executive summary - san juan islands visitors … islands and the quality of life enjoyed by...

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San Juan iSlandS Scenic byway auGuST 2011 Purpose of Developing the Corridor Management Plan Citizens from communities on San Juan Island and Orcas Island, along with agency partners at the local, regional, state, and federal level, have joined together to develop this corridor management plan (CMP), which charts a course for the future of the San Juan Islands Scenic Byway. The CMP includes recommendations for expanding stewardship and enhancing visitors’ experiences along the byway, while at the same time preserving the sensitive scenic, natural, archaeological, historic, cultural, and recreational resources of the islands and the quality of life enjoyed by islanders. CMP recommendations also include expanding multi-modal transportation options to reduce environmental impacts, enhance community livability, and improve visitor access. Telling Our Stories The CMP includes recommendations for telling the many interesting stories of the byway through interpretation, education, promotion, and hands-on stewardship activities. rough various projects and programs, visitors will become inspired as they learn and understand how islanders: whaT iS a corridor ManaGeMenT Plan? A corridor management plan presents a clear vision of what the scenic byway organization intends to accomplish. With specific strategies for managing tourism and protecting unique natural and cultural resources, the plan should reflect community goals and respect local lifestyles and cultures. Adapted from America’s Byways® (National Scenic Byways Program) e full San Juan Islands Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan will soon be available online. Please visit: www.visitsanjuans.com/ scenicbyway to download the full plan. Live in this unique environment with a strong commitment to sustainability and stewardship; Protect natural resources such as endangered wildlife, marine life, and unique habitats; Preserve and restore cultural landscapes and historic buildings and sites; Grow, produce, and market local foods and products; Conserve energy and water; Promote and enhance visitors’ experiences in the islands by offering abundant recreation opportunities; Create and display diverse works of art and architecture throughout the islands; and Protect scenic areas and viewsheds for future generations to enjoy. 1 View of Mount Baker from Mount Constitution at Moran State Park execuTive SuMMary San Juan iSlandS Scenic byway corridor ManaGeMenT Plan

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Page 1: execuTive SuMMary - San Juan Islands Visitors … islands and the quality of life enjoyed by islanders. CMP recommendations also include expanding multi-modal transportation options

San Juan iSlandS Scenic byway — auGuST 2011

Purpose of Developing the Corridor Management PlanCitizens from communities on San Juan Island and Orcas Island, along with agency partners at the local, regional, state, and federal level, have joined together to develop this corridor management plan (CMP), which charts a course for the future of the San Juan Islands Scenic Byway. The CMP includes recommendations for expanding stewardship and enhancing visitors’ experiences along the byway, while at the same time preserving the sensitive scenic, natural, archaeological, historic, cultural, and recreational resources of the islands and the quality of life enjoyed by islanders. CMP recommendations also include expanding multi-modal transportation options to reduce environmental impacts, enhance community livability, and improve visitor access.

Telling Our StoriesThe CMP includes recommendations for telling the many interesting stories of the byway through interpretation, education, promotion, and hands-on stewardship activities. Through various projects and programs, visitors will become inspired as they learn and understand how islanders:

whaT iS a corridor

ManaGeMenT Plan?

A corridor management

plan presents a clear

vision of what the scenic

byway organization

intends to accomplish.

With specific strategies

for managing tourism

and protecting unique

natural and cultural

resources, the plan

should reflect community

goals and respect local

lifestyles and cultures.

Adapted from America’s Byways®(National Scenic Byways Program)

The full San Juan Islands Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan will soon

be available online. Please visit:

www.visitsanjuans.com/scenicbyway

to download the full plan.

• Live in this unique environment with a strong commitment to sustainability and stewardship;

• Protect natural resources such as endangered wildlife, marine life, and unique habitats;

• Preserve and restore cultural landscapes and historic buildings and sites;

• Grow, produce, and market local foods and products;

• Conserve energy and water;

• Promote and enhance visitors’ experiences in the islands by offering abundant recreation opportunities;

• Create and display diverse works of art and architecture throughout the islands; and

• Protect scenic areas and viewsheds for future generations to enjoy.

