Skagit County’s county engineer told commissioners on Nov. 10 that changes to federal NEPA rules in 2024 and a subsequent federal shutdown have delayed environmental approvals and put several federally funded road projects at risk.

Tom Weller said the county began NEPA review for Francis Road Section 1 in July 2024 after federal rules changed. The project cleared state review on Sept. 29, 2025, then encountered the federal shutdown. Weller said the county’s grant requires construction obligations by April 30, 2026, and that, to meet that deadline, the county needed NEPA approval by Oct. 15, 2025; missing that internal milestone makes construction next summer “pretty narrow.”

Weller said several projects in combination—Francis 1, Francis 3, Cook Road and the Rosario roundabout—have about $10 million in federal funds that must be obligated by either April 30 or September 2026. He described additional cascading risks for project sequencing and noted the county is seeking an immediate meeting with WSDOT Local Programs to clarify funding availability.

Commissioners expressed frustration at federal timing but thanked staff for keeping partners informed. Weller said consultants are being used to meet NEPA requirements and that the county will continue to pursue WSDOT and federal coordination.