Skagit Wild & Scenic River Eligibility & Suitability Studies
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APPENDIX D: SKAGIT WILD AND SCENIC RIVER STUDIES Skagit Wild & Scenic River Eligibility & Suitability Studies 220 Ross Lake National Recreation Area Draft GMP/EIS TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary 222 Introduction 223 Purpose and Scope 223 Skagit River Watershed 225 Wild and Scenic Rivers Act – Criteria & Process 226 Previous WSR Studies in the North Cascades NPS Complex 226 Skagit River Management 226 Eligibility Evaluation 227 Free-Flowing Condition 227 Outstandingly Remarkable Values 230 Eligibility Determination 242 Ineligible River Segments 242 Classification 243 Suitability Evaluation 246 Characteristics that Make the River Segments Worthy of Designation 246 Land Ownership, Uses, Zoning, and Restrictions 246 Opportunities and Limitations on Hydropower Development 247 Projects and Plans that are Enhanced, Curtailed, or Foreclosed Due to WSR Status 247 Public Involvement 255 Management Intent 255 Conclusion 258 Selected References 258 Tables Table 1: Summary of Outstandingly Remarkable Values 224 Figures Figure 1. Skagit Wild and Scenic River Study Area 228 Figure 2. Eligible River Segments within the North Cascades NPS Complex 244 Figure 3. Eligibility Findings and River Classifications 248 Figure 4. Skagit River from Gorge Powerhouse to Ross Lake NRA Boundary 251 Figure 5. Goodell Creek 252 Figure 6. Newhalem Creek 253 Appendices 221 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY in the fish, wildlife, geology, history, pre-history, recreation and scenery resources. Goodell Creek This study report evaluates the eligibility and was found to have ORVs in the fish, wildlife, geology, suitability of the Skagit River, from Gorge Dam to and scenery resources. While Newhalem Creek the Ross Lake National Recreation Area (NRA) was found to possess ORVs in the wildlife, geology, boundary, and its tributaries for inclusion in the Wild history, pre-history, and scenery resources. The water and Scenic River (WSR) System. This report also quality of all eligible river segments were determined identifies preliminary classifications of eligible river to be high quality. Table 1 summarizes the ORVs. segments. The result is a recommendation to extend WSR designation to the 11-mile segment of the Skagit The Skagit River segment from below Gorge Dam to River and two major tributaries. Gorge Powerhouse does not meet the free-flowing requirement of the WSR Act and therefore was This analysis is being conducted in conjunction found to be ineligible. In addition, the remaining 21 with the development of Ross Lake National tributaries flowing into the study reach, though free- Recreation Area’s General Management Plan. This flowing, were not found to possess any ORVs, and study meets the requirement, under Section 5(d)(1) therefore are not eligible. This assessment was based of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, for agencies to on available information through staff knowledge and evaluate potential WSR rivers as part of their land literature research. Varying amounts of information management planning processes. were available for these creeks, with most creeks lacking thorough surveys of natural and cultural The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, passed in 1968, resources. Therefore, this assessment will be updated protects the free-flowing waters of many of our in the future if new information is found indicating nation’s greatest rivers, while also recognizing the the potential for a river segment to possess an ORV. potential for appropriate use and development. It ensures the public’s enjoyment of the river and Eligible rivers or river segments were classified as its resources for present and future generations; recreational or wild, as listed below: new dams and other water resources projects that The Skagit River was classified as: . would have adverse impacts are prohibited on WSR recreational - due to the hydropower dams segments. upstream and presence of the North Cascades Highway paralleling the river for this entire There are three different classification types based segment. on the existing level of human development or impact on the river –wild, scenic, and recreational. Goodell Creek was classified as: . To be eligible for inclusion in this system, a river must wild – headwaters to river mile one-half . be free-flowing and posses at least one outstandingly recreational – river mile one-half to its remarkable value (ORVs) or characteristic that confluence with the Skagit River is river-related and unique, rare, or exemplarily compared on a regional or national scale. Newhalem Creek was classified as: . wild – headwaters to upstream of the If a river is found eligible, the next step is a suitability diversion dam (river mile one) . analysis which