Skokomish Tribe reaches deal on water flows

The Skokomish Tribe of Washington has reached an agreement with Tacoma Power to send more water down the North Fork Skokomish River.

Under the agreement, the amount of water released from the Cushman Dam will increase four times. The tribe hopes the increase will aid salmon runs.

"The North Fork issue affected every part of our tribe," deputy tribal secretary Tom Strong told The Olympian.

The tribe and Tacoma Power are still working on an agreement to address other issues surrounding the relicensing of the Cushman Dam. The dam was completed in 1930 and has reduced salmon runs, destroyed habitat and damaged cultural sites, Strong said.

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Water release will aid salmon (The Olympian 3/17)