Council hears short status reports on several projects including Hop Hill, Wallula Gap and GoldenEye BESS

Staff provided a series of brief project updates across several agenda items. John Barnes (site staff) said Hop Hill staff are working with the applicant on supplemental cultural resource materials and a revised site layout and that the applicant anticipates submitting supplemental materials in fall 2026. On Wallula Gap, Barnes reported continued coordination with the Yakama Nation on traditional cultural property (TCP) impacts and an updated visual impact assessment.

Joanne Sinarski updated the council on the proposed GoldenEye battery energy storage facility, noting staff had asked the developer to work with the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe on a confidential TCP report and that the developer was initiating discussions toward completing that report. The council had no immediate actions but recorded these updates for the project dockets and asked staff to continue outreach and documentation.