2021-02-04 Forest Advisory Board Agenda Packet Published

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As the City owns and manages two dams within the ACFL, the Department of Ecology has safety protocol required for each. You may remember the work done at the Little Cranberry dam in the mid 90's. This included tree and vegetation removal, the construction of a spillway and installation of a log boom. We do an annual inspection and send that to DOE. The earthen dam at Whistle Lake has not been upgraded to these standards, and DOE has reached out to us to explore options for necessary safety upgrades. The dam,just north of Toot Swamp is crossed by trail #205 and is rarely noticed by most forest visitors. We are currently working with a consultant on some options going forward, and may have these ready for discussion at the March Forest Board meeting. It should be noted that Whistle Lake is still the backup water supply for the City. A variety of City departments, including Parks & Recreation, continue work with the Anacortes Family Center and other generous community support groups on the issues surrounding homelessness. The embedded social worker discussion throughout the City Council's 2021 budget deliberations have given us some options we have not previously had. We continue to currently work together delivering services to those in need, while working on updated community protocol. We look forward to having some options to present to Council in the next few weeks. We did have some minor storm damage on the Guemes Channel Trail as a result of the recent west wind event. We were able to do all repair work in house, and within the parameters of our maintenance permits. I am reconnecting with the Pacific Northwest Trail Association Western Washington Regional Coordinator, Sterling Collins-Hill. He attended one of our "recent" in person Forest Board meetings asking about signage options. He and I are working on some informational signage at#248 and #100 trailheads (off of west end of 23rd Street). He has some grant funding available. Friends of the Forest Executive Director Asa Deane and I continue our regular meetings every two weeks. We are excited to be putting together an ACFL volunteer project for the end of February. Due to pandemic protocol, pre-registration to limit numbers will be required. Specifics for this will be distributed by Parks & Rec Communications Czar Victoria Wong soon. Thank you again to the Samish Indian Nation for our monthly connection and ACFL hike with Denise Crowe. Our January trip through the Little Cranberry burn zone was an exciting treasure hunt of native plant renewal power. Denise' sharing of Samish tradition and her years of ACFL presence greatly enriches our approach to ACFL management with every trip. ACFL Steve and I continue to work with Planning staff on trail repair projects. The wind storm has been a bit of a setback. We will get back on that schedule soon. Our Parks Impact Fee draft plan will be discussed next at the Feb 8 Council meeting. Washington Park proposed free increases will also be on the agenda. Faithfully Submitted, Bob Vaux, Assistant Director January 29, 2021