DRAINAGE
UTILITY |
Skagit
County's drainage problems are interrelated and ongoing. Often,
the source of a drainage problem is from surface water or runoff
that has traveled from other parts of the County. |

Managing our stormwater and drainage problems can be very expensive,
particularly if it involves capital facility improvements. Long-term
solutions are often too costly for individual drainage districts
or property owners to bear alone and are unfair, many say, because
surface water from other parts of the County can contribute to localized
problems. In addition, one problem cannot always be solved without
creating other drainage concerns - nearby or many miles away. The
Drainage Utility is a solution that addresses everyone's needs and
shares the costs in an equitable manner.
|
What
kinds of projects are funded by the Drainage Utility? |
Many
water-related projects, including construction and maintenance
of pump stations, piping, tide gates, and ditching systems
are eligible for Drainage Utility funding. Other eligible
projects may deal with increased stormwater runoff from
developed areas and the impacts of the increased runoff.
Additional information on the Drainage Utility can be found
at the following links:
|
The
County already does many drainage projects. Why do we need a Utility?
Before
the start of the Drainage Utility, most of the drainage
projects done by the County were road-related. Since the
only source of funding for drainage projects was County
Road Funds, drainage work was limited to projects that
are related to roadside drainage. This meant that for
every project the County performed, there were dozens
that could not be done. The Drainage Utility allows the
County to address drainage issues unrelated to road drainage,
and retains road funds to be used for roadway improvement
projects.
Will
the Drainage Utility address all drainage problems in the
County?
When
drainage or stormwater problems are identified or reported,
all will be evaluated and prioritized to ensure that the
most urgent needs are dealt with in an expedient manner.
Given the large number of problems identified and the
fixed financial resources, correction of some of the lower
priority problems may not be undertaken, but the County
reviews and assesses every problem reported.
|
Are
there limitations to the types of projects that the
Drainage Utility can construct?
State
law mandates that funds collected by the Drainage
Utility can only be spent on facilities to correct
drainage concerns. The funds can not be spent on any
other type of project. The Drainage Utility does not
address water quality-related problems or habitat
restoration projects, except within the context of
a specific Drainage Utility project. For example,
if replacement of a culvert under a road is required
to resolve drainage problems, it is acceptable to
replace the culvert with one that allows fish passage.
However, if the sole reason to replace a culvert is
to allow fish passage, Drainage Utility funds can
not be spent on the project. Also, Drainage Utility
funds cannot be transferred to any other fund, such
as County General Fund. |
What
areas does the Drainage Utility serve, and how much does
it cost?
The
Drainage Utility encompasses all areas within Skagit County
except for those areas that have established service boundaries
of their own. These include existing drainage districts,
incorporated cities and towns, federal and reservation lands,
and commercial timber lands. While the Drainage Utility
funds are restricted to the Drainage Utility service area,
the Drainage Utility cooperates with drainage districts,
state agencies, and tribes to work together on projects
of common interest and joint benefit.
The
Drainage Utility rates for various property classes are
as follows:
In addition,
the Drainage Utility seeks state and federal grants to leverage
our local dollar. Skagit County's Drainage Utility rates
compare favorably with other communities:
|
Who do I contact
to learn more about the Drainage Utility or to file a drainage complaint?
The person you should contact depends on the location of the
drainage concern. View a map showing the locations of drainage districts, and incorporated
cities and towns, here.
If
your drainage concern lies within a drainage district, please contact
the appropriate drainage district commissioner. A current list of
the drainage district commissioners may be viewed here.
If
you have a general question about the Drainage Utility, please contact:
Kara Symonds
Watershed Planner
Skagit County Public Works
(360) 416-1447
Skagit County Public Works
1800 Continental Place
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
(360) 416-1400
|
|