The glory of Skagit Valley agriculture is in the enriched soil of the river delta, about 50,000 acres of some of the most productive farmland in America.
And the glory of the Skagit River is the chinook salmon, a threatened species that is the object of a major recovery plan.
We all benefit from the proximity of fish and farms. The two can and must co-exist. The Skagit Valley without either is unthinkable.
Some of the most fertile land here lies near sea level. Without the tidegates that keep saltwater from intruding into those fields at high tide, farming in the delta would die. At the same time, estuarine areas must be restored to provide more habitat for juvenile salmon as they build strength for their journey to the ocean. It is not the only part of the Skagit Chinook Recovery Plan, but still a very important element.
There are two key constituencies with important interests at stake — farmers and tidegates, and the Swinomish Tribe and salmon. For farmers to be able to repair tidegates, they must provide mitigation for the impact the gates have on the movement of fish downstream. And the tribe needs the support and cooperation of the agricultural community in its salmon enhancement efforts.
The Skagit Delta Tidegate and Fish Initiative represents the best chance to achieve the objectives of both parties. The plan was developed by the Western Washington Agricultural Association in cooperation with the National Marine Fisheries Service and the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.
We see the biggest obstacle now remaining as the absence of trust. The tribe is understandably wary of entering into an agreement that lacks benchmarks for progress and flat guarantees that the promised habitat restoration will, in fact, take place.
The delta farmers point out that they have little to gain by stonewalling on their obligations under the plan, should it be finally adopted by federal fisheries agencies. Such action would be damaging to farmers’ credibility and would come back to haunt future transactions between the agricultural and tribal communities.
Any further loss of Skagit farmland is unacceptable. The complex fabric of carefully plotted crop rotation that is the key to the lower valley’s ability to support some 80 specialty crops requires a critical mass of land on which to operate. It is unfair to characterize the application of some public lands to tidegate mitigation as a private benefit at public expense. After all, there are tangible public benefits derived from the very existence of Skagit Valley agriculture, the survival of which is never to be taken for granted.
The proposed tidegate and fish initiative offers the best chance to serve the interests of farmers and the tribe.
• Editorials reflect the consensus opinion of the editorial board and are written by its members: Publisher L. Stedem Wood, Editor Don Nelson and City Editor Dick Clever.
Farm, fish pact would be good move for valley
This article has been viewed 165 times
Discuss This Story
Previous Story• DIRT CUP | Barnes claims Dirt Cup victory |
Next Story• PUD to include fluoride line item on bills |
More Local News
Top Jobs
EXP. AUTO TECH ASE cert. Foreign & Domestic. Busy shop. Fax resume: 360-755-0318 or call 360-661-7261…
Mount Vernon ATTENTION: Skagit Valley Herald newspaper carriers wanted: MOUNT VERNON The Skagit Valley…
WANTED!!!! We are growing & building a new store. If you are high energy, excitable & want to join a…
OPTICIAN/ MANAGER Exc. career opportunity. Manage newly remodeled dispensary for busy ophthalmology practice…
Retail LaConner Shirts. Life is good. Fri/Sat/Sun, 10-6 dneedham@cnw.com 360-466-5101
EXP. HVAC Apprentice Full benefit package, wage DOE. Call to apply - Right Way Plumbing, Heating, AC,…
Grade Hop with construction staking and GPS exp for earthwork/utility contractor doing work in Snohomish,…
PROPERTY MANAGER Oversight of private estate in San Juans. BA & 8+ yrs. property mgt. exp. req'd or equivalent…
SERVER/ KITCHEN HELP PT. Apply in person at Cap Sante Court Retirement, 1111 32nd St, Anacortes 293-8088…
BOOKEEPER Full charge, experience with G/L, payroll, inventory, man- ufacturing. Email resume to: info@padgettcpa.com…
WAREHOUSE CLERK F/T position, 40 hours per week, weekdays 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, with some variance possible.…
Exp. Chemical Professional with current license. Full-time, long term, IOP. Great wage and benefits.…
TABLE GAMES DEALERS Exc. benefits, for more info visit www.swinomishcasino.com & click on Employment.…
LABORER POSITIONS Available. TOP PAY. Must have some construction exp. Wages DOE. Drug-free workplace.…
F/T EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Exec. Sec. to company Boards. Evening meetings, $18-$20/hr. DOE with benefits…
LA CONNER RETIREMENT INN is seeking full time dependable CAREGIVERS to assist our residents with medication…
SALES EXPERIENCE A MUST, AUTO SALES A PLUS! We need 2 motivated enthusiastic individuals. Opportunity…
The Olive Garden Italian Restaurant is now hiring SERVERS Apply between 2-4pm Mon. - Fri. for open interviews,…
Dominos Pizza Drivers Wanted. Get cash every shift. 18 or older. Apply in person 1600 E. College Way.…
IDEAL POSITION FOR OUTGOING FNP Fun office, great staff - we're growing! Rewarding full scope practice…
Exp'd. Plasterer/ Lathe/ Stucco worker. Pay $18-$30 DOE. Call (360)223-2327.
