NPSAR Realtors,

If you sell property in the Skagit River Basin, there are a couple of issues that you and your clients need to be aware of:

1) FEMA - no one knows for sure where the flood maps will end up - there is still a lot of negotiating, analyzing and pointing of fingers on this issue - but one thing is generally agreed upon by all parties - the maps will change and many Skagit properties will be affected in the end. NPSAR feels it is prudent to advise property owners in Skagit County to investigate purchasing the highest level of flood insurance available in order to be \"grandfathered\" in at something closer to current premium rates. Those trying to increase insurance to comply with new maps will likely face very high premiums and that may impact the ability to get affordable insurance or sell the property in the future. NOW is the time to lock into a rate level that is reasonable if and when the new maps take effect, and all Skagit River area landowners need to be made aware of this. That means your clients - whether they are single family homeowners or commercial investors. Please advise your clients to talk to their insurance providers for advice soon, before it is too late.

2) Well moratorium - There is a large and contentious lawsuit going on between the Department of Ecology and the Swinomish Tribe regarding instream flow and water usage in the Skagit River Basin. The City of Anacortes has also weighed in as an Intervenor in these proceedings. The Skagit County Commissioners play a role in deciding if they will impose well moratoriums in the Carpenter Creek / Fisher Creek areas of Skagit County - which could affect development potential of approximately 500K acres. If you have clients who are landowners in this area or who have an interest in this issue, please advise them that their property rights are going to be affected by the outcome and to contact the Skagit County Commissioner and make their opinions known!

Here are some links you can pass along to any interested parties:

Washington State WRAC site with legal briefs from DOE, Swinomish Tribe and the City of Anacortes:

http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wr/instream-flows/skagitbasin.html

Skagit County Commissioners:

http://www.skagitcounty.net/Common/asp/default.asp?d=CountyCommissioners&c=General&p=main.htm

Questions? Call me or drop me an email!

Meredith Laws NPSAR Government Affairs Director 360-770-1997