The Ground Is Being Tilled for Progress
in the Skagit
During the summer, a group of leaders from the farm community and
tribes publicly announced a new partnership, the Skagit Tribal-Agricultural
Alliance, to seek ways to rebuild runs of the Skagit River salmon
and support the long-term prosperity of agriculture. Leaders from
both the agricultural community, Swinomish and Sauk-Suiattle Tribes
are now working to finalize an accord that defines their hopes
and the actions they will foster for both salmon and agriculture.
They are working to have the accord finished late this fall. Also,
they are developing a work plan that will further define the future
of this partnership and will actively pursue funding to staff their
joint efforts.
In a separate process, the Swinomish and Sauk-Suiattle Tribes, through
the Skagit River Cooperative and with the Washington State Department
of Fish and Wildlife, are developing a scientific plan for the long-term
recovery of salmon in the Skagit. This plan will be available by
the first of January 2005. The Tribes are interested in peer review
of their scientific work and encourage the interest of others in
helping apply the best science now and in the future to the important
task of recovering salmon in the Skagit. Also, the tribes encourage
other groups and governments in Skagit County and across the Puget
Sound region to consider their individual and collective role and
contribution to the actions believed necessary to protect and restore
Skagit River runs.
Contact: Jim Kramer at jkramer@sharedsalmonstrategy.org
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