Seattle’s Skagit River dams hurt salmon, orcas and Native American culture, agencies say
A new KING 5 investigation Skagit, River of Light and Loss reveals cost-effective electricity generated for the city of Seattle comes at a price. Author: Susannah Frame Updated: 12:54 PM PST February 20, 2021
Residents of Seattle enjoy some of the most affordable electricity in the country, but the city-owned utility that generates that power is accused of harnessing cost-effective electricity on the backs of Puget Sound salmon, killer whales and the way of life for Native American tribes in the Skagit Valley, a KING 5 investigation found.
“The [city of Seattle has] taken a lot from this tribe for the last 100 years, and the tribe is not going to take it anymore, said Scott Schuyler, natural resources director of the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe, based in Sedro-Woolley. The status quo is not working, and we will not allow it to continue.