— by Orcas Issues reporter Matthew Gilbert —

The last chance to share your views with decision-makers about the Port’s proposed 20-year Master Plan has arrived. The public comment period officially ends Friday, October 5. If you haven’t seen the final draft plan, go HERE.

Before you do, you might want to read the latest post by Clark Cundy, whose detailed update on key issues relating to the Plan is necessary homework for those still planning to comment. In it he points out that, “The original Master Plan options provided to the public by DOWL/Port and used to help in the creation of the current ‘preferred’ Master Plan are no longer available on the Port’s website.” This means that unless you saved those documents, you will not be able to compare the original options to what has been proposed. It’s not clear why those were removed.

Cundy also flags the possibility that an international U.S. Customs Port of Entry could be added to the proposed new terminal. He states that this would open up the potential use of “. . . bigger, faster B-II aircraft: Cessna Citation, Beechcraft King Air Series 200 (as long as the crew kept the max takeoff weight under 12,500 lbs.), two drones, plus Border Patrol Boats . . .” Those and other Customs aircraft can be seen HERE.

Again, final public comments are being accepted through October 5. Send them to Leah Henderson of DOWL via orcasmasterplan@dowl.com, but given their primary focus on FAA compliance, it’s equally important to contact the Port directly at orcasairport@rockisland.com / 360-376-5285 or any of the commissioners:

• Shawn Simpson (shawn@portoforcas.com)
• Dwight Guss (dwight@portoforcas.com)
• Greg Sawyer (greg@portoforcas.com)
• William S. Hopkins (steve@portoforcas.com)
• Brian Ehrmantraut / Chair (brian@portoforcas.com)

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