Citizens now have until Jan. 26 to comment on Washington State Ferries’ draft long-range plan, which charts the agency’s next 22 years.

The comment period began Dec. 19 and had been scheduled to end Jan. 21. According to WSF spokesperson Joy Goldenberg, the period has been extended due to overwhelming response.

Goldenberg said WSF staff are reading through hundreds of pages of verbal testimony recorded at 10 public hearings held around Puget Sound this month. The agency has also received more than 400 e-mailed comments. Testimony and comments are being posted on WSF’s website.

Goldenberg said WSF will likely make some revisions to the draft plan based on public input and all comments will be included in an appendix to the plan when it is submitted to the Legislature Jan. 31.

Read a summary of the draft plan and information on the public hearing process. An executive summary and full text of the draft plan can be downloaded here. Comments on the plan can be e-mailed to wsfplanning@wsdot.wa.gov

A newly formed citizens group, Citizens Write Plan C, has been gathering input for an alternative to WSF’s draft plan.