Big Lake Water. The way of our lives, our health, recreation, and happiness
Help Protect Big Lake Water Quality
Read the latest legal brief & please donate to help fund our continued efforts! - 12/1/2025
Hello Friends,
Thanks to your generous donations, we were able to engage Kyle Loring, Esq., formerly of Friends of San Juan County. He boldly stepped in and took over after we filed a DIY Petition to the Superior Court to challenge the Skagit County Hearing Examiner’s erroneous dismissal of our appeal of the County’s phantom permit for the new Overlook Crest plan. (See photo)
You can see the initial results of Kyle’s efforts in the 40 page brief. Which documents what is wrong with the County and Developer's hiding the new plan
from public scrutiny.
We still need your financial help. Kyle must file our reply to the County’s response brief by December 10. The lawyers will argue the case in the
Skagit County Superior Court on December 19. If we are successful, we will
still need funding for expert witnesses, or a possible second round of
appeals.
Please send your tax deductible donation today, in any amount, to Friends of
Skagit County, PO Box 2632, Mount Vernon, WA 98273 or at forgood.org
<https://donate.forgood.org/donation/91-1576105> to use a credit card. Be
sure to write "Protect Big Lake" on your check or money order.
It is only with your help that we can continue this fight to protect Big Lake from this inadequate land plan that is, unfortunately, already under way. See below.
Best holiday wishes,
Jan Edelstein, Jake Koopmans, Greg Whittendorf, Ellen Bynum, and Victoria Hattersly
We need your help NOW!
A local team of Big Lake residents along with the Friends of Skagit County organization are working together to ensure no stormwater pollution enters Big Lake from a new 105-home development.
The new land plan packs 105 homes in 3 rows of ¼ acre lots on the slope above the golf course, in violation of various County land division requirements. The Skagic County Planning Department appears to violate State and County laws requiring a public review process.
We’re fighting back for the public’s right to know and participate in this important decision. WE NEED YOUR HELP NOW. Please help fund our experienced land use attorney to take this to Superior Court.
Skagit County's Hearing Examiner says the public is not entitled to notice of this new plan or an opportunity to participate in its review. The Planning Department refuses to conduct the public hearing on the stormwater system ordered by the Board of County Commissioners last November. The Planning Department says no Environmental Review is required, even with all of the new information since the original review. The Planning Department ignores Dr. Horner’s report that the new stormwater plan, although better than the first plan, will send pollution to Big Lake.
We APPEALED this unannounced and unreviewed new land plan. The Hearing Examiner dismissed our appeal, at the request of Overlook Crest with support of the Planning Department. Details at biglakeinformed.org.
Please send donations, in any amount to: Network for Good - http://nfggives.org/
or send checks to: Friends of Skagit County
PO Box 2632, Mount Vernon, WA 98273-2632
Mark Donations: Protect Big Lake Fund
QUESTIONS?
EMAIL: biglakeinformed@gmail.com or CALL Friends at 360-419-0988, leave a message.
We'll get back to you, ASAP!
Read the latest on our blog
Updates on the latest appeals for the stormwater issue, plus other happenings concerning Big Lake..
Join your neighbors to preserve the magnificent natural gem of Big Lake.
Join our mailing list, contact us, volunteer or donate here!
WE ARE IN IMMEDIATE NEED!
FUNDS TO HIRE CREDENTIALED EXPERTS in stormwater and soil hydrology for the hearing. Please donate today!
VOLUNTEERS that are motivated, technical, or have legal backgrounds.