1

View of Mount Baker from Mount Constitution at Moran State Park

execuTiveSuMMary

San Juan iSlandS Scenic bywaycorridor ManaGeMenT Plan

Page 2: execuTive SuMMary - San Juan Islands Visitors … islands and the quality of life enjoyed by islanders. CMP recommendations also include expanding multi-modal transportation options

The San Juan Islands Scenic Byway will provide access to a unique marine and island environment. Byway-supported actions will protect sensitive resources, promote ecologically-sustainable tourism, and preserve the culture and quality of life in the islands. Here, visitors will encounter a place like no other, where they can learn about stewardship while building lasting memories from their extraordinary experiences.

viSion for TheSan Juan iSlandSScenic byway

Mission Statement of the Byway:Through programs, projects, and initiatives, we will foster a strong sense of

stewardship and pride in the byway and work collaboratively to protect unique

and sensitive resources, preserve the local quality of life, and enhance facilities

and opportunities for visitors so that the San Juan Islands experience of today

can continue to be the experience of future generations.

Scenic Byway Values

• Protecting and Preserving Natural and Cultural Resources and Local Quality of Life

• Managing Tourism and Inspiring Stewardship

• Enhancing Visitor Experiences and Creating Lasting Memories

• Expanding Multi-modal Transportation Options to Reduce Environmental Impacts, Enhance Community Livability, and Improve Visitor Access

• Strengthening the Byway’s Identity and Promoting its Value as a Tourism Destination

• Providing Effective, Ongoing Management and Organizational Support to the Byway

cMP execuTive SuMMary2

Page 3: execuTive SuMMary - San Juan Islands Visitors … islands and the quality of life enjoyed by islanders. CMP recommendations also include expanding multi-modal transportation options

San Juan iSlandS Scenic byway — auGuST 2011

San Juan Islands Scenic Byway

Steering Committee

Deborah HopkinsSan Juan Islands Visitors Bureau

Sandy StrehlouTown of Friday Harbor/

Historic Preservation

Melissa JohnsonWashington State Ferries

Terri GillelandOrcas Island Chamber of Commerce

Shannon WilburSan Juan County Public Works

Dona WuthnowSan Juan County Parks and

Recreation

Judy CummingSan Juan County Land Bank

Peter DederichSan Juan Island

National Historical Park

Michel VekvedFriends of Moran State Park/

Washington State Parks

Cathy FaulknerOrcas Pathways

Stephanie BuffumFriends of the San Juans

Hawkins PingreeSan Juan County Agricultural

Resources Committee

Liz IllgSan Juan Islands

Scenic Byway Coordinator

A special thanks to citizens from San Juan Island and

Orcas Island who participated in public workshops and

provided input during the planning process

PRO

JEC

T SC

HED

ULE

2010 2011Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3

Meetings with Steering Committee

Existing Conditions Analysis

Byways Features/Qualities Inventory and Mapping

Public Meetings/Workshops

Development of Draft CMP

Development of Final CMP

Implementation

SuPPorTinG our ParTnerS

Several of the projects listed on pages 6, 7 & 8 are being led by agencies and other organizations. The byway will support these projects as a key partner. Support from the byway group may include helping to seek funding and resources for projects, providing letters of support for grant applications, and other actions. In addition to these project-specific activities, the byway group will continue to maintain strong ties with partners and byway interests, including:

• Coast Salish tribes of the region

• Washington State Ferries

• National Park Service

• San Juan County (including Public Works, Land Bank, and Parks)

• Preservation land trusts

• Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission

• Town of Friday Harbor (including Historic Preservation)

• Community Groups from the Villages & Hamlets on the Islands

• Friends of Moran State Park

• Agricultural Resources Committee and other agricultural interests

• Friends of the San Juans

• San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau and tourism-related interests

• San Juan County Economic Development Council

• Chambers of Commerce on Orcas Island and San Juan Island

• Orcas Pathways and other local trails groups

• Other groups and organizations that support the byway’s mission and vision

Public workshops helped shape the development of the Corridor Management Plan.

