Pacific Northwest River Basins hensive Recreation and Open 16. The Nooksack Plan; Jones & Commission; 1970. Space Plan; lnteragency Com- Jones, 1973. mittee for Outdoor Recreation, 2. Hydroelectric Power Potential of State of Washington; 1973. 17. Soi/ Survey, Skagit County, Wash- Rivers Named in Public Law 90- ington; USDA, Soil Conservation 542, The Wild and Scenic Rivers 9. Flood Plain Information Study, Service, 1959. Act; Federal Power Commission, Skagit River Basin, Washington; Bureau of Power; March 1969. U.S. Army Engineer District, 18. Pocket Data Book, USA 1971; Seattle; April 1967. U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1971. 3. Review of Power Planning in the Pacific Northwest; Volumes for 10. 1970 Census of Population, Gen- 19. Pocket Data Book 1971, State of Calendar Year 1964-1970; Power era/ Social and Economic Char- Washington; Office of Program Planning Committee, Pacific acteristics, Washington; U.S. Planning and Fiscal Management, Northwest River Basin Commis- Department of Commerce, Washington State, January 1973. sion. Bureau of the Census; March 1972. 4. Typical Landscape Characteris- tics and Associated Soi/ and 11. Proposed Principles and Stan- Water Management Problems on dards for Planning Water and the Mt. Baker National Forest; Related Land Resources; Water Pacific Northwest Region, Forest Resources Counci I; Federal Reg- Service; 1966. gister, Vol. 36, No. 245; Dec. 21, 1971. 5. River Mile Index, Stilfaguamish River, Skagit River, Samish River, 12. Skagit County Agriculture: , Hydrology and An Economic Mainstay; Washing- Hydraulic's Committee, Pacific ton State University, College of Northwest River Basins Commis- Agriculture, 1972. sion; April 1968. 13. Public Response on Alternatives 6. The Skagit Trade Area of Wash- and Tentative Recommendations; ington State, A Survey of Selected Skagit River Study, USFS, March Regional Characteristics; Wash- 1973. ington Agricultural Experiment Station, Washington State Univer- 14. A Tourist and Recreation Strategy sity; October 1969. for Skagit County with Recom- mendations for Implementation; Skagit County Development Assa- ciation, October 15, 1972.