The City of Snoqualmie and the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe signed a momentous infrastructure agreement that will support both the City’s and Tribe’s future economic development goals.
The Snoqualmie City Council and Snoqualmie Indian Tribal Council approved an amendment to the sewer utility service agreement, originally signed in 2004. This agreement will provide additional sewer treatment service to the surrounding community as well as any potential future hotel expansion to the existing Snoqualmie Casino. The Snoqualmie Casino is currently the largest customer of the Snoqualmie Water Reclamation Facility (SWRF).
This agreement follows months of collaborative negotiations by government representatives and helps solidify a positive relationship between the City and Tribe. The Snoqualmie Tribe will contribute approximately $6.6 million in funding to expand treatment capacity of the SWRF and provide for the General Facilities Charges (GFCs) set forth in the City’s adopted sewer rate plan. This will help the City increase capacity of its water reclamation facility, mitigate any potential Casino Expansion Project’s impact on the City’s water reclamation facility, and benefit both existing and future users of the utility system.
“This mutually beneficial agreement promotes economic development and tourism in our City and across the region,” commented Snoqualmie Mayor Katherine Ross. “We are pleased to support this important project, its positive local and regional impact, and look forward to working with the Snoqualmie Tribe on future projects.”
“This agreement will benefit the City’s many sewer customers who reside, work, and visit the Snoqualmie Tribe’s Ancestral Lands located within the City limits. The Tribe’s status as a recognized sovereign Tribal government bolsters our positive economic impact for both the Tribal community and the surrounding Snoqualmie Valley community,” said Snoqualmie Tribal Chairman Robert M. de los Angeles. “Already the largest employer in the Snoqualmie Valley, we will be adding an estimated 500 new jobs with our expansion. Through our charitable donations, impact mitigation funds, and tax revenue, the Tribe has generated an immense amount of value and benefit to the Snoqualmie Valley community, and our ability to continue doing so will be strengthened when we complete our expansion project.”