Anacortes reviews stormwater master plan; consultants recommend pipe‑replacement program and a downtown flow‑control exemption

Anacortes City Council on Jan. 27 heard a detailed presentation of a draft stormwater master plan from Public Works Director Andrew Rayum and outside consultants, who recommended a new stormwater pipe repair-and-replacement program, prioritized several creek restoration projects (including Clyde Creek) and said the city is eligible to request a flow-control exemption from the Washington State Department of Ecology for much of the downtown piped system.

The plan matters because it will guide capital projects, permit compliance and downtown development decisions and will inform the city’s comprehensive plan and the 2025–budgeting process. Consultants told the council the work is intended to help staff make risk‑based repair decisions about aging pipes and to identify projects that protect habitat and reduce flooding and pollutant loads to local bays.

Public Works Director Andrew Rayum introduced the item as the meeting’s main agenda topic and said the update is overdue: "The last time you had a stormwater plan done was 02/7... It's time for an update." He told council this is the first of four planned updates and invited feedback on the draft approach.

Consultant Terrell Osborne summarized the project scope and public outreach: "We have about 20 slides today and a lot of information to cover so we're gonna try to move as quickly as we can and still have time for all of your questions." Osborne and his team said the draft plan compiles mapping, field stream assessments and modeling into a 20‑year strategy and a draft capital facilities list.

Key findings and recommendations

- Pipe inspections and a new repair program: Consultants reported that crews…