Project Background

The originally proposed project called for the extension of up to five miles of water pipeline along county roadways in the Thomas, Hansen and Swede Creek basins. However, due to legal challenges and rising construction costs, the scope of the project must be revised.

The project is funded by a $1.185 million grant from the Washington Department of Ecology as part of the implementation of the 1996 "Memorandum of Agreement regarding utilization of the Skagit River basin water resources for instream and out-of-stream uses."

The goal of the project is to reduce further the degradation of instream flows in the Samish and Lower Skagit rivers. Ecologists believe that taking groundwater from wells can reduce the amount of water available in streams to fish. This means that those who choose to connect to the District waterline would help keep more water in streams for fish.

Copies of the January 22, 2008, public information meeting and revised scope project map are available below:

Public Utility District No. 1 of Skagit County is accepting sealed bids for the Hansen/Thomas Creek Pipeline construction project.  Bids will be received at the District office, 1415 Freeway Drive, Mount Vernon, Washington 98273 up to 10 a.m. on May 8, 2008.  All complete bids will be opened and publicly read aloud at 10:15 AM on the same day.

The District encourages qualified women's and minority business enterprises to submit bids for this project, and prime contractors are required, if subcontracts are to be let, to take the five steps listed below:

1. Solicit qualified women's and minority business enterprises;
   
   
2. Assure that small businesses are solicited whenever they are potential sources;
   
   
3. Divide total requirements, when economically feasible, into smaller tasks or quantities to promote maximum participation by small and minority business, and women's business enterprises;
   
   
4. Establish work schedules, when possible, to encourage participation by small and minority business, and women's business enterprises;
   
   
5. Use the services and assistance of the Small Business Administration, and the Minority Business Development Agency of the Department of Commerce.