2021-05-06 Forest Advisory Board Agenda Packet Published

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April 2021 Parks and ACFL Operations Administrative Report We are super excited to thank our brothers and sisters in Public Works for getting some LONG NEEDED road work done on the Mt. Erie Road. Parks & Rec was able to purchase the material and the Streets Division provided the operators and equipment. It really has improved the drive up and down the mountain. We look forward to continuing this low-cost partnership in the future on other parks roads. We had two great clean-up projects in the ACFL centered on Earth Day. I helped out with the Dallas Kloke Mt. Erie climbers clean up, and Parks Staffer Sky Guthrie worked with divers in Heart Lake. Both events took place the morning of April 17th, and were successful in getting some non-native materials off the mountain and out of the lake. Thanks to all who participated. Very happy to report the Washington Park ‘A’ Loop was opened for camping by the promised date of Friday, April 2nd. A huge thank you to Nicole, Brian, Nichola, Steve, AJ and Sky for making this happen. And thanks to VECA as well for their continued positive partnership. We also completed a long term stay program in the campground with partners the Anacortes Police Department and the Anacortes Family Center (AFC). This was done in conjunction with the cold weather shelter, and an outreach grant the AFC was able to secure. The program resulted in no complaints in the campground, and some very positive steps forward for program participants. I completed two sessions of trail steward training with the Rotary Club on the Cap Sante trails system. The two outings included at least six of each; Rotarians and AHS Green Club members. The sun came out both days, and we are now ready to send some new trail stewards into the wild. The vacation of portions of 11th Street and ‘B’ Avenue to the Wynn and Ortman families in exchange for waterfront easements to be used for Guemes Channel Trail construction continue to work their way through the City Council Public Hearing process. A few of the neighbors have raised concerns regarding their views and the long term plans of the residents of their neighborhood. The Public Hearing is currently continued to Monday, May 3rd. Nicole Johnston and I continue to work on a much drawn out seasonal hiring process. We have found it challenging this year to find applicants willing to meet us for an interview. Thankfully, we have also found some new folks who are ready to pitch in, alongside a returning core group at Washington Park. Nicole, ACFL Steve and I were also able to get a fair amount of downtown street tree pruning completed. We shall take our next look at this in the fall. The three of us also continue our work with a variety of tree owners, both public and private. Steve and I have been responding to 4-wheel drive access issues at the Whistle Lake trailhead. I was able to catch up with a home-made rig in response to a concerned hiker’s phone call. From there, Steve and I put a plan together, and he has done a nice job shoring up the access points. Friends of Forest Executive Director Asa Deane and I had a good South Cranberry outing. I included a tour and description of the trail #10 improvements we are working on between trail’s 117 and 113. We are working with Public Works and a local biologist on the plan, and will have the paperwork in to Planning very soon. Director Lunsford and I had a nice meet and greet with new Fire Chief Bill Harris. We are looking forward to showing him around the ACFL and Parks, and continue our work on community safety.