assesses whether or not eligible recreational – upstream of the diversion dam segments should be included in the National WSR (river mile one) to its confluence with the System. The suitability study findings are based on Skagit River public input and an assessment of the ability of the river segment(s) to be managed to protect the The suitability analysis was primarily based on the outstandingly remarkable river values. Designation of following factors: . eligible and suitable river segments into the National The characteristics that make the river WSR System on NPS lands would be decided segments worthy of designation. through a Congressional Act. The ability of NPS and its non-Federal partners to manage the river segments to The Skagit River from Gorge Powerhouse to the Ross protect their ORVs, water-quality, and free- Lake NRA boundary, Goodell Creek, and Newhalem flow. Creek were found to be eligible. They all are free- flowing. The Skagit River was found to have ORVs 222 Ross Lake National Recreation Area Draft GMP/EIS . The compatibility of WSR designation with Therefore the National Park Service recommends other potential uses of the river segments. that Congress extend the Skagit WSR designation to . The public’s support for designation. include this 11-mile upper Skagit segment and the two largest tributaries flowing into it. The upper Skagit River and the two eligible tributaries in this reach – Goodell and Newhalem creeks - were found to be suitable for WSR INTRODUctION designation. The addition of this 11-mile upper Skagit River segment and its key tributaries would complete the Skagit WSR system from the downstream end Purpose and Scope of the Skagit Hydroelectric Project to the town of Sedro-Woolley and create more opportunities for This report includes the draft Wild and Scenic River holistic watershed management. (WSR) Eligibility and Suitability Study findings for the Skagit River and its tributaries from below Gorge The support for this designation from the general Dam to the Ross Lake National Recreation Area public and two other land management agencies, (NRA) boundary just upstream of Bacon Creek. In a Seattle City Light and the Washington State previous eligibility study conducted by the National Department of Transportation, was overwhelming Park Service (NPS) in 1989, the entire segment of positive. Only one comment was received opposing the Skagit River within the Ross Lake NRA was designation. Two more comments also expressed found eligible for inclusion in the National WSR concerns about the potential effects of WSR System based on fishery and wildlife outstandingly designation on new water resource projects, but no remarkable values (ORVs). As a result of this initial known proposals in the foreseeable future would be study, the Skagit River within Ross Lake NRA is prohibited by the WSR designation. located on the Nationwide Rivers Inventory1 list. The first purpose of this report is to update these Seattle City Light is committed to managing their eligibility findings based on new information and lands to protect fishery and wildlife resources changes that have occurred since 1989 and new generally consistent with the intent of the WSR Act. guidance and criteria that have been developed The National Park Service manages the majority of and adopted by the Interagency Wild and Scenic the lands in the study area and manages the river River Coordinating Council. The second purpose system to protect the outstandingly remarkable is to conduct a suitability analysis to determine values, water quality, and free-flowing character of whether or not the eligible river segments should be the river segments. recommended for designation. Existing protections are in place prohibiting This WSR study area includes the Skagit River below logging and mining, as well as limiting hydropower Gorge Dam to the Ross Lake NRA boundary and development. WSR designation would add additional the tributaries flowing into this reach. The evaluated protections from hydropower facilities and tributaries are identified by name or by an identifying encourage natural bank protection, thus furthering number from the Washington State Stream Catalog regional and national goals for recovery and System. Starting upstream and moving downstream, protection of salmon and bald eagle populations. the north tributaries are listed below: . #1965, River segments found eligible and suitable will be . Afternoon Creek, managed by the National Park Service in a manner . Falls Creek, that protects their free flowing character, water . Goodell Creek, quality, and ORVs as required under the WSR Act. #1865, . Babcock Creek, Designation would require the development of a . Thornton Creek, comprehensive river management plan which would . Sky Creek, allow focus on the river segments and their special . Damnation Creek, and resources. WSR designation