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Flood survivors and local residents press Skagit County on rebuilding, recycling and battery storage
Summary
During the public comment session, a flood-affected resident urged faster county action to allow rebuilding after December 2025 flooding; other speakers urged county action on curbside recycling and opposed battery energy storage siting on farmland.
At the 11:30 a.m. public comment session April 14, several residents raised separate concerns to the board of county commissioners.
PJ Parsons, a Concrete-area resident who said her home was destroyed in the December 11, 2025 flood, described prolonged difficulties getting permit responses and being told by county staff she could not rebuild. "I've been homeless since December 11," Parsons said. She described slow response times to permit requests and frustration at being told she cannot rebuild despite having flood insurance and funds available for reconstruction.
Alka McCartney, speaking for local farmland preservation interests, urged commissioners to stop construction of battery energy storage systems (BESS) on farmland. McCartney warned of fire risk and environmental contamination from thermal-runaway fires and urged protecting farmland through the county's Farmland Legacy Program.
Larita Humble ("Tweedy") from Lake Cavanaugh called again for curbside recycling, asking why county code, governance-board approval and solid-waste advisory committee steps could not begin sooner.
Commissioners acknowledged the remarks; Commissioner Burns highlighted that a federal major disaster declaration for the December 2025 flooding had been signed and that FEMA support and federal assistance are now available, though distribution of recovery funds will take time.
The board did not take immediate action on the public comments but commissioners said staff follow-up and constituent meetings would occur where appropriate.
