Over the last seven weeks, the Planning Commission has accepted comments and held work sessions regarding the second draft of the Critical Areas Regulations. These regulations are aimed at providing protection from development for our most sensitive natural spaces. It is a city code document that address a number of different categories of critical areas, including wetlands, fish and wildlife habitat, geologically hazardous areas, critical aquifer recharge areas, and frequently flooded areas.
The Anacortes Community Forest Lands are considered to be a Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Area (FWHCA). This designation qualifies it as a critical area which integrates it into to the Critical Areas Regulations. There has been a great amount of concern from members of the community about the strength of this protection for the forestlands and other fragile ecosystems such as the Ship Harbor Wetlands.
Last Wednesday, December 4th, after two months of meetings and research, I submitted an official comment on behalf of Friends of the Forest regarding our concerns about the regulations and suggestions as to how they could be improved. We highlighted the lack of consideration of wildlife corridors, the removal of Wetlands of Local Significance delegations, and the nature of protection surrounding the ACFL.
This upcoming Wednesday, December 18th, the Planning Commission will open the official public hearing about the regulations. This will likely be the final opportunity for the citizens of Anacortes to go on the record before the commission sends the regulations to city council.
If you are interested in participating, the meeting will take place at City Hall starting at 5:00 pm. The city has set up a webpage with information about the regulations, their updates, the timeline, and all of the comments that have been submitted. This, coupled with videos of the completed meetings, is a great place to catch up on what has been discussed so far.
Thanks, and I’ll see you in the forest (or at the planning commission meeting)!
-Asa Deane, Executive Director