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Page 4: execuTive SuMMary - San Juan Islands Visitors … islands and the quality of life enjoyed by islanders. CMP recommendations also include expanding multi-modal transportation options

CANADA

UNITED STATES

CANADA

UNITED STATES

San JuanChannel

PresidentChannel

LummiBay

EastSound

WestSound

Gri�nBay

DoeBay

CowlitzBay

EchoBay

BurrowsBay

LopezSound

MudBay

LangleyBay

DeepwaterBay

SwiftsBay

ShoalBay

CascadeBay

FishingBay

MassacreBay

ShipBay

NorthBay

Wescott Bay

DavisBay

NorthBay

FalseBay

DeerHarbor

RocheHarbor

OpenBay

MackayeHarbor

ChannelHarney

S a l i s h S e a

Ha

ro S

t r ai t

Strait of Juan de Fuca

ShawIsland

DecaturIsland

HenryIsland

BlakelyIsland

CypressIsland

LummiIsland

FidalgoIsland

WaldronIsland

SinclairIsland

Spieden Island

Stuart Island

ClarkIsland

SAN JUANISLAND

ORCASISLAND

LopezIsland

VancouverIsland

JamesIsland

MoresbyIsland

SidneyIsland

0 1.0 2.00.5Miles

1.5 3.0

0 2.25 9 13.5 184.5Miles

Vancouver

Bellingham

Everett

Seattle

Olympia

Tacoma

Bellevue

Victoria

Sidney

Bellingham

Anacortes

Everett

Seattle

Olympia

Tacoma

Bellevue

Victoria

Sidney

Vancouver

W A S H I N G T O N

C A N A D A

V A N C O U V E RI S L A N D

Anacortes

Burlington

Sea-Tac Int’l Airport

Burlington

Sea-Tac Int’l Airport

Mount VernonMount Vernon

Strait of Georgia

Salish Sea

Paci�c Ocean

PugetSound

Strait of Juan de Fuca

MOUNTAINSTO SOUND

GREENWAY

PACIFIC COASTSCENIC BYWAY

CHINOOK PASSSCENIC BYWAY

CASCADE LOOP/NORTH CASCADESSCENIC HIGHWAY

STRAIT OFJUAN DE FUCASCENIC BYWAY

HIDDEN COASTSCENIC BYWAY

WHIDBEYISLANDSCENICBYWAY

CHUCKANUTDRIVE

CASCADE LOOP/STEVENS PASS

GREENWAY

MT. BAKERSCENIC BYWAY

CAPEFLATTERY

TRIBAL SCENICBYWAY

87

3

9

99

9

9

99

99

99

18

18

16

16

512

509

167

167 169

104

101

101

101

101

101

2

97

2

5

5

5

5

405

5

705

90

90

90

520

202

522

522

527

523

524

410

12

520

53620

20

20

MOUNTAINSTO SOUND

GREENWAY

PACIFIC COASTSCENIC BYWAY

CASCADE LOOP/STEVENS PASS

GREENWAY

STRAIT OFJUAN DE FUCASCENIC BYWAY

CAPEFLATTERY

TRIBAL SCENICBYWAY

HIDDEN COASTSCENIC BYWAY

CHINOOK PASSSCENIC BYWAY

MT. BAKERSCENIC BYWAY

CHUCKANUTDRIVE

WHIDBEYISLANDSCENICBYWAY

CASCADE LOOP/NORTH CASCADESSCENIC HIGHWAY

SCENIC BYWAY

SAN JUANISLANDS

SAN JuAN ISLANDS SCENIC ByWAyINTRINSIC quALITIES

SALISH SEA1 Portals to the Byway: Ferry Terminals

2 Across the Salish Sea: The Marine Route to and through the San Juan Islands

SAN JuAN ISLAND3 Town of Friday Harbor4 San Juan Historical Museum5 The Whale Museum6 Jackson Beach

7 American Camp Unit of San Juan IslandNational Historical Park

8 Cattle Point Interpretive Area/Lighthouse

9 Lime Kiln Point State Park a.k.a. (Whale Watch Park)/Lighthouse

10 San Juan County Park

11 English Camp Unit of San Juan IslandNational Historical Park

12 San Juan Islands Museum of Art & Sculpture Park13 Historic Roche Harbor14 Historic Schoolhouse at the VineyardsORCAS ISLAND15 Orcas Village/Historic Orcas Hotel16 Deer Harbor

