The odds of keeping the Anacortes-to-Sidney, BC, ferry afloat are improving. Democrats in the state House of Representatives have joined the Senate and included the ferry route in their proposed budget. The Governor had eliminated the ferry from her proposed budget.
Meanwhile, a three-year agreement has been reached that will allow a $100,000 cut in the annual fees that Washington State Ferries will pay to dock the ferry in Sidney. “Sidney’s move to reduce our landing cost by $100,000 clearly sends the message this is a partnership and not a one way relationship,” said Representative Jeff Morris, whose district includes Anacortes.
The run was once again on the chopping block as in years past, with Gov. Gregoire planning for its elimination in her early budget proposals. But thanks to heavy lobbying and a cooperative effort to strike a deal by both ends of the route, the state House and Senate both agreed to keep funding for the route in their budgets.
In a show of international support, dozens of people attended a rally at the Sidney, BC, terminal on Sunday, including an assembly of dignitaries from Washington who sailed aboard the MV Chelan from Anacortes.