The City of Bremerton and Kitsap County announced the release of the draft Gorst Subarea Plan, Watershed Characterization and Framework Plan, and associated Environmental Impact Statement available for public review and comment, according to Eric Baker, special projects manager for Kitsap County.

Baker said the documents are part of a multi-year effort with the Gorst community, federal, state and local agencies and local Tribes outlining three potential futures for the Gorst watershed and urban growth area for the 2015-2035 planning period.

Documents detail associated environmental impacts of each alternative and the required capital facilities needed to serve them. None of the alternatives propose an expansion of the urban growth area. The documents are drafts and public comment is crucial to their refinement progressing to adoption by the end of the year.

Documents are available electronically at the project website,www.gorstwatershed.com, and hard copies are available for display only at the City of Bremerton’s Department of Community Development Front Counter, 345 6th St., Suite 600; the Kitsap County Department of Community Development Front Counter, 619 Division St., secnd floor, Port Orchard and at the Sylvan Way Library.

The public comment period on these draft documents runs to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 24.

Comments will be forwarded to the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners and Bremerton City Council for their consideration as they prepare a preferred alternative for further review and additional public comment later this year.