17 Eastsound Village, Village Green, Historic Outlook Inn, and Crescent Beach

18 Orcas Island Historical Museum19 Historic Rosario Resort and Moran Mansion20 Moran State Park21 Mount Constitution/Interpretive Center22 Olga/Artists’ Cooperative in Historic Building23 Obstruction Pass State Park24 Historic Doe Bay Resort

BOTH ISLANDS25 Farms & Farmstands Open to the Public*

26 Art Galleries, Studios & Potteries Open to the Public*

LEGEND

Byway Land Routes (Main Routes)

Byway Marine Routes

Byway Spurs and Loops

Alternative Bicycle Routes**

Ferry Route from Sidney B.C.

Public Lands**Note: Portions are gravel.

9

11

10

*Note: Only locations on and near the byway are shown. For a full list of farms, farmstands, art galleries, studios, and potteries contact local chambers (www.sanjuanisland.org and http://orcasislandchamber.com)

132612

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Regional Context

1SidneyFerry Terminal

Byway ContextThe scenic byway encompasses the marine highway routes used by Washington State Ferries (and the traditional Coast Salish routes across the Salish Sea), as well as land routes on San Juan Island and Orcas Island.

The byway connects various communities across the islands, including the town of Friday Harbor and the village of Roche Harbor on San Juan Island, as well as the villages and hamlets of Orcas Village, West Sound, Deer Harbor, Eastsound, and Olga on Orcas Island. Portals to the San Juan Islands Scenic Byway include the Anacortes Ferry Terminal and the ferry terminals at San Juan Island (Friday Harbor) and Orcas Island (Orcas Village), Lopez Island, and Shaw Island.

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Page 5: execuTive SuMMary - San Juan Islands Visitors … islands and the quality of life enjoyed by islanders. CMP recommendations also include expanding multi-modal transportation options

CANADA

UNITED STATES

CANADA

UNITED STATES

San JuanChannel

PresidentChannel

LummiBay

EastSound

WestSound

Gri�nBay

DoeBay

CowlitzBay

EchoBay

BurrowsBay

LopezSound

MudBay

LangleyBay

DeepwaterBay

SwiftsBay

ShoalBay

CascadeBay

FishingBay

MassacreBay

ShipBay

NorthBay

Wescott Bay

DavisBay

NorthBay

FalseBay

DeerHarbor

RocheHarbor

OpenBay

MackayeHarbor

ChannelHarney

S a l i s h S e a H

aro

St r a

i tStrait of Juan de Fuca

ShawIsland

DecaturIsland

HenryIsland

BlakelyIsland

CypressIsland

LummiIsland

FidalgoIsland

WaldronIsland

SinclairIsland

Spieden Island

Stuart Island

ClarkIsland

SAN JUANISLAND

ORCASISLAND

LopezIsland

VancouverIsland

JamesIsland

MoresbyIsland

SidneyIsland

0 1.0 2.00.5Miles

1.5 3.0

26

6

8

25

1

2

18

19

21

16

54 3

7

17

1

2

2

1

14

15 23

24

1

2

2

20

26

26

26

18

26

26

22

1

AnacortesFerry Terminal

Shaw IslandFerry Terminal Lopez Island

Ferry Terminal

Friday HarborFerry Terminal

Orcas IslandFerry Terminal

5

Page 6: execuTive SuMMary - San Juan Islands Visitors … islands and the quality of life enjoyed by islanders. CMP recommendations also include expanding multi-modal transportation options

cMP execuTive SuMMary

Overall Byway:• Wayshowing and Orientation Projects—Implement

two important near-term projects:

• The Wayshowing Project will fabricate and install wayfinding logo signs along the byway (see page 8 for logo design.)

• The Orientation Project will develop visitor information and interpretive displays for key sites along the byway including ferry terminals. The displays will provide the byway map, stewardship messages, transportation options, and other important information.

