Skagit River System Cooperative works on behalf of the Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe and the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community to improve fisheries throughout usual and accustomed lands and waters in the Skagit River basin and Puget Sound that were ceded through 1855 peace treaties with the United States. SRSC has been contracted by the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community and the Lummi Nation to develop and implement a work plan for nearshore habitat restoration in the Whidbey Basin, focusing on Saratoga Passage. This contract is made possible by funds acquired through a mitigation settlement between the Port of Everett and the Indian Tribes that have usual and accustomed fishing grounds at the site of a new rail-barge facility east of the Mukilteo ferry
landing. SRSC is implementing the work plan with input from a project steering committee comprised of Federal, State, County, and Tribal staff with expertise and management roles in salmon recovery. This initial phase of the project examined pocket estuary sites along the shorelines of Port Susan, Hatt Island, Saratoga Passage, Possession Sound, and SW Whidbey.