Obama Administration Supports the Illabot Designation

July 9, 2009 | Wild and Scenic Rivers, Protecting Rivers

Caitlin Jennings
Communications Associate

The Obama Administration announced yesterday that it also supports adding Illabot Creek to the Wild and Scenic River System. Representative Rick Larsen and Senator Patty Murray  have recently introduced legislation that would do just that.

Illabot Creek, a tributary of the Skagit River, is a special haven for eagles and its protection is also important to for Puget Sound salmon recovery.  However, in the past, there have been several hydropower projects proposed on the creek that would have jeopardized the health of the fish and wildlife populations. Wild and Scenic designation would block any dams and other harmful water projects while also protecting stream flows and the critically important spawning habitat of multiple fish species including wild Chinook salmon, steelhead, and bull trout, all federally listed as threatened, as well as pink, coho, and chum salmon.

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