• Telling the Byway’s Stories: Interpretive Waysides Program—Design and install interpretive displays (low profile panels, as well as electronic/podcast media) at key sites throughout the byway. Minor site improvements may be included along with the interpretation (see Wayside Facilities Improvements). This project picks up where the wayshowing and orientation projects above leave off, as a Phase II of CMP implementation. Some additional scoping will be needed to confirm the specific improvements needed at each site and the estimated costs. Key interpretive waysides sites include:

San Juan Island• Friday Harbor • American Camp Unit of the San Juan Island National

Historical Park• Lime Kiln Point State Park a.k.a. Whale Watch Park• San Juan County Park/Brann Cabin• English Camp Unit of the San Juan Island National

Historical Park• Roche Harbor• Wayside location(s) for Barns and Farms Tour (such

as Madden Lane & Valley Church and/or Douglas Road at Bailer Hill)

Orcas Island• Orcas Village• Deer Harbor• Map Corner• Eastsound Village (Waterfront Park & Village Square)• Historic Rosario Resort• Moran State Park • Olga Corner• Doe Bay

• Waysides Facilities Improvements—Provide additional minor visitor improvements at key waysides along the byway (see list at lower left), such as prefabricated concrete restrooms, picnic accommodations, building rehabilitation, bicycle racks, water sinks, site work and paving, and other types of improvements as needed for each location.

• Bicycles, Buses, Pedestrians, and County-wide Road Improvements—Support and promote alternative transportation options and uses by visitors and islanders alike. This includes supporting transit, pedestrian, and bicycle projects (including the vision for more shared-use trails and shoulder widening on roads of both islands).

• Shuttle Program Feasibility Study/Three Year Shuttle Pilot Program—Pursue funding for and conduct a feasibility study to determine the viability of an expanded shuttle program with service on San Juan Island and Orcas Island. The study needs to confirm what factors would make transit service expansion viable. This would be the first step toward potentially implementing expanded shuttle service.

• Byway Website, Interactive Map Layers, and Special Tours—Develop a byway-specific website with byway maps and key sites highlighted, as well as byway project information. The website would doubly serve as a promotional tool and a communications hub for the byway organization.

Envisioned Maps Layers/Special Tours• Historic barns & farms; farmstands/farmers’ markets• Art galleries, studios, potteries• Bicycling routes and trails• Wildlife watching sites• Historic sites and cultural landscapes

• Byway Guide and Map (Print Version)—Using same graphics developed for the website but adapted for print use, create a byway-specific guide and map to be printed and distributed throughout the region, including onboard the ferries (for card racks). The guide would include content related to sensitive resources in the islands and the need for preservation and stewardship.

• Electronic Media—Keep the byway on the cutting edge of the digital age with interpretive outreach through web-based programs, podcasts, hand-held applications, and other opportunities. Pursue funding for an initial

Scenic Byway Action PlanTop Priority Projects:The San Juan Islands Scenic Byway group supports implementation of the following projects.

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Page 7: execuTive SuMMary - San Juan Islands Visitors … islands and the quality of life enjoyed by islanders. CMP recommendations also include expanding multi-modal transportation options

San Juan iSlandS Scenic byway — auGuST 2011

pilot program package focused on a feasible technology method for the byway in the near-term.

• Byway “Exploration Hubs”(Co-located and Self-guided)—Install byway displays and provide information about the byway in key locations, working with other partners (agencies and organizations). Key sites include ferry terminals as well as additional exploration hubs in downtown Friday Harbor (possibly the Brickworks site) and Eastsound.

• Place Name Signs/Agricultural Signs—Develop a design “low profile” style that blends with scenic qualities of the byway for place name signs and agricultural crop/product signs and install in phases.

• Additional Byway Branding and Wayshowing—Provide upgraded signing at key intersections along the byway, as well as milepost markers with the byway logo and other elements to strengthen the byway’s identity and visitor wayfinding.

Salish Sea:• Interpretation Programs aboard Ferries—Partner

with UW Friday Harbor Labs, WSU Beachwatchers, The Whale Museum, Washington State Ferries, and others in expanding interpretive programs onboard the ferries (developing a program similar to the Alaska Marine Highway ferries via the US Forest Service).

• Byway Displays on Ferries—Develop and provide a byway display (with map) onboard the ferries (including San Juan Islands/Salish Sea routes and other Puget Sound routes).