The Skagit Valley Herald is now hiring for: OUTSIDE ADVERTISING SALES Join our dynamic Outside Sales…
Exp. Dump Truck Driver Wage DOE, full benefit pkg. avail. (360) 293-1266
CAREGIVERS NEEDED! PT NAC/NAR with current CPR and First Aid. Mental health and dementia training a plus.…
Full Time Yard Person at local lumber yard. Come in person to get an application at 815 Roosevelt Ave.…
P/T DELIVERY Flexible hrs. 3 days a wk + Sat. Must have valid driver's lic. Contact Rob at Sherwin-Williams.…
This FT warehousing position has excellent growth opportunities. Ag/4H/FFA background and interest in…
Looking for someone with POWDERCOATING experience. Will train the right person. 360-428-0413
MYSTERY SHOPPER'S Earn up to $150 per day, undercover shopper's needed to judge retail and dining establishments.…
2 GOLF CART POSITIONS at Eaglemont Golf Course. Apply in person at the - Pro-Shop, 4127 Eaglemont Dr.,…
LATITUDE MARINE SERVICES, LLC LA CONNER ALUMINUM - Welders - Fabricators - Weld/Fab Supervisors -General…
Weatherization & Repair Technician F/T, 8-5:30 Mon-Thurs. Great Benefits. Work as part of team using…
Mount Vernon ATTENTION: Skagit Valley Herald newspaper carriers wanted: MOUNT VERNON The Skagit Valley…
Certified Nurses Aides Burton Care Center is a small, home-like facility where we all work together to…
Receptionist for oral and maxillofacial surgery office. Close team work. Approx. 40 hr wk. Exp. preferred.…
SERVICE DRIVER/ BUNDLE HAULER Part-Time Part-time Service Driver/ Bundle Driver needed. 20+ hours a week.…
Yacht Detailers needed. Fiberglass repair, buffing, waxing and detailing. Please call: 360-631-7127
Electricians wanted. Commercial journeyman & exp. apprentices. Seattle & Burlington area. Fax resume…
Medical office in Anacortes has two positions open. F/T CLERICAL position requires computer skills and…
Ranch Hand/ Kennel Assistant: Feeding, cleaning, entertaining dogs, cats, horses & customers. 422-7644…
JANITOR needed for Fri. and/or Sunday. Call 360-428-5858
RIVERSIDE LANES Now hiring Janitorial Front Desk. Must be available some weekends, 24-30 hrs. per wk.…
Mount Vernon ATTENTION: Skagit Valley Herald newspaper carriers wanted: MOUNT VERNON The Skagit Valley…
WANTED!!!! We are growing & building a new store. If you are high energy, excitable & want to join a…
OPTICIAN/ MANAGER Exc. career opportunity. Manage newly remodeled dispensary for busy ophthalmology practice…
Retail LaConner Shirts. Life is good. Fri/Sat/Sun, 10-6 dneedham@cnw.com 360-466-5101
EXP. HVAC Apprentice Full benefit package, wage DOE. Call to apply - Right Way Plumbing, Heating, AC,…
Grade Hop with construction staking and GPS exp for earthwork/utility contractor doing work in Snohomish,…
PROPERTY MANAGER Oversight of private estate in San Juans. BA & 8+ yrs. property mgt. exp. req'd or equivalent…
SERVER/ KITCHEN HELP PT. Apply in person at Cap Sante Court Retirement, 1111 32nd St, Anacortes 293-8088…
BOOKEEPER Full charge, experience with G/L, payroll, inventory, man- ufacturing. Email resume to: info@padgettcpa.com…
WAREHOUSE CLERK F/T position, 40 hours per week, weekdays 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, with some variance possible.…
