Lake Taxes

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Protecting Big Lake: What Your Taxes Cover — and What They Don’t

Big Lake is one of our community’s most valuable natural assets. It supports recreation, wildlife, and property values for everyone who lives here. Recently, many residents have asked an important question: 

“If we already pay taxes, why are donations needed for algae cleanup?”

What Your Taxes Pay For

Local taxes through the Lake Management District 1 (LMD1) bring in ~$84k per year (~$240 per developed lakefront property, increasing ~8% annually). That money goes towards testing water quality and controlling noxious weeds around Big Lake. It’s helpful, but it’s not enough for the bigger, more expensive work needed to handle algae blooms (~$325k). 

Why Algae Cleanup Isn’t covered by Taxes

Algae management falls into a unique gap.  It’s not part of the regular county environmental budget (yet), and it needs special permits, treatment plans, and outside contractors. Most of the time, communities have to raise funds and/or it depends on competitive grants— and those have been tough to get. The county has applied multiple times in the last couple years, but the requests for algae funding got turned down. 

• In December 2024, an algae grant application submitted by the Conservation District of Skagit County was denied (Feb 2025) 
• In December 2025, Skagit County applied again for: 
  • Noxious Weed Treatment funding 
  • Algae Program funding
    👉 Both were denied (Feb 2026) 

Why we need community support right now: Outside grants and big funding from the state or feds are uncertain and could take years (if they come at all). Without quick action from the community on the algae, the water quality continues to get worse, swimming and boating become less safe or enjoyable, and it can start hurting property values across the whole area — not just for folks right on the water.

Ongoing Efforts to Secure Funding

Although we have not been successful in getting grants or State/Federal funding, these efforts are continuing and may be a source of funding for future years.  

We are actively pursuing outside funding — but these are not guaranteed:

• A request was submitted to Rick Larsen for $2.2 million in algae treatment and lake care funding 
  • Realistically, funding (if approved) may be closer to ~$50,000 
  • Earliest potential timeline: 2028 
• Similar requests were submitted to: 
  • Maria Cantwell 
  • Patty Murray 
• Letters of support came from: 
  • Big Lake Sewer District Commissioners 
  • Local business owners 
  • Community advisory members 

Additionally:

• The Department of Ecology (DOE) may expand grant availability in future cycles 
• Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) may introduce new lake care funding opportunities 

Important: Only government agencies can apply for these grants — community groups cannot directly access them.

What Donations Support

Community contributions go directly toward:

• Algae monitoring and testing 
• Treatment planning and implementation 
• Permitting and environmental compliance 
• Long-term lake health strategies 

These are targeted, immediate actions that tax funding does not currently provide.

A Shared Responsibility

Big Lake belongs to all of us — residents, visitors, and future generations.

Protecting it requires a combination of:

• Public funding (when available) 
• Grant efforts (when approved) 
• And community support to fill the gap 

How You Can Help

Your contribution helps ensure:

• A safer, usable lake 
• Stronger property values 
• A healthier ecosystem 

Donate today and be part of protecting Big Lake