• Byway Information on Ferries Video Loop—Seek funding to purchase a segment on the video loop on the ferry to promote the byway and convey key stewardship messages.

San Juan Island: • San Juan Island National Historical Park—Support

implementation of the Park’s General Management Plan, including high priority projects such as a new visitor contact/multi-modal transportation hub at American Camp and Cattle Point Road relocation.

Ferry crossing the Salish Sea

Tower built by the Civilian Conservation Corps at the top of Mount Constitution

Continued on Page 8

American Camp at San Juan Island National Historical Park

• Cattle Point Road Relocation—Support implementation of the Cattle Point Road relocation project being led by San Juan County and the National Park Service.

• Cattle Point Lighthouse Restoration—Support repair to the base of the lighthouse and formation of a “Friends” group to sustain maintenance and operations efforts at the lighthouse and interpretive area.

• Brickworks—Support the Brickworks project as a key partner with the potential for developing and installing scenic byway related displays and information there.

• Friday Harbor Interpretation (Historic District Tour and Waterfront Tour)—Support ongoing tour promotions as well as provision of materials and resources for the tours, such as additional interpretive and historic commemoration displays and volunteer tour guides.

• Lime Kiln Point State Park (aka Whale Watch Park)— Support interpretive programs and staffing needs.

• San Juan County Park—Support the pursuit of funding for implementing improvements to the San Juan County Park.

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cMP execuTive SuMMary

Orcas Island:• Orcas Village Landing—Support San Juan County

and other partners in implementing the proposed master plan improvements for the landing area.

• Map Corner Enhancements—Implement improvements to Map Corner, with a small restroom (pre-fabricated concrete), waste receptacles, and other amenities.

• Moran State Park Interpretive Center—Implement improvements to the summit interpretive center and continue to support the Friends of Moran in programming and operations of the center.

• Moran State Park Day Use Shelter—Support State Parks and Friends of Moran in pursuing funding for and implementing restoration of the day-use picnic shelter.

• Mount Constitution Road Guard Rail—Support State Parks and Friends of Moran in pursuing funding for and implementing timber beam and stone column guard rail replacement along sections of the road.

• Eastsound Village Interpretation and Walking Tour Program—Support implementation of a walking tour program working with local community representatives and business owners and provide interpretive information to support the tour.

• Orcas Road Improvements— Support San Juan County in the implementation of the Orcas Road improvements project (MP 3.45 to 3.92).

• Eastsound Village Square—Implement the proposed master plan and support various projects and improvements planned for the village, a key visitor hub on Orcas Island.

The CMP planning process also resulted in selection and design of a logo for the San Juan Islands Scenic Byway. The selected logo is the larger one shown at right. This logo will be placed on signs along the byway. Other logos in the same design style as the scenic byway logo can be developed over time to celebrate special places and events along the byway, as the two smaller examples to the right depict.

The Whidbey Island Scenic Isleway sign is an example of how the selected logo will be displayed along the byway.

Scenic byway loGo

Byway Organizational and Administrative Priorities• Ongoing Administrative Support—Provide ongoing

administrative support for the byway including the part-time coordinator position.

• National Scenic Byway Designation—Pursue the application process for national scenic byway designation through America’s Byways ®.

Plan eleMenTS

1. Introduction to the San Juan Islands Scenic Byway2. The Vision for the San Juan Islands Scenic Byway 3. Existing Conditions Analysis4. Assessment of Intrinsic qualities5. understanding and Accommodating San Juan

Islands Scenic Byway Visitors6. Visitor Experience and Interpretation 7. Expanding Multi-Modal Transportation Options

for Visitors & Residents8. Helping Visitors Find Their Way: Wayshowing

and Signing Program9. Scenic Byway Design Guidelines10. Attracting Stewardship-Minded Visitors:

Marketing and Promotions Program 11. San Juan Islands Scenic Byway Action Plan12. Ongoing Byway Management & Public Involvement

Otak, an interdisciplinary planning and design firm, is developing the Corridor Management Plan and logo designs in partnership with the San Juan Islands Scenic Byway.www.otak.com

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