09/28/2006: "CC Wants Priority Loading for Livestock on Ferries"

The CC (County Council) has asked the WSF (Wa State Ferries) to allow the transportation of livestock to have priority loading on the San Juan county ferry runs. Jayne Davis, representing WSF, recently came before the Council to answer questions from the CC, and hear the Council member's concerns about trucks with livestock not being able to reach their destinations in a timely fashion, and what the negative effects of this have been.

Two problems that quickly became apparent during the discussion, were the issues of existing regulations and policies that control priority loading, and the question of a definition of "livestock" and "perishable goods", and "commercial". The question was asked, "Should a farmer with a few baskets of produce on his way to sell them at a Farmer's Market be entitled to priority loading?". Davis pointed out that what the Council had in mind would require changes to be made at the legislative level, and suggested that the Council send a proposal for changes to the WA State Transportation Commission, as this would be the required first step toward making changes to state law.

At the end of the meeting, there was a general agreement that a proposal would be drafted by an ad-hock committee, possibly consisting of Public Works, the County Administrator, and the County Extension Agent, all of whom would work with the Ferry Advisory Committee to put together a draft proposal within six weeks. The draft would then be presented to the Council, and to the public, for review and comment, prior to sending it to the State for their review.