For Guemes Island residents, the only source of fresh water for most household use are three naturally occurring underground aquifers. Up until 1994, these aquifers supplied all the fresh water needed to support the families of Guemes. Everything changed when wells began to fail because of salt water intrusion. For the last 26 years, Skagit County has failed to implement steps needed to protect Guemes Island’s water supply.
Category: Planning
What does affordable housing mean in Skagit? And will more market-rate, single-family homes meet the need?
Clearly, everyone has to be able to “afford” a house or apartment in order to buy or rent housing. However, obtaining housing is not a problem for everyone. When your wealth or income is high enough, the amount you spend on housing is a matter of choice. It is unlikely that there is a house in Skagit County that Bill Gates can’t afford, for example.
First Steps to Fix Skagit County’s Housing Crisis
Affordable housing has become a core economic issue for communities throughout our country. For Washington State (and many other communities), it is not a singular issue and has many complex elements.
Global Crises in the Skagit
The Covid-19 pandemic is a global tragedy, from Skagit County to County Cork, from Kolkata to Kenya. In response, a multiplicity of strict national and regional rules have arisen all over the world. We have no choice. The alternative is sickness and death. Fortunately …
Skagit County Shoreline Areas at Risk with Woefully Outdated Management Plan?
Ask almost any Skagit resident what they love about their home county, and closeness to water usually rates right up at the top. Skagit is loaded with stunning shoreline areas, beautiful and productive wetlands, and scenic lakes.
All Children Have a Right to Play: The Need for Inclusive Playgrounds in Skagit County
As the grandmother of a young boy with Cerebral Palsy who uses a wheelchair and a walker for his mobility, I have become painfully aware of the ways in which typical playgrounds exclude those with disabilities. ADA compliance does not guarantee usability.
Power and money trump residents’ efforts to protect South Fidalgo?
Why, when residents had worked with County Planning Department staff at the direction of the Commissioners for three years, and after the Planning Department had repeatedly recommended that the Commissioners adopt the zoning changes, did the Commissioners fail to do so?