Swinomish seeks extension on the Roadless Rule comment period. The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community has asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture to extend the public comment deadline on the proposed rescission of the 2001 Roadless Rule from Sept. 19 to Oct. 10, and to provide tribal nations with consultation opportunities through Dec. 12. The tribe warned that the current three-week timeline, announced just before Labor Day, is too short to assess impacts on salmon recovery, hunting, gathering, and other treaty-protected rights. The Roadless Rule, originally adopted in 2001, limits logging, road building, and development on nearly 60 million acres of national forest lands. The Swinomish warned that the proposed reversal — announced Aug. 29 with comments due just three weeks later — does not allow enough time for tribes to fully analyze and respond to the sweeping policy change.
Multiple people reported calls from someone falsely claiming to be with the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office the Swinomish Police Department posted to Facebook Monday. The caller tells victims they missed jury duty and now have a warrant for their arrest, which can supposedly be cleared by sending money through Bitcoin or electronic transfer. Police advise hanging up immediately. If you are unsure whether a call is legitimate, look up the agency’s official phone number and call them directly. Do not send money or share personal information. Report scams to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
La Conner Town Council members voted for the Planning Commission to reconsider its prior design review approval for construction of a new home within the Historic Preservation District (HPD) on Road Street. The planning board previously had approved vertical siding for the proposed residence, but Town code instructs applicants to avoid vertical or wide horizontal siding in the HPD.
Town Council also confirmed the nomination of Tracy McCain to serve on the Planning Commission. McCain, a La Conner resident and business owner, will serve the remainder of John Leaver’s term that runs through Dec. 31, 2026.
La Conner Fire Chief/Code Enforcement Officer Aaron Reinstra said the new Town fireboat has been delivered and is undergoing sea trials. The new vessel is moored at the Port of Skagit’s La Conner Marina.
