NEWS

(SKAGIT COUNTY)- The Skagit County Board of County Commissioners on Monday, May 8, established by resolution the 2023 Docket of Proposed Policy, Code, and Map Amendments. The Growth Management Act provides that each comprehensive land use plan and development regulations shall be subject to continuing review and evaluation and requires Skagit County to annually accept petitions for amendments or revisions to the Comprehensive Plan, according to a news release from the county. Skagit County received five timely petitions and two deferred petitions from previous dockets to amend the Comprehensive Plan, Comprehensive Plan Map, or development regulations. By Skagit County Code 14.04.080, deferred     (read more)

(SKAGIT COUNTY)- With the return of spring and daytime low tides, you might be venturing out to harvest shellfish from one of Skagit County’s many beaches. With the help of a diligent group of volunteer harvesters, Skagit County Public Health monitors samples of clams, oysters, and mussels for biotoxins including the toxin that causes Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP). PSP is a serious illness caused by eating shellfish containing elevated levels of a naturally occurring microscopic organism. What begins as a tingling sensation in the lips and tongue can progress to a life-threatening paralysis of the respiratory system. Skagit     (read more)

(SKAGIT COUNTY)- New Skagit County solid waste rates will go into effect starting June 1, 2023, according to a news release from the county. General solid waste at the Skagit County Transfer and Recycling Station and the Sauk Transfer Station will increase from $103 to $105 per ton. The minimum charge for residential waste disposal will remain at $20. Recycling and household hazardous waste drop-off will remain free for households, and rates at the Clear Lake Compactor Site will remain at $7 per 32 gallon can. “The Solid Waste Division is funded entirely by disposal and user fees. This rate increase is part of a rate     (read more)

(OLYMPIA)— State funding is now available to local governments through Washington State Archives’ Local Records Grant Program. The Local Records Grant Program helps local government agencies upgrade their technological resources for records management and retention, and better respond to public-records requests, according to a news release from the Washington Secretary of State's Office. Since its inception in 2005, the program has awarded more than $4 million to hundreds of agencies including cities, towns, and counties; fire, school, hospital, port, and public-utility districts; transit authorities; and more. Qualified agencies and entities can apply online. The application form has been revised and simplified to     (read more)

(MARBLEMOUNT)– Both directions of State Route 20 will close overnight May 4-6 between Marblemount and Newhalem to allow for repairs to the road washed out during historic floods in November 2021. During the closure, contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation will install three culverts under SR 20, according to a news release from WSDOT. Beginning at 11 p.m. Thursday, May 4, until 5 a.m. Friday, May 5, both directions of SR 20 will close at milepost 113, approximately 1.5 miles north of the west entrance to North Cascades National Park. If needed, the road will close again at 11 p.m. Friday, May 5, until 5 a     (read more)