Exp. Chemical Professional with current license. Full-time, long term, IOP. Great wage and benefits.…
TABLE GAMES DEALERS Exc. benefits, for more info visit www.swinomishcasino.com & click on Employment.…
LABORER POSITIONS Available. TOP PAY. Must have some construction exp. Wages DOE. Drug-free workplace.…
F/T EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Exec. Sec. to company Boards. Evening meetings, $18-$20/hr. DOE with benefits…
LA CONNER RETIREMENT INN is seeking full time dependable CAREGIVERS to assist our residents with medication…
SALES EXPERIENCE A MUST, AUTO SALES A PLUS! We need 2 motivated enthusiastic individuals. Opportunity…
The Olive Garden Italian Restaurant is now hiring SERVERS Apply between 2-4pm Mon. - Fri. for open interviews,…
Dominos Pizza Drivers Wanted. Get cash every shift. 18 or older. Apply in person 1600 E. College Way.…
IDEAL POSITION FOR OUTGOING FNP Fun office, great staff - we're growing! Rewarding full scope practice…
Exp'd. Plasterer/ Lathe/ Stucco worker. Pay $18-$30 DOE. Call (360)223-2327.
The Skagit Valley Herald is now hiring for: OUTSIDE ADVERTISING SALES Join our dynamic Outside Sales…
Exp. Dump Truck Driver Wage DOE, full benefit pkg. avail. (360) 293-1266
CAREGIVERS NEEDED! PT NAC/NAR with current CPR and First Aid. Mental health and dementia training a plus.…
Full Time Yard Person at local lumber yard. Come in person to get an application at 815 Roosevelt Ave.…
P/T DELIVERY Flexible hrs. 3 days a wk + Sat. Must have valid driver's lic. Contact Rob at Sherwin-Williams.…
This FT warehousing position has excellent growth opportunities. Ag/4H/FFA background and interest in…
Looking for someone with POWDERCOATING experience. Will train the right person. 360-428-0413
MYSTERY SHOPPER'S Earn up to $150 per day, undercover shopper's needed to judge retail and dining establishments.…
2 GOLF CART POSITIONS at Eaglemont Golf Course. Apply in person at the - Pro-Shop, 4127 Eaglemont Dr.,…
LATITUDE MARINE SERVICES, LLC LA CONNER ALUMINUM - Welders - Fabricators - Weld/Fab Supervisors -General…
Weatherization & Repair Technician F/T, 8-5:30 Mon-Thurs. Great Benefits. Work as part of team using…
Mount Vernon ATTENTION: Skagit Valley Herald newspaper carriers wanted: MOUNT VERNON The Skagit Valley…
Certified Nurses Aides Burton Care Center is a small, home-like facility where we all work together to…
Receptionist for oral and maxillofacial surgery office. Close team work. Approx. 40 hr wk. Exp. preferred.…
SERVICE DRIVER/ BUNDLE HAULER Part-Time Part-time Service Driver/ Bundle Driver needed. 20+ hours a week.…
Yacht Detailers needed. Fiberglass repair, buffing, waxing and detailing. Please call: 360-631-7127
Electricians wanted. Commercial journeyman & exp. apprentices. Seattle & Burlington area. Fax resume…
Medical office in Anacortes has two positions open. F/T CLERICAL position requires computer skills and…
Ranch Hand/ Kennel Assistant: Feeding, cleaning, entertaining dogs, cats, horses & customers. 422-7644…
JANITOR needed for Fri. and/or Sunday. Call 360-428-5858
RIVERSIDE LANES Now hiring Janitorial Front Desk. Must be available some weekends, 24-30 hrs. per wk.…
