Council discusses forest plan

Among the details: recreation vs. conservation, dogs and motorcycles in the forest and climbers on Mt. Erie.

Much of the discussion Monday night was restrictions on motorcycle use and requests from dog owners that they be allowed to run dogs off-leash in the forest. The city’s ordinance that dogs be on a leash when in public places covers the forest, too.

Council member Nick Petrish “To continue to not allow dogs off-leash in the forst is to ask for problems. There should be an area for off-leash dog use.” And, he suggested, it should include water access for dogs.

An agreement came from fellow Council member Kevin McKeown, who’s a dog owner. “Dogs are going off-leash at Cranberry Lake all the time. I take my dog there and let him go off-leash.” He suggested setting aside specific areas as off-leash areas.

But, Council member Erica Pickett said “I’m very much opposed to off-leash dogs in the ACFL. The leash law is another name for having better control of your dog.” Council member Brian Geer agreed. “We need to stick with the leash law.”

Motorcycles was another area that the Council didn’t agree over. The new rules proposed by the Parks & Recreation Department would ban motorcycles from Nov. 1 through Mar. 31, primary to prevent trail erosion, according to Parks Director Gary Robinson. And, motorcycles would be limited to smaller sizes and would continue to be banned on a few trails.

Petrish weighed in with “There’s a real conflict with motorcycles where people are hiking. There should be a separate area set aside for motorcycles.”

Council member Bill Turner said safety is his problem with motorcycles. “I think you could improve safety by eliminating motorcycles, to be blunt.” He expressed concern motorcycles threaten humans, dogs, and horses.

Council member Cynthia Richardson, who proclaimed herself a motorcycle rider, called the issue “A tricky one.” She said she regularly walks trails in the forest and rarely encounters a motorcycle. “Maybe we need a walkers-only area.”

There was some discussion of the plan’s proposal to grandfather in climbing routes on Mt. Erie, but to have a committee manage the routes.

The discussion included the issue of conservation vs. recreation. Parks Director Robinson said the plan tries to balance the two.

Council member Turner said “I am concerned that recreation has taken a back sea to conservation of habitat.” He requested a statement be added to the plan that says “to conserve and enhance recreational opportunities while maintaining the unique environment and wildlife habitat for the public.”

Council member Brad Adams reacted with “We need to be careful about how much recreation we allow.” McKeown agreed, saying, “We want to maintain the character of the forest lands.”

Richardson pointed out that of the 15 trails marked for walkers only, only one is rated easy. “Over the next decade, I’d like to see an emphasis on more of those,” pointing out the large number of retirees living in Anacortes.

Parks director Robinson will attempt to re-work some of the language in the plan and bring it back to the City Council for their review before approving it.