Anacortes staff present updated Community Forest Lands Plan; public urges longer review and clearer comment process
February 24, 2026 | Anacortes, Skagit County, Washington
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City staff presented a draft update to the Anacortes Community Forest Lands (ACFL) Plan at the Feb. 23 council meeting, outlining format improvements, new chapters and several policy areas the council will consider before adoption.
Bob Vokes, a parks staff presenter, said the draft’s largest changes are improved formatting and the addition of an executive summary and a science chapter informed by Transition Fidalgo’s citizen science work. He specifically highlighted that a proposed Little Cranberry Lake boat launch is not included in the draft and that staff will "explore options to close a portion of Trail 101" between junctions with Trails 131 and 105 rather than move directly to closure.
Vokes also described a year‑long e‑bike study and recommended treating Class 1 e‑bikes as bicycles, while treating Class 2 and Class 3 e‑bikes more like motorized vehicles. The draft adds detail on wildfire protection, a potential full‑time park ranger position (to be an Anacortes Police Department employee if funded), and plans to coordinate a cultural resource survey and plant selection work with the Samish Indian Nation.
Public commenters during the docketed ACFL item urged the council to slow adoption and improve the public comment process. Mark Neihardt asked the council to delay adoption until November 2027 and to create a documented, transparent comment evaluation process. Richard Mellon and Friends of the Forest volunteers stressed the need for consistent funding and staffing to maintain 52 miles of trails and cautioned that volunteer contributions alone are insufficient. "Trails are not self maintaining," Mellon said, urging the council to plan ongoing financial support for maintenance.
City staff reminded the public that a formal public hearing on the draft is scheduled for March 16 at 6 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers and encouraged additional written comments via the SEPA application linked from the draft.
Bob Vokes, a parks staff presenter, said the draft’s largest changes are improved formatting and the addition of an executive summary and a science chapter informed by Transition Fidalgo’s citizen science work. He specifically highlighted that a proposed Little Cranberry Lake boat launch is not included in the draft and that staff will "explore options to close a portion of Trail 101" between junctions with Trails 131 and 105 rather than move directly to closure.
Vokes also described a year‑long e‑bike study and recommended treating Class 1 e‑bikes as bicycles, while treating Class 2 and Class 3 e‑bikes more like motorized vehicles. The draft adds detail on wildfire protection, a potential full‑time park ranger position (to be an Anacortes Police Department employee if funded), and plans to coordinate a cultural resource survey and plant selection work with the Samish Indian Nation.
Public commenters during the docketed ACFL item urged the council to slow adoption and improve the public comment process. Mark Neihardt asked the council to delay adoption until November 2027 and to create a documented, transparent comment evaluation process. Richard Mellon and Friends of the Forest volunteers stressed the need for consistent funding and staffing to maintain 52 miles of trails and cautioned that volunteer contributions alone are insufficient. "Trails are not self maintaining," Mellon said, urging the council to plan ongoing financial support for maintenance.
City staff reminded the public that a formal public hearing on the draft is scheduled for March 16 at 6 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers and encouraged additional written comments via the SEPA application linked from the draft.
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