Nobody likes option B, but most seem to be able to settle for option A when it comes to ferry service in the future.

Both possibilities are in the Washington State Ferries draft long-range plan presented to Anacortes residents Jan. 15 at the ninth of 10 public hearings.

The first of the two options, option A, is business as close to usual as possible and includes a $3.5 billion deficit during the next 22 years. The second, option B, has a deficit of $1.4 billion and makes cuts system wide, including eliminating the Anacortes to Sidney, B.C., run.

About 70 people came to the Senior Center with 27 commenting on the plan for the official record. All were in consensus that the Sidney run must continue — for tourism, economic and cultural reasons in addition to providing revenue for the state.

A transcript of the hearing will be posted on the WSF Web site and used to make adjustments to the plan before it goes to the Legislature on Jan. 31. From there it will most likely be debated and included in the transportation budget for the 2009-2011 biennium that must be finalized by the end of the session April 26.

People commenting at the hearing included Mayor Dean Maxwell, five out of seven City Council members, Skagit County Commissioner Ron Wesen, Chamber of Commerce members from both Anacortes and Burlington and others. All had similar comments that supported the run, many based on the numbers presented in the 2007 E. D. Hovee and Company economic report that lays out how much the run benefits the region.

Before the meeting, WSF Assistant Secretary David Moseley said comments at the previous hearings depicted “a universal dislike for plan B,” while plan A was generally accepted.

But as he opened the meeting, he said the ferry system is not financially sustainable and the revenue does not meet its expenses.

“That is the crux of the problem we’re in,” Moseley said.

The long-range plan outlines WSF’s operation and capital needs until 2030.

It was directed by the 2007 Legislature to develop the plan describing how it will maximize the use of existing capacity, apply adaptive management practices and deliver the highest quality service at the lowest possible costs, said WSF Planning Director Ray Deardorf.

Currently, there is a “lack of a dedicated funding stream to meet investment needs,” Deardorf said. WSF had to consider even further funding constraints when the economic conditions in the state as well as the world worsened during the 18 months the plan was developed.

Option A comes with a big price tag, and so option B was developed with the goal of providing minimal service without closing down any of the domestic routes — “domestic” being the key word and meaning no international run to Sidney.

Another differences between the two options is the number of vessels replaced as older ones are retired — five in option B and 10 in option A including a standby vessel, which is not a luxury but a necessity, Deardorf said.

Cuts in option B also affect the entire system either directly or through reroutes from other runs, he said.

Elements common to both plans are a vehicle reservation system on all routes, passenger fare increases at half the rate of vehicle fares, overall fare increases at 2.5 percent rate per year and added surcharges when fuel costs spike.

Maxwell said he appreciates the difficult job WSF has but was disappointed by how much it underestimated the Anacortes community’s feelings for option B.

He also said it was ironic he received a proposed economic stimulus plan from the governor’s office earlier in the day at the same time it proposes canceling a ferry run that directly and indirectly creates nearly 1,500 jobs with more than $30 million in annual payroll, according to the Hovee report.

Gere-a-Deli owner Laurie Gere estimates 25 percent of her income is tourism dollars. Year after year, she gets repeat customers who take the ferries to Sidney and the San Juan Islands.

Cutting the run has a huge economic impact to the region and the state budget, said Councilwoman Cynthia Richardson. She pointed out that eliminating the run would close one out of five border crossings west of the Cascades.

“Does it make sense to close one of these a year before the Olympics?” Richardson asked.

Others at the meeting proposed their version of an option C, including Pat Robinson who handed out fliers with his suggestions.

“People depend on ferries to get to their homes and moved here expecting the same amount of service,” Robinson said.

Robinson proposed retaining all ferry service but implementing cost saving measures, such as reducing speeds to save fuel, re-skinning vessel hulls to extend their lives and cutting the number of “consultants in the office.”

Others at the hearing urged the Legislature get rid of the state law requiring all ferry vessels be built by Washington companies.

The law means no competitive bid process when it comes to building ferries and no chance of obtaining federal funds to pay for them, said Anacortes Ferry Advisory Committee Chair Duane Clark.

Clark said he agreed with much of WSF’s plan, even the fuel charge.

But he pointed out that option A becomes less of a continuation of service as time goes on because of projected increases in ridership.

WSF predicts a 36 percent increase in ridership overall and a 78 percent increase for the Sidney run during the next 22 years.

And option B is actually a reduction of service, Clark said.

“Plan B is just not workable in any form,” he said. “It should not be left on the table.”

“I think we’re all in agreement here,” said Councilman Brad Adams. “No one is in support of option B.”

Key Legislative dates:

March 2 Last day to read in reports from Senate Transportation Committee.

March 12 Last day to consider bills in house of origin.

April 6 Last day to read in reports from House Transportation Committee.

April 26 Last day allowed for regular session under state constitution.

July 1 The 2009-2011 biennium budget goes into effect.

For daily Legislative agendas, schedules and calendars, go to http://www.leg.wa.gov/Legislature/calendar/.

What supporters can do

The local Save Our Ferry group working to retain the Anacortes to Sidney, British Columbia, ferry run has several suggestions for residents to help.

• Send letters and e-mails, and make calls and personal visits to legislators.

• Speak to organizations, associations and clubs using the Hovee report and other talking points at http://www.saveourferry.net to convince others of the economic value of the run.

• Write letters to the editor to local newspapers.

• Accompany the SOF group on a trip to Olympia to be scheduled during the Legislative session.

• Wear and share T-shirts, posters and business cards to be developed by the group.

• Donate to the SOF group that plans to build a fund of approximately $10,000 to employ a lobbyist and pay for other expenses.