Mt. Erie.
Photo Larry Nevers page.
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Summary:
Mt. Erie is currently being addressed in a new forest lands plan that is being undertaken by the City of Anacortes.
Some climbers have raised concern that the planning process may lead to a severe restriction in climbing access to the
cliffs found on the south slope of Mt. Erie, many of which have seen active rock climbing usage for approximately
fifty years.
A recent telephone call to John Lundsford, staff member at Anacortes Parks and Recreation, indicated that there
may be some misinformation concerning the City's plans for Mt. Erie floating about and he indicated that there was
thus far no specific plan to close any of the cliffs at Mount Erie though they do intend to undertake some management
efforts that may include closing or moving certain trails.
Lundsford said that, historically, they have not done much in the way of management of climbing at Mount Erie but that
they have received complaints, chiefly related to the use of the area by large instructional groups but also relating to
trails, trash, erosion, and other climber-related impacts. These complaints have come from climbers as much as they have
from non climbers. There is a working group that is going to contribute to the new plan, and there are some climbers in that
working group. Lundsford did not comment on whether there may be some people in the community, the working group, or within City government who
may wish to take a more restrictive approach toward management of rock climbing at Mount Erie in the future.
We at the Washington Climbers Coalition do not know much about the plannng process, but we generally support climbers who
wish to get involved in discussions such as the current discussion over a management plan for Anacortes forest lands, including
Mount Erie. We have enjoyed climbing there for decades, and hope to continue doing so.
For more information:
Anacortes Community Forest Lands
Copy of draft plan for download
Upcoming Meeting
The Forest Advisory Board, an advisory board to the City Council on use policies and management of the Anacortes City Forest Lands,
meets the first Thursday of every month at 7:00 p.m. at the Fidalgo Center (1701 22nd Street).
On Thursday, April 3, 2008, the new Forest Management Plan is on the agenda. Those interested in the matter are invited to attend.
-Matt Perkins
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