As the Washington State Department of Transportation updates its Ferries Division Long-Range Plan, Kitsap County is engaging residents in discussions about local ferry priorities.

The Kitsap County Board of Commissioners will host a series of five forums in partnership with the cities of Bremerton and Bainbridge Island and Ferry Advisory Committee members. Meetings will be held in each of the local ferry communities and one in Silverdale, to explore several ferry system issues of particular interest including: communications, vessels, fares/tariffs, schedules, service standards, parking and terminals.

The public is welcome and encouraged to attend these forums, intended to serve as an opportunity for open conversations with a focus on identifying local interests and priorities.

“With four ferry terminals in Kitsap County, we are experts on ferry services, and have some great ideas to offer for this update of the WSF Long-Range Plan,” said Commissioner Charlotte Garrido.

Commissioners, mayors and the Kitsap County Ferry Advisory Committees will facilitate these discussions. The public can ask questions and provide feedback on the long-range plan. Input from these meetings will be compiled into a report presented to WSDOT during its update process.

The meeting are scheduled at the following dates and sites:

• Bremerton: Sept. 23, 5:30 p.m., Bremerton City Hall, 345 6th Street No. 600

• Silverdale: Sept. 24, 6 p.m., Silverdale Community Center, Evergreen Room, 9729 Silverdale Way

• Kingston: Oct. 7, 6:15 p.m., North Kitsap Fire and Rescue Station, 26642 Miller Bay Road NE

• Southworth: Oct. 9, 6 p.m., Harper Church, 10384 SE Sedgwick Rd., Port Orchard

• Bainbridge Island: Oct. 22, 6:15 p.m., Bainbridge Island City Hall, 280 Madison Ave. North

The current Ferries Division Long-Range Plan, adopted June 30, 2009, is available at www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/planning/ESHB2358.htm.

For more information on forums, contact Eric Baker at 360